ISQ, like its counterpart statewide bodies in the state and Catholic sectors, administers a range of professional learning programs and services that meet agreed national and state education policy priorities and are funded by the Queensland and Australian Governments.

ISQ provides advice and assistance to schools on accessing and using government support. ISQ is also the approved authority to administer funding under the following Australian and Queensland Government programs: 

• Education Support Fund
• Kindergarten
• National Student Wellbeing Program
• Students with Disability Program
• Chaplaincy and Student Wellbeing Officer Program
• Choice and Affordability Fund
• Vocational Education and Training in Schools
• Youth Support Initiative.

The Commonwealth's National Student Wellbeing Program (NSWP) and Queensland Government's Chaplaincy and Student Wellbeing Officer Program (CSWOP) are four-year (2024–2027) programs that provide funding to selected schools to engage a qualified Student Wellbeing Officer or Chaplain to deliver pastoral care in schools. Find out more.

Choice and Affordability Fund

Of the $1.2 billion 10-year national fund, $104.2 million has been notionally allocated to the Queensland independent schooling sector to be distributed in line with the agreement. ​As part of the Choice and Affordability Fund (CAF) Agreement 2020-2029 with the Commonwealth, ISQ has committed to supporting the following national priority areas:

• transition funding assistance, including for regional independent schools adversely impacted by the new funding methodology
• special circumstances support, including for schools impacted by the record-breaking drought and other natural disasters
• school choice and affordability projects that contribute to a school’s future sustainability under the new funding arrangements.

ISQ has taken important steps to ensure the integrity, transparency and equity of the process to allocate taxpayer funds. 

Choice and Affordability Fund Annual Report: 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020

Choice and Affordability Fund Work Plan: 2023-2025

Non-Government Reform Support Fund

The Non-Government Reform Support Fund (NGRSF) ensures ISQ can support independent schools to implement reform priorities. The NGRSF, through the annual ISQ Action Plan, will support schools to implement the following three reform directions, as outlined in the National School Reform Agreement (NSRA). Namely, to:

• support students, student learning and student achievement
• support teaching, school leadership and school improvement
• enhance the national evidence base.

The NGRSF also supports the implementation of state-specific actions included in the bilateral agreement between Queensland and the Commonwealth on the implementation of school education reform and priorities identified by the Federal Minister for Education and Training.

Non-Government Reform Support Strategic Plan: 2019-2022

Non-Government Reform Support Annual Report:  2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021| 2022

Non-Government Reform Support Workplan: 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023

* Sources: AEC Group, (2020 update), Economic Significance of Independent Schools to the Queensland Economy | 2022 Non-State School Census (State) February Collection I Department of Education Non-Government Schools Financial Questionnaire