Needs Based Funding Model
Australian Government – Commonwealth Funding
Needs-Based Funding Allocation Overview
Introduction
AIC receives recurrent school funding from the Australian Government as the approved system authority for its colleges. This funding, facilitated by the Commonwealth Department of Education, is instrumental in providing quality education across each of its colleges.
The received funding primarily sustains day-to-day operations within the colleges, encompassing staff salaries, professional development, teaching materials, infrastructure maintenance, procurement of essential equipment, and general operational expenses. Additionally, substantial resources are directed toward specialized educational programs, addressing specific learning needs, offering extension opportunities, and aiding disadvantaged students.
Role of AIC Head Office
Distribution of Needs-Based Funding
Recognising the significance of needs-based funding, AIC distributes its allocation to accommodate the diverse circumstances of students and individual colleges. This strategy aims to mitigate disadvantages and ensure a high-quality education for all students across AIC colleges.
Funding received from the Australian Government is received into a single pool by AIC, subsequently distributed to individual colleges using the base funding and loading methodologies provided by the Commonwealth Government. Specific funding allocated to colleges or students for specialised reasons is fully directed to the respective colleges on their behalf.
To cover the expenses associated with centralised services provided by the AIC Head Office, each college contributes a management fee or system levy, determined, and approved by the AIC Board. This fee is based on student numbers, or the proportion of services/costs provided to each college.
Moreover, additional funding for specific needs to support student achievement, including those with learning challenges, disabilities, low socioeconomic status, low English proficiency, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, as well as colleges disadvantaged by location or size, follows the same methodology as the Australian Government funding model.
