Estimates: KidsMatter Program Questions on Notice

Senate Community Affairs Committee
Health and Ageing Portfolio

Outcome 11 - Mental Health
Question No. E12-082

Senator WRIGHT: 

What proportion of the 1700 primary schools which received additional funding under the $19.6 million allocated to expanding the KidsMatter program are located in (i) a regional community, (ii) a rural community, and (iii) a remote community.

Answer:

$18.4 million over four years from 2010-11 was allocated under the Taking Action to Tackle Suicide package for the KidsMatter Primary initiative to be expanded to a further 1,700 primary schools by June 2013, taking the total number of participating schools to 2,000.

As at 30 June 2012 a total of 793 schools were participating in the KidsMatter Primary initiative.

Participating primary schools do not receive funding under the KidsMatter Primary initiative. The funding is provided to beyondblue as the KidsMatter Contract Manager. beyondblue sub-contracts the Australian Psychological Society and the Principals Australia Institute to deliver the KidsMatter Primary initiative to participating schools.

Approximately 50 per cent of these schools are located in major cities, approximately 45 per cent are in inner and outer regional areas, and approximately 5 per cent are in remote or very remote areas.

These descriptions are based on the Australian Standard Geographical Classification - Remoteness Area classification system.