First Nations Incursions have applied to be added to the  School Readiness Funding Menu. There has been a halt to new additions whilst the government re-assess it's system and we are on the waiting to to be added. In the meantime you can still access SRF for our programs, please see the below step-by-step instructions to see how it is done! 

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 Step-by-Step: Applying for SRF for Non-Menu Providers
 

1. Understand What SRF Covers
 

The School Readiness Funding initiative in Victoria supports early childhood services to build their capability in the following priority areas:
 

• Communication (language development)

• Wellbeing (social and emotional)

• Access and inclusion (including cultural inclusion and awareness)  ← This is where Indigenous incursions best fit in.
   

→ See SRF Priority Areas on Vic Government site

 

2. Choose the Most Relevant SRF Priority Area
 

For Indigenous incursions, the most relevant is:

"Supporting Access and Inclusion"
Activities that foster cultural awareness, connection, and identity for all children, especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
 

Our programs support:
 

• Cultural inclusion

• Connection to Country

• Indigenous perspectives

• Wellbeing through music, movement, and belonging

• Language and communication through storytelling and rhythmic expression
   

 

3. Complete a Non-Menu Provider Request Form
 

Kindergartens must complete a justification form explaining why they wish to use a non-menu provider. You’ll need to outline:
 

• The provider’s name (First Nations Incursion)

• The activity proposed (e.g., "Didge, Beats & Culture" incursion)

• How it aligns with one or more SRF priority areas

• The outcomes it will support for the children (refer to EYLF/VEYLDF alignments)

• Why no equivalent option on the menu meets your specific needs (e.g., culturally immersive, hands-on, First Nations-led)
   

You can get the form or instructions from:
 

• The Early Childhood Improvement Branch or

• Your DET Facilitator (School Readiness Funding contact person assigned to your service)
   

 

4. Submit the Request and Wait for Approval
 

The request will be reviewed, usually by your:
 

• Department of Education (DET) facilitator

• Or regional SRF program officer
   

They will assess whether the proposed service aligns with SRF priorities and offers appropriate educational or developmental benefits.
 

Once approved, the service can allocate SRF funds to the program—even though the provider isn’t listed on the official menu.

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Tips for success with your application:
 

• Include the EYLF/VEYLDF alignment documents with your application as supporting evidence.
   

• Emphasise that the sessions are led by Indigenous educators—a key factor for cultural safety and inclusion.
   

• Show how the incursion contributes to inclusive learning environments, particularly if there are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children enrolled (but this is not a requirement).
   

 

Suggested Justification Text (for form):
 

"We are requesting to use School Readiness Funding to engage First Nations Incursions for a cultural education program not listed on the SRF menu. The program is delivered by experienced First Nations educators and aligns with the SRF priority 'Supporting Access and Inclusion'. It builds cultural understanding, identity, communication and wellbeing in line with EYLF/VEYLDF outcomes. There is no equivalent hands-on, Indigenous-led incursion on the menu that offers this level of authenticity and engagement."

 

Need Help?
 

If you need help with the process, your assigned DET SRF facilitator is the first point of contact. They are familiar with non-menu provider requests and can assist with:
 

• Writing the justification

• Providing the form

• Submitting the request for approval