The Albanese Government has passed legislation through the House of Representatives to increase funding for public schools, lifting the Commonwealth’s share of funding to Australia’s public schools above 20%.
The Better and Fairer Schools (Funding and Reform) Bill 2024 removes the “funding ceiling” that stops the Commonwealth providing more than 20% of funding to public schools and turns that into a “funding floor”.
The new legislation, which now moves to the Senate for debate, allows the Albanese Government to make good on its agreements with the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Tasmania, and any other States or Territories that sign up to the government’s funding deal.
“At the moment, the maximum the Commonwealth Government can provide to public schools is 20 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard,” Federal Education Minister, Jason Clare, said today.
“This important legislation allows the Albanese Government to deliver more funding to public schools and tie that funding to practical reforms to help students catch up, keep up and finish school.”
Last week, Tasmania became the latest state to sign on to the BFSA, locking in 100% of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) for the state’s public schools from 2026 – nine years earlier than was initially proposed.
Tasmanian Principals Association President, Mat Grining, called the deal a “once-in-a generation, reset” of public education funding.
“We certainly applaud both the State and Federal governments in being able to come to an agreement that provides a significant reset for public education in Tasmania,” Grining told The Educator.
“We also recognise that the SRS is just the minimum standard. So, whilst we are talking about a new baseline figure for public education in our state, while other sectors may be sitting above 100% SRS.”
Grining said the TPA was also “heartened” that the timeline was pushed forward to 2026.
“Our leaders and members are excited about the opportunities that these significant resources will bring through the school gate from the beginning of next year,” Grining said.
“From the details we can see, this agreement provides the resources needed to sustain the current initiatives and direction set by the Tasmanian Government, particularly in the areas of literacy improvement, student wellbeing, engagement, and attendance.”