Independent Schools Australia said any initiatives in tomorrow’s Budget should fully and fairly fund all schools, and support parents who want to choose from a diverse range of schools to find the best education option for their child.
Independent Schools Australia said any initiatives in tomorrow’s Budget should fully and fairly fund all schools, and support parents who want to choose from a diverse range of schools to find the best education option for their child.
ISA Chief Executive Officer Graham Catt said more and more parents are choosing Independent schools, the majority of which charge fees below $6,000, and support a diversity of teaching styles, values, and approaches and fees.
“All students should receive funding for their education, and every parent deserves the right to choose the school and outcome they believe is best for their child and family, regardless of sector.” Mr Catt said. “Education is a critical investment for all governments.”
Enrolments in Independent schools rose by 3.9 per cent in 2023, faster than the population growth of 2.4 per cent. This is also faster than the Catholic sector’s 1.4 per cent growth, and the government sector’s 0.3 per cent growth.
“The Government has set out a pathway for every non-government school to reach their School Resourcing Standard and the majority of Independent schools are already there. Those that are not will be by 2029,” Mr Catt said.
Under the SRS funding model, all non-government schools will receive 80 per cent of their SRS entitlement from the Australian Government with some schools transitioning up to 80 per cent and others transitioning down, by 2029.
As of 2024, 385 of Australia’s Independent schools are still above 80 per cent, and 59 of them are funded at less than 81 per cent. 843 have already transitioned to 80 per cent.
ISA, the largest boarding school provider for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, has urged the Federal Government to guarantee ongoing funding for the Indigenous Boarding Provider grants in the Budget. Many schools have warned they would have to close without this recurrent funding.
ISA is the national peak body representing 1,216 Independent schools with close to 720,000 enrolled students, accounting for approximately 17 per cent of Australian school enrolments and a workforce of 122,000 people. Independent schools are diverse, serving a range of different communities across Australia. Independent schools educate over 19,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, including 2,335 boarding students.