Independent Schools Victoria Compliance Framework

Obligations of schools that receive funding through the Australian Government's Language Program to support the development and delivery of Languages Other Than English (LOTE).

Languages Other Than English (LOTE)

Please scroll to the bottom of the page for contacts and links.

Do you need to comply?

Yes, if your school receives funding through the Australian Government's Language Program to support the development and delivery of Languages Other Than English (LOTE).

Conditions of compliance

Funding is available through the Australian Government's Language Program to help schools and school communities to improve the learning outcomes of students who are learning languages other than English.

Funding is also used to support activities such as:

• In-house Specialist Consultancies
• Country School programs
• Resource Development
• Language assistant supplements
• School resources
• Professional Development
• Funding is based on individual school program applications and a per capita figure derived from the annual LOTE survey.

If you have to comply, what do you have to do?

1. Complete a yearly data collection survey which provides indicative enrolments in language studies.
2. Complete program reports as required by Independent Schools Victoria and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), at the end of each funding period.
3. Complete Expression of Interest application forms available from Independent Schools Victoria to access funding. Applications are assessed on merit against specified criteria. These criteria may include:
   • An overview of the planned outcomes for the project
   • Identification of the planned learning outcomes for students
   • Processes for the identification of the students included in the project
   • Opportunities for professional learning
   • Evaluation mechanisms
   • Appropriate budgeting
4. Undertake the approved activities as outlined in the school's funding application within the specified timelines.
5. Obtain approval from Independent Schools Victoria for any proposed changes to the approved activities outlined in the funding application.
6. Participate in any evaluation project/s relating to the funding.
7. Provide data as required by the Australian Government or Independent Schools Victoria in order to meet accountability or program requirements.
8. Use the funding together with any interest earned only for the purposes of the approved projects in the calendar year specified for the approved projects.
9. Meet financial and accountability requirements as specified by the Australian Government and as requested by Independent Schools Victoria .
10. Pay to Independent Schools Victoria an amount equalling any unexpended grant funds within 28 days of a request by Independent Schools Victoria or the appropriate Australian Government Minister.
11. Agree to the right of Independent Schools Victoria to release funding details for schools under this program when reporting to the Australian Government and to the sector, providing that this data does not enable users of the information to identify individual students.
12. Agree to host visits from Australian Government and/or Independent Schools Victoria representatives as required.
13. Follow the guidelines for copyright as specified by the Australian Government for this program.

What are the consequences if you don't comply?

You may be required to return any funding received.

Who will help you?

Independent Schools Victoria contact:

Kathy Macfarlane
Education Consultant
Ph. 03 9825 7247
kathy.macfarlane@independentschools.vic.edu.au

Click here to go to the Independent Schools Victoria website

Other links:

DEEWR: Australian Government programs for Schools Quadrennial Administrative Guidelines 2009 to 2012

DEEWR: Languages Education

DEECD: LOTE, ESL, Multicultural Education & LMERC

Submitted 28/9/2006, edited 18/8/2010.