Purpose Statement

ACTBGA Purpose Statement

The ACT Block Grant Authority Incorporated (ACTBGA) is an incorporated, non-profit association set up by non-government school organisations in the ACT. Its purpose is to administer the Australian Government’s Capital Grants program and other major Government grants programs for non-government schools in the ACT.

The ACTBGA has signed formal agreements with the Australian Government to administer the following active programs:

The ACTBGA also administers the following programs that are now closed to new applications:

ACTBGA Participants

ACTBGA Participants

Catholic Education

Catholic Education (1)
which has the following ACT schools:

AISACT web address:

Schools of the AISACT (3)


  • (1) Of the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn.


  • (2) St Mary MacKillop College includes the campuses of Isabella Plains and Wanniassa.


  • (3) Association of Independent Schools of the ACT.


  • (4) Canberra Girls’ Grammar School has two campuses:
    a senior and a junior one, both in Deakin, located in Melbourne Ave and Grey St respectively.


  • (5) Canberra Grammar School has two campuses: the main one in Red Hill and a K-2 in Campbell.


  • (6) Canberra Montessori School has two campuses: the main one in Holder and one in Red Hill.


  • (7) Burgmann Anglican School has two campuses, one in Gungahlin and the other in Forde.


  • (8) Brindabella Christian College has two campuses, one in Lyneham and the other in Charnwood.


ACTBGA History

ACTBGA History

In 1987 the Australian Government introduced ‘block funding’ for the Capital Grants Program for non-government schools. Block Grant Authorities were established, operating at arm’s length from the Government, while following and implementing the guidelines established by the Government to administer the Capital Grants Program. The ACTBGA was incorporated as an association in April 1988.

Governance

ACTBGA Governance

Our Constitution



Our Board

The Board is the governing body of the ACTBGA.
The Board has the authority and the responsibility to perform the functions, determine the policies and control the affairs of the ACTBGA.

The essential responsibilities of the Board are to oversee the ACTBGA and to manage the business of the Association.

This includes the following activities:


  • submit final recommendations on the allocation of Capital Grant funds to the Australian Government Minister for School Education, for approval on an annual basis;


  • make decisions or recommendations on the allocation of funding for other programs as required;


  • monitor progress against goals and objectives and ensure that corrective action is taken when necessary; and


  • establish and monitor policies to ensure that the ACTBGA complies with statutory requirements.



The current ACTBGA Board members are:

Mr. Graham HumphriesChair
Mr. Peter MurrayParent Representative
Mr. Ross FoxDirector – Catholic Education, Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn
Mr. Andrew WrigleyExecutive Director – Association of Independent Schools of the ACT


Assessment Committees

There are currently two assessment committees established under the ACT Block Grant Authority. The Commonwealth Capital Grants Program (CGP) Assessment Committee and the “Better Schools for Our Kids” (BSK) Assessment Committee.

The assessment committees are responsible for assessing and prioritising applications for grants and making recommendations to the Board on the allocation of grant funds.

The assessment committees consist of nine members each: the Chair of the Board, who presides over meetings of the committees, four members nominated by the Association of Independent Schools of the ACT (AISACT), and four members nominated by Catholic Education, Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn (CECG).

The CGP Assessment Committee members for the 2021 Round are:

Graham Humphries (Chair)Chair – ACT Block Grant Authority
Louise DavidsonBusiness Manager – St Mary MacKillop College
Chris PymontSenior Officer Schools Accounting Services (CECG)
Tim SmithPerformance and Improvement Leader (CECG)
Maureen HartungExecutive Director – Blue Gum Community School
Leah TaylorPrincipal – St Thomas Aquinas Primary School
Leah TaylorCo-Principal – Holy Family Primary School
Joel AndersonHead of Operations – Burgmann Anglican School
Hugh BoulterBusiness Manager – Daramalan College
David EvansBusiness Manager – Snowy Mountains Grammar School
Peter WrightDirector – Construction Control

The anticipated BSK Assessment Committee members for the 2021 Round are:

Graham Humphries (Chair)Chair – ACT Block Grant Authority
Joanne GarrissonSenior Manager Strategic Programs (AISACT)
Karen AchurchBusiness Manager – Trinity Christian School
Kath MorwitchSenior Manager Curriculum & Professional Learning (AISACT)
Kent PetersDirector of Business – Canberra Grammar School
Tim ElliotSchool & Family Services Leader (CECG)
Chris PymontSenior Officer Schools Accounting Services (CECG)
Geoff WhitnallSenior Planning & Facilities Officer (CECG)
David AustinPrincipal – Good Shepherd Catholic School


Members of Our Association

The members of the Association shall be:


  • Two people nominated by the Association of Independent Schools of the ACT (AISACT)


  • Two people nominated by Catholic Education, Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn (CECG)


  • One person nominated jointly by the AISACT and CECG – who shall be the Chair of the Board; and


  • One person nominated jointly by the AISACT and CECG – who shall be the Parent Representative.



The current ACTBGA Association Members are:

Mr. Graham Humphries (Chair)Chair – ACT Block Grant Authority Board
Mr. Justin GarrickHead of School – Canberra Grammar School
Mr. Peter MurrayParent Representative – ACT Block Grant Authority
Mr. Ross FoxDirector – CECG
Dr. Patrick McArdleChair – Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Catholic Education Commission
Mr. Andrew WrigleyExecutive Director – AISACT


Public Officer

The Executive Officer performs the duty of Public Officer of the Association.


Policies