Record funding cuts: $559 million taken from public schools

The Morrison Government’s 2022-2023 federal budget has slashed funding for public schools by $559 million over the next three years, whilst increasing funding for private schools by $2.6 billion over the forward estimates.

"Closer analysis of the budget papers shows the Morrison Government has cut over half a billion dollars from public schools,” said Australian Education Union Federal President Correna Haythorpe.

The cuts to public schools’ funding from this year's budget are:

• $139 million in 2022-23
• $193.9 million in 2023-24
• $226.9 million in 2024-25

There is no funding allocated for capital works in public schools in this year’s federal budget either.

“This is a devastating reduction in funding for public schools at a time when schools are dealing with the deep impact of the COVID pandemic and escalating inequality for students across the nation.

"This savage cut to public schools was hidden in the detail. Mr Morrison hoped principals, teachers, support staff and parents wouldn't notice. They will.”

In sharp contrast, the increases to private schools’ funding are:

• $616.8 million in 2022-23
• $690 million in 2023-24
• $715.6 million in 2024-25
• $537.1 million in 2025-26

“Mr Morrison’s blatant favouritism for the private school sector comes at a great cost for public schools and their students, staff and parents.

“Treasurer Josh Frydenberg boasts about delivering 'record funding' for schools but does not make the distinction that they are delivering record funding for private schools at the expense of public schools every year.

“It is public schools that are witnessing booming enrolment growth and have the greatest need for capital spending on new buildings and state of the art facilities. It is public schools that need additional funding for more teachers, support staff, smaller class sizes and learning programs for students.

“It is public schools that provide a high-quality education for every child regardless of their background or circumstances. Yet Mr Morrison has shamelessly shirked his responsibility to ensure that public schools have the resources they need to cater for their students.

“We urgently need the next federal government to address the deep inequality in public school funding, remove the 20 per cent cap on federal funding, guarantee a minimum of at least 100 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard and establish a capital works fund.