We are proud of our 30 year history of operating the Financial Survey for Schools (FSS) which is now ready to receive your 2024 school-year data. Thank you to the 500-600 schools that participate each year. Financial confidence and sector innovation
Joining the Financial Survey for Schools (FSS) not only empowers you with data-driven decisions but also contributes to sector innovation and improvement. Every participant adds to the comprehensive dataset, benefiting all schools. So, why wait? Participate in this financial resource that sets the standard for non-government school financial sustainability and drives industry progress.
Participate to access innovative financial reporting tools:
- Financial Performance Report to compare over 60 ratios with similar schools and identify strengths and weaknesses.
- Historical and Somerset Key Indicator (SKI) Reports to analyse past and future changes in your school’s performance and risk.
- 5-minute forecasting with SKI Scenario Builder™ change variables to recast financials and risk analysis..
- 3-minute Sustainability Test with Financial Sustainability Planner — set a target Operating Surplus.
- Staff Estimator — compare your staff numbers with similar schools.
- IT Benchmarking Report — compare your IT costs and staffing with similar schools.
- ELC Benchmarking Report — compare your ELC income, expenditure, and staffing with similar schools.
- Demographic GEO Mapping — DIY future enrolment demographic tool.
- Plus, enjoy the convenience of a 24/7, 365-day self-service portal, and rest easy knowing that 10 out of 10 participants recommend the FSS to others.
SKI Scenario Builder™ | Link
Financial Sustainability Planner | Link
Please aim to complete data entry by 31 July 2025 so that you and others can generate reports with adequate sample sizes from August 2025 to inform strategy and the 2026 school budget. You can participate anytime until April 2026 however early bird pricing finishes on 31 August 2025.Single report participation starts from AU$1001* — including GST (AU$501* for schools with less than 250 enrolments). A discounted package price for the Financial Performance Report (compare with peers), Historical Report (your trends 2019 to 2024) and SKI Report and SKI Scenario Report (your future trends to 2029) is $2,420* — including GST ($1,210* for schools with less than 250 enrolments). If you participated last year, reduce the package price by $220 ($110 for schools with less than 250 enrolments).
[*Note: Early bird prices apply if survey completed before 31 August 2025.]
We ensure your school data is confidential
FSS participant names and data are held in confidence by Somerset Education which we know is important to you. Reports are generated in a format which respects that confidentiality.
Ongoing support and further information
Participation gives you access to Somerset Education services including further analysis of your performance, financial viability assessments, financial training of senior management and board, our 10-year budget, and monthly reporting tools.
Q | Any questions?
For more information about the FSS or our budgeting and reporting tools, please do not hesitate to contact Cathy or Jessica at survey@somerseteducation.net or call 1300 781 968 (from outside Australia +61 7 3263 5300).
If I can help in any way with the financial governance of your school, please contact me at john@somerseteducation.net or mobile 0417 618 899.
We look forward to your ongoing support, or if new to the survey, we warmly welcome you joining in.