Heritage Grants
The 2025-26 Heritage Conservation Grants Program is now OPEN
This program is now open to receive applications and will close 2:00pm Monday 31st March 2025. All applications must be submitted through our new DEW Smarty Grant System. Further details about the program and a link to the application form is here.
Or can be found at https://environmentsa.smartygr...
Heritage Conservation Grants are available to owners of State heritage listed places.
- Grants provide up to $20,000 for conservation work or documentation.
- In most cases, grants will be provided on a dollar-for-dollar basis.
The Heritage Conservation Grants Program is competitive, so if you intend to apply please remember to refer to the Heritage Conservation Grants Guidelines for Applicants and focus your application on the relevant criteria.
What you will need to apply
Prior to lodging a grant application:
1. Professional heritage advice must be sought (either via Heritage SA, local councils, or privately). PLEASE ATTACH THIS ADVICE TO YOUR APPLICATION. This can be as simple as the email advice received from a heritage professional, recognised heritage contractor, conservator or Heritage Officer, Heritage SA. Heritage SA will not be responsible for administering contracts or managing contractors.
The minimum level of information provided in the application should include answers to the following:
- Is the project the highest priority work for the site at this time?
- Are the materials and methods appropriate for proposed project?
- Is Development Approval likely to be given for the proposed work?
- Does this project support the continued use or a new and appropriate use of this site?
2. Prepared scoping documents and specifications for proposed work, including up to date quotes/cost estimates. To help you find the right person to undertake your heritage conservation project, visit the Heritage SA - Register of Heritage Trades and Consultants. Applicants are free to use other tradespeople and consultants not included on this list. NB: Advice from Heritage South Australian is available at no cost.
3. Have letters from property owners or sponsors (if required) ready to attach.
4. Have supporting documentation, images of the State Heritage Place and the work required ready for upload.
Example of an application and basic quote/estimate can be found at the links below:
Grant Categories
The minimum grant for any project is $1,000. There are three categories of funding.
- Simple- up to $5,000 (GST exclusive) – Projects may include - Documentation, e.g. Architect fees, conservation management plans, dilapidation reports, development application drawings/schedules. Simple projects with only one component, e.g. Salt damp treatment or re-roofing.
- Complex – up to $10,000 (GST exclusive) – THIS IS THE MAXIMUM AVAILABLE TO RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES. Projects for residential properties with multiple components such as reinstatement of lost significant fabric or larger, more complex repairs e.g. façade conservation including timber repair and salt damp treatment; roof and gutter replacement including new roof framing and fascias.
- Major– up to $20,000 (GST exclusive) - ONLY AVAILABLE FOR NON-RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES. Projects for non-residential properties with multiple components addressing at least two of the Assessment Criteria, e.g. (1) Places at risk; (2) Adaptive re-use.
About the Program
If you own a State Heritage Place or a place within a State Heritage Area and are planning a conservation project that will help to conserve or protect significant fabric or heritage values, you may be eligible to receive a Heritage Conservation Grant. To find out more about Heritage Conservation Grant eligibility and criteria, please read the Heritage Conservation Grants Guidelines for Applicants.
In most cases, funding is provided on a dollar-for-dollar basis to successful applicants including private owners, companies, local councils & community groups who are owners of State Heritage Places, and owners or businesses situated within a State Heritage Area. State Heritage Places owned by the State Government are not eligible.
Heritage Conservation Grants are aimed at helping rejuvenate the state’s built heritage, ensuring it is protected and preserved for future generations. Since 2019, $1,531,600 of grant funding has stimulated a total direct investment of over $9.1 million into heritage conservation works in South Australia.
Find out more about past successful applicants here.
For more information about Heritage Conservation Grants please contact Heritage South Australia on 8207 7753 or email DEW.HeritageGrants@sa.gov.au
Notification of Decisions
Assessment of all applications will occur May 2025 with applicants notified of the outcome by July 2025.
18 Projects Received Funding in 2024-25
STATE HERITAGE PLACE | PROJECT DESRCIPTION | GRANT AMOUNT |
Renmark Hotel | Soffit Repair | $20,000 |
Pilgrim Uniting Church | Repair and restoration of lath and plaster ceiling | $20,000 |
Coward Springs Railway Site | Rainwater tank and railway inspection pit restoration | $7,253 |
Gawler Church Hill State Heritage Area | Anglican Church of St George survey works | $5,000 |
St David’s Anglican Church Complex - Burnside | Restoration of the exterior northern wall of the old church hall | $20,000 |
Gawler Church Hill State Heritage Area | 1A Moore St Gawler SHA - Wall restoration | $10,000 |
Manoora Institute | North wall restoration works | $13,533 |
Durdin's Brickyard | Charlton's Kiln - Restoration works | $4,674 |
Former Robe Courthouse and Police Complex | Robe Police Stables - Conservation Phase II | $20,000 |
Capri Theatre | Repair plumbing in bathrooms off main foyer | $20,000 |
Bungaree Homestead Complex | Chaff room and stable yard restoration works | $10,000 |
Pastor Rechner's Cottage | Walls, pugging and door conservation work | $20,000 |
Former Bon Accord Mine Building, Burra | Retaining wall | $16500 |
Old Woodhouse Manor | Stormwater management works | $20,000 |
Wheal Watkins Mine Historic Site | Conservation and stabilisation works | $10,000 |
Mindacowie Guest House | Chimney restoration works | $10,000 |
Clayton Wesley Uniting Church | Window Restoration | $3,040 |
St Peter's Cathedral | 'Last Judgement' Window | $20,000 |
TOTAL | $250,000 |
Building Upgrade Finance
Building Upgrade Finance may be available to supplement grant funding for non-residential heritage building upgrade works where the grant funding provides only a proportion of the total cost. Building Upgrade Finance is secured against the land, via a local council charge, with repayments made through the local council rates billing process and then transferred to the financier by the local council.
To find out more about Building Upgrade Finance, including where it is currently available visit www.buildingupgradefinance.net.au.
Other grants
Activating Heritage Tourism Program
Tourism Industry Council SA, in partnership with the Department for Environment and Water (DEW) is delivering the Activating Heritage Tourism Program to support the activation and enhancement of our state’s heritage tourism offerings.
Please go to the Activating Heritage Tourism Program - Tourism Industry Council SA (ticsa.com.au) website to learn more about this program or click on the guidelines for more information.
Activating Heritage Tourism Grants 2023 24 Guidelines
Applications for this program are open until Friday 19th April 2024.
https://ticsa.com.au/activatin...
Funding for heritage places may also be available from the following sources:
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