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Finance and Compliance

Funding distribution

The Queensland Catholic Education Commission has responsibility for state-wide policy making and for action in the areas of:

  • funding (distribution of, negotiations concerning and accountability for the funding of Catholic schools by the Commonwealth Government and the State Government)
  • research and collection of statistical, financial and educational data relevant to the Commission’s prime functions.

The Commission’s Finance Committee reviews funding distribution arrangements for all programs and recommends to the Commission arrangements for each program for formal endorsement.

These arrangements take into account:

  • the need for transparency in the Commission’s financial operations
  • the need for good administrative practice, i.e. appropriate authority and adequate documentation to facilitate the making of payments
  • the need for a fair and equitable outcome in terms of student, school and community needs.

Full details are available in the Group Funding Guidelines 2020-2029.

Government programs available to Catholic schools that are being administered by the Commission are listed in the Government Programs section of this website.

The Queensland Catholic Education Commission has an appeals process that applies to all government funding programs where the Commission is responsible for and has endorsed arrangements for the distribution of funds. The endorsed arrangements refer to the Program Funding Arrangements approved by the Commission on an annual basis.

Government Programs

Australian Government Programs

Further information on the programs below is available on the Australian Government Department of Education and Training website, on the Schooling page.

ProgramPurpose
Capital Programs
Capital Grants Program General ElementTo provide and improve school capital infrastructure
Choice and Affordability Fund

The Government describes the purpose of the Fund as driving government priorities, including:


  • Supporting parental choice and affordability

  • Supporting schools during the transition

  • Strengthening educational outcomes in schools

  • Assisting schools in regional remote areas and in drought-affected areas

  • Enhancing student wellbeing and support initiatives
QCEC Choice and Affordability Fund Annual Report 2021

QCEC Choice and Affordability Fund Annual Report 2020
General Recurrent GrantTo assist schools with recurrent costs of school education
National School Chaplaincy ProgramTo assist schools to engage the services of a chaplain to provide additional social, emotional and spiritual support to students.

For more information about the National School Chaplaincy Program visit our Student Safety and Wellbeing page.
Non-Government Reform Support FundFunding non-government representative bodies to support implementation of its school education reform priorities:

  • Quality assurance, moderation and support for the continued improvement of the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD)
  • Implementation of online delivery of the National Assessment Program
  • Improving governance and financial management practices in non-government schools

QCEC NGRSF 2022 Work Plan
QCEC NGRSF 2021 Work Plan
QCEC NGRSF 2020 Work Plan
QCEC NGRSF 2019 Work Plan

QCEC NGRSF Strategic Plan 2019-2022

QCEC NGRSF Annual Report 2021
QCEC NGRSF Annual Report 2020
QCEC NGRSF Annual Report 2019
QCEC NGRSF Annual Report 2018
Queensland Government Programs

Further information on Grants and Appropriations is available at the Queensland Government, Department of Education website.

ProgramPurpose
Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) Sector Support FundingFunding to support QCEC to conduct a range of activities, ensuring high participation of Queensland Catholic Primary Schools in the 2021 Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) data collection and active ongoing utilisation of the data at school and community level.
Alcohol Education ProgramTo promote responsible alcohol use.
Capital Assistance SchemeTo provide funding assistance to non-government schools for the provision, conversion, refurbishment and upgrade of educational facilities and boarding accommodation.
Education Support FundingTo enhance education support for students in out-of-home care.
ETRF – VET Coordination and Career EnhancementProvision of additional support services for young people in the Senior Phase of Learning, with an emphasis on the coordination of VET programs and enhancement of career guidance and counselling.
External Infrastructure Subsidy SchemeTo provide funding assistance (up to 50% of the eligible cost) to non-government schools for infrastructure costs external to the site imposed by local authorities as a condition of a building approval.
Living Away from Home AllowanceTo assist families to offset schools’ tuition fees for boarders.
Non State Schools Transport Assistance SchemeTo provide travel assistance to eligible applicants to subsidise the cost of transporting their children to non-state schools.
Queensland Kindergarten Funding – IT Infrastructure GrantTo support the provision of the following to QCEC and kindergarten services:

• purchase new IT infrastructure

• undertake minor electrical and communication upgrades

• support Services through change management activities

• develop and enhance enterprise systems
Queensland Kindergarten Funding Scheme – A Great start to KindergartenTo support the successful transition of children into an approved kindergarten program in 2021 who are:

• aged three years by June 30, 2022

• experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage, preferably eligible to receive QKFS plus

• not currently attending an early childhood education and care program
Queensland Kindergarten Funding Scheme - Free Access to KindergartenFunding is provided to:

• address enrolment issues as a result of affordability in regional community kindergartens by providing funding to off-set a child’s fees

• provide financial support to vulnerable and disadvantaged children already enrolled in community kindergarten

• provide further fee relief for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children across the state

• provide kindergartens with the opportunity to attract new enrolments by offering no fees to new families

• offset the out-of-pocket expenses for eligible kindergarten aged children
Queensland Kindergarten Funding Scheme Kindy Uplift Pilot ServicesIs to enhance the capability of kindergarten services and educators to support inclusion and children’s learning and development outcomes by providing funding for programs and supports which address educational need.
Queensland Kindergarten Funding Scheme (QKFS) – Kindergarten Inclusion Support Scheme (KISS)To support all vulnerable and/or disadvantage children, in particular children with diagnosed or suspected disability, to access and fully participate in an inclusive and quality kindergarten program, as well as successfully transition to school.
Queensland Kindergarten Funding Scheme - Recurrent SubsidiesTo provide funding for kindergarten service providers for students who are at least 4 years old by 30 June.
Refugee and Asylum Seeker Early Childhood Pilot A pilot to provide financial support to families from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds who are experiencing financial vulnerability to participate in kindergarten.
Special Needs Organisation To provide programs to re-engage young people who are severely disengaged from education.
State Recurrent Per Capita GrantTo assist schools with recurrent operating costs.
Students with DisabilityTo assist schools with recurrent operating costs associated with the programs/activities developed to meet the needs of identified special needs students.
Student Welfare Worker ProgramTo engage the services of a student welfare worker to provide additional social, emotional and spiritual support to students. For more information visit our Student Safety and Wellbeing page.
Textbook & Resources AllowanceTo assist parents of secondary school age students to offset the cost of textbooks and other learning resources.
Vocational Education & Training (VET) in SchoolsTo set out operational targets and activities in addressing industry needs, skill shortages and managing the implementation of the new VETiS Funding framework.
Youth Support Coordinators InitiativeTo support retention and attainment of students in years 10-12. The target group will be students at risk and disengaging from school.

Capital Programs

For information about Capital programs for Queensland Catholic schools click here.

Reporting Timetable

Reporting Timetable

There are a number of data collections that occur each year, some of them are government collections, others are to fulfil requirements that meet funding accountabilities or to provide statistical data for annual reporting on Catholic schools. This facility is intended to help authorities with their planning.

October - December 2022

 

October


Student Attendance – Term 3 2022

Schools are required to report student attendance by grade, gender and Indigeneity for the Term 3 reporting period at an individual location (campus) level. 

Please visit the Student Attendance System (STATS) page on SchoolsHUB for more information. 

Due date: Friday, 14 October 2022

 

Applications for Non State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme

Online parent applications can be made for Student Travel Assistance – Semester 2, 2022 via the School Transport website. 

Programs available: 

  • Bus Fare Assistance Program (BFAP) 
  • Students With Disability (SWD) 

Due date: Friday, 30 October 2022

 

National School Chaplaincy Program (NSCP) Reporting – Semester 2

Participating schools are required to provide evidence that appropriate processes are put in place and reviewed at a minimum of a 6 monthly basis to ensure that: 
i.     Participation by students is voluntary
ii.    Chaplains may be from any faith
iii.   Chaplains must not proselytise
iv.   Chaplains must respect, accept and be sensitive to other people’s views, values and beliefs
v.    Chaplains must comply with Queensland laws and policies in relation to child protection matters
vi.   Chaplains must meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements which are:
 – A certificate IV in youth work through the Australian Qualifications Framework nationally accredited Community Services Training Package; or
 – A certificate IV in Pastoral Care; or
 – An equivalent qualification or higher qualification; and
 – This certificate or equivalent qualification must include competencies in mental health and making appropriate referrals.  

Please refer to the QCEC Website for more details. Participating schools will be contacted and provided with templates and instructions for reporting closer to the due date. 

Data collection tool: To be confirmed

Tentative due date: Monday, 31 October 2022

 

School Welfare Worker Program (SWWP) Reporting – Semester 2

Participating schools are required to provide evidence that appropriate processes are put in place and reviewed at a minimum of a 6 monthly basis to ensure that: 

i.     Participation by students is voluntary
ii.    SWWs may be from any faith
iii.   SWWs must not proselytise
iv.   SWWs must respect, accept and be sensitive to other people’s views, values and beliefs
v.    SWWs must comply with Queensland laws and policies in relation to child protection matters
vi.   SWWs must meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements which are:
 – A certificate IV in youth work
 – A certificate IV in Pastoral Care; or
 – An equivalent qualification or higher qualification

Note: SWWs may be ‘working towards’ the above qualifications.  

This certificate or equivalent qualification must include two units of competency in ‘making appropriate referrals’, ‘mental health’, ‘working with young people’ or ‘cultural awareness and support’. Please refer to the Program Fact Sheet for further detail.  

Participating schools will be contacted and provided with templates and instructions for reporting closer to the due date. 

Data collection tool: To be confirmed

Tentative due date: Monday, 31 October 2022

 

November


VET in Schools: Strategies and Outcomes

QCEC data collection – information to be provided for reporting strategies and outcomes against the VET in Schools funding priorities as determined by the Queensland Government. 

Data collection tool: VET in Schools: Strategies and Outcomes

Due date: Friday, 11 November 2022

 

VET in Schools: Work Experience and Structured Work Placement

QCEC data collection – information is required to be provided on student data in years 9-12 for assurance purposes, including: 

  • total number of students who participated in structured work placements 
  • total number of hours spent by students on structured work placement 
  • total number of students who participated in work experience 
  • total number of days spent by students on work experience 

Data collection tool: VET in Schools Work Experience Survey 2022

Due date: Friday, 11 November 2022

 

Kindergarten Enrolment Data Collection

Information on kindergarten enrolments for Semester 2, Term 4 2022 and the forecast enrolments for Semester 1, 2023, to be entered into the QCEC Kindergarten data collection instrument. This information is required to facilitate release of funding to QCEC in its capacity as the Central Governing Body (CGB). 

Data collection tool: Kindergarten Enrolment Data Collection Term 4 Template (report to 11/11/22)

Due date: Friday, 11 November 2022

 

State Students with Disabilities (SWD) Accountability 2022 – Educational

School Authorities are required to provide information about the use of funds to meet the accountability requirements for the State SWD program. Information across the following six sections will be collected in this exercise:  

  • Section A – Staff Employment 
  • Section B – Professional Development for Teachers and School Leaders 
  • Section C – Services Provided 
  • Section D – Resources Purchased
  • Section E – Monitoring Process 
  • Section F – Improved Outcomes 

Data collection tool: 2022 Education Accountability State SWD Template

Due date: Friday, 18 November 2022

 

School Directory 2022

School Authorities are required to review the existing School Directory and complete the School Directory Update Form if any changes are required.  

Data collection tool: School Directory Update Form

Due date: Friday, 25 November 2022

 

RI/PJP NGRSF Funding: Parent Engagement Activities

RI/PJP schools are required to report on their use of Non-Government Reform Support Funding (NGRSF) distributed to support parent engagement activities. Details of the direct distribution can be found in Memo 2022/026 NGRSF funds to support parent engagement activities. 

Schools should ensure that details provided through this form match the details Financial Acquittal form at the end of 2022. 

Data collection tool: Parent Engagement Form

Due date: Wednesday, 30 November 2022

 

December


Queensland Kindergarten Funding Scheme (QKFS) Performance Reporting – Semester 2

Delegated Catholic agencies are required to complete a bi-annually Performance Report which asks for issues/trends impacting on their organisation and kindergarten services.   

QKFS: QKFS Administration Support and KISS Performance Report (S2) – this report asks delegated Catholic agencies to report on the issues/trends impacting on their organisation and their kindergarten services as well as strategies/actions to provide an inclusive program and improvements towards children’s learning.   

Data collection tool: Semester 2 Administration Support & KISS Performance Report

Due date: Friday, 2 December 2022


Kindergarten Enrolment Data Collection (Attendance Data)

Information on kindergarten attendance for Semester 2, Term 4 2022, to be entered into the QCEC Kindergarten data collection instrument.  

Data collection tool: Templates will be sent to the relevant contacts closer to the due date.

Due date: Friday, 2 December 2022

 

QKFS Kindergarten Inclusion Support Scheme (KISS) Funding – Financial Data Collection

Delegated Catholic agencies are required to provide updates bi-annually with regards the average cost per child per program per service and year to date expenditure per service. 

The data collection tool was emailed to the relevant contacts on 10 October 2022.

Due date: Wednesday, 7 December 2022

 

QKFS Kindergarten Inclusion Support Scheme (KISS) Funding – Statement of Unspent Funds

The purpose of the Kindergarten Inclusion Support Scheme (KISS) is to further build the capability of community-based kindergarten program providers to meet requirements to support the inclusion of children with additional needs, in particular, children with diagnosed or suspected disability, to fully participate in a kindergarten program and transition to school.  

Delegated Catholic Agencies are required to complete this annual exercise to confirm the receipt and expenditure of KISS funding.   

The data collection tool was emailed to the relevant contacts on 10 October 2022.

Due date: Wednesday, 7 December 2022

 

QKFS Free Kindergarten Access Funding – Bi-Annual Data Report

Under the service agreement, QCEC is required to submit to the government a data report that includes:  

  • Number of children enrolled at each targeted service at the commencement of Semester 1 2022 (including number identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander) 
  • Number of new enrolments in Semester 1 2022 (including number identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander) 
  • Number of children who attended a kindergarten program with no out-of-pocket expense (including number identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander).  

This information will be collected from Delegated Catholic Agencies using an Excel template. 

The data collection tool was emailed to the relevant contacts on 10 October 2022.

Due date: Wednesday, 7 December 2022

 

QKFS Kindy Uplift Pilot – Financial Data Collection

Delegated Catholic agencies are required to confirm the expenditure of program funds received in 2022.

The data collection tool was emailed to the relevant contacts on 21 October 2022.

Due date: Wednesday, 7 December 2022

January 2023

 

January


Kindergarten Inclusion Support Scheme (KISS) Funding – Statement of Unspent Funds

The purpose of the Kindergarten Inclusion Support Scheme (KISS) is to further build the capability of community-based kindergarten program providers to meet requirements to support the inclusion of children with additional needs, in particular, children with diagnosed or suspected disability, to fully participate in a kindergarten program and transition to school.  

Delegated Catholic Agencies are required to complete this annual exercise to confirm the receipt and expenditure of KISS funding. 

Due date: Friday, 13 January 2023

 

2023 School Directory

School Authorities are required to review the existing school directory and complete the school directory update form if any changes are required, and an update form was not submitted in the 2022 collection window. 

Data collection tool: School directory update form

Due date: Monday, 23 January 2023

 

Flags

QCEC acknowledges the traditional Custodians of country throughout Queensland.

We pay our respects to Elders past and present.