Western NSW Workforce Activation Program - Round 2 Frequently Asked Questions

Projects must be located in one or more of the eligible NSW Local Government Areas (LGAs), of Carrathool, Hay and Warrumbungle Shires. Projects able to deliver activities addressing the shortage of Early Childhood Education and Care workers in the 3 LGAs can also be eligible under the program even if originating from outside these LGAs.

Refer to the Program Guidelines for confirmation of eligible locations.

The unique characteristics of Western NSW and acute issues identified in the LGAs of Carrathool, Hay and Warrumbungle shires require a targeted and tailored approach to address market failures in the supply of early childhood education and care services and enable workers in key industries to return to work.

No, however, the project must be in one of the 3 eligible LGAs and be able to demonstrate that it directly contributes to filling critical shortages of early childhood education and care workers in these LGAs.

ECEC services can apply for one or more streams under the program in a single application.

Eligible non-ECEC applicants can only apply for funding under Stream 3.

The activities undertaken within Streams may be interlinked. For example, a Stream 2 project to build a new room for 0–2-year care and a Stream 3 project to recruit educators for that room. Alternatively, activities undertaken within Streams may be separate from each other.

There is no restriction on the number of applications submitted. Applicants are encouraged to ensure they leave enough time to submit quality applications for their high priority projects.

In September 2024, the NSW Parliament passed amendments to the Regional Development Act 2004 to include new governance measures that will ensure transparency and accountability in the delivery of investments under the Trust.

Under the updated Act, the Minister for Regional NSW is required to publish a Trust Investment Strategy and Governance Framework to guide financial assistance and investment from the Trust.

The Strategy will ensure that the NSW Government delivers a balanced and evidence-based approach to regional economic development through investments from the Trust.

The Governance Framework includes 4 key pillars that will ensure the Trust is administered according to the requirements of the Act and delivers investments that provide meaningful and effective outcomes for regional communities.

For more information, read the Regional Development Trust Investment Strategy and Governance Framework (PDF 4.19MB).

A key principle of this grant program is to achieve value for money. This is important to ensure the benefits of the grants are maximised for the people of NSW. Ways in which applicants may contribute to delivering value for money include:

• considering the most efficient and innovative means of carrying out grant activities
• considering how government objectives and the applicant’s identified needs can be mutually achieved
• adopting an effective approach to identifying and managing risks
• collaborating with officials in monitoring and evaluation processes.

Value management is a structured and collaborative way of thinking used to make sure a project or service gives the best possible results for the least cost. When developing an application, instead of cutting costs, value management looks at different ideas and solutions to improve quality, performance and usefulness while staying within budget.

An example of using value management is when an applicant brings together a stakeholder group of ECEC educators, families and a child psychologist to identify what matters most (their perception of value) when developing a plan for a new space to accommodate additional ECEC places. Using this information, the applicant develops a plan for a new space that refurbishes an existing space that can deliver the needs identified by the stakeholders for the additional ECEC places rather than building a new space.

Co-contributions are not mandatory under the program; however, applicants are encouraged to provide a co-contribution to the total project costs, including project management and administration, and contingency. Co-contributions can be provided as cash or in-kind, or a combination of both.

Successful applicants will be required to acquit all costs met through co-contributions.

Co-contributions may include funding from other sources including other secured NSW or Australian Government grants.

Applicant co-contributions will be considered as part of the value for money assessment.

Projects must commence within 6 months of the commencement date of the funding deed and be completed within 2 years from the date of an executed funding deed. 

Applicants will need to plan for and meet all regulatory requirements. A successful funding application does not guarantee approval from the relevant regulatory, government or planning decision-making body.

Projects must not commence until both the applicant and the department have executed a funding deed.

Costs incurred prior to the execution of a funding deed are ineligible and will not be reimbursed.

This requirement does not stop an applicant from preparing and applying for a Development Approval or similar regulatory requirements at any stage prior to or during the application period. 

This covers before school care providers, after school care providers or providers that provide both before and after school care.

You must be able to provide evidence, such as quotes or detailed estimates, to support your budget.

If your application is successful, you will be required to produce receipts for all project costs, dated within the project start and end dates for reimbursement.

Costs incurred prior to the execution of a funding deed are ineligible and will not be reimbursed.

The purchase of non-fixed equipment can be included as part of an application where the equipment relates specifically to the delivery of the project and is essential to its success. This applies to applications for an infrastructure project or a services and program delivery project.

For example, an applicant that proposes to construct a building can include the purchase of non-fixed equipment, plant or machinery as part of their application where the equipment is required to ensure the outcomes of the project can be achieved.

Applicants will be required to demonstrate that the purchase of non-fixed equipment is essential to the project as part of their application.

The department can assist applicants to develop strong applications. Please contact regionaldevelopmenttrust@dpird.nsw.gov.au for a referral to your local Economic Development Manager or Aboriginal Economic Development representative.

Please check with the department prior to submitting if you are unclear about any part of the application.