The ACT Principals Association and the Australian Secondary Principals’ Association have welcomed a landmark agreement for ACT public schools which will see funding increase by an estimated $110.5 million over the next five years.
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has become the fourth state or territory to sign the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement with the Commonwealth, following Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Tasmania.
The Better and Fairer Schools Agreement commits the Australian Government to increasing its funding to ACT public schools by 2.5 per cent of the School Resourcing Standard (SRS) to reach 22.5 per cent in 2026.
The Commonwealth will contribute an extra $110.5 million to ACT public schools from 2025 to 2029, with more than $1 billion total funding being provided to ACT public schools across the five years.
Australian Secondary Principals’ Association (ASPA) President Mr Andy Mison said this historic agreement signifies a crucial step towards ensuring every student in the ACT receives the high-quality education they deserve.
“ASPA particularly welcomes the strong emphasis on student wellbeing, a critical factor in academic success and overall development. The commitment to increased resourcing for allied health services within schools, including the expansion of disability supports such as inclusion coaches, demonstrates practical recognition of the diverse student need in our schools,” he said.
Mr Mison said the agreement also acknowledges the vital role of school leaders by including explicit reference to strategies that support principals’ health and wellbeing.
“This recognition of the increasing pressures faced by principals comes as a result of strong advocacy from ASPA and the ACT Principals Association (ACTPA), and is a significant win for the profession. It will contribute to building a stronger and more sustainable education workforce,” he said.
ACTPA President Mr Simon Vaughan said the new agreement addresses critical issues impacting ACT schools.
“We are particularly grateful for the focus on wellbeing support for both students and school leaders, as well as measures to improve teacher recruitment and retention,” he said.
Mr Mison said ASPA is further pleased to note that this agreement, on initial review, appears to commit to fully funding ACT schools based on the agreed-upon SRS calculations.
Critically, he said, it avoids the inclusion of loopholes that permit diverting up to four per cent of funding for capital depreciation and administrative costs, as seen in agreements with other states and territories.
“This ensures that the allocated resources are directed towards frontline education services, maximising the benefit for ACT students.”
He said ASPA commends both governments for their commitment to investing in schools beyond the bare minimum, particularly noting the increased support for service-connected schools.
“This additional funding will enable schools to better address the complex needs of their students and create more equitable learning environments. The commitment to expanding community school approaches, providing free meals, and increasing access to flexible learning options will undoubtedly benefit students from diverse backgrounds and those facing significant challenges,” he said.
“This agreement is a testament to the power of collaboration and a shared vision for a world-class education system. We congratulate both governments on this landmark achievement and urge them to continue working closely with principals to ensure these measures are implemented effectively without exacerbating workload pressures.”
Mr Mison said ASPA remains hopeful that other jurisdictions will follow the ACT’s lead and prioritise investment in public education beyond the bare minimum to ensure all Australian students have the opportunity to thrive.
Minister for Education Jason Clare said the agreement marked an important day for public education in the ACT.
“This agreement means that Commonwealth funding for ACT public schools will increase by an estimated $110.5 million over the next five years,” he said.
“This is great news for ACT students, families, teachers and school communities, and is an important step in building a better and fairer education system.”
ACT Minister for Education and Youth Affairs Ms Yvette Berry said the funding boost will mean extra resources are directed where they are needed most to ensure ACT public schools continue to be great places for students to learn, and great places for staff to work.
“This agreement delivers extra funding for evidence-based literacy and numeracy teaching, more school psychologists and mental health professionals, investment in principal wellbeing and teacher workload reduction initiatives, and more funding for flexible education offerings to ensure all students can thrive at school,” she said.
