All Tasmanian public schools will be fully and fairly funded by the Australian and Tasmanian Governments following a historic agreement signed on 25 September.
Both governments have signed the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement and agreed to increase funding for all public schools in Tasmania to 100 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS).
Tasmania has become the third state or territory to sign on to the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement.
Currently, the Commonwealth provides 20 per cent of the SRS for Tasmanian public schools. This will now increase to 22.5 per cent by no later than 2029.
The Tasmanian Government, as the primary funders of Tasmanian public schools, will increase its contribution to 77.5 per cent of the SRS by no later than 2029.
The Agreement signed on 25 September will be followed by a Tasmanian Bilateral Agreement, which will tie funding to reforms that will help students catch up, keep up and finish school, including:
• Year 1 phonics and early years numeracy checks to identify students in the early years of school who need additional help
• Initiatives that support wellbeing for learning – including greater access to mental health professionals
• Access to high-quality and evidence-based professional learning
• Initiatives that strengthen teacher and school-leader wellbeing.
The Bilateral Agreement will also set out the specific timing of the Australian and Tasmanian Governments’ increases in SRS funding shares to get to full and fair 100 per cent funding level as soon as possible by no later than 2029.
Currently, no public schools in Australia, except for schools in the ACT, are at the full and fair funding level.
This announcement follows Western Australia and the Northern Territory each signing on to the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement, delivering record funding to their public schools.
Premier of Tasmania Mr Jeremy Rockliff said Tasmanians deserve every opportunity in the world, no matter where they live or what their parent’s income is.
“We have been transforming Tasmania’s education system over the past decade, and this funding partnership is the next step in delivering for young Tasmanians,” he said.
“Additional funding will now flow to Tasmanian schools from 2025, with up to an additional $300 million invested into our public schools over the next five years.”
Minister for Education Mr Jason Clare said it was a massive day for public education in Tasmania.
“Tasmania’s decision to work with the Albanese Government to fully fund public schools will deliver a better and fairer education system for Tassie,” he said.
“This agreement means that all schools in Tasmania will be fully funded and that funding will be invested in reforms to help students catch up, keep up and finish school.”
Tasmanian Minister for Education Ms Jo Palmer said the state government has delivered significant generational change and is committed to further improving the education system.
“This funding agreement will ensure our students are supported to get the educational outcomes they deserve so they can lead their best lives,” she said.
“We must move to full funding as quickly as we can, and that is my focus.”
More reading: Landmark agreement signed to fully fund Western Australian public schools
