The Quality Schools package was announced on 2 May 2017. Central to the package is the Government's goal that every student in Australia should have the opportunities they need to be the best they can be.
Use the school funding estimator to find out what this means for your school.
To achieve this goal, the Government is delivering new funding arrangements to ensure that every student gets the resources they need, regardless of their background or where they live.
Over the next 10 years, total Commonwealth investment in schools will increase by 68 per cent. On average, funding for each student will grow by 4.3 per cent each year over 2018 to 2027.
Schools and students that need the most additional resources will get the biggest funding increases in the fastest time period. By 2027, all schools in each sector – Catholic, Independent and Government – will be funded on a consistent basis by the Commonwealth.
This funding means schools can continue to deliver – and expand – programs that are helping them support the children in their school who need it most. The Australian Government will continue to work with states and territories on national reforms that improve the quality of schools.
The Government has established an independent National School Resourcing Board to review elements of the funding model in the Australian Education Act 2013, including assessing the compliance of states, territories and other approved authorities with their requirements under the Act.
It also established the Review to Achieve Educational Excellence in Australian Schools, led by Mr David Gonski AC, to ensure the national reform agenda continues to be strongly linked to the best evidence available of what works. On 28 March 2018, the Review panel delivered the final report to the Government, Through Growth to Achievement: Report of the Review to Achieve Educational Excellence in Australian Schools.
The report’s recommendations and findings along with the Independent Review of Regional Rural and Remote Education and the final report of the STEM Partnerships Forum, have informed the development of the National Schools Reform Agreement between the Commonwealth and states and territories.
For more information
The Quality Schools frequently asked questions provide information about the changes.
The Quality Schools fact sheets explain the schools reform package in more detail.
There is also a glossary for key terms used on this website.