EAL Contingency (Reference 27)
EAL Contingency funding is provided, budget allowing, to enable the employment of additional EAL teachers and Multicultural Education Aides (MEAs) where mainstream schools or English language schools and centres experience a significant increase to their EAL student profile after their EAL funding has been established for the year.
A ‘significant increase’ for a mainstream school – primary, secondary or combined primary/secondary – means that the cohort of additional students, based on the rates and weightings outlined in Reference 26, attract funding above the relevant EAL Index funding threshold (primary or secondary). This means there is no set number of students a school must enrol to be eligible for EAL Contingency. Each student’s year level and length of time in Australia determines the level of funding they attract.
A ‘significant increase’ for an English language school or centre or the Virtual EAL New Arrivals Program is one which requires provision of an additional class.
EAL Contingency funding is allocated at campus level.
Applications for EAL Contingency funding can be submitted at any time of the school year.
Eligibility
- Primary
- Secondary
- Primary/Secondary combined
- English language schools
- English language centres
- Virtual New Arrivals Program
Applications from mainstream schools
Primary and secondary schools that have enrolled a significant increase in the number of students since their EAL Index funding was established by the preceding year’s August census may apply for EAL Contingency funding. Each application is assessed based on the additional students’ eligibility for EAL Index level funding and the rates and weightings outlined in Reference 26.
New primary and secondary schools will not have participated in the preceding August census. They can apply for EAL Contingency funding to establish an EAL program following the February school census.
To apply, primary and secondary schools should run a Contingency Report ST21038 from CASES21 and email this with a request to be considered for EAL Contingency funding to the EAL Unit at eal@education.vic.gov.au. The ST21038 report is used to compare current enrolments with enrolments from the preceding August census to determine if an increase beyond the relevant threshold has been reached. Schools already receiving Index Funding that apply for Contingency funding have to meet the relevant threshold again. Applications from new schools are assessed based on the student numbers in the ST21038 report.
Calculation
EAL Contingency = FTE allocation × Average teacher rate
For primary and secondary schools, EAL Contingency is calculated based on the change in the school’s EAL student profile between the previous August census and the date of application, as outlined above. Any additional entitlement to EAL Index funding using the levels and weightings outlined in Reference 26, is converted to FTE and paid pro-rata for the remainder of the school year.
Primary and secondary FTE allocations are calculated separately.
Schools that apply within the first 5 weeks of term and meet eligibility requirements are funded for that term and any other remaining terms in the school year.
Schools that apply in week 6 or beyond and meet eligibility requirements are funded for the following and any remaining terms of the school year.
All schools are notified when their request has been assessed, with further notification of their total funding after it has been approved. Payment is made through the Student Resource Package (SRP) at the end of each applicable term.
Rates – 2024
List 1: EAL Index funding thresholds
- Primary – $28,266.78
- Secondary – $53,911.90
List 2: Average teacher rates
Primary schools receive a total of $134,074 made up of:
- Credit: $130,828
- Cash: $3,246
Secondary schools receive a total of $133,660 made up of:
- Credit: $131,974
- Cash: $1,686
Teacher salary charges to schools will continue to be based on actual payroll debits for individual staff as reflected on eduPay. This includes the actual cost of annual leave loading and all allowances, such as higher duties and special payments. Also included are non-cash benefits for teachers.
Applications from English language schools and centres
English language schools and centres or the Virtual New Arrivals Program experiencing a significant increase to their enrolments before week 5 in Term 1 that requires provision of an additional class are eligible for adjustments to their target enrolments for the Confirmed SRP. From week 6 in Term 1 and beyond they may be eligible for EAL Contingency Funding, applied pro-rata for rest of the school year.
English language schools and centres should use the Request for EAL Contingency Funding for New Arrivals Provision form to discuss changed provision needs with their Senior School Improvement Practice Lead, then email the approved form to: eal@education.vic.gov.au
All English language schools or centres are notified when their Contingency request has been assessed, with further notification of their total funding after it has been approved and on confirmation of teacher recruitment. Payment is made through the Student Resource Package (SRP) at the end of each applicable term.
For English language schools and centres and the Virtual New Arrivals Program, each additional class to be provided attracts 1.0 FTE at the average teacher rate below, paid pro-rata for the period for which the class will be required.
Average teacher rates
Primary schools receive a total of $134,074 made up of:
- Credit: $130,828
- Cash: $3,246
Secondary schools receive a total of $130,422 made up of:
- Credit: $131,974
- Cash: $1,686
Reviewed 26 March 2024