The Queensland Government has today signed on to the Australian Government’s Better and Fairer Schools Agreement, which will see the Commonwealth provide an additional 5% in Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) funding to public schools.
Today’s agreement means that all public and state schools in the country are on a path to full and fair funding, said Premier, David Crisafulli.
“We’re proud to have secured the biggest funding boost ever delivered to Queensland state schools, because that’s what our children deserve,” said the Premier.
“This funding will raise the bar in classrooms across Queensland, giving our students a world class education and the support needed to succeed.”
The signing of the Agreement will lift the Commonwealth’s SRS contribution from 20 to 25% by 2034 – an estimated $2.8 billion in additional Commonwealth funding to Queensland state schools over the next 10 years.
As part of the Agreement, Queensland will remove the provision allowing them to claim 4% of state school funding for indirect school costs such as capital depreciation and replace it with 4% of recurrent funding on eligible expenses.
The additional Commonwealth funding will be tied to the reforms needed to lift education standards across the country, including more individualised support for students.
“I want to thank Prime Minister Albanese and Minister Clare for their perseverance throughout negotiations and their collaborative efforts to get this deal done,” said Queensland Minister for Education and The Arts, John-Paul Langbroek.
“These agreements truly signify a fresh start for Queensland state schools, we know this funding is needed across the state and I will work with my Department to put this money to best use in every aspect of our education system.
“The education outcome targets within this agreement also reaffirm our commitment at a state level to ensure all Queensland children have access to a world-class education.”
The Agreement will be followed by a Queensland Bilateral Agreement, which will tie funding to reforms that will help students catch up, keep up and finish school, such as:
- Year 1 phonics and early years of schooling numeracy checks to identify students in the early years of school who need additional help;
- evidence-based teaching and targeted and intensive supports such as small-group or catch-up tutoring to help students who fall behind;
- initiatives that support wellbeing for learning – including greater access to health professionals;
- access to high-quality and evidence-based professional learning; and
- initiatives that improve the attraction and retention of teachers and reduce teacher and school leader workload.
In addition to these reforms, the Agreements have targets, including that by 2030 the proportion of students finishing high school will be the highest it has ever been. Other targets include:
- Reducing the proportion of students in the NAPLAN ‘Needs Additional Support’ proficiency level for reading and numeracy by 10%;
- Increasing the proportion of students in the ‘Strong’ and ‘Exceeding’ proficiency levels for reading and numeracy by 10% by 2030 and trend upwards for priority equity cohorts in the ‘Strong’ and ‘Exceeding’ proficiency levels;
- Increasing the Student Attendance Rate, nationally, to 91.4% (2019 level) by 2030;
- Increasing the engagement rate (completed or still enrolled) of initial teacher education students by 10 percentage points to 69.7% by 2035;
- Increasing the proportion of students leaving school with a Year 12 certificate by 7.5 percentage points (nationally) by 2030.
“Building Australia’s Future means investing in the next generation. That’s why every dollar of this funding will go into helping children learn and participate in school,” said Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese.
“We know that education opens the doors of opportunity, and we want to widen them for every child in Australia. This is about investing in real reform with real funding – so Australian children get the best possible education.”
