Students and teachers across Australia are heading back to school this week as major national reforms begin rolling out alongside the biggest new investment in public schools ever made, according to the Australian Government.
Minister for Education Jason Clare said 2026 would be a pivotal year for public education, with funding tied directly to reforms designed to lift student outcomes and improve equity.
“This is a big year,” Minister Clare said. “We are fixing the funding of our public schools and we are rolling out reform.”
“That includes things like Year 1 phonics checks and numeracy checks and catch up tutoring. It also includes a national anti-bullying plan.”
The reforms are being delivered through the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement, signed by every state and territory last year and now entering its rollout phase. The agreement represents a $16.5 billion investment over the next decade – the largest new Commonwealth investment in public schools on record.
However, Minister Clare stressed the funding is not unconditional.
“It is not a blank cheque,” he said. “It is tied to real, practical reforms to reduce the number of students who need additional support for literacy and numeracy, and help students who fall behind to catch up, keep up and finish school.”
Key reforms under the agreement include Year 1 phonics and numeracy checks, the use of evidence-based teaching practices, and increased access to individualised student support, including small group tutoring.
States and territories began rolling out phonics checks last year, with all jurisdictions – except Western Australia – set to roll out or trial Year 1 numeracy checks in 2026. The checks are designed to identify students early who may need additional support.
Small group tutoring is also a central focus of the reforms, aimed at helping students who fall behind to catch up with their peers.
Work is additionally underway on a targeted review of the Foundation to Year 2 mathematics curriculum to strengthen early learning foundations. Governments are also exploring the establishment of a new Australian Teaching and Learning Commission to help support and drive the agreed reforms.
Alongside curriculum and teaching reforms, schools will also begin implementing the National Anti-Bullying Plan this year. Education Ministers adopted the plan in October 2025, with a key recommendation requiring schools to take action within 48 hours of a bullying complaint or incident.
Education departments are currently developing an implementation plan, which will be considered by Education Ministers when they meet in February.
Reflecting on progress to date, Minister Clare acknowledged improvements while emphasising the need for continued effort.
“Last year we saw some improvements in attendance and literacy and numeracy, but there is a long way to go,” he said. “That’s what these reforms are all about.”
