COLA stands for Covered Outdoor Learning Area. It is a weather-protected outdoor structure, typically installed at schools, that allows students to learn, play, and gather outside regardless of weather conditions. The term is specific to Australian educational contexts.

If you arrived here expecting information about the soft drink, this article covers something different. A COLA in the education sector is a permanent or semi-permanent structure, not a beverage.

Key Takeaways

  • COLA is an Australian educational acronym for Covered Outdoor Learning Area, not a term widely used in other countries for this type of structure.
  • A school COLA in Victoria typically requires a building permit under the Building Act 1993 (Vic), and the structure must comply with AS/NZS 1170.2 wind load standards.
  • Roofing materials for school shade structures should meet Cancer Council Australia’s SunSmart Schools Accreditation guidelines, with a minimum UPF 50+ rating for shade fabric.
  • Victorian schools may access the Minor Capital Works Fund to help fund COLA construction, subject to eligibility and current funding rounds.

What Does COLA Stand For?

A covered outdoor learning area (COLA) is a permanent steel-framed structure with a fixed roof and open or partially enclosed sides. It gives students a shaded outdoor space that remains usable across different weather conditions, including rain and high UV periods.

Schools use COLAs to extend the range of activities that can happen outside the main building. The structure creates a protected outdoor space without enclosing it fully, which preserves the benefits of outdoor learning while managing the Australian climate.

What Is a Covered Outdoor Learning Area Used For?

Schools use a COLA for a wide range of activities. Physical education, outdoor learning sessions, wet-weather lunch breaks, school assembly, and community events are all common uses. The structure functions as an outdoor classroom when the weather would otherwise push students inside.

The multipurpose nature of a COLA is one of its practical strengths. A single structure can serve as a protected sports area in the morning and an assembly space in the afternoon. This flexibility means schools get consistent use from the structure across the school year.

Is COLA an Australian Term?

“COLA” as a shorthand for a school shade structure is specific to Australia. The acronym does not carry the same meaning in the United Kingdom, the United States, or New Zealand, where similar structures exist but go by different names.

The term emerged from Australian state education department policy language and became standard across school planning and capital works documentation. If you are reviewing a school facilities brief or grant application and encounter the term, it refers to this type of structure.

Building Approvals and Compliance for School COLAs in Victoria

A COLA at a school is a structure that typically requires a building permit under the Building Act 1993 (Vic). The National Construction Code classification depends on how the structure is used and whether it attaches to an existing building. Most school COLAs fall under Class 10b or are assessed as Class 9b ancillary structures, depending on their configuration.

Structural engineering for a COLA must comply with AS/NZS 1170.2 wind load standards. Wind load requirements vary by region across Victoria, so a structure built in coastal or elevated areas may need heavier specification than one on a flat suburban site.

A registered building practitioner must manage the permit application. Trusteel Fabrications is a registered Victorian Building Authority (VBA) builder and manages this process directly for Victorian school clients. The practical effect is that schools do not need to engage a separate registered builder to satisfy permit requirements.

Trusteel is a registered VBA builder and manages permits, design, and construction for school COLA structures across Victoria. Contact us to discuss your project.

SunSmart Requirements for School Shade Structures

Roofing materials used in school COLAs should comply with the Cancer Council Australia’s SunSmart Schools Accreditation Program. For shade fabric, the minimum requirement is a UPF 50+ rating. For solid roofing such as metal or polycarbonate, equivalent solar transmittance standards apply.

Victoria’s Department of Education references SunSmart compliance in its shade policy documentation. School administrators should confirm material specifications meet these requirements before finalising a structure. A compliant roofing choice affects both accreditation eligibility and long-term student welfare outcomes.

Funding Options for Schools

COLA construction can be funded through government programmes available to Australian schools. Victorian government schools should investigate the Minor Capital Works Fund, administered by the Department of Education. Non-government schools may be eligible for the Commonwealth Capital Grants Program, administered under the Australian Education Act 2013.

Eligibility criteria and funding rounds vary. Schools should confirm current programme status directly with their relevant department before planning a project timeline around grant funding.

What Does a COLA Structure Look Like?

A typical COLA structure has an open-sided steel frame with a fixed roof on a gable or skillion pitch. Column height and roof pitch vary based on the site and the activities the space needs to support. Side panels can be added for weather protection on exposed elevations.

Frame material affects longevity and load capacity. Most COLA structures use Rectangular Hollow Section (RHS) structural steel, which carries greater loads and lasts longer than lighter C-section alternatives. For larger COLA structures, such as those covering a full-size sports court or a multi-purpose assembly space, Trusteel specifies universal beams or Open Web Trusses instead, since both span wider distances without internal columns interrupting the covered area. 

Whichever of the three suits the site, frame quality is a specification that matters from the outset for a school structure that will be in daily use for decades.

How Much Does a COLA Cost?

Cost varies significantly based on size, structural specification, roofing material, site conditions, and whether a building permit is required. A small COLA for a single class group will cost considerably less than a large multi-purpose structure serving the whole school. There is no single figure that applies across different sites and specifications.

What drives cost variation most is span width, roof height, wind load zone, and the complexity of the site access and footings. Permit costs and engineering fees are additional and depend on the council and the structure’s classification.

If you want to understand what a COLA would cost for your school site, request a quote and Trusteel will assess your requirements directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a school COLA require a building permit in Victoria?

Most school COLAs in Victoria require a building permit under the Building Act 1993 (Vic). The requirement depends on the structure’s size, use classification, and whether it attaches to an existing building. A registered building practitioner must manage the application. Check with your local council for requirements specific to your site.

What roofing materials are approved for use in school shade structures under SunSmart guidelines?

Shade fabric used in school structures should carry a minimum UPF 50+ rating under Cancer Council Australia’s SunSmart Schools Accreditation guidelines. Solid roofing materials such as metal or polycarbonate must meet equivalent solar transmittance standards. Confirm material compliance with your supplier before specifying a roofing type. Victoria’s Department of Education references these requirements in its shade policy documentation.

Can a COLA be used for activities other than outdoor learning, such as assemblies or sport?

A COLA supports a range of activities beyond outdoor learning sessions. Schools commonly use the same structure for physical education, wet-weather breaks, school assembly, and community events. The open-sided design makes the space adaptable across different uses. This flexibility is one of the practical reasons schools value the structure.

How long does it take to design, approve, and install a school COLA?

Timelines vary depending on council permit processing times, engineering requirements, and site conditions. A straightforward project in a standard zone may take several months from design to installation. Projects in areas with more complex wind load or planning requirements take longer. Confirm realistic timelines with your builder at the design stage.

Are there government grants available to fund a COLA for an Australian school?

Victorian government schools may be eligible for the Minor Capital Works Fund administered by the Department of Education. Non-government schools should investigate the Commonwealth Capital Grants Program under the Australian Education Act 2013. Eligibility and funding rounds vary. Contact your relevant state or federal department to confirm current programme availability before planning your budget.