Abstract:
The paper summarises the development of the formulas used to distribute staffing and financial resources to Tasmanian schools and colleges in 1992. The concept of a needs weighted per capita allocation was introduced to provide an equitable basis for the distribution of resources to schools. This concept is similar to the fiscal equalisation approach which is used by the Commonwealth Grants Commission. The implementation of this approach requires the identification of needs factors and an assessment of their impact on the resource requirements of schools. A broadly based consultative process was used in the development of the formulas and the needs indices.