Leslie Massey
The Australian public education system has been criticised for its design flaws, which have led to concerns about the quality of education provided by public schools. Despite this, public schools in Australia are still a popular choice, with approximately 64% of students enrolled in government-funded schools. These schools are free to attend, but parents may be asked to pay additional contribution fees and charges for stationery, textbooks, uniforms, and other costs not covered by government funding. While private schools offer a more diverse range of subjects and extra-curricular activities, public schools perform just as well as private schools when socio-economic differences are considered.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Public school funding | Funded by the government |
| Public school fees | Free to attend, but parents may pay for uniforms, textbooks, and school excursions. |
| Private school fees | Average of $23,936 per year, with some upfront costs. |
| Public school performance | Do as well as private schools when differences in students' socioeconomic backgrounds are considered. |
| Public school popularity | 64% of Australian students attend government schools. |
| Public school type | Open or comprehensive schools, selective, special, and specialist schools. |
| Private school popularity | 19.7% of students attend Catholic schools, 14.6% attend private schools. |
| Private school type | Religious or non-religious. |
| Public school class size | Larger than private schools. |
| Public school curriculum | National curriculum covering English, Mathematics, Science, and Humanities. |
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What You'll Learn
Funding and fees
Australia's education system comprises government and non-government schools. Government schools are either public or Catholic, while non-government schools are private. In 2018, 65.7% of students were enrolled in government schools, 19.7% in Catholic schools, and 14.6% in private schools.
The Australian Government provides recurrent funding for every student enrolled in a school. In 2025, recurrent funding for schools is estimated to total $31.1 billion, with $11.9 billion going to government schools, $10.4 billion to Catholic schools, and $8.7 billion to independent schools. The government also provides capital funding for schools, which supports capital projects and improved learning facilities.
While government schools offer free education, many ask parents to pay a contribution fee and a materials and services charge to cover costs not funded by the government, such as stationery, textbooks, sports, uniforms, and school camps. In 2010, these additional costs were estimated to be around $316 per year per child. The payment of fees in government schools is usually voluntary, and the fees are relatively low. In contrast, non-government schools set their fee levels in consultation with their parent community.
The School Resource Standard (SRS) is a per-pupil allocation that determines funding for schools. The SRS for primary students is $13,557 AUD, while it is $17,036 AUD for secondary students. The SRS takes into account various adjustments, such as school size, location, and the proportion of underserved students or students with special needs.
Public funding to private schools is reduced by their Capacity to Contribute (CTC), which considers the fees they charge. While most private schools receive the full amount of SRS, many public schools do not. This discrepancy highlights tensions in Australia's school funding policies, with critics arguing that additional financial resources have not made education more equitable and accessible.
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Student performance
The Australian government invests heavily in education, with A$53 billion (7.2% of its federal budget) allocated to education in 2024-25. Government schools, which are free to attend, educate approximately 64%-65.7% of Australian students, while 36% attend non-government schools. The non-government sector includes Catholic schools (19.7-19.9%) and private schools (14.6-16.8%).
Despite the significant investment in education, there are concerns about the performance of Australian students. In 2020, the federal minister of education, Dan Tehan, acknowledged the lack of improvement in Australian educational performance, suggesting that the system suffers from a design error that increases inequity. This issue is not due to a lack of funding, as financial resources from both state and federal budgets have not improved fairness in education.
Research indicates that public schools perform as well as private schools when differences in students' socioeconomic backgrounds are taken into account. This suggests that student performance is influenced by factors beyond the type of school they attend.
While private schools may offer a wider range of subjects and extracurricular activities, as well as smaller class sizes, they do not necessarily guarantee better academic outcomes. The decision between private and public schooling depends on various factors, including the desire for a more bespoke education, the availability of specific subjects, and the importance of religious instruction.
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School sectors
Australia's education system is divided into government and non-government schools. Government schools are funded and run by the state, while non-government schools are mostly funded through tuition fees. Government schools are usually free to attend, but parents may be asked to pay a contribution fee and cover other costs such as uniforms, textbooks, and school excursions. In 2018, 65.7% of students were enrolled in government schools, with the remaining 34.3% split between Catholic and private schools.
Non-government schools are further categorized into Catholic and private schools. Catholic schools are religious institutions that offer religious education, while private schools are mostly secular and independently run. Private schools tend to be smaller and offer a wider range of subjects and extracurricular activities. They often provide more opportunities for one-on-one attention between teachers and students. However, private schools can be expensive, with fees averaging $23,936 per year.
The Australian government has been criticized for its failure to implement the recommendations of the Gonski report, which aimed to improve the country's education system. Despite increased investment in education, there are concerns about the design of the school systems, which contribute to inequity across both the public and private sectors.
The funding structure for Australian schools is unique among developed nations. While public schools cater to over 80% of Indigenous students, disadvantaged children, and those with special educational needs, the private school sector has been steadily growing over the past two decades. This growth has led to concerns about the erosion of equity in education, as the pursuit of individual excellence takes precedence over systemic improvements that would benefit all students.
Overall, the Australian school system offers a mix of uniformity and flexibility, with both state and national guidelines influencing the curriculum. The system aims to prioritize the learning, well-being, and happiness of all children for the common good.
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Religion in schools
Religion in Australian schools is a contentious issue with a long history. Lobbyist groups, such as the Australian Secular Lobby, argue that the policy commitment to secularism in state schools is being eroded. On the other hand, groups like the Australian Christian Lobby campaign for greater inclusion of religion in schools.
Australia maintains one of the highest concentrations of religious schools among OECD countries, with approximately 30% of all schools affiliated with a religion, rising to 94% for private schools. Religious schools in Australia are predominantly Anglican or Christian, but numerous other affiliations are represented, and there are diverse ways of practising religion.
The Australian constitution is committed to secularism and does not establish or impose any religion. However, the way this translates to schools is complex and varies across states and territories. For example, in Victoria, the Education and Training Reform Act stipulates that public school education must be secular, whereas in New South Wales, Special Religious Education classes are held in the government school sector.
There are two main forms of religious education: General Religious Education (GRE) and Special Religious Education/Religious Instruction (SRE/RI). GRE is integrative religious education, where students learn about different religions and worldviews in their regular classes, intertwined with other subjects such as Geography. SRE/RI provides in-faith education, where students can explore their own faith, spirituality and heritage. This form of education has become controversial, with critics arguing that it can indoctrinate students by encouraging them to uncritically accept beliefs that are not well-supported by evidence. There are increasing calls for SRE/RI to be replaced with religion classes that foster social cohesion and intercultural understanding.
Despite the controversy, Australians generally see the value in well-rounded religious education. A recent survey found that 74% of respondents agreed that children should be allowed to learn about a range of religions/beliefs while at school. Furthermore, 31% of those who had attended religious education at school stated that it helped them accept others' beliefs, and 29% said it helped them understand others' beliefs more.
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Extracurricular activities
Sports and outdoor education are popular extracurricular choices in Australian public schools. Students can participate in inter-house carnivals for swimming, cross-country, and athletics, with the chance to represent their school at district, regional, or state levels. Competitive sports such as cricket, hockey, netball, tennis, and football are also common, along with alternatives like aerobics and yoga for those who prefer non-competitive options. Outdoor education excursions allow students to try activities such as skiing and surfing.
Music and performing arts are also widely available as extracurricular activities. Students can join school bands, choirs, and drama groups, with some schools offering preparation for the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) exams, providing nationally recognised qualifications in music, speech, and drama. Schools also organise performances and talent shows where students can showcase their talents.
Clubs and societies cater to a variety of interests, including robotics clubs, debating societies, and environmental groups. These groups allow students to explore specific passions and develop their critical and creative thinking skills. Additionally, volunteering and community work are encouraged, with students organising charity events and participating in initiatives to raise awareness for various causes.
Personal development programs such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award are offered in many Australian public schools. This award incorporates physical recreation, skill development, volunteering, adventurous journeys, and residential projects, fostering leadership and teamwork skills. Academic competitions in maths, science, English, IT, and economics also provide opportunities for students to challenge themselves and apply their knowledge.
While extracurricular activities are beneficial, there are concerns about equal access. Research shows that children from disadvantaged communities and low-income suburbs participate less in extracurricular activities, and subsidies and vouchers may not always be sufficient to cover the costs. However, when children from these communities do participate, they report significantly higher outcomes, almost closing the gap with children from high-income communities.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2018, 65.7% of students were enrolled in government schools, with 36% in non-government schools. A more recent source states that government schools educate approximately 64% of Australian students.
Public schools in Australia are funded by the government and are usually free to attend. However, parents might have to pay for uniforms, textbooks, and school excursions. These costs are usually manageable, with the current annual fees of Australian public schools ranging from $433 to $500.
Research shows that public schools in Australia perform as well as private schools when differences in students' socioeconomic backgrounds are taken into account. However, there is criticism that the Australian government's increased financial investment in education has not made it more accessible or equitable.
