Australian government cuts private school funding in Victoria, hitting Haileybury and peers

The federal government announced a step‑down of non‑government school funding in Victoria, reducing the School Resource Standard (SRS) contribution to 80 % by 2029. High‑fee independent schools such as Haileybury, Penleigh and Essendon Grammar, Ivanhoe Grammar and Melbourne Grammar will lose several million dollars each as their excess funding above the 80 % threshold is withdrawn. Catholic schools in the state are set to lose about $30.7 million, while the Ecumenical Schools Australia network will see a reduction of $14.5 million.

School leaders say the cuts add to rising operational costs and fee pressures for families. Greens senator Penny Allman‑Payne warned the reductions should not delay full funding for public schools, which the government aims to reach 100 % of the SRS by 2034. The funding shift transfers the remaining 20 % of costs to state governments, prompting debate over the pace of the transition and its impact on both private and public education sectors.