Independent Schools Australia (ISA) has welcomed aspects of the Federal Budget but says more must be done to ensure a fair and inclusive education system that supports all students, in all schools.
With a federal election just weeks away, ISA CEO Graham Catt said families who choose Independent schools are watching closely and expecting policies that support their right to choose the school that best meets their child’s needs.
“This Budget confirms that all public schools are now on the path to full and fair funding. That’s a great outcome, and it should also mean an end to the political attacks and misleading rhetoric about non-government schools that have characterised the past few years.” Mr Catt said.
“The time for attacking families for their school choice, and attacking schools based on sector is over. Let’s draw a line in the sand and ensure that all education programs and policies are sector blind.”
For example, all schools, in all sectors, are grappling with challenges of finding and retaining teachers.” said Mr Catt. “Yet we have a Commonwealth teacher scholarship program that allocates resources based only to one sector.”
“If you’re a graduate teacher employed by the best resourced Government school in Australia, the government will pick up your student debt. But if your first job is in the smallest, most remote non-government school, working with vulnerable students, you’re not eligible for the same support. That’s simply not fair.”
Mr Catt also said the Budget didn’t include anything to reassure the hundreds of thousands of families who choose an Independent school for their children, make financial sacrifices to support that choice and are looking for leadership and certainty in education.
Independent schools have seen their strongest growth in more than a decade with enrolments increasing by 3.8% from 2022 to 2023. Projections indicate that this trend will continue, with Independent schools expected to become the largest non-government school sector by 2027, enrolling an additional 121,000 students by 2033.
“Families who choose Independent schools are everyday Australians. They pay taxes, make sacrifices, and want what’s best for their children. They deserve policies that support, not ignore or punish them,” Mr Catt said.
“The growth in Independent school enrolments is being driven by families of all backgrounds—including in regional Australia. These families need infrastructure, teachers, and support—not more red tape or rhetoric.
“This election will decide whether we keep moving forward—together—or return to the politics of division. We urge all parties to commit to supporting all students, in all schools.”
ISA’s Five Election Priorities
This Budget highlights why ISA’s five key policy priorities remain essential:
- Protecting Family Choice
Stable and predictable funding is vital to keeping school fees affordable as cost-of-living pressures rise. Families should not have to choose between financial security and their child’s education. - Ending the Blame Game
With all government schools now on a path to full funding, the political attacks on Independent schools must stop. It’s time for policies that unite—not divide—our school communities. - Supporting our most Vulnerable Students
We renew our call for a Disadvantaged Student Safety Net, especially for Special Assistance and majority Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander schools now facing funding cliffs due to the phase-out of ‘deeming’. - Investing in Cross-Sector Innovation
ISA supports the Budget’s education reform goals—but delivering them will require collaboration across all sectors. We continue to call for a $50 million innovation fund open to all schools to help address national challenges like teacher shortages. - Building Choice into the Future
Demand for Independent schooling is growing. Increased investment in the Capital Grants Program, along with a review of regional loadings, is essential to ensure schools can expand and support families in fast-growing and regional communities.
Visit: https://schoolchoicecounts.isa.edu.au to view ISA’s full suite of election priorities and campaign materials.