Purpose
To assist state schools with providing equitable access to devices for financially disadvantaged students.
Duration of program
Ongoing
Eligibility
All State schools with an associated Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage (IRSD) decile score. In line with the initiative’s goals, schools in communities with a lower decile score and therefore experiencing greater financial disadvantage are prioritised.
Allocation of funds
A budget of $152 million, over 4 years, up to 140,000 devices has been allocated to the Student Technology Equity Partnership (STEP) based on the following.
Eligible schools are required to request the number of devices needed to support equitable access to digital devices for financially disadvantaged students. Requests need to be approved by principals. The STEP team reviews requests to ensure alignment to the STEP initiative's purpose, before granting approval for schools to purchase devices through EduPurchasing under the current standing offer arrangement. Schools incur upfront costs and are reimbursed 50% of the total cost, with a maximum reimbursement of $500 per single device.
Payment details
| Reimbursement of devices purchased | In line with the monthly payments | 100% |
Data requirements
| Purchase orders | OneSchool | As required |
How to apply
Schools can apply through a staff-only online form that requires them to indicate the number and type of devices they are seeking to in order to support financially disadvantaged students in their school.
Contact
Director, ICT Resources and Initiatives
Email:
STEP@qed.qld.gov.au