Schools that were successful in obtaining funding for projects under the Investing in Our Schools Programme (IOSP) must acknowledge Australian Government assistance by:
- Inviting the Minister for Education to an opening ceremony unless the school has received an exemption from holding an opening ceremony for the project;
- Displaying a plaque; and
- Issuing publicity through the school newsletter, web sites, and any other form of advertising available to the school. Copies of the plaque and the publicity recognising the funding must be sent to schoolsliaisonofficer@deewr.gov.au within four weeks of the ceremony date.
Schools should not invite the Minister or their local member directly. The Department coordinates all opening ceremony requests between the Minister’s office and the school.
The Minister generally appoints an Australian Government representative to officiate at the ceremony. In 2008 an Australian Government representative is a member of the Australian Labor Party.
The procedures for inviting the Minister to an opening ceremony are different for government and non-government schools.
Government schools can obtain the procedures for inviting the Minister to an opening ceremony from section on the Government Schools 
Recognition page.
Non-Government schools can obtain the procedures for inviting the Minister to an opening ceremony from section on the Non-Government Schools Recognition page.
The Department has automatically exempted schools from holding an opening ceremony for IOSP projects that fall under the following categories:
- Approved projects not started as at 31 August 2008;
- Approved projects underway, but not completed as at 31 August 2008
- Projects approved for funding after 31 August 2008 (applies to non-government schools only)
- MCEETYA ‘Remote’ regional schools;
- Projects with a grant with a value of <$50,000;
- 2005 projects;
- Air-conditioning;
- Amenities and change rooms;
- Fencing;
- Floor coverings;
- Landscaping;
- Maintenance;
- Motor vehicles;
- Safety equipment;
- School administration areas;
- Security;
- Shade structures;
- Sheds;
- Softfall play areas;
- Sports fields#;
- Storage;
- Toilet blocks/sewerage upgrades; and
- Walkways.
# Only if in poor condition. Seek advice from the Schools Liaison Officers by email to schoolsliaisonofficer@deewr.gov.au.
All schools with automatically exempt projects have been notified.
Schools may seek an exemption from holding an opening ceremony in certain circumstances. Seek advice from the Schools Liaison Officers by email to schoolsliaisonofficer@deewr.gov.au.
In the case where an exemption is granted, schools are still required to acknowledge Australian Government funding by:
- Displaying a plaque. Schools exempt from having an opening ceremony can download the plaque template below;
- Issuing publicity through newsletters, local newspapers, etc; and
- Providing the Department with copies of all publicity issued and a picture of the plaque by emailing a copy to the Schools Liaison Officer in-box at schoolsliaisonofficer@deewr.gov.au. Please ensure you provide your school name in the subject line of your email.
If you wish to hold an opening ceremony for your exempt projects please contact schoolsliaisonofficer@deewr.gov.au for assistance.
All schools exempt from having an opening ceremony for an approved project(s) can download the plaque template from this link. To download the plaque template, please click on the “Acknowledged” button to confirm your understanding of the following:
- Template wording cannot be changed;
- If you have an opening ceremony only the Minister for Education, or her representative, can officiate at the ceremony and be named on the plaque; and
- Copies of the plaque and publicity recognising the funding must be sent to schoolsliaisonofficer@deewr.gov.au within four weeks of the ceremony date.
