A decade of inequity
06 September 2024
The new report A decade of inequity: How Australian governments have funded private schools above public schools since 2013 shows that inequity in school funding has increased significantly over a decade and that more than half of private schools now receive more combined Commonwealth and State Government funding than public schools of very similar size, location and with similar student needs.
The report finds that:
- In 2013, there were a total of 1,146 private schools (45.0% of all private schools) receiving more combined Commonwealth and State Government funding per student than comparable public schools
- By 2022, this had increased to 1,550 private schools (56.3% of all private schools)
- Private schools where students come from above average levels of socio-educational advantage households showed the most growth in being funded above similar public schools - from 856 to 1,197 between 2013 and 2022, an increase of 39.8% over the decade
- The funding gaps between comparable schools are as large as $7,282 per student.
New agreements that will determine school funding for the next decade are being negotiated between the Commonwealth and State and Territory Governments right now.
To finally make the promise of a “better and fairer education system” a reality, the Albanese Government must keep its commitment to get every school to 100% of SRS by replacing the 20% cap on Commonwealth SRS contributions to public schools with a 25% floor followed by and ensuring that the new funding agreements hold State and Territory Governments to their commitments.
