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 (instructions for inviting the Minister are available);
- 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.
An opening ceremony is an official public acknowledgement of Australian Government assistance. Some examples of opening ceremonies include assemblies, family fun days, fetes, sporting activity days, morning teas etc.
It is a requirement of accepting funding under the IOSP that schools acknowledge Australian Government assistance. An opening ceremony must be held for all approved projects, unless an exemption has been granted by the department (see below for approved automatic exemptions).
If a school has been successful in securing funding for multiple projects, recognition requirements are met by holding one ceremony, rather than individual ceremonies, as required under the previous arrangements.
If a school has a ceremony scheduled in 2008 for complete projects and has further approved projects not yet completed, the incomplete projects should be acknowledged during the scheduled ceremony.
The Minister has automatically exempted schools from holding an opening ceremony for IOSP projects that fall under the following categories:
- Projects approved for funding after 31 August 2008;
- Approved projects not started by 31 August 2008;
- Approved projects underway but not completed by 31 August 2008;
- 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.
No, a convenient opening ceremony date for all parties should be chosen. To accommodate this, schools are required to:
- Provide the Minister with 30 days notice of any openings and public events relating to their projects;
- Select three dates to allow greater flexibility for the Minister or representative to attend; and
- Select dates that do not fall on Parliamentary sitting days;
Schools submit their recognition ceremony request by calling the DEEWR hotline on 1300 363 079 or email schoolsliaisonofficer@deewr.gov.au.
Schools should not invite the Minister or their local member directly. The Department will co‑ordinate all opening ceremony requests.
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.
If a representative is unable to attend your opening ceremony, the Department will provide the school with a message from the Minister for Education to be read out by the Principal at your school opening.
No.
If a school has been successful in securing funding for multiple projects, recognition requirements are met by holding one ceremony, rather than individual ceremonies, as required under the previous arrangements.
If a school has a ceremony scheduled in 2008 for complete projects and has further approved projects not yet completed, the incomplete projects should be acknowledged during the scheduled ceremony.
School communities pay for the cost of opening ceremonies and plaques associated with recognition of funding. There were provisions for schools to include recognition costs in their IOSP applications.
If this cost has not been included and a recognition ceremony or plaque is required you will have to fund this from your own resources as there will be no additional funding provided.
If your school has recognition funding remaining because of the recent changes to recognition requirements, those funds can be used for any cost over runs that may have occurred over the duration of your project. If however, any monies are not expended, they will need to be returned to the Department through the acquittal process.
A plaque is a plate or tablet made from metal or other suitable material, inscribed with the required words as per the IOSP plaque template, and affixed to a wall or building, providing a permanent commemoration of Australian Government assistance.
All schools can download the plaque template from the main IOSP Recognition page Displaying a Plaque 
.
Schools can publicise Australian Government assistance in a number of ways such as through newsletters, web sites, articles in the local media, school outdoor signs or any other form of advertising available to the school. Copies of all publicity recognising the funding must be sent to schoolsliaisonofficer@deewr.gov.au within four weeks of the ceremony date.
Schools can contact the DEEWR hotline on 1300 363 079 for further assistance.