The SA Government has announced that non-government schools across South Australia are set to receive continued financial backing. Premier Peter Malinauskas has confirmed that the state will remain committed to providing 22 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) to these institutions through to 2034. This decision surpasses the government’s initial election promise, which aimed to ensure the same level of funding throughout its current term.
This funding assurance is part of the recently concluded Better and Fairer Schools Agreement with the Federal Government, which secures more than $60 billion in funding for public and non-government schools over the next decade. Under this agreement, state public schools are also set to benefit from an additional injection of $1.25 billion as they progress towards meeting 100 per cent of the SRS by the set date.
Focus areas for the Catholic and Independent sectors under the new agreement will include the advancement of core subjects such as reading, writing, and maths. This aims to enhance educational outcomes by maintaining initiatives such as phonics checks and by supporting teachers in STEM fields. It also advocates for strengthened student-centred approaches to wellbeing and aims to improve both teacher retention and attraction through stronger leadership.
Premier Malinauskas spoke about the significance of the agreement, stating, “This Agreement means that no child educated in South Australia will be left behind and our young people will have the resources they need to achieve their best.”
Echoing these sentiments, Blair Boyer, Minister for Education, Training and Skills, affirmed the comprehensive nature of this funding model. “This agreement delivers full funding to all schools for the first time,” he said.
Dr Neil McGoran, Executive Director of Catholic Education South Australia, shared, “This is an excellent outcome for our families and for Catholic Education, and importantly supports our efforts to ensure that Catholic schools are truly accessible for all.”
Anne Dunstan, Chief Executive of the Association of Independent Schools of South Australia, spoke about the importance of equitable funding across all education sectors. “The Association of Independent Schools of South Australia expresses its deep gratitude to the Premier and Minister for Education, Training and Skills for this ongoing funding commitment that recognises the important and impactful work of our 105 schools,” Dunstan stated.
With over 55,000 students currently enrolled and employing over 9,600 staff, the Independent sector remains a vital component of the educational landscape in South Australia. This funding assurance not only benefits the schools but also offers varied choices for families seeking education within the state.
This funding commitment ensures that all schooling sectors in South Australia are equipped to continue delivering high-quality education, focusing on both equity and excellence. This proactive investment in the future of education aims to ensure robust support for the state’s teaching workforce, ultimately benefiting current and future generations of students across South Australia.
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