Gov unveils “record investment in Australian schools”

In total, Commonwealth funding for all schools will grow from $13 billion in 2013 to almost $33 billion by 2029 – a 150 percent increase.

Government schools get the biggest increase, promised the government in a Tuesday announcement. 

The 2021-22 Budget also includes measures to further improve student outcomes, including $4 million to make the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education more accessible.

An additional $5.8 million will extend the Australian Teacher Workforce Data collection project with states and territories to inform teacher workforce policies and planning initiatives.

Minister for Education and Youth Alan Tudge said locking in record funding means states, territories, and schools could now focus on lifting standards.

“We are committed to seeing our school students once again perform among the top nations across reading, mathematics and science by 2030,” Minister Tudge said.

“We now need to focus on ensuring our record funding is directed where it has the most impact, which is to support quality instruction in classrooms. We need to attract the best people into teaching, train them well, and support them with effective curriculum and assessment.

This is about investing in our children and our nation’s future – there is nothing more important.

The Government launched a review into improving initial teacher education last month which is due to report before the end of the year. The National Curriculum is also under review, with the independent body ACARA currently seeking public feedback on draft proposed changes.