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The Small Schools Program (SSP) provides support to small rural and regional schools. It helps them manage their:

• facilities maintenance
• occupational health and safety compliance
• return to work obligations

The program commenced in 2022 after a successful pilot. It was initially funded to 30 June 2026. Due to its success and impact on small schools, it has now been extended to 31 December 2027. The SSP has been rolled out to 316 rural and regional schools across the state.

The SSP is a joint program between the Victorian School Building Authority and the Department of Education Employee Health, Safety and Wellbeing Division.

Maintaining buildings and grounds is an important responsibility shared with every school. The VSBA oversees larger building projects. School staff manage smaller works and routine maintenance with the VSBA鈥檚 support.

The Small Schools Program aims to reduce some of the administrative workload on school leaders. It does this by increasing a school's capability and knowledge of facilities maintenance. It also assists with compliance obligations.

Schools in the program work with a coordinator. They are available to assist with school buildings and grounds maintenance. They also assist with rectification works and compliance with occupational health and safety tasks. Where required, schools are also able to receive support from a return-to-work coordinator.

Schools are eligible based on their enrolment figures. Schools in the program have enrolments of no more than:

• 100 for primary schools
• 400 for secondary or P鈥�12 schools
• 45 for specialist schools.

For more information, contact the Small Schools Program at small.schools.support@education.vic.gov.au.