School Management

Managing the grant

    What is the NSSCF? | Applications | Purchasing devices | Managing the grant | Contacts & resources

    What are the reporting obligations of schools once funding is allocated?

    Schools are obliged to maintain full and accurate records of all NSSCF receipts and expenditure.

    Round 1 schools must record the NSSCF grant funding they receive from DEECD in CASES 21 Finance under the following:

    • Revenue code 71080 – Other C’wealth Grants (using GST code NS6).
    • Sub program titled ‘NSSCF Round 1’.

    Round 2 and 2.1 schools must record the NSSCF grant funding they receive from DEECD in CASES 21 Finance under the following:

    • Revenue code 70080 – Other DEECD Grants (using GST code NS6)
    • Sub program titled ‘9621 - NSSCF 1to2’

    Schools must ensure that all NSSCF transactions are recorded separately from the school’s operational expenditure.

    Schools must report purchases to the Department when and as they occur. Download the purchasing template (Excel - 61Kb).

    In addition, the Commonwealth requires full reports at six-monthly intervals on the progress towards achieving the 1:2 computer-to-student ratio.  DEECD will liaise with schools to compile these six-monthly reports.

    Both DEECD and the Commonwealth will be undertaking physical audits of schools to monitor compliance.

    Why are schools required to maintain detailed records of expenditure and deployment?

    The Commonwealth Government requires that all expenditure is carefully accounted for.

    Under the Funding Agreement signed with the Commonwealth, DEECD is required to provide regular reports of school expenditure. Records are to be maintained by DEECD and schools seven years after the project completion date.

    In accordance with the Commonwealth guidelines, failure to account for NSSCF funds adequately may result in schools being required to reimburse program funding. Schools must agree to these conditions before the NSSCF funding will be transferred to school accounts.

    Do schools pay GST?

    Schools will initially pay GST on the goods and services that they purchase. Schools are entitled to claim that GST back from the Australian Taxation Office as long as they hold valid tax invoices.

    The GST code to receipt grant funding should be NS6. Schools should code the purchases G11 in CASES21 to ensure they claim the GST back. In this way, the net cost to the school will be a GST exclusive amount, equating total funding available with the total grant amount received.

    Schools should note that GST reimbursed by the tax office must be allocated back to the specific NSSCF account (sub-code 96XX). This will be verified at the grant acquittal stage.

    How does the NSSCF fit with DEECD’s overall ICT strategy?

    A condition of NSSCF funding is that schools must complete and maintain their ICT Infrastructure Roadmap and School ICT Inventory.

    Appropriate strategies or actions related to the use of ICT to improve student outcomes should be incorporated into the Strategic Plan and Annual Implementation Plans.

    Schools are also required to develop an eLearning Plan, which flows from their Strategic Plan/Annual Implementation Plan, which provides a more detailed outline of implementation including milestones in areas such as teacher professional learning, curriculum planning and delivery, assessment and reporting, learning places and spaces.

    Useful materials have been prepared by DEECD to support schools in meeting their obligations and to successfully implement the NSSCF.  For access, visit the Contacts and Resources page.