The $300 million needs-based funding model is the first allocation of the Gonksi funding from the state government.

Education Minister Adrian Piccoli announced ‘‘equity loadings’’ would be awarded to schools on the basis of socio-economic and indigenous disadvantage. The socio-economic loading will be calculated through the Family Occupation and Education Index, which takes into account parents’ highest level of school education, non-school qualifications and their occupation. All students with an Aboriginal background will receive additional funding.

Some schools in the region are receiving large increases in funds, including an extra $259,054 in combined funding for Illawarra Sports High School and $326,328 for Corrimal High School.

However, six Illawarra schools will lose funding under the new model. Berkeley West Public School, Lake Illawarra South Public School, Mount Warrigal Public School, Oak Flats Public School, Kemblawarra Public School and Warrawong High School will lose between $11,000 and $38,971 in 2014.

Andrew Attard, principal at Berkeley West Public School, said although his school would receive $11,494 less in funding next year, the new model would benefit students in the long run.

‘‘It might look like we’re losing money, but in the long term our school will be better off,’’ he said.

‘‘Under this model, all schools will get some sort of loading, so I think it’s a more even playing field for all schools.’’

Mr Piccoli said the new model would ensure fair distribution of funds to all public primary and secondary schools.

He said the change would also give principals more control over their budgets, with schools eventually managing 70per cent of their budget.

‘‘To achieve this shift, we are moving away from the traditional model of funding where schools were either ‘on’ or ‘off’ a particular funding program,’’ he said.

‘‘The old model was good for schools that were included in a program, but meant that other schools that had students in need of additional support missed out.

‘‘It funds student needs, not schools on a specific funding program. As the student need changes so will the funding.’’

Opposition spokeswoman for education and training Carmel Tebbutt said Labor would continue to campaign to restore funding to schools facing cuts.

“The NSW Opposition supports genuine needs-based funding for schools however it is unacceptable that over 200 government schools are having their equity funding cut, given the additional money NSW is receiving under the Gonski Agreement,’’ she said.