THE AUSTRALIAN EDUCATION ACT 2013 AND GONSKI 2.0 ARE INTRODUCED

Targeted Programs (begun in 2001) cease and are replaced by Government Priorities under the Australian Education Act 2013. This Act establishes the new funding model (‘Gonski 2.0’), which includes a per capita payment for each student and additional loadings for indigeneity, disability, low socio-economic background and English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD). There are also loadings based on school characteristics; thus, small schools and rural and remote schools attract additional funding.

The overall aim of these changes is to ensure a focus on school improvement, and the AISSA receives funding to support schools on their improvement journey.

2013 proves to be a challenging year for the AISSA and its member schools, as they face frustration over the lack of clarity and transparency regarding the new funding model.