The Gonski reforms are over a decade late and millions short

In 2011, the Gonski Review into Funding for Schooling declared a clear vision: governments should ensure every child, regardless of family background or school sector, has access to an education that meets an international standard.

At the heart of this vision is the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS), designed to fund schools according to student need.

The SRS was grounded in a simple but powerful idea: equity in schooling does not mean treating all students the same but ensuring all students have access to the resources they need to succeed.

In 2026, the SRS is set at AU$14,467 per primary student and AU$18,180 per secondary student.

Additional equity loadings recognise the higher costs...