On Wednesday, 30 October 2024, the Australian and Tasmanian governments signed a Better and Fairer Schools Bilateral Agreement to increase funding for Tasmanian schools to 100 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) from 2026. This formalises the Statement of Intent and Better and Fairer Schools Heads of Agreement signed by both governments in September. The Australian Government will invest an estimated additional $153.5 million from 2025 to 2029 in Tasmanian public schools. As a result, the Australian Government will increase its funding from 20 per cent to 22.5 per cent of the SRS from 2026 and the Tasmanian Government will increase its funding share to at least 77.5 per cent of the SRS from 2026.
Additional funding will be tied to reforms in the bilateral agreement, including year 1 phonics and early years numeracy checks, targeted and intensive supports such as small group or catch-up tutoring and greater access to mental health supports. Tasmania has become the third state or territory to sign on to the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement, delivering record funding to its schools and introducing targeted reforms which will help Tasmanian students to catch up, keep up and finish school.
To find out more, read Minister Clare’s media release.