Media release – Independent schools back calls for better funding

2 August 2023

With submissions to the Australian Government’s Review to Inform a Better and Fairer Education System closing tomorrow, the national peak body for Independent schools is backing calls for Australian government schools to be funded to 100 per cent of their Schooling Resource Standard.

With submissions to the Australian Government’s Review to Inform a Better and Fairer Education System closing tomorrow, the national peak body for Independent schools is backing calls for Australian government schools to be funded to 100 per cent of their Schooling Resource Standard.

Independent Schools Australia (ISA) Chief Executive Officer, Graham Catt said, “We support the Australian Government’s objective of full implementation of the current funding model to ensure that all schools are funded to 100 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard by the end of the decade.”

“All school sectors face common challenges, including supporting wellbeing, addressing workforce issues, and improving outcomes for disadvantaged and at-risk students.

“Working collaboratively across school sectors and governments is the only way we will find solutions to the challenges we collectively face and improve our education system overall.

“There are more than 680,000 students, their families, and 115,000 passionate educators in the Independent school sector. They want us to be focussed on ensuring that all Australian families have genuine choice, and that all Australian children receive the best education that our nation can deliver.

“Independent schools not only provide choice and quality education to a wide range of families and communities, they are uniquely positioned to contribute valuable insights and evidence.

ISA is the national peak body representing 1,209 Independent schools with 688,638 enrolled students (full time equivalent), accounting for approximately 17 per cent of Australian school enrolments and a workforce of 115,090 people.