Funding floor still too low
Critics said the bill's 20 per cent Commonwealth funding floor for government schools was too low and should be lifted to 25 per cent, warning the bill could still leave public schools short of full funding.
Better and Fairer Schools (Funding and Reform)
Current status
This bill became law on Nov 29th, 2024.
Policy area
Education & skills
What does this bill do?
States and territories can get federal school funding from 2025 even if not every jurisdiction has signed on, as long as the agreement is open to any state or territory and is about school reform.
Why was it introduced?
Most jurisdictions were still below full school funding, and the old law locked in transitional funding rules that could not reflect each state and territory’s agreed path to 100 per cent of the schooling standard. The bill lets federal funding shares be set differently by jurisdiction, locks in a funding floor, and requires yearly public progress updates to Parliament.
Broader context
By late 2024, most jurisdictions were still short of full school funding and the Australian Education Act's transitional settings kept the Commonwealth shareThe share of school funding paid by the federal government under the Act and the agreements discussed on this page. for government schools tied to a national cap rather than each state or territory's negotiated path. The bill responded by turning 20 per cent into a funding floor, allowing different federal shares through school reform agreements from 2025, and after Parliament passed it those higher, jurisdiction-specific deals could proceed without waiting for every jurisdiction to sign at once.
Key criticism
The main criticism was that the bill improves school funding but still does not guarantee full and fair funding, because the Commonwealth floor stays at 20 per cent and some schools may remain underfunded for years. That case was raised mainly by Greens, crossbench and teal independents, while the Coalition still supported the bill but pressed for faster state deals and stronger reform conditions.
Who supported it?
Hon Jason Clare MP introduced this bill. It passed on the voices.
Introduced in House 10 Oct 2024
Passed House 07 Nov 2024
Passed Senate 26 Nov 2024
Became law 29 Nov 2024
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 29 Nov 2024
Final passage
Passed without a counted vote
4 recorded amendment or procedural votes were found, but no counted vote on the bill itself was recorded.
Passage speed
50 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
What does this bill do?
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States and territories can get federal school funding from 2025 even if not every jurisdiction has signed on, as long as the agreement is open to any state or territory and is about school reform.
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The ActThe main law being amended so the new school funding rules and reporting duties can operate. turns the federal share for government schools into a floor, so it cannot drop below 20 per cent, or below 40 per cent in the Northern Territory from 2029.
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Federal funding rates for government schools can now be set differently in different states and territories, allowing each jurisdiction to have its own path to higher funding.
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The Northern Territory will be expected to cover 60 per cent of the funding standard for government schools from 2029, unless a school reform agreement sets a different share.
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The federal Education Minister must give Parliament a yearly update on progress under current or proposed school reform funding agreements, with the first update due before 1 January 2027.
Show source excerpts
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The Bill clarifies what constitutes a ‘national agreement’ and the requirements that are to be met for funding to be provided. This clarifies that a jurisdiction is not dependent on the commitment of all other jurisdictions in order to be entitled to its funding, providing greater funding certainty. This promotes the right to education.
Better and Fairer Schools (Funding and Reform) explanatory memorandum -
The Commonwealth’s investment in a better and fairer education system, as set out in this Act, provides a pathway to full and fair funding for Australian schools. It embeds a Commonwealth funding floor for government schools in all States and the Australian Capital Territory, by specifying that the Commonwealth share for such schools must be a minimum of 20 per cent; and it enables the Commonwealth to increase this funding share where there is an agreement in place to do so. Further, the Act embeds a Commonwealth funding floor of a minimum Commonwealth share of 40 per cent for government schools in the Northern Territory from 2029. This floor applies certainty and surety to the Commonwealth’s investment in government schools. It establishes a mechanism to protect the funding shares for government schools in Australia to make sure that Commonwealth funding shares cannot go backwards.
Better and Fairer Schools (Funding and Reform) as-passed bill text -
(3) Without limiting the regulations that may be made for the purposes of subsection (1), those regulations may prescribe different Commonwealth shares (or different methods for working out Commonwealth shares) for government schools located in different States or Territories.
Better and Fairer Schools (Funding and Reform) as-passed bill text -
(4A) However, despite subsection (4), unless the Northern Territory’s school education reform agreement specifies otherwise, the State‑Territory share for the Northern Territory for 2029 or a later year is:
Better and Fairer Schools (Funding and Reform) as-passed bill text -
The first statement prepared by the Minister under section 127A of the Australian Education Act 2013, as inserted by this Schedule, must be completed before 1 January 2027.
Better and Fairer Schools (Funding and Reform) as-passed bill text
Context
Broader context for this bill
By late 2024, most jurisdictions were still short of full school funding and the Australian Education Act's transitional settings kept the Commonwealth shareThe share of school funding paid by the federal government under the Act and the agreements discussed on this page. for government schools tied to a national cap rather than each state or territory's negotiated path. The bill responded by turning 20 per cent into a funding floor, allowing different federal shares through school reform agreements from 2025, and after Parliament passed it those higher, jurisdiction-specific deals could proceed without waiting for every jurisdiction to sign at once.
- October 2024
Most jurisdictions were still below full school funding
When the bill was introduced, the government said existing law left most jurisdictions short of the schooling resource standardThe funding benchmark used on this page to show the level of public money schools are meant to reach. and locked in transitional rules that could not reflect each jurisdiction's agreed path to full funding.
Hansard ↗ - 10 Oct 2024
Government introduces a bill to lift and protect public school funding
The minister introduced legislation to let Commonwealth funding shares for government schools rise above the old 20 per cent ceiling and to make that 20 per cent a floor instead.
Hansard ↗ - 26 Nov 2024
Parliament passes the bill
Both houses passed the bill, clearing the way for different states and territories to have separate Commonwealth funding rates under school reform agreements.
Parliamentary timeline ↗ - 29 Nov 2024
Royal AssentThe final step that turns the bill into an Act of Parliament. makes the new funding rules law
Royal AssentThe final step that turns the bill into an Act of Parliament. turned the bill into an Act, locking in the federal funding floor and enabling the new agreement structure to operate.
Parliamentary timeline ↗ - 2025
Jurisdiction-specific school reform funding agreements can begin
From 2025, states and territories can receive federal school funding under an open school reform agreement even if not every jurisdiction has signed on at the same time.
User-provided bill summary ↗
Legislative route
How did it move through Parliament?
House Senate
Introduced 10 Oct 2024
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
Second reading opened 10 Oct 2024
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
Education and Employment Legislation Committee; Committee report (18/11/2024) review 10 Oct 2024
Referred to Committee (10/10/2024): Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee; Committee report (18/11/2024)
Referred to committee
APH bill page notesSecond reading debate 05 Nov 2024
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Sent to Federation Chamber for debate 05 Nov 2024
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Referred to Federation Chamber
Second reading debate 06 Nov 2024
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Returned from Federation Chamber 07 Nov 2024
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Reported from Federation Chamber
House second reading agreed 07 Nov 2024
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
House third reading agreed 07 Nov 2024
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
Introduced 18 Nov 2024
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
Second reading opened 18 Nov 2024
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
Second reading debate 20 Nov 2024
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Second reading debate 25 Nov 2024
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate second reading agreed 26 Nov 2024
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
Committee of the Whole debate 26 Nov 2024
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate third reading agreed 26 Nov 2024
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
Passed both houses 26 Nov 2024
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Finally passed both Houses
Assent 29 Nov 2024
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final step that turns the bill into an Act of Parliament., turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
The main case against this bill
The main criticism was that the bill improves school funding but still does not guarantee full and fair funding, because the Commonwealth floor stays at 20 per cent and some schools may remain underfunded for years. That case was raised mainly by Greens, crossbench and teal independents, while the Coalition still supported the bill but pressed for faster state deals and stronger reform conditions.
Criticism was mostly about the bill not going far enough, not about rejecting its core goal.
Weak accountability and slow delivery
Some supporters argued the bill relies too heavily on future agreements, with weak enforcement, limited transparency about how money will be spent, and timelines that could delay full funding and reforms until late in the decade.
Further sources
Votes
Recorded votes
How the bill itself passed
The bill passed both chambers on the voices. The counted divisions below were about amendments or procedure, not final passage.
Passed House passed the bill
House agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed
House passed the bill
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Passed Senate passed the bill
Senate agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed
Senate passed the bill
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Amendments at a glance
Amendments grouped by chamber. These cards include amendment outcomes recorded without a counted division.
House
Defeated Call for higher public school funding
Defeated 13 to 41. Support came from Greens and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor, Centre Alliance, and Nationals. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
Defeated
Call for higher public school funding
The amendment was defeated, so it did not change the bill’s text; the House then agreed to the original second-reading question and moved the bill forward.
Party Aye / No
Labor 0 / 34
Unknown 6 / 5
Independent 6 / 0
Greens 1 / 0
Centre Alliance 0 / 1
Nationals 0 / 1
Senate
Defeated Increase Commonwealth share to 25%
Defeated 13 to 22. Support came from Greens and Australia's Voice. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, UAP, and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
Defeated
Increase Commonwealth share to 25%
The request was defeated, so the bill kept the lower Commonwealth shareThe share of school funding paid by the federal government under the Act and the agreements discussed on this page. and the government’s funding path remained unchanged.
Party Aye / No
Labor 0 / 16
Greens 11 / 0
Liberal Party 0 / 3
Unknown 1 / 1
Australia's Voice 1 / 0
Independent 0 / 1
UAP 0 / 1
Defeated Increase Commonwealth share to 22.5%
Defeated 13 to 23. Support came from Greens and Australia's Voice. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, UAP, and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
Defeated
Increase Commonwealth share to 22.5%
The request was defeated, so the smaller funding increase was not adopted and the bill stayed with the government’s original settings.
Party Aye / No
Labor 0 / 17
Greens 11 / 0
Liberal Party 0 / 3
Unknown 1 / 1
Australia's Voice 1 / 0
Independent 0 / 1
UAP 0 / 1
Defeated Exclude amounts from SRS total
Defeated 12 to 22. Support came from Greens and Australia's Voice. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, UAP, and minor parties and independents.
Defeated
Exclude amounts from SRS total
The amendment was defeated, so the bill’s funding calculation rules were left unchanged.
Party Aye / No
Labor 0 / 16
Greens 11 / 0
Liberal Party 0 / 2
Unknown 0 / 2
Australia's Voice 1 / 0
Independent 0 / 1
UAP 0 / 1
Defeated Annual Senate inquiry defeated
Senator Allman-Payne's proposal would have required a yearly Senate committee inquiry into school disadvantage and an early report on the first inquiry by 1 January 2027.
Defeated
Annual Senate inquiry defeated
Defeated on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
Defeated Annual ACARA disadvantage report defeated
Senator Allman-Payne’s sheet 3039 proposal was defeated on voices; it would have required ACARA, or another minister-directed person, to prepare and table an annual report on school disadvantage and related data.
Defeated
Annual ACARA disadvantage report defeated
Defeated on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
These are amendment votes, not the final passage vote on the bill itself. The bill passed both chambers on the voices.
Parliamentary debate
Who spoke, and what they said
Start here — lead voices
Sponsor speech Supports
Jason Clare
Jason Clare strongly supports the bill, saying it will lift Commonwealth funding for public schools by turning the current funding cap into a floor and locking in higher deals with the states and territories.
Read in Hansard ↗ Lead opposing voice Opposes
Matt O'Sullivan
Matt O'Sullivan says the bill falls short because it boosts funding without the accountability and reform he says schools need, and he argues the government has not done enough to lift students or improve the system.
Read in Hansard ↗ Lead supporting voice Supports
Helen Haines
Haines supports the bill because she wants more funding for public schools, but says the Commonwealth should lift its share to 25 per cent and that the bill should be amended to better measure the states' contribution.
Read in Hansard ↗ Lead non-major voice Supports
Kylea Tink
Kylea Tink supports the bill as a welcome step toward lifting public school funding, but says it does not go far enough because the Commonwealth should guarantee at least 25 per cent of the schooling resource standardThe funding benchmark used on this page to show the level of public money schools are meant to reach..
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
Labor
8 speakers · 9 contributions · 8 support
Labor
8 speakers · 9 contributions · 8 support
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Malarndirri McCarthy Malarndirri McCarthy supports the bill, saying it is needed to lift public school funding and lock in a stronger Commonwealth shareThe share of school funding paid by the federal government under the Act and the agreements discussed on this page. so states and territories cannot backslide.
“This Bill turns that maximum amount into a minimum. It turns that ceiling into a floor. It enables the Commonwealth government to ratchet up funding for public schools. And it makes it harder for future governments to rip that money out.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Graham Perrett Graham Perrett strongly supports the bill, saying it will lift public school funding, lock in that funding so it cannot go backwards, and improve transparency and accountability.
“That is why I'm pleased to support the Better and Fairer Schools (Funding and Reform) Bill. It proposes to amend the Australian Education Act and increase funding for Australia's public schools to help to ensure equality of access. Importantly, the bill protects Commonwealth funding, going forward, and ensures that it cannot go backwards. It also includes requirements for transparency about outcomes, so school communities and families can see the positive changes occurring as a result of increased funding.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Jason Clare ★ 2 contributions Clare supports the bill and says it is needed to lift public school funding and lock in reforms tied to that extra money.
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Jason Clare on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Minister's second reading speech
Jason Clare strongly supports the bill, saying it will lift Commonwealth funding for public schools by turning the current funding cap into a floor and locking in higher deals with the states and territories. He says that is needed to fix underfunding in public schools, especially for disadvantaged students.
“This bill turns that maximum into a minimum.”
Read this contribution in Hansard ↗Second reading speech
Clare supports the bill and says it is needed to lift public school funding and lock in reforms tied to that extra money. He argues it will help close equity gaps, improve transparency, and support disadvantaged students who are falling behind.
“As I said earlier, the provisions of this bill will give greater oversight in relation to Commonwealth investment in schools and the implementation of reforms. It's about making our education system better and fairer and about building a country where, as the Prime Minister often says, no-one is held back and no-one is left behind. At its core, that's what public education is all about. It's what it has always been about, and it's what this bill is about.”
Read this contribution in Hansard ↗ -
Shayne Neumann Neumann supports the bill and says it will lift Commonwealth funding for public schools while tying that extra money to reforms that improve student outcomes and transparency.
“So, in the interests of my local community and the broader Queensland community, I'm urging the new Queensland LNP government and the new minister for education, John-Paul Langbroek, to do the right thing and join in good-faith negotiations. Better still, just go ahead and sign the agreement to ensure full and fairer funding for state schools in Queensland, including in my electorate. I'm the product of Ipswich East State School for my primary education, I graduated from what was then called Bundamba State High School, now Bundamba State Secondary College, and I got a good education. I want young people to get the good education that I received.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Helen Polley Helen Polley strongly supports the bill and says it is a needed step to lift public education funding and help students catch up, especially in schools that are falling behind.
“This reform is actually going to allow this government to finish the great work that David Gonski brought to the previous Labor government, who wanted to see and actually had a formula to make sure there was fairness in education. I'm very proud of the fact that it's our government that is actually doing that here with this legislation.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Lisa Chesters Lisa Chesters supports the bill because it would boost Commonwealth funding for public schools and help move every school toward the full Schooling Resource StandardThe funding benchmark used on this page to show the level of public money schools are meant to reach..
“I do speak in favour of this bill, because it does allow the Commonwealth to deliver more funding to public schools. It also puts protections in place to ensure the Commonwealth gets its fair share of public school funding and that it can't go backward.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Louise Miller-Frost Miller-Frost strongly supports the bill, saying it will deliver more Commonwealth funding for public schools, protect that funding from going backwards, and improve transparency.
“The bill is essential to delivering full funding to government schools, changing the current inflexible funding cap to instead be a floor. The current provisions in the act do not allow for the Australian government to set different shares across jurisdictions. This means that the uniform and inflexible funding cap in the act does not allow the varying agreed final funding shares and trajectories of jurisdictions agreed in the BFSA.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Anthony Chisholm Chisholm supports the bill, saying it will lift Commonwealth funding for public schools and tie that funding to reforms like phonics and numeracy checks, evidence based teaching and catch-up tutoring.
“This bill ties funding to reform under the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement. These reforms will help Australian students catch up, keep up and finish school. It also ties funding to practical things like phonics checks, numeracy checks, evidence based teaching and catch-up tutoring to identify students who need additional support and to make sure they get it.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Coalition
6 speakers · 7 contributions · 4 support · 1 mixed · 1 unclear
Coalition
6 speakers · 7 contributions · 4 support · 1 mixed · 1 unclear
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Michael McCormack McCormack supports the bill and says it is important because it improves school funding and keeps children at the centre, but he argues the states should carry most of the responsibility and notes there are amendments to it.
“Overall, this legislation—I appreciate there are amendments to it—is important because our kids are our future.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Sarah Henderson Henderson says the coalition supports the bill, but wants stronger back-to-basics reforms focused on literacy and numeracy, explicit teaching, and a better curriculum.
“The coalition supports this bill, but we are strongly advocating for a back-to-basics education sharply focused on literacy and numeracy, underpinned by explicit teaching and knowledge which commonsense curriculum— (Time expired)”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Jenny Ware Ware largely supports the bill and wants it to pass, saying better school funding is needed and urging the minister to finish negotiations with the states.
“On that note, I largely commend this bill, but the minister really does need to do a lot more negotiating with the states, and there are some other changes—as I have highlighted—that he could be considering.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Matt O'Sullivan ★ 2 contributions O'Sullivan says the coalition will support the bill because it invests in education, but he argues it does not go far enough on reform and accountability.
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Matt O'Sullivan on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
Matt O'Sullivan says the bill falls short because it boosts funding without the accountability and reform he says schools need, and he argues the government has not done enough to lift students or improve the system.
“I note the title of this bill—'funding and reform'. I think this bill lacks reform. It doesn't have the reform that, ultimately, is necessary in our school systems across the country.”
Read this contribution in Hansard ↗Second reading speech
O'Sullivan says the coalition will support the bill because it invests in education, but he argues it does not go far enough on reform and accountability. He wants the government to finalise agreements with all states and territories and deliver stronger, more practical changes for teachers and students.
“The coalition will support this bill because we believe in the importance of investing in education. However, we call on the government to move beyond rhetoric and take decisive action to lift our schools to the standards that Australia deserves.”
Read this contribution in Hansard ↗ -
James Stevens Stevens uses the debate on the bill to attack the Greens’ school funding position, especially any move to defund non-government schoolsSchools outside the government system, such as Catholic and independent schools, which are mentioned in the debate and rights analysis., and says the coalition backs school choice and ongoing taxpayer support for that sector.
“I rise to contribute on the second reading of the Better and Fairer Schools (Funding and Reform) Bill 2024 and, even more importantly, the amendment that's been moved by a Greens member, because the position of the Greens when it comes to school funding is very important and very relevant to all Australians but particularly to the people of my electorate of Sturt.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Paul Fletcher Fletcher says the coalition supports the bill, but wants the government to quickly finalise school funding and reform agreements with every state and territory.
“The coalition supports this bill. We do note that there is a Senate inquiry into the bill which will report on 18 November, hence providing all stakeholders with an important opportunity to raise any concerns. We urge the government to get on with the critical job of finalising school funding and reform agreements with every state and territory.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Greens
2 speakers · 2 support
Greens
2 speakers · 2 support
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Penny Allman-Payne Allman-Payne says the Greens will support the bill because it gives some certainty and includes a ratchet to lift public school funding, but she argues it is still far from adequate and does not fully fund public schools.
“The Greens will be supporting this bill in order to provide some certainty in case the coalition are elected. While we do not see this bill as even remotely adequate, we are supportive of the ratchet mechanism and the mild increase to public school funding. We have an absurd situation where the federal government, with vastly more revenue than the states and territories, is chiefly responsible for subsidising the overfunded private sector while public schools, who serve the majority of educationally disadvantaged kids in our communities, remain fundamentally less well off. All kids deserve a fully funded public school education. It's what every society should strive for, and in a rich country like ours it should be a given. The community expects the government to ensure every child has access to high-quality, free education, and that is what the Greens will continue to push for.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Elizabeth Watson-Brown Watson-Brown says the Greens will support the bill passing the House, but they want amendments because it does not go far enough to fully fund public schools.
“The Greens will support the passage of this bill through the House, but we reserve our position in the Senate and will be seeking amendments to this bill.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Minor parties and independents
6 speakers · 4 support · 2 mixed
Minor parties and independents
6 speakers · 4 support · 2 mixed
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Helen Haines ★ Haines supports the bill because she wants more funding for public schools, but says the Commonwealth should lift its share to 25 per cent and that the bill should be amended to better measure the states' contribution.
“I support this bill because ultimately I want to see more funding for public schools, but I urge the government to consider amendments to improve the bill so that schools and students get the funding they deserve.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Kylea Tink ★ Kylea Tink supports the bill as a welcome step toward lifting public school funding, but says it does not go far enough because the Commonwealth should guarantee at least 25 per cent of the schooling resource standardThe funding benchmark used on this page to show the level of public money schools are meant to reach..
“In this context then, while I welcome this bill, which will increase the Commonwealth's minimum share of funding for public schools, I question whether it goes far enough to address what is a fundamental problem in our public education system, that being chronic underfunding. In that context, I strongly encourage the government to acknowledge the differing needs and circumstances of the states when making these funding agreements, as not all states are equal, with the state of New South Wales currently struggling to fund everything it needs following the recent GST reforms. I'd also encourage the government to go further by guaranteeing a Commonwealth funding share of 25 per cent at a minimum to make sure our public schools can meet the needs of our children regardless of where they live or their family's socioeconomic status.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Allegra Spender Spender supports the bill as a step toward fully funding public schools and getting Commonwealth funding to 100 per cent of SRSThe funding benchmark used on this page to show the level of public money schools are meant to reach., but she says it needs stronger accountability and better outcomes.
“My commitment to public high schools and public education is also why I support all public schools reaching 100 per cent of their SRS funding as quickly as possible. In Wentworth, data from the Australian Education Union suggests that an additional $19.1 million per year is needed to bring all our public schools up to 100 per cent of the SRS. Statewide, the requirement is $1.8 billion per year across New South Wales. It's clear we have work to do and, because school funding is a shared responsibility, both Commonwealth and state governments need to step up. That is why the Better and Fairer Schools (Funding and Reform) Bill 2024 is a step forward. But I do have some concerns, both with this legislation and with the funding agreements being negotiated alongside it.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Sophie Scamps Scamps supports the bill and its funding lift for public schools, but says it should be amended to adopt the stronger Gonski definition of equity because the agreement’s current definition and targets are too weak.
“That does not properly reflect the true essence of equity, which is the idea that some students will need more help than others—that they will need a higher level of support. Gonski's dual equity target does exactly that, requiring that all students should complete a level of education that enables them to participate in the workforce and lead successful lives—this means completing high school—and differences in student outcomes should not be the result of differences in wealth, income, power or possessions.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Kate Chaney Chaney says she will support the bill only conditionally, because she wants the extra Commonwealth funding to be matched by stronger data, transparency and accountability about how school funding is allocated and spent.
“This amendment makes any additional Commonwealth funding conditional upon the provision of the information needed to understand whether the schools got the funding they were allocated under the formula and how they spent it so we can analyse what works in improving outcomes.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Zali Steggall Steggall supports the bill as a step toward fairer public school funding, but says it does not go far enough because it does not guarantee full funding.
“I look forward to the minister engaging with the amendments before the chamber in relation to this bill. Fully funding our public schools in an investment in our children's future and our country. A strong education system is critical for spurring the innovation needed to tackle the climate crisis and ensuring our youth thrive in a complex and rapidly evolving economy. Quality education is essential to equip children with the skills to navigate the complexities of a digital world and to empower them with the knowledge to discern fact from misinformation. I urge the government to adopt the vital amendments and to make sure they are fully funding and futureproofing the funding of our schools today.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
Full record
- Act title
- Better and Fairer Schools (Funding and Reform) Act 2024
- Act number
- Act No. 97, 2024
- Became law
- 29 Nov 2024
- Takes effect
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- Sections 1 to 3 and anything in this Act not elsewhere covered by this table 30 Nov 2024
- Schedule 1, Part 1 30 Nov 2024
- Schedule 1, Part 2 A single day to be fixed by Proclamation
- Schedule 1, Parts 3 and 4 30 Nov 2024
- Schedule 2 30 Nov 2024
- Registered
- 05 Dec 2024
- Administered by
- Department of Education
- Final law metadata was collected from the APH progress table; commencement rows were parsed from the bill text.
- Status
- Act -- Collected from the APH bill page.
- Originating house
- House of Representatives
- 10 Oct 2024
House · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
- 10 Oct 2024
House · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
- 05 Nov 2024
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 05 Nov 2024
House · Referred to Federation Chamber
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 06 Nov 2024
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 07 Nov 2024
House · Reported from Federation Chamber
Reported from Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 07 Nov 2024
House · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
- 07 Nov 2024
House · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
- 18 Nov 2024
Senate · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
- 18 Nov 2024
Senate · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
- 20 Nov 2024
Senate · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 25 Nov 2024
Senate · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 26 Nov 2024
Senate · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
- 26 Nov 2024
Senate · Committee of the Whole debate
Committee of the Whole debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 26 Nov 2024
Senate · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
- 26 Nov 2024
Parliament · Finally passed both Houses
Passed both houses
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
- 29 Nov 2024
Assent · Assent
Assent
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final step that turns the bill into an Act of Parliament., turning the bill into an Act.
Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee; Committee report (18/11/2024)
Referred to committee
Referred to Committee (10 Oct 2024): Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee; Committee report (18 Nov 2024)
APH bill page notes