Australian Education Act 2013

The Australian Education Act 2013 (the Act) is the main legislation for Commonwealth funding to government and non-government schools.

The Act commenced on 1 January 2014.

The Act sets out:

• The rights and responsibilities of organisations in order for them to receive Australian Government funding for school education
• Broad expectations for compliance, to ensure funding accountability to the Commonwealth and school communities

Organisations covered by the Act include:

• Approved authorities for schools
• Block grant authorities
• Non-government representative bodies

School funding is received and administered by approved authorities depending on the type of school.

• State or Government Schools - the relevant state or territory government
• Non-government schools - the body corporate approved by the Minister for that school

Resources for approved authorities

• Schooling Resource Standard
• Ongoing requirements

Capital grants for non-government schools are administered by two block grant authorities in each state:

• Catholic schools
• Independent schools

There are joint block grant authorities for Catholic and independent schools in the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory.

Block grant authorities must comply with:

• the Act and Regulations
• Capital grants program guidelines

Non-government representative bodies are body corporates approved to receive funding under the Act. They must:

• Support the implementation of school education reform priorities in non-government schools
• Comply with the Act and Regulations
• Follow the 2020 Non-Government Reform Support Fund Guidelines

Independent Oversight of Funding Arrangements

The National School Resourcing Board oversees school funding to:

• Make sure the funding model uses the best available data and methodologies
• Ensure funding used in line with legislation