On Wednesday, 25 September 2024, the Australian and Tasmanian governments signed the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement to increase funding for public schools in Tasmania to 100 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) by no later than 2029.
The Australian Government currently provides 20% of the SRS for Tasmanian public schools, this will now increase to 22.5% by no later than 2029. The Tasmanian Government will increase its contribution to 77.5% of the SRS by no later than 2029.
The Agreement signed today will be followed by a Tasmanian Bilateral Agreement, which will tie funding to reforms that will help students catch up, keep up and finish school, including:
- Year 1 phonics and early years numeracy checks to identify students in the early years of school who need additional help
- Initiatives that support wellbeing for learning – including greater access to mental health professionals
- Access to high-quality and evidence-based professional learning
- Initiatives that strengthen teacher and school-leader wellbeing.
The Bilateral Agreement will also set out the specific timing of the Australian and Tasmanian Governments’ increases in SRS funding shares to get to the full and fair 100 per cent funding level as soon as possible, by no later than 2029.
This announcement follows Western Australia and Northern Territory each signing on to the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement, delivering record funding to their public schools.
To find out more, read Minister Clare’s media release.