Queensland private schools set for funding cuts: Full List

Private schools across the state are set to see their Commonwealth funding slashed as a new system comes into effect. SEE THE LIST

Private schools across Queensland will see their Commonwealth funding slashed, as a new methodology to calculate the capacity of parents to pay comes into full effect this year.

Under the new system about 30 per cent of non-government schools in the state will have their funding cut to the tune of $375 million over the next decade, according to Independent Schools Queensland.

The new system, known as the direct measure of income, uses parental income obtained from ATO data to determine a school community’s capacity to contribute to the running of the school – known as a CTC score.

A school’s CTC score affects the percentage of base recurrent funding the school receives from the Commonwealth – the higher the CTC score, the lower the percentage.

Under the new system, more than 100 Queensland schools saw their CTC score climb in 2022 – meaning a cut to their base funding.

Brisbane Girls Grammar School saw the biggest change to its CTC score of any school in the state – from 120 to 137.

Whitsunday Anglican School saw its score rise by 17 to 114, while Chanel College (Gladstone) and Mercy College and St Patrick’s College (both Mackay) saw increases of at least 13.

Prestigious boys’ school Brisbane Grammar School saw its CTC score jump by 12 to 131, while Matthew Flinders Anglican College (Sunshine Coast), Anglican Church Grammar School and Somerville House (both Brisbane) saw significant increases to their CTC score – and therefore were likely to have their funding reduced.

Independent Schools Queensland chief executive Chris Mountford said the funding changes for non-government schools from this year were significant, adding they would affect individual independent schools differently.

“The adverse impact that this methodology will have upon regional independent schools, which provide an important education choice for families is particularly concerning,” Mr Mountford said.

“Additional funding is required to support independent schools hard hit by changes to the funding methodology in managing their transition to new funding levels.”

While a large portion of private school Commonwealth funding is determined by a school’s CTC score, extra funding for things such as students with a disability or students with low English proficiency would not be affected.

In their most recent annual report Brisbane Girls Grammar School noted the funding change “continues to be closely monitored by the School”.

“The School’s expectations and long-term forecasts acknowledge a transition to lower levels of Federal and State funding over the next 10 years and has factored this into its long-term forecasting,” the report said.

Rockhampton Grammar School, which saw its CTC score rise from 98 to 108 this year, noted it would face a decline in funding “over the next eight years and thereafter”.

“The School has been working with our Federal members and their advisers to deal with our funding impacts given the unique position of Rockhampton Grammar as the largest co-ed boarding school in Queensland (and third largest in Australia) and being regionally based,” the report stated.

“Whilst we will continue our lobbying efforts through 2022 the School is also considering strategies to deal with the decline in funding that has been flagged.”