The Albanese and ACT Governments have today signed an updated school funding and reform agreement, building on the previous agreement with the ACT, signed in November last year.
Under the updated agreement announced today, the Federal Government will lift its contribution to 25% of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) by 2034, giving the Territory’s public schools an additional $72m over the lifetime of the agreement.
However, Federal Education Minister Jason Clare said the money is “not a blank cheque” and will be tied to reforms such as phonics and numeracy checks, targeted tutoring, and enhancing teacher and leader wellbeing.
“This agreement lifts the Commonwealth’s contribution to 25 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard for ACT public schools,” Clare said in a statement today.
“This investment is tied to real, practical reforms to help students catch up, keep up and finish school.”
ACT Minister for Education and Early Childhood Yvette Berry said the new funding agreement highlights the government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the territory’s education system for students and teachers alike.
“Every ACT public school student deserves a great education, and a high-quality public education system is key to helping children and young people reach their full potential,” Berry said.
“This updated funding agreement will mean extra resources for ACT students and teachers, ensuring ACT public schools will continue to be great places for students to learn and staff to work.”
With Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory, and the Northern Territory already signed up, Queensland remains the holdout state, due to its ongoing concerns over funding allocations.
“We’ve now got seven out of eight states and territories that have signed up to the agreement. We’re still working with Queensland on the agreement that we want to do with them,” Clare said.
“They’re obviously really focused on the cyclone at the moment and that’s priority number one, as it should in Queensland right now.”