All Western Australian public schools will be fully and fairly funded by the Albanese and Cook Governments following a historic bilateral agreement signed today.
The bilateral agreement will increase funding for all Western Australian schools to 100 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) by 2026.
Western Australia has become the second 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 WA students to catch up, keep up and finish school.
Today's bilateral agreement formalises the Statement of Intent, signed by both Governments earlier this year.
Under the agreement, the Australian Government will invest an estimated additional $785.4 million from 2025 to 2029 in Western Australian public schools. The Western Australian Government will invest at least an equivalent amount over this period, bringing total additional investment in public schools to approximately $1.6 billion.
This means the Commonwealth will increase its share of funding from 20 per cent to 22.5 per cent of the SRS by 2026, and the Western Australian Government will increase its funding share to at least 77.5 per cent of the SRS by 2026.
Funding will be tied to reforms in the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement, including:
- Year 1 phonics and early years numeracy checks to identify students in the early years of school who need additional help.
- Evidence-based teaching and targeted and intensive supports such as small-group or catch-up tutoring to help students who fall behind.
- Support for students to come to school ready to learn, such as greater wellbeing support for learning and engagement, including counsellors, school psychologists and health nurses.
- Trialling place-based approaches to delivering a full-service school model in at least four WA public schools from 2026, which includes community, health and social services support.
- Recruiting more coordinators to better support students with the most complex needs.
- Identifying opportunities to reduce workloads and better support teachers and school leaders through professional learning.
- Providing more support and pathways for people to transition to a teaching career in Western Australian public schools, with a focus on First Nations people, people with disability and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
The head agreement also includes the following key national targets by 2030:
- Increasing the proportion of students with Year 12 or equivalent certification by 7.5 percentage points, compared with 2022 results.
- Reducing the proportion of students in the Needs Additional Support proficiency level in NAPLAN by 10 per cent.
- Increasing the proportion of students in the Strong and Exceeding proficiency levels in NAPLAN by 10 per cent.
- Increasing the student attendance rate for all students, returning it to pre-pandemic levels.
The Western Australia bilateral agreement can be accessed here. The BFSA Heads of Agreement can be accessed here.
Quotes attributed to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
"I know firsthand the power of a good quality education. I want to make sure that every student in Australia, no matter where they live and learn, receives every opportunity.
"That's why we are working hand in hand with the Cook Government to fully fund Western Australian schools, in a landmark agreement signed today."
Quotes attributed to WA Premier Roger Cook:
"Every Western Australian school student deserves access to a quality education.
"WA public schools have received high levels of State funding under my Government, and this new landmark agreement with the Federal Government takes support for our schools to the next level.
"Importantly, the additional funding will be tied to reforms that will help our students keep their learning on track, and assist those at risk to catch up - ensuring no student in a WA public school is left behind."
Quotes attributed to Federal Education Minister Jason Clare:
"This is a historic day for public education in Western Australia.
"It shows what can be done when governments work together. It shows that we can fully fund public schools and invest in the reforms that will make a real difference to the students who really need it.
"This agreement means all Western Australian public schools will now be fully funded. This is a massive day for public education in WA.
"Today's agreement builds on the agreement signed with the Northern Territory to fully fund NT public schools.
"The Albanese Government will continue to work together with remaining states and territories to fully fund public schools across the country."
Quotes attributed to WA Education Minister Dr Tony Buti:
"We are so happy to be getting this done for the people of Western Australia.
"This funding will focus on improving equity and excellence in schools, supporting the wellbeing of students and teachers, and providing a strong and sustainable workforce of teachers and non-teaching school staff.
"We are currently delivering record levels of reform and investment into public education, which is working to help ensure all students and their families have access to a great education."
