Victoria’s Heritage Restoration Fund was launched in late 2013 and is a partnership between the City of Melbourne, the Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure (the Department), and the National Trust of Australia (Victoria). VHRF offers grants to restore eligible heritage places and objects. The grants are disbursed from a series of funds, including: Melbourne Heritage Restoration Fund, Yarra Heritage Restoration Fund, Ballarat Heritage Restoration Fund, Casey Heritage Restoration Fund, Greater Bendigo Heritage Restoration Fund and Merri-bek Heritage Restoration Fund. See below for more information on each fund.
The funds are overseen by a Committee of Management comprising representatives of the City of Melbourne, City of Yarra, City of Ballarat, City of Casey, Bendigo City Council, Merri-bek City Council and the Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure, the MAV and the National Trust of Australia (Victoria).
VHRF was formerly known as the Melbourne Heritage Restoration Fund, which has been successfully operating in Melbourne for the past 25 years, and was developed in 1988.
VHRF is administered by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria).
For any general enquiries please refer to our FAQ page for answers to common questions. Alternatively, please fill out our contact form. All enquiries will be directed to the VHRF Administrator.
ABN: 11 301 552 846
The Melbourne Heritage Restoration Fund (MHRF) was established in 1988 and provides financial assistance to places of identified historical significance within the City of Melbourne. The purpose of MHRF is to encourage and assist owners of heritage places within their municipality to conserve and restore their buildings for the benefit of the community.
To apply for funding through MHRF, please review the Eligibility and FAQ pages to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria. Please note, eligibility relates to both the applicant status and the type of works applied for.
The Melbourne Heritage Restoration Fund was expanded in 2012 through a partnership with the City of Yarra to establish the Yarra Heritage Restoration Fund. The YHRF provides financial assistance to places of identified historical significance within the City of Yarra.
To apply for funding through YHRF, please review the Eligibility and FAQ pages to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria. Please note, eligibility relates to both the applicant status and the type of works applied for.
The Ballarat Heritage Restoration Fund was established through a partnership with VHRF in 2014. This fund provides financial assistance for conservation works to places of identified historical significance within the City of Ballarat. There will be two funding rounds each financial year.
To apply for funding through BHRF, please review the Eligibility and FAQ pages to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria. Please note, eligibility relates to both the applicant status and the type of works applied for.
The City of Casey was established through a partnership with the VHRF in 2020. The fund provides financial assistance for conservation works to places of identified historical significance within the City of Casey. Funds can also be provided for professional advice and documentation, engineering advice and schedules of work.
There will be a minimum of two funding rounds each financial year.
To apply for funding through the CHRF please review the Eligibility and FAQ pages to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria. Please note that eligibility relates to both the applicant status and the type of works applied for.
The Greater Bendigo Heritage Restoration Fund was established through a partnership with VHRF in 2023. This fund provides financial assistance for conservation works to places of identified cultural heritage significance within the City of Greater Bendigo.
To apply for funding through GBHRF, please review the Eligibility and FAQ pages to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria. Please note, eligibility relates to both the applicant status and the type of works applied for.
The Merri-bek Heritage Restoration Fund was established through a partnership with the VHRF in 2024. The fund provides financial assistance towards conservation works to places of identified cultural heritage significance within the Merri-bek City Council.
There will be four funding rounds each financial year
To apply for funding through the Merri-bek City Council Heritage Fund please review the Eligibility and FAQ pages to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria. Please note, eligibility relates to both the applicant status and the type of works applied for.