Australian private schools face $800 million in federal funding cuts

The Australian federal government plans to strip more than 1,000 private schools of over $800 million in funding by 2029. This move aims to wind back federal allocations to the standard 80 per cent of school budgets, as some institutions have recently received higher proportions from the Commonwealth.

Independent Schools Australia warned that these cuts could lead to increased tuition fees for families and the deferral or reduction of educational programs. This comes at a time when school fees are reportedly rising by five to seven per cent annually, outpacing inflation.

Catholic education providers are expected to be among the most affected. Major projected losses include $120 million for Catholic Schools NSW, $107 million for Catholic Education Queensland, and $63 million for the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria. The National Catholic Education Commission noted that while they have planned for these changes, concerns remain regarding whether funding will keep pace with rising costs for staff wages and student wellbeing.