Mental Health Fund and Menu

3. Schools Mental Health Fund model

The Schools Mental Health Fund (the Fund) is allocated directly to government schools through Student Resource Package (SRP) cash and credit allocations. The Fund will be released annually in line with the 3-year roll-out schedule and in line with regular SRP timelines (indicative, confirmed and revised SRP cycle).

The funding model comprises:

• $25,000 base allocation amount for all schools
• additional enrolments-based funding for schools with 251+ students
• a 10% additional loading for rural and regional schools. This is in response to the Royal Commission’s call for a particular focus on rural and regional schools
• a moderately higher per student rate for primary school settings (applied after enrolment threshold is reached). This is in response to the Royal Commission’s recognition that secondary schools are typically larger and many already have access to several department-funded mental health programs (including Mental Health Practitioners, GPs in schools, headspace counselling)
• a 60/40 credit/cash split acknowledging the implementation priorities for the Fund and Menu.

More information on the Fund can be found on the Student Resource Package – Targeted Initiatives page.

The following arrangements apply. Schools:

• must only use their Fund allocation to purchase programs, staff or resources from the Schools Mental Health Menu (Menu)
• may use a component of their Fund allocation to fund relief teachers to enable school staff to attend professional learning or other activities related to implementation of the Menu
• can use additional funds to purchase programs, staff or resources from the Menu, for example Equity Funding (social disadvantage or catch up)
• must spend and acquit their Fund allocation during the calendar year the funding was received. The department’s Credit Carryover Policy applies to any unspent credit component of the Fund at the end of each calendar year. For more information on the Credit Carryover Policy, refer to: Student Resource Package – Managing the Budget: Credit Carryover Policy.