Supporters

 

Here you can find all the information you need about education funding and what public schools need to make a real difference.

 

Schools Funding

In Australia the Federal Government shares responsibility with state and territory governments for funding schools. Money is provided for both the ongoing operations of schools and for the capital works (new buildings and equipment) that schools need.

 All governments need to invest more in public schools. The critical under-funding of our nation's public schools was highlighted in a recent OECD report that found Australia would have to increase its public expenditure on education by around $6 billion a year  to bring it to the average of the developed nations who make up the OECD.

 Over the last 13 years the biggest problem in funding has been the lack of money provided by the Federal Government.

 In late 2008 that situation began to change. The Rudd Government announced firstly a $3.5 billion commitment to more money for public primary schools, new teaching and disadvantaged school programs and for computers in schools. That was followed in early 2009 by the biggest single investment in schools ever -  a 14.7 billion program for rebuilding schools and maintenance work.

 But there is still much to be done. Over two thirds of Australia's children attend public schools but they receive only around one third of the Federal Government's recurrent spending on schools. The fact is the Federal Government spends $1,051 per public school student compared to $4,515 per private school student. (Source: Productivity Commission Report)

The Federal Government's school funding system gives the most to the schools that need it the least.  The latest research shows private schools receive from all funding sources around $15,000 per student a year compared to $11,000 per student in public schools. (McMorrow Report)

 The Federal Government's funding system for schools is fundamentally flawed and needs to be overhauled to deliver a better deal for public schools.

 

Review of School Funding

The Rudd Government has committed itself to reviewing its school funding system next year.

 Commenting on the review of schools funding in 2010 the Education Minister Julia Gillard recently quoted research by the Australian Council for Educational Research which notes that "Australia's system of school funding is one of the most complex, opaque and confusing in the developed world."

This review will be an opportunity to present the case for increased investment in public schools and we will need the support of teachers and parents across the country.

 Sign up now   to be part of the campaign and help win a better deal for public schools.

What is Needed?

Australia's public schools have always delivered a quality education to young Australians. To make sure they continue to do so we need to:

  • Overhaul school funding: Put in place a new federal funding system that delivers the resources that public schools need - now and for our future
  • Reduce class sizes: Australia has large primary class sizes compared to most similar countries. With extra investment we can ensure class sizes go down.
  • Provide greater individual attention for students who need it: Research completed for the Federal Government warned of the need for a major investment in literacy and numeracy programs and specialist teachers to meet the needs of students who are struggling. We need to ensure the children that need extra help get it.
  • More teachers: The key to delivering lower class sizes, more individual attention and greater curriculum choice for students.
  • Higher retention rates: The Federal Government's goal of getting 90 per cent of students to finish year 12 is a good one. Independent research shows that it needs to spend $1.4 billion a year on targeted programs to achieve this objective.

Further Reading

 

 

 

© AEU 2010. Authorised by Susan Hopgood, Federal Secretary. Australian Education Union, 120 Clarendon Street, Southbank, Victoria, Australia 3006 | AEU Home Page