Victoria and South Australia<\/strong> have achieved a significant milestone in education funding<\/strong>, securing a landmark 5% increase<\/strong> in federal funding<\/strong> for public schools<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The move brings both states closer to fully funding public schools by 2034<\/strong>, setting a new benchmark in education reform<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, Queensland<\/strong> and New South Wales<\/strong> remain in negotiations, with both states yet to commit to the historic federal education agreement<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The newly secured agreement highlights a critical challenge in Australia\u2019s public education system<\/strong>: the persistent underfunding<\/strong> of public schools compared to their private counterparts<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While private schools often receive more than their required funding, nearly 98% of public schools<\/strong> remain underfunded, according to the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (Acara)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This disparity has left public school students at a disadvantage, particularly those in underserved communities or with additional learning needs<\/strong>. Addressing this inequity has been a longstanding goal of education reform<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under the previous arrangement established by the Coalition, states and territories provided 75% of public school funding<\/strong>, with the commonwealth contributing 20%<\/strong>, leaving a 5% shortfall<\/strong> in meeting the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The SRS, introduced during the Gonski reforms, represents the baseline funding required to deliver a quality education to all students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Key highlights of the existing funding model :<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This education funding<\/strong> shortfall has long hindered the ability of public schools to meet the needs of all students, underscoring the critical importance of reforms to ensure equitable access to quality education nationwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The new deal lifts the federal government\u2019s contribution to 25% of the SRS<\/strong> for Victoria and South Australia. Over the next decade, this commitment will close the gap, ensuring public schools in both states receive 100% of their required funding<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, the agreement eliminates accounting practices introduced under the previous government, which allowed states to count 4% of their contribution<\/strong> toward non-educational expenses, such as capital depreciation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The education funding<\/strong> landscape in Australia<\/strong> highlights significant disparities<\/strong> in resource allocation<\/strong>, with some states progressing toward full funding<\/strong> while others remain hesitant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This divide reflects varying regional priorities<\/strong> and fiscal strategies<\/strong>, as well as differences in negotiating positions with the federal government<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The agreements reached with Victoria<\/strong> and South Australia<\/strong> mark a pivotal step, but they also underscore the complexity of achieving nationwide consensus on education reform<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ongoing negotiations with Queensland<\/strong> and New South Wales<\/strong> demonstrate the challenges in balancing equity<\/strong> with individual state interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Victoria and South Australia now join Western Australia, the Northern Territory, the ACT, and Tasmania in signing the federal government\u2019s Better and Fairer Schools agreement<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The program, launched by Education Minister Jason Clare<\/strong>, increases the commonwealth\u2019s funding share by 2.5%<\/strong> for participating states, with an additional 40% allocation<\/strong> for the Northern Territory due to specific needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Key outcomes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The newly secured education funding<\/strong> agreement represents a pivotal moment for public education in Australia. By addressing the chronic underfunding of public schools, the deal aims to reduce disparities in education quality across states and territories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Experts suggest that fully funding the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) will not only improve outcomes for disadvantaged students but also help standardize education resources nationwide, fostering greater equity within the system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, challenges remain in ensuring all states commit to similar reforms, particularly Queensland and New South Wales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Education Minister Jason Clare<\/a> emphasized that the additional funding will be tied to reforms designed to enhance educational outcomes<\/strong>. Initiatives will focus on supporting students in critical areas, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n