ClosedNon-Profit2025 application round

Animal-assisted wellbeing and engagement programs grants

Victorian Department of Education · Australia

Victorian government schools can apply for funding to implement or continue animal-assisted wellbeing and engagement programs that support student participation, inclusion, wellbeing and engagement. Funding can also support professional development for school staff and eligible program costs incurred in 2025 and 2026.

Official Grant Page

Closed

6 June 2025

Duration

Costs incurred in 2025 and 2026

Location

Victoria

Who Can Apply

Victorian government schools only Principal endorsement and signed application required Must provide supplier quotes/invoices with ABN and GST-exclusive amounts Funding excludes pre-2024 purchases, infrastructure and program staffing costs
All Victorian government schools are invited to apply. Applications must be submitted online by midnight on 6 June 2025 and must be endorsed and signed by the school principal prior to submission. Applications must include school information, contact details, details of the animal-assisted wellbeing and engagement program or service being purchased, supplier details, costs, itemised quotes on official supplier letterhead with ABN and GST-exclusive amounts, and invoices for proof of purchase for eligible ongoing program costs incurred in 2025. Funding is for animal-assisted wellbeing and engagement programs that support students and may include new programs, ongoing program costs in 2025 and 2026, and professional development for staff. Funding cannot be used for programs, animals or equipment purchased prior to 2024, infrastructure, or staffing costs to run the program. Schools that applied for round 1 may apply again in round 2, but preference will be given to first-time applicants or those unsuccessful in round 1.

What's Funded

Funding may be used for new or ongoing animal-assisted wellbeing and engagement programs in Victorian government schools, including school support animals, animal-assisted therapy for students, animal-assisted activities through incursions or excursions, equipment required for implementation excluding infrastructure, training and assessment of animals, training and assessment of school staff to become animal handlers, and professional development for staff.

Expected Outcomes

Schools are expected to deliver safe and effective animal-assisted wellbeing and engagement programs that address an identified school need, improve student participation, inclusion, wellbeing and engagement, ensure appropriate training and animal welfare standards, and demonstrate longer-term viability and appropriate reporting on use of funds.

Key Information

Applicant Types

other

Stage

any

Funding Purposes

communitytrainingother

Keywords

animal-assisted programsstudent wellbeingstudent engagementschoolsgovernment schoolsVictoriaprofessional developmentanimal welfare

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Animal-assisted wellbeing and engagement programs grants?

The Animal-assisted wellbeing and engagement programs grants is a non-profit grant offered by Victorian Department of Education in Australia. Victorian government schools can apply for funding to implement or continue animal-assisted wellbeing and engagement programs that support student participation, inclusion, wellbeing and engagement. Funding can also support professional development for school staff and eligible program costs incurred in 2025 and 2026.

Who is eligible for the Animal-assisted wellbeing and engagement programs grants?

Victorian government schools only Principal endorsement and signed application required Must provide supplier quotes/invoices with ABN and GST-exclusive amounts Funding excludes pre-2024 purchases, infrastructure and program staffing costs

When does the Animal-assisted wellbeing and engagement programs grants close?

Applications closed on 6 June 2025.

What activities are funded?

Funding may be used for new or ongoing animal-assisted wellbeing and engagement programs in Victorian government schools, including school support animals, animal-assisted therapy for students, animal-assisted activities through incursions or excursions, equipment required for implementation excluding infrastructure, training and assessment of animals, training and assessment of school staff to become animal handlers, and professional development for staff.

How do I apply for the Animal-assisted wellbeing and engagement programs grants?

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