Public schools are finally on the road to full funding, with every state now signed on after a historic deal between the Federal and Queensland governments.
The breakthrough, announced today, delivers on David Gonski’s vision, putting Australia’s schools on a path to end years of underfunding and inequality – and marking a major win for students, teachers, and schools nationwide.
Today’s deal means the Commonwealth Government will provide $2.8bn in additional funding over the next decade, ensuring that Queensland’s public schools finally receive 100% of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS).
As part of the deal, the Commonwealth will lift its share of the SRS from 20 to 25%. The SRS is the minimum level of funding that governments have agreed is necessary to meet the needs of students in a school or school system.
“Building Australia’s Future means investing in the next generation. That’s why every dollar of this funding will go into helping children learn,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said today.
“We know that education opens the doors of opportunity, and we want to widen them for every child in Australia. This is about investing in real reform with real funding – so Australian children get the best possible education.”
Australian Education Union (AEU) federal president Correna Haythorpe said the union is now calling on Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to say whether he supports the full funding of public schools in his home state and across the nation.
“Peter Dutton has never supported the full funding of public schools and the Coalition can't give a straight answer about what they would do in government,” Haythorpe said.
“We need to know whether Peter Dutton will commit to delivering the full 25% Commonwealth share of the SRS in every state should he take office.”
Haythorpe said today’s agreement is “a victory for principals, teachers, students and our communities”.
“The signing of these agreements is a tremendous win for students, teachers, and the broader public education system,” she said.
“We congratulate the Albanese government on committing to a fully funded public education system across Australia and delivering on their promise to make sure no student is left behind.”
Cresta Richardson, President of the Queensland Teachers' Union (QTU), said today is “a day for celebration for Queensland’s principals, teachers and students.”
“This agreement is the culmination of years of hard work and advocacy, and it’s a moment that reflects our shared commitment to ensuring that every student has the best possible education, regardless of their postcode or background,” Richardson said.
“With this agreement, Queensland’s state school teachers and leaders will finally have the resources they need to close the gap and provide all students with the support they need to reach their full potential.”
However, Greens spokesperson on Primary and Secondary Education, Senator Penny Allman-Payne, said while more public school funding is always a good thing, this agreement leaves public schools underfunded for another decade.
“Labor’s plan ensures that it will be a quarter of a century before Gonski is delivered and every Australian public school receives its bare minimum funding,” Senator Allman-Payne said.
“That means kids currently in school are going to finish year 12 never having experienced the fully resourced education they deserve.”
Senator Allman-Payne said that means not enough teachers, not enough in-class supports, inadequate facilities, and parents and teachers “dipping into their own pockets” to make up the shortfall.
“Budgets are about priorities, and if public schools were a priority for this Government they would fully fund public schools this year.”