Targeted funding
Many students have particular learning needs that benefit from targeted individual support. The Resource Allocation Model (RAM) delivers targeted funding to provide personalised learning and support for eligible students.
Refugee student support
Schools receive additional funding to support students from refugee backgrounds through the refugee student support funding allocation. Schools receive a per capita amount for each student from a refugee background who has been enrolled in an Australian school for less than 3 years. Data collected in the English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D) annual data collection is used to allocate these funds.
Funds may be used to provide:
- bilingual learning support
- specialist counsellor or psychologist support
- additional English language learning and literacy support
- support to assist students from refugee backgrounds to participate actively in the school community
- support before, during and after transition into mainstream school
- mentoring to support students from refugee backgrounds in their transition to work or further education.
For more information visit Supporting refugee students.
New Arrivals Program
The New Arrivals Program provides intensive English language tuition for eligible newly arrived students who are learning English as Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) and are in the early stages of their English language proficiency. The program provides funding to engage additional staff to provide targeted support for EAL/D students in primary schools and rural and regional secondary schools.
To apply for New Arrivals Program support, schools complete an online application through the online data collection for schools website.
Refer to the New Arrivals Program website for more information about student eligibility and support.
Integration funding support
Integration funding support is provided for eligible students with disability in mainstream classes at NSW public schools and preschools, who need moderate to high levels of learning and support adjustments.
Eligibility for support
Integration funding support helps students who:
- are school-aged
- are enrolled in a mainstream class in a NSW public school
- have a moderate to severe intellectual disability, physical disability, mental health disorder, autism spectrum disorder, hearing and/or vision impairment as defined by the department's disability criteria
- need essential adjustments to access learning opportunities and school experiences.
Integration funding support also helps students who are enrolled in a departmental preschool, who have a disability and meet the requirement for substantial or extensive adjustments as defined by the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD), the annual collection of information about students with disability.
School application process
The school completes an application, in consultation with parents and carers, which provides accurate and consistent information about the student. This assists in determining the allocation provided to support the adjustments required by the student.
How schools can use the funding
Funding can be used to:
- engage additional teachers and school learning support officers (SLSOs)
- access allied health professionals
- provide professional learning to enhance staff expertise.
The school principal and learning support team will determine the most appropriate use of the funding to support the student.
For more information go to the Integration funding support website.
Departmental staff can access additional information on the Integration funding support targeted funding page of the SBAR resource hub.