The Queensland Government has revealed a record education budget, allocating more than $20.9 billion in 2024-25 to deliver the schools, teachers and resources it says young Queenslanders need.
It has also allocated more than $1 billion in additional funding over five years to improve education in Queensland schools for all students.
The more than $1 billion will deliver better learning environments and more than 2,000 teaching support staff and professional resources to help students living with disability learn easier.
This funding will mean students living with disability will have more tailored resources and support.
This comes after the Premier, Deputy Premier and Education Minister also announced the $15 million School and Community Food Relief Program, to ensure kids have the best chance to start each day with a full belly.
The Queensland Government is also committed to ensuring it attracts and retains capable and confident teachers in its rural and remote schools.
To deliver this, the Government is providing an additional $45.1 million over three years, 2024-25 to 2026-27, to meet increased demand and costs for subsidised teacher accommodation.
Also, as part of the Putting Queensland Kids First $196.8 million over four years delivering:
- an increase of free kindy hours to 30 hours per week for four-year-olds in discrete communities
- integrated early year services in Aurukun and Kowanyama
- 36 early childhood coordinators
- expanding supported playgroups where children experience vulnerability and disadvantage
- 84 Family Support Coordinators to work with high-needs state primary school children in 219 state primary schools
- 85 behaviour specialists in primary and special schools and
- Trialling health practitioners at 20 high priority primary schools
There will also be $4.9 million over two years, 2024-25 to 2025-26, to continue to deliver the Homework Centre programs in school which provides funding for on-site support for students in up to 120 state schools to complete homework outside of school hours.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles said the success of Queensland’s kids is the success of Queensland.
“That’s why I am Putting Queensland Kids First this state budget, through a record $20.9 billion education budget. My government has already hired more than 2,000 new teacher aides this term, and through this budget we’ll deliver even more supports to Queensland classrooms,” he said.
“More teachers, more teacher aides and more teacher supports are on their way. A good start in life matters and that’s what I am delivering for Queenslanders.”
Queensland Education Minister Di Farmer said the record budget for education is about delivering for hard-working teachers and school staff so they can give young Queenslanders the best education.
“We know education is the greatest investment we can make for our state’s future, and the Miles Government is delivering on that in this year’s budget,” she said.
“We are also supporting young Queenslanders with record investment for students with disability, vulnerable students and First Nations students living in remote and regional communities to access the best education available no matter where they live.
“And provide the extra support some of our most vulnerable students need to remain engaged with their education,” she said.
Member for Toohey, Peter Russo, said he was pleased to see in the budget $1.3 million to install a new lift and link bridge at Moorooka State School.
“Like many of the older schools in Brisbane, accessibility can be challenging and this new lift will make such a huge difference for staff and students with mobility issues,” he said.
“Moorooka, like every other school in my community will also welcome the extra funding which will deliver even more resources to assist them deliver the best education for children with disabilities.”
Other highlights
- $15 million in funding for the School and Community Food Relief Program including $10.7m for the Department of Education to deliver food programs in schools from Term 3, 2024, in addition to the $2m in funding for food programs received in Term 4 2023.
- GPs in Schools Program: $21 million over four years for the Department of Education to continue the GPs in Schools Program providing 50 Queensland state schools with secondary-aged students with access to a free primary health care service one-day per week.
- $65.5 million over three years for additional projects under the Playgrounds and Tuckshops Program.
- $151 million for new school projects including a new primary school in Park Ridge and the new secondary school in Collingwood Park, both set to open in 2025.
- $4.9 million over two years, 2024-25 to 2025-26, to continue to deliver the Homework Centre programs in schools. This program provides funding for on-site support for students in up to 120 state schools to complete homework outside of school hours.
- $500 million over four years to plan and deliver high-quality learning environments to meet enrolment needs.