A discussion paper released yesterday by the School Viability Reference Group revealed that 30 per cent of students did not attend their local neighbourhood school.

The report states that the trend has distorted enrolment patterns and made planning difficult.

"As a result of students bypassing their local school and schools accepting out-of-area enrolments, significant costs have been placed upon public funds in the state," the report states.

Chairman Royce Fairbrother said he was surprised by the high number and was hoping that the consultation process would shed more light on the reasons behind the trend.

"It's certainly making some (schools) that probably, if all the children nearby attended that school, would be considered viable, but in actual fact there's not so many going there," Mr Fairbrother said.

The report also states that the Education Department's "open- access" transport policy and flat bus fares had helped students travelling past their local school.

The nine-member volunteer group will meet today to finalise the schedule for a series of regional consultation meetings in October. Every school has been invited to send one or two representatives to meet members during a three-week period.

Consultation will finish on December 1 and the group will provide advice to Education Minister Nick McKim about the criteria used to assess a school's viability and a process that should be followed before deciding to close a school.

Tasmanian Principals Association president Rob Banfield, who is also a member of the group, said they wanted to hear from members of the community, not just school representatives.

Mr Banfield said the discussion paper aimed to provide the facts to help people form views and guide their feedback, which can be submitted online.