Guidelines for Transmission Operational Subsidies
***THIS GRANT ROUND IS NOW CLOSED***
See guidelines for previous grant round below.
Read these grant guidelines before you apply. Even if you frequently apply under this category, read them each round, as the grant guidelines are regularly revised. The grant guidelines include important information about this grant category including what you can use the grant for and the criteria used by the General Grants Advisory Committee to assess your application.
1. What is the objective of the Transmission Operational Subsidy category?
To subsidise long term and temporary licensed community radio stations with their transmission operational costs. The grants assist with the maintenance and development of general community radio broadcasting throughout Australia.
2. Who is eligible to apply?
- a community radio station with a long-term or a temporary licence
Grants are not available to stations broadcasting under a narrowcast licence or to stations for expenses related to their digital radio service. A station with a temporary licence must have been on air for at least two years cumulatively prior to applying.
3. How much can you apply for?
You will receive reimbursement for a percentage of your projected transmission operational costs until the end of the current financial year, based on previously invoiced costs at the time of application. Therefore you do not apply for a particular amount. Grant levels vary from round to round according to a number of factors including the total number of stations applying
4. What costs are eligible for reimbursement?
- transmitter and translator/secondary transmission site rental fees
- transmitter and translator/secondary transmission site local government rates and taxes
- transmitter and translator/secondary transmission site electricity
- linking between studio and transmitter site
- linking between studio or intermediate location and translator/secondary transmitter site
- EMR (electromagnetic radiation) compliance fees
- transmission equipment lease within a site contract
Where the invoice is not wholly related to a transmission cost (e.g. an electricity bill for a location that is both studio site and transmitter site), indicate on the invoice the proportion claimed for transmission operational costs.
5. What costs are not eligible for reimbursement?
- electricity at the studio site
- studio site rent
- ACMA broadcasting apparatus and link licence fees
- transmitter telephone fault reporting
- standby power (such as fuel for generators)
- transmission equipment repair, lease or maintenance outside a site contract
- studio maintenance
- costs to connect to satellite networks
- studio to studio linking
- backup linking for studio to transmitter site (whether primary or translator/secondary)
- internet costs not related to studio to transmitter linking
- OB line rentals
- insurance
- transmission costs funded by any other source, including IBP Indigenous Broadcasting Program
- any relating to webcasting
- facility establishment costs (including initial connection of line linking and electricity)
- expenses related to your digital radio service
6. What does the Grants Advisory Committee look at when assessing your application?
Operational subsidy grants are non-competitive. Applications that meet the following assessment criteria will be funded:
- Eligible applicant - you are eligible to apply for a Transmission Operational Subsidy
- Eligibility of expenses for reimbursement - you provide appropriate documentation that you have incurred eligible expenses and have paid the relevant invoices
- Need - you have not received funding for this purpose from other sources
7. What should you include in the application?
- For each cost for which you are seeking funding, attach all the relevant invoices relating to the July 2015 to June 2016 period and evidence of payment. If you do not have invoices for the entire year the CBF will calculate your estimated annual cost based on the average of the invoices you have supplied. Evidence of payment can include: a "paid" stamp on the invoice with date and initials of station finance manager; acknowledgement of payment by the supplier on the next invoice; copy of bank statement or transaction receipt
- Most recent Annual Report with audited financial statements (if not previously supplied)
