Overview
- The expert panel released its final report on Tuesday, calling for a unified operating model to replace largely autonomous schools and listing 25 recommendations to improve equity and consistency across the ACT public school system.
- The ACT Government agreed to 18 recommendations, accepted seven in principle, and allocated an initial $9.3 million over four years to begin feasibility work, asset planning, HR and finance system changes and organisational design.
- The review found widespread budget pressure with most schools projected to be over budget, central and school systems using different accounting software, unreliable central data, and duplicated administrative tasks that raise costs.
- The report said rising post-pandemic student complexity—including disability, English-as-an-additional-language and behavioural needs—has increased operating costs while staffing arrangements and funding have not kept pace.
- The Australian Education Union said the report validated long-standing educator concerns and warned reforms cannot replace immediate fixes as enterprise bargaining remains unresolved and teachers plan a full-day strike in June.