The Government has announced details of the review into schools funding, including the makeup of the expert panel and the Draft Terms of Reference. 

The review will be conducted by an expert panel of eminent Australians lead by chairman David Gonski AC, a businessman and philanthropist who is also the Chancellor of the University of NSW and chairman of the Australian Securities Exchange, Coca-Cola Amatil and Investec Bank.

The panel will also include:

• Ken Boston AO, the former Director-General Department of Education and Training (NSW);
• Carmen Lawrence, former Federal Minister and Premier of WA and current Professorial Fellow in the Institute of Advanced Studies at the University of Western Australia;
• Kathryn Griener AO, current Deputy Chancellor at Bond University and chairman of Australian Hearing; and
• Peter Tannock AM, noted international educationalist and former Vice-Chancellor at University of Notre Dame Australia.

Full biographies are available here.

The Government also released the initial discussion paper and draft Terms of Reference.  The review will be wide ranging covering:

‘all issues surrounding schools funding, including the provision of Australian Government and state and territory government funding for government and non-government schools.’

The proposed principles underlying the review aim to ensure that the resulting model:

‘should be based on simplicity, flexibility, stability, equity, value for money, transparency and best practice.’

The draft Terms of Reference are extremely broad and all-encompassing and may include consideration of :

• the cost of educating a student to world class educational standards
• the likely growth of demand and student need
• ways to increase the simplicity, transparency and effectiveness of school funding
• whether a basic entitlement for every student is required and how it should be determined
• the best way to take account of student and community need
• the best way to meet the costs of specific factors such as indignity, location, disability and socioeconomic disadvantage which can act as barriers to educational achievement
• how to achieve cost-effectiveness in the provision of school funding
• the role of funding in promoting school improvement and reducing the negative impact of socioeconomic disadvantage on student outcomes
• what data and forms of transparency are required to deliver effective, financially sustainable school funding into the future
• what lessons can be learned from funding arrangements overseas and in Australia, especially those in high performing school systems
• the appropriate composition of school funding, including teaching, capital and other costs  of schooling
• indexation
• the place of voluntary and private contributions and fees in school funding arrangements
• what forms of public accountability are appropriate for schools receiving public funding
• what forms of regulatory oversight are necessary to ensure high standards of delivery and probity among schools receiving public funding
• what, if any, transitional assistance should be offered to schools in making the transition to a  new system.’

CSA has already commenced planning and preparation for the Review on behalf of member schools.  We will continue to provide relevant information about the progress of the review and matters of particular concern to schools.  We welcome any feedback or questions from schools in relation to the Review.  This can be directed to the CEO or the Executive Officer, National Policy – Mark Spencer.

The time-frame for responses to the Draft Terms of Refenence is tight. You can leave comments about the TOR below (logon required).

Please also join with us in praying for a just and equitable outcome to this Review process not only for the good of Christian schools but also for the broader good of the Nation.

DEEWR funding discussion paper (842.85 kB)

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