Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST)
The review of DVA-funded ESO Advocacy and Welfare Services, has impacted on the timeframes for the 2010-11 Round 12 funding. In consideration of this, the time period for accepting applications has been put back a month.
Applications will now be accepted from mid February 2010 and will close 19 March 2010.
The 2010-11 BEST Application Form, the Guide to completing the Application Form and the BEST Guidelines can all be downloaded by going to the appropriate links below.
The Guide and Guidelines should be referred to prior to completing the application form.
See also: Training and Information Program (TIP)
Please note once completed, the form should be returned to:
BEST Grants Team
Department of Veterans’ Affairs
GPO Box 9998
ADELAIDE SA 5001
If you need more information please contact the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) on 133 254.
If you are calling from regional Australia call 1800 555 254.
To contact your local Veterans’ Affairs Network (VAN) office please call 1300 55 1918.
If you wish to call DVA in another State please call 1300 13 1945.
What is the BEST program?
BEST is part of the government’s commitment to support the role of ESO pensions and welfare practitioners and advocates and those national ESOs that provide administrative and representational support within the veteran and service community. The BEST program assists by providing monetary support to ESO practitioners.
The aim of BEST is to provide support and resources to ESO practitioners for pensions and/or welfare work to assist the veteran and service community.
What is BEST funding available for in 2010-11?
Applications will be considered for funding ESOs that have been a recipient of BEST funding at any time during the period 2006/07 (Round 8) to 2009/10 (Round 11), in respect of the following services:
- assisting in the funding of full-time or part time advocates and/or pension officers involved in the:
- preparation, lodgement and monitoring of primary level claims,
- section 31 reviews,
- applications to the Veterans’ Review Board (VRB),
- Military Compensation and Rehabilitation Scheme (MRCA) reconsiderations,
- appeals to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT), and
- providing information on a range of support programs; and
2. assisting in the funding of full-time or part-time administrative assistants to support the activities above.
3. assisting in funding for practitioners undertaking a range of welfare related matters.
This of course is subject to a demonstrated need for assistance amongst local veteran communities and sufficient expected workload levels to warrant continuing funding of existing salaried positions.
Given that salary funding provided in Round 11 was limited to the same amount paid in Round 10, the Minister will consider the affordability of increasing the amounts payable for advocate/pension officers and administrative assistant salaries. However, as salaries represented some eighty percent of funding paid in Round 11, the amounts involved will need to be carefully considered in the context of the total amount sought and the funding to be utilised for Round 12.
Again, subject to the same need and workload requirements, applications will also be considered for ongoing funding assistance for Round 8 to 11 BEST grant recipients for:
- software or software upgrades;
- ongoing internet access;
- replacement of end-of-life/essential computer hardware;
- replacement of end-of-life/essential office equipment eg printers, desks; and
- consumables including stationery, pensions and welfare travel, phone call costs.
Applications for funding for utilities or rental assistance will only be considered where similar funding was provided in Round 11 and there is an ongoing need and workload.
Applications for grants to National ESOs will be considered where the funding is to:
- assist with major administrative costs and/or projects for which grants cannot be obtained through State or Federal funding or through donations or fees made available from members or other benefactors;
- encourage co-operation and communication between the ex-service community, ESOs and the Australian Government; and
- encourage the advancement of the objectives of ESOs.
What are the funding priorities for Round 12?
Funding priority, in deciding which eligible applications to fund, will be given to ESOs that:
- can demonstrate a reasonably clear link between the funding sought and the demographics, geographical location and service needs of the veteran population to be assisted;
- do not seek more funding than the total amount approved in Round 11 (or in the last Round of funding granted) - with the possible exception of a salary increase to current APS rates;
- have a co-operative approach to service delivery; and
- can demonstrate that support from an ESO, an ex-service club or from other sources (either financial or "in-kind") is being provided or is being sought.
Who can apply for funding?
Bona fide ESOs that provide welfare and/or pension assistance to veterans, past and present members of the Australian Defence Forces and their departments can apply for funding under BEST. In regional areas, where it is economically viable, the department encourages ESOs to explore the option of a cooperative project/centre taking advantage of two or more ESOs to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
The Review of DVA-funded ESO Advocacy and Welfare Services
The Review is expected to report to the Minister by the first quarter of 2010. Please see the Review’s Frequently asked questions. (PDF 52Kb)