Victoria and South Australia Secure Historic Public School Funding Deal

The agreement increases federal contributions to 25% of the Schooling Resource Standard, setting public schools on track for full funding by 2034.

Victoria and South Australia have signed a landmark 10-year funding agreement with the federal government, ending an 18-month negotiation deadlock.
The deal raises the federal government’s public school funding share from 20% to 25%, addressing a key shortfall identified in the 2012 Gonski review.
States will no longer be allowed to count non-education expenses, such as capital depreciation, as part of their education funding contributions.
The new funding is tied to reforms, including phonics and numeracy checks, to improve student outcomes and address underperformance in public schools.
Queensland and New South Wales remain the only states yet to agree to the federal government’s proposal, as negotiations continue.