Department of Education and Training

Instruction in the standard curriculum program is provided free to all students in Northern Territory Government schools. Free instruction includes the provision of teaching and learning activities, instructional support, instructional materials, and administration and facilities associated with the standard curriculum program.

Schools can request contributions to enhance their educational and sporting programs. Financial support provided by parents has always played an enabling role in the provision of resources that extend a school's capacity to add value to students' learning experience.

School contributions are voluntary and payment is a decision for parents/carers. Principals will ensure that no student or family suffers any discrimination or embarrassment should they choose to not make a voluntary contribution. Confidentiality, privacy and dignity will always be maintained concerning contributions.

Parents/carers are expected to provide their children with some educational items e.g. stationery, text books and school uniforms. These items are generally available for purchase from the school and the government's Back to School Payment Scheme may be used for some of these purchases. Some secondary schools offer a resource hire scheme in order to provide students with access to quality and up-to-date resources to support and extend their learning. Participation in such schemes is voluntary. In all cases, parents/carers have the option of purchasing equivalent materials from sources other than the school.

Schools may ask parents/carers to contribute to the costs associated with learning programs that take students off-site or require the purchase of consumables. This includes options within a course of study where higher cost materials may be chosen. Parents/carers who are unable to contribute to these costs because of financial hardship should arrange a confidential discussion with the school principal.

Parents/carers may also be requested to pay for voluntary or extra-curricular activities where an election is made by the parent/carer or student to participate. Such activities include performances, camps and school social events.

Frequently asked questions

What is free about education?

Instruction in the standard curriculum program is provided free to all students in Northern Territory Government schools. Free instruction includes the provision of teaching and learning activities, instructional support, instructional materials, and administration and facilities associated with the standard curriculum program.

What is the standard curriculum program?

The standard curriculum program is made up of the eight key learning areas agreed to by all the States and Territories and the Australian Government. These are the arts, English, health and physical education, languages other than English, mathematics, science, studies of society, and environment and technology. 

The standard curriculum program includes the core teaching and learning activities associated with the Northern Territory Curriculum Framework (NTCF), the senior secondary Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (NTCET) and Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs.

Does free instruction still apply to senior secondary certificates such as NTCET including VET in schools programs?

Yes. Costs that could be considered instruction, instructional support, instructional resources, instructional administration or school facilities cannot be charged for.

If the student consumes or takes possession of an item/service which supports the free instruction in the standard curriculum program, this is an educational item for which payment may be sought. This includes the purchase of materials for a VET program such as wood for making stools which the student may take home. However, if the wood is being purchased to make an item such as a gazebo that the student does not take home, payment for purchase of materials may not be required.

Can I be charged for the administration of the standard curriculum program?

No. The costs associated with the administration and coordination of the standard curriculum program are considered to be part of free instruction and must not be passed to parents.

What are parents/carers required to pay for?

There are three areas for which parents/carers may be requested to make a contribution or reimbursement:

• Educational items which parents/carers are expected to provide or reimburse the school to provide for their child, for example stationery, text books and school uniforms
• Optional extra items which are offered on a user-pays basis and which parents/carers may choose whether their child accesses or participates in, for example, school magazines or extra-curricular programs or activities
• Voluntary financial contributions which parents/carers may be invited to contribute to the school.

What are educational items?

Parents/carers are expected to provide their children with some educational items. These include:

• Items which students take possession of, including text books and student stationery
• Materials for teaching and learning where your child consumes or takes possession of the finished articles (for example, home economics, ceramics, photography, catering)
• School uniform (where applicable)
• Travel costs incurred in order to receive instruction, for example, the cost of a student ID card if this is required to access free bus travel
• Services associated with, but not considered to be part of, 'instruction' in the standard curriculum program, such as costs associated with camps and excursions (for example, transport and entrance costs).

How are educational items purchased?

Schools may offer to purchase these items on your behalf and seek reimbursement from you, or give you the option of purchasing equivalent materials from other sources. The government's Back to School Payment Scheme may be used for some of these purchases. Schools are able to buy educational items in bulk so they can be provided to parents/carers at a significant discount. If you choose to provide equivalent materials, this should be done in consultation with the school, and should meet the specifications provided by the school. For health and safety reasons, some items may only be provided by the school, for example food provisions for home economics.

What can the Back to School Payment Scheme be used for?

The Back to School Payment Scheme has been established by the Northern Territory Government to help families offset the beginning of year expenses that come with providing the best education for students such as cost of textbooks, stationery, school uniforms, excursions, and travel costs associated with school such as the Student ID cards.

What do the optional extra items consist of?

Optional extras are those that are provided in addition to the 'standard curriculum program', and which are offered to all students. These optional extras are provided on a user-pays basis and if you choose to access them for your child you will be required to pay for them. These items include:

• Instructional supports, resources and administration beyond the provision of the standard curriculum program (for example, student computer printing for personal use, internet access for recreational or non-school use)
• Extra-curricular programs or activities offered in addition to the standard curriculum program (for example, instrumental music tuition)
• Entry costs associated with performances, productions and events
• Materials for subjects where the payment sought is the difference between the basic materials or services required for the standard curriculum program and higher cost alternatives which may be more desirable (for example, requesting payment for the use of mahogany in woodwork instead of the standard pine)
• Materials and services offered in addition to the 'standard curriculum program' (for example, school magazines or school photographs)
• School facilities and equipment not associated with provision of the 'standard curriculum program' for example, hire/lease of equipment such as musical instruments or notebook computers.

What are voluntary financial contributions?

Schools may invite voluntary financial contributions for the following:

• Contributions to a building or a library trust fund (Australian Taxation Office approved and tax deductible)
• Contributions for a specific purpose identified by the school (for example, equipment, materials or services in addition to those funded through the government grants. This may include additional computers or student-related services), and
• General voluntary financial contributions or donations to the school.

What can I purchase with the government's Back to School voucher?

The Back to School Payment Scheme was announced by the Northern Territory Government as a means to help students purchase important items that will influence their capacity to achieve good educational outcomes. The voucher can be redeemed on items including school uniforms, textbooks, stationery, and other essential school items. The voucher cannot be redeemed at the school canteen, for voluntary parent contributions, or school excursions. The voucher cannot be exchanged for cash.

Can my child be denied access to the standard curriculum program on the basis of me not paying a contribution?

No, all students have access to the standard curriculum program. Schools should have policies that ensure students are not treated differently, denied access to the 'standard curriculum program', or refused instruction on the basis of payments not being made for education items, optional extras or voluntary financial contributions.

Principals must ensure any record of payments or contributions is confidential. The public identification of students or their parents/carers who have or have not made a payment or contribution is unacceptable and must not occur in any circumstances.