Difference between state integrated schools and charter schools

	State integrated school	Charter school
Overview	State integrated schools are state-funded schools with a special character. The government funds teaching and learning, while proprietors maintain and upgrade school buildings.	Charter schools are funded like state schools but through a contract. This sets out performance measures schools need to meet- particularly around achievement and attendance. How the schools meet these performance targets is up to them. Charter schools have greater flexibility as to how they operate.
Agreement	The proprietor signs an Integration Agreement with the Minister of Education. This sets out the terms the school must meet, including its special character, the property to be integrated, maximum roll, and year levels offered. Integration agreements only include information about property and special character arrangements, because state integrated schools are otherwise generally subject to the same laws and regulations as regular state schools.	Charter schools are operated by a sponsor, which is an organisation that has signed a contract with the Charter School Agency to operate the school. The contract (Charter School Agreement) sets out all requirements the school needs to meet including attendance and achievement measures.
Employment	State integrated schools are subject to the same state school teacher collective agreements as other state schools, covering teachers who are members of the relevant unions. Tagged positions may be outlined in the integration agreement. Tagged positions require staff to uphold the special character of the school and can make a willingness and ability to participate in religious instruction, a condition of employment. State integrated schools are subject to Public Service Act appointment requirements. The Human Rights Act allows limited exemptions for special character reasons.	Not subject to state school collective agreements. The charter school sponsor employs all staff and sets pay and employment conditions. A charter school sponsor is not subject to the appointment requirements of the Public Service Act 2020. Tagged positions can be the Chief Executive and the person responsible for teaching and learning at a charter school. There are no exemptions from the Human rights Act.
Property	The proprietor owns and maintains school property. Policy Two funding is sometimes available to integrated school proprietors to help with the cost of building a new classroom. The funding may be available if the school meets certain criteria.	A sponsor of a charter school is responsible for the school property. Sponsors receive funding based on student numbers. Funding will increase as rolls grow.
Enrolment	An enrolment cap, and enrolment schemes apply. State integrated schools have a special character and this informs their enrolment schemes under the Education and Training Act.	Charter schools do not have enrolment schemes. They must accept all currently enrolled students when the school converts. Schools can only decline enrolments if: the student would exceed the physical capacity set in their contract a parent refuses to accept the school’s approved distinguishing characteristics (such as religion) If a school was previously zoned, applicants from the old home zone have first priority when the school is oversubscribed
Fees	Proprietor can charge attendance dues to help pay for property. The Minister approves the level of these dues.	Charter schools cannot charge attendance dues. They must not charge for curriculum-related activities. If the school previously charged attendance dues, they can charge a property maintenance fee.