What is the Non-Government Reform Support Fund?
The Non-Government Reform Support Fund (NGRSF) was announced as part of the 2017-18 Budget to support non-government schools to implement the national policy initiatives set out in the NSRA.
The NGRSF commenced on 1 January 2018 to replace the Student First Support Fund, which provided funding to non-government representative bodies from 2014 to 2017. Design of the NGRSF was informed by findings from an independent review of the Student First Support Fund undertaken in March 2017 that emphasised the need for greater accountability and alignment of activities with Australian Government education reform priorities.
The Minister for Education approved 16 non-government representative bodies (NGRBs) under Section 91 of the Australian Education Act 2013; both Catholic and Independent sectors represented in each state and territory. Financial assistance is provided to the NGRBs so they may support non-government schools to deliver national, state and territory reform initiatives and the Minister’s educational priorities.
The NGRSF provides $245.1 million over six years (2018 – 2023):
- $200.1 million over five years (January 2018 to December 2022)
- $5.0 million provided in 2021-22 for targeted support to New South Wales and Queensland non-government schools impacted by the floods.
- $40.0 million to allow funding to be spent or committed to be spent up to 31 December 2024.
Non-government representative bodies
National Catholic Education Commission
| State or territory | NGRB |
|---|---|
| ACT | Catholic Education Canberra and Goulburn |
| NSW | Catholic Schools New South Wales |
| NT | Catholic Education Northern Territory |
| QLD | Queensland Catholic Education Commission |
| SA | Catholic Education South Australia |
| TAS | Catholic Education Tasmania |
| VIC | Catholic Education Commission of Victoria |
| WA | Catholic Education Western Australia |
Independent Schools Australia
| State or territory | NGRB |
|---|---|
| ACT | Association of Independent Schools of the ACT |
| NSW | Association of Independent Schools of New South Wales |
| NT | Association of Independent Schools of the Northern Territory |
| QLD | Independent Schools Queensland |
| SA | Association of Independent Schools of South Australia |
| TAS | Independent Schools Tasmania |
| VIC | Independent Schools Victoria |
| WA | Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia |
Reporting and transparency
Under the NGRSF Guidelines, NGRBs are required to submit annual workplans outlining the activities to be undertaken for the calendar year and annual reports describing the actual activities undertaken and the outcomes achieved. At the commencement of the fund, the 16 NGRBs provided the Minister with their strategic plan for the years 2019 to 2022, which focuses on reform activities to support state efforts under the national and bilateral agreements.
2022 flood response
The Australian Government provided $5.0 million under the NGRSF to provide targeted support to non-government schools affected by the 2022 floods in New South Wales and Queensland. Funding was for the purposes of supporting educational outcomes for students in Catholic and Independent schools impacted by the floods in the flood declared Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Funding was directed through the Catholic and Independent sectors in New South Wales and Queensland who were approved as NGRBs. The distribution of flood support funds was guided by the NGRBs in consultation with their member schools to ensure assistance was provided as quickly as possible to support to flood affected schools and school communities.