CHOICE AND EQUITY:

Q Why has the Government changed from the ERI to the SES approach?

A The ERI was not effective as a measure of need. SES is a fairer, more objective and transparent approach.

Q How do you know that the SES approach will work?

A The SES approach was tested through a Simulation Project in 1998. This showed that the approach is workable, fair and transparent. Further validation studies were carried out separately. Full reports on this project and on the validation studies are available from the Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs (DETYA).

Q What is the SES index measuring?

A An SES index is made up of a number of variables representing various aspects of a person’s social position. The index used for non-government school funding includes only three dimensions - income, education and occupation. These focus on the economic resources of a family, and for a school community, they provide a measure of its relative capacity to support the school.

Q Will schools need to collect financial or other information from families?

A The only information schools will need to provide to enable their SES score to be calculated is the home addresses of all students. Addresses only, not names, are collected. These addresses are then linked to CDs.

Q Will school fees increase as a result of this change?

A The Commonwealth does not determine school fees, but it is clear that no school will have their Commonwealth funding reduced as a result of this change. Schools will also have the flexibility to pursue other fundraising efforts without the fear of losing Commonwealth funding.

Q What if my school is well funded under the ERI but has a high SES score?

A The Commonwealth accepts that schools set up under previous arrangements should not be financially disadvantaged by the Government’s decision to change the approach to funding. No schools will be financially disadvantaged by the change from the ERI to the SES approach.