$8.5 BILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR AUSTRALIAN
SCHOOLS IN 2005-06
10 May 2005 MINBUD 24/05
The Australian Government’s tenth Budget has
allocated record funding of an estimated $8.5 billion to Australian
schools and students for 2005-06, an increase of $589 million or
7.4% over last year.
The unprecedented funding for schools and students
in 2005-06 continues the trend of the past nine Howard Government
Budgets.
In 2005-06, over $3 billion is being provided for
state schools and students – an increase of $222 million or 8.0%
over the past year and a 93.0% increase since 1996.
Catholic and Independent schools will receive a 7.1%
increase over the previous year’s funding.
This substantial commitment highlights the national
leadership shown by the Australian Government in education.
State and Territory Governments own the state
schools, manage them and provide about 88% of their public funding.
The Australian Government believes it is vital that State and
Territory governments properly fund their schools.
This Australian Government Budget commits an
estimated $635.6 million for school capital works which represents a
massive 29% increase on the previous year. This includes an
additional $163.3 million for state schools in 2005-6 from the
Investing in Our Schools Programme. Under this programme, state
school communities will determine their own funding priorities and
apply directly to the Australian Government for funding. An extra
$80 million is also provided for non-government schools under this
programme in 2005-6.
The Budget also commits:
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An estimated $498.6 million in 2005-06 for an overarching
targeted programme, the Literacy, Numeracy and Special Learning
Needs Programme. This Programme targets the most disadvantaged
students, including students with disabilities.
-
A $139.9 million boost for quality teaching in Australia
through the extension of the Australian Government Quality Teacher
Programme (AGQTP). The AGQTP is the Australian Government’s
flagship initiative for improving the quality of school teaching
and school leadership in Australian schools. This initiative will
continue to provide funding for important national initiatives,
addressing the needs of teachers in relation to national
priorities such as the education of boys and Indigenous students,
and the teaching of literacy and numeracy.
-
An estimated $73.8 million over the next four years to 2008-09
to assist rural and isolated families. The Assistance for Isolated
Children scheme’s (AIC’s) Basic Boarding Allowance has been
increased by an estimated $39.6 million over four years to 2008-09
through an increase from $4,446 to $6,000 per student per year
from 1 January 2005. ABSTUDY’s Basic School Fees Allowance has
also increased to $6,000 per year, providing an estimated
additional $13 million over four years to 2008-09. These increases
will assist students with little choice other than to board away
from home at a school, hostel or private home. The AIC’s Distance
Education Allowance has also increased to $3,000 per year for
students who study at home through distance education, with total
additional funding estimated at $21.3 million over the four years
to 2008-09.
-
An estimated $13.1 million over five years to 2008-09 for the
new Non-government School Term Hostels programme, in recognition
of the right of families living in the bush to access a range of
options for their children. Eligible hostels will attract a grant
of $2,500 per year per eligible student, with programme funds to
be used for maintenance and operational costs of the hostel.
-
An estimated $27.6 million for the Languages programme to
improve learning outcomes of students learning languages other
than English.
The Budget also commits significant funding to
Indigenous students who remain the most educationally disadvantaged
group in Australia. The Government will provide $505.4 million in
2005-06 to enhance the outcomes of Indigenous students in schooling,
training and higher education. This includes significant new
initiatives such as the $23.1 million Indigenous Youth Mobility
Programme, the $12.9 million Indigenous Youth Leadership Programme
and the $8.7 million Tutorial Support for Remote Indigenous Students
initiative. For further information on these measures see
MINBUD
37/05, Building on our commitment to Indigenous learning.
The Australian Government continues to strongly
support parental choice in schooling. The Socioeconomic Status (SES)
system is now fully implemented as the method of determining the
general recurrent funding entitlement for every non-government
school. Under the SES formula, schools which draw students from low
socio-economic areas receive Australian Government funding of up to
70% of total public expenditure provided to a student in a state
school. Schools drawing students from the wealthiest areas receive
just 13.7% of total public expenditure provided to a student in a
state school.
For the first time, the Australian Government’s four
year $33 billion funding package for government and non-government
schools will be linked to a series of conditions aimed at improving
educational outcomes for all Australian students.
The requirements contained in the legislation
underpin the Government’s national priorities in schooling and will
require education authorities and schools to commit to:
- national consistency in schooling – with implementation by
2010 of a common school starting age and common testing standards
in key subjects by 2008;
- better reporting to parents with plain English school reports,
including an assessment of each child’s achievement reported
against national standards, and relative to the child’s peer
group;
- making values a core part of schooling, including requiring
schools to fly the Australian flag;
- ensuring that information is available to parents about a
school’s performance;
- greater autonomy for school principals;
- creating safer schools by implementing the National Safe
Schools Framework in all schools; and
- a common commitment by schools to physical activity, with all
primary and junior secondary students to participate in at least
two hours of physical education each week.
The Howard Government is strongly committed to
ensuring that every child is given the chance to find and achieve
their potential through choice and opportunity in education. The
2005-06 Budget for schools continues to strengthen the Australian
Government’s leadership role in schooling across Australia.
Media Contacts:
Dr Nelson’s Office: Yaron Finkelstein 0414 927 663
Dept of Education, Science & Training: Virginia Cook 0412 971 323
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