Program guidelines
The Partnership Acceptance Learning Sharing (PALS) program is an initiative of the Western Australian Government managed by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC). It encourages WA schools to develop projects promoting and advancing reconciliation in their local community.
By supporting projects that enhance the education and understanding of Aboriginal cultures, achievements and histories in the classroom, we gain a deeper understanding of the experiences and diversity of Aboriginal people — a key to recognising our shared histories and unified futures.
PALS funding is available to all WA Department of Education funded kindergartens, and WA primary and secondary schools and encourages schools with and without Aboriginal students to participate.
2 tiers of funding are available up to $2000 and up to $3000.
Funding will be allocated until the application closing date or funds are expended.
The key dates calendar has opening and closing dates, activity start dates and draft review deadlines.
Please apply using the online grants web portal. The previously dedicated PALS online grants portal is now closed for applications.
More information about how to apply can be found in the application manual.
The PALS program objectives are:
PALS projects fall within 6 project funding categories:
Embracing traditional and contemporary Aboriginal art by exploring visual and performing art forms; engaging with Aboriginal people to share traditional knowledge, learn and practice these art forms and understand the role of art as a means of story-telling in Aboriginal culture.
May include, but not limited to:
Refer to the PALS Project Toolkit for other project ideas in this category.
Building collaborative, trusting and respectful relationships with Aboriginal students, families and communities; developing and maintaining sustainable partnerships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people across the entire school community.
Exploring the strong spiritual connection between Aboriginal people and Country including the importance of land, caring for Country and using natural resources in a sustainable manner; spending time on Country; and learning about the historical and cultural significance of the school’s local area.
Creating learning environments that respect the cultures, languages and experiences of Aboriginal people; creating a physical space that enables students to learn in settings that are connected to local histories, cultures and languages; establishing initiatives and approaches that support the physical health and social and emotional wellbeing of students.
Increasing staff and students’ knowledge of Aboriginal histories and cultures, including understanding significant Aboriginal people, places or events; exploring the impacts of colonisation; and understanding how historical events are relevant in a contemporary context in Australia’s journey towards reconciliation.
Increasing awareness and appreciation of local Aboriginal languages by exploring culture through storytelling, contemporary literature and written and visual resources; collaborating with local Aboriginal families and communities to appreciate the diversity and importance of Aboriginal languages within the school and broader community.
Applications are open to kindergartens funded by the Department of Education and all WA primary and secondary schools.
These include public schools directly funded and Catholic and Independent schools which are independently supported.
Schools can apply to receive funding for a 2-year period (2024 and 2025) as follows:
Please note: funding is shown exclusive of GST. The final payments will be GST inclusive.
Total funds will be released as one payment prior to 30 June 2024.
Schools approved for funding will be advised of the amount via a letter of offer.
All payment releases, reporting timelines and terms and conditions will be coordinated via a funding agreement.
To be eligible for Tier 1 funding of $1000 per year your schools must:
To be eligible for Tier 2 funding of $1500 per year your school must:
Schools with outstanding acquittals, may be considered for funding provided they submit their outstanding acquittal prior to submitting a new PALS application.
This program can fund 100% of your activity costs, however, should the school demonstrate a contribution to the project this will strengthen your application.
Email PALS team to request a funding record if you are unsure of the acquittal status for your school.
Guidance on engaging with the Aboriginal community can be found in the PALS Project Toolkit.
PALS is open from 31 October 2023 to 8 May 2024 or until funds are expended. Applicants can apply at any time during this period. You must submit your application at least 60 days before your activity start date.
Successful applicants will be notified within 60 days of submitting their application.
All times are in AWST (for Perth, Western Australia).
If all funds are expended prior to 8 May 2024, PALS will close earlier. If all funds are not expended, then DLSGC may extend the closing date.
Processing of grant payments to successful applicants will not start until after the grant contract is signed and returned. Depending on the activity start date, we cannot guarantee notification and/or availability of grant funds before the activity begins.
While it is classed as capital equipment, PALS recognises the significance of supporting schools to obtain flag poles to fly Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander flags and the resulting inclusive and culturally safe environment this helps to create in the school community.
PALS may consider a request to fund a flag pole if the school can demonstrate contribution from other parties, and the impact a flag pole will have for students and the community i.e. future ceremonies, daily acknowledgement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
It is also expected the project will include an introduction of the flag to the school and education regarding its importance. For example, a flag raising ceremony and presentation to students explaining the meaning and significance of the flags.
Some options for additional funds to support a flag pole could include:
PALS will consider approval of culturally-focused curriculum resources that are approved by the relevant education sector. It is expected the project will include an introduction of the resource to the school and education regarding its importance. For example, inviting a local Aboriginal author to the school to read and explain the resource to students, or teachers incorporating the resource into a class-based activity.
The application will be deemed ineligible if:
One application per school per round will be accepted. Schools in receipt of funding for 2 years cannot apply again until both years have been completed.
Please apply using the culture and the arts online grants portal.
The PALS team will assess applications. The PALS team may consult with the education sector and/or Reconciliation WA if necessary.
All applications are assessed against the PALS objectives and must align to one of the PALS Funding Categories. Your activity must meet at least one of objectives to be successful.
The PALS team may consider the following during the assessment process:
There are three components relating to your application:
Each plays a significant and distinct role in creating a whole picture about your activity.
When you login to the culture and the arts online grants portal to apply, you will be asked the following core application questions. Your answers to these questions should give assessors an overview of your activity.
When answering the questions, please make sure you refer to the assessment criteria, program objectives and the funding category you are applying under.
Consider referring to the PALS Planning Sheet to support project planning.
Consider whether your project aligns to a specific year/class/group of students, or the whole school.
Answer yes, no or working on it.
Answer yes or no.
PALS Project Category
There are 6 PALS Funding Categories. While projects often intersect across more than one category, please choose the one most relevant to your project. Consider the overall objectives of each PALS category to align to your school's project appropriately.
Describe your planned activity/project. Outline your ideas, what is involved, who you will be working with and how they will contribute.
Describe the steps in planning, development and implementing your activity and the timelines.
List the costs covered by the PALS funding.
Please make sure you refer to the What I can't apply for? section.
Describe how the project aligns to your school's commitment to reconciliation and the objective of the PALS category you have chosen.
What do you hope to achieve by doing this activity?
What are the direct or indirect outcomes for the participants and/or community?
Direct outcomes include immediate value for community or participants, whereas indirect outcomes include legacy of the activity for future generations or wider communities.
How will you preserve the outcomes for future access? Will the activity be continued in some way?
How do you intend to incorporate your project into classroom learning? Provide a brief overview of your lesson(s) including curriculum code(s) and a list of resources that you will use. Consider referring to the PALS Connecting to Curriculum Resource (PDF 1700 KB) for more information .
How will you know whether you have achieved your proposed outcomes? Describe the methods, processes or tools you will use to measure and report on your progress towards and/or achievement of the activity outcomes you have outlines in this section.
You are required to provide relevant project outputs. An output is a specific measurable thing that is generated by your project. This might be an exhibition, recording, gathering, workshop. It will also include the number of people involved in each part of the project. This information will be considered as part of your application and provide further clarity about your project for the assessor. The outputs also provide important data for the department for research, analysis and advocacy purposes.
You only need to provide outputs for the categories and items relevant to your project.
If your application is successful, you will be required to report against your planned project outputs in your acquittal report.
Refer to the application manual for an explanation of the project output questions.
Support material is essential to allow assessors to fully gauge the value of your activity. The support material you choose should provide further information and evidence to advocate for the project outlined in your application.
Your choice of support material should help to demonstrate the 4 assessment criteria: quality, reach and good planning, as well as how your project will meet the objectives of the program.
Please note:
Maximum 3 A4 pages of text, in PDF or Word format. Preferably in one single document. Maximum file size 5 MB. All text must be legible at 100%. Note: weblinks are not accepted.
Examples of material you may wish to include:
*Can include multiple screenshots of emails and quotes. We suggest taking a screenshot of the essential information and pasting up to 4 per A4 page so they are still legible when viewed at 100%.
Maximum 3 images in one PDF or Word document or up to 3 image files. Maximum file size 5 MB with one line of text caption permitted for each image.
Note: weblinks are not accepted.
Examples of material :
Following assessment, final approval of successful applications depends on available budget and approval by the Minister or delegated authority.
Successful applicants will be notified within 60 days of application.
If you are successful, you will be required to fill in an acquittal report when your activity has finished. You do not have to submit a progress report. An acquittal report details your activity and how you spent the grant.
The acquittal report will be available for you to access in Online Grants, via the Edit/View Report button or Reports tab on the Home page, once a copy of your signed funding agreement has been received.
Your acquittal report must be submitted within 90 days of the activity completion date as specified in the funding agreement.
You will need to attach relevant documents, images and videos that substantiate the delivery of the activity and that may demonstrate the impact and outcomes achieved.
If possible, please provide your support material in one PDF document (for text and images). Audio and video material to be supplied separately as applicable.
The funding acquittal report also includes the option to provide feedback to help us to continually review and improve the service we provide.
More information on how to apply can be found in the application manual.
Project officers are available via telephone and email to answer queries about applications and suitability of activities to specific programs. Please email or call should you have any questions.
If you need extra assistance due to disability, language barriers or any other factor that may disadvantage you in completing your application, please contact us.
The advice provided by project officers does not guarantee the success of your application.
Due to the high number of applications received, each funding round is highly competitive.
All applications are considered on their own merits and against the assessment criteria and program objectives.
For assistance using Online Grants or to report any related technical issues, contact the Online Grants Support Team: onlinegrantsupportca@dlgsc.wa.gov.au
For enquiries relating to this funding program, including advice or assistance with your application, contact a project officer:
Telephone 61 8 6552 7400 Toll Free (WA country callers only) 1800 634 541 Email: pals@dlgsc.wa.gov.au
The department is committed to supporting applicants with disability. Information can be provided in alternative formats (large print, electronic or Braille) upon request.
If you require special assistance in preparing your application, please call 61 8 6552 7400 or toll free for regional WA callers on 1800 634 541.
Family, friends, mentors and/or carers can attend meetings with you.
If you are deaf, or have a hearing or speech impairment, contact us through one of the following:
For interpreting assistance in languages other than English, telephone the Translation and Interpreting Service on 13 14 50 and ask for a connection to 6552 7400 or 1800 634 541.
Toll Free (Country WA callers only): 1800 634 541
Email the project officer: pals@dlgsc.wa.gov.au