Catholic Schools are funded through school fees, donations and Commonwealth and State funding.
As part of the Australian Government’s commitment to providing choice to Australian families, the Government’s Choice and Affordability Fund (CAF) provides funding over ten years from 2020 to 2029 to address specific challenges in the non-government school sector. The South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools (SACCS) has allocated this funding to the following national priorities:
Read the South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools (SACCS) approved 2020-2021 Work Plan.
South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools (SACCS) funding model is needs-based. This means that decisions regarding the allocation of Commonwealth and State funding to each school is based on students’ needs.
South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools (SACCS) is the approved authority for systemically funded Catholic Education schools in South Australia (CESA).
Section 78(5) of the Australian Education Act 2013 stipulates the model used by SACCS to fund Catholic Education schools must be needs-based and transparent. Furthermore, details of the model must be publicly available.
SACCS endorsed the following Guiding Principles as the reference point for the development, implementation and operation of the Funding Mechanism for the allocation of funds to Systemically Funded Catholic Education Diocesan schools in South Australia.
Common good
The funding mechanism promotes the common good, as is understood in Catholic social teaching, through Catholic Education.
Shared responsibility
The funding mechanism recognises the co-responsibility of all Catholic schools to work with each other and with the Catholic Education Office to serve the needs of students, including the operation of co-responsibility programs.
Equity
The funding mechanism delivers equity for students through the allocation of funds based on student need as intended by the Australian Government funding model.
Integrity
The funding mechanism promotes fairness and honesty in the allocation of funds and operates consistently with the funding agreements by which the funds are provided.
Subsidiarity
The funding mechanism places the responsibility for decision making in the use of resources closest to those whose needs are the focus of the decisions.
Accountability
The funding mechanism assists leaders at the school and system levels to fulfil their responsibility to maximise the learning outcomes and wellbeing of students and to fulfil their stewardship of the funds of Catholic Education.
Transparency
The processes, data and communications related to the funding mechanism are clear, understandable and open to scrutiny.
Viability
The funding mechanism provides predictability in the allocation of funding to schools; it maximises the sustainability of Catholic schools individually and as a sector; it facilitates responsiveness to changes in circumstances; and it enables the provision of appropriate transition arrangements.
The Funding Mechanism applies to Diocesan schools in the Archdiocese of Adelaide and the Diocese of Port Pirie.
Funding for Systemic Non-Diocesan Schools is based on the amount payable (from the Commonwealth and State governments under the Australian Education Act) as if each school was non-systemically funded, less a percentage contribution towards Catholic Education South Australia co-responsibility.
The Funding Mechanism has been developed in accordance with section 78(5) of the Australian Education Act and additionally takes into account specific circumstances of Catholic Education South Australia.
A detailed report of South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools Funding is available from the Catholic Education Office, 116 George St, Thebarton SA 5031 P: 8301-6600.
