In brief
This year’s budget contained measures related to education, including additional funding for the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency and schools to improve outcomes in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Key takeaways
The Australian Federal Government has announced in this year’s budget that it will:
- Provide funding for a pathway to establish a new Teaching and Learning Commission;
- Provide additional funding to schools to improve educational outcomes;
- Introduce a levy for all higher education providers to fund the National Student Ombudsman; and
- Provide additional funding to the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency to monitor universities.
In more detail
Schools reform
The Government will provide AUD 5.6 million over two years from 2026-27 to undertake exploratory work with states and territories on options for a viable pathway to establish a new Teaching and Learning Commission, with the intention to better coordinate curriculum, teaching, assessment, research and reporting practices through integrating agencies.
Improving outcomes in Australian schools
In addition, the Government will provide AUD 26.1 million over four years to improve educational outcomes in Australian schools, including:
- Extending STEM programs;
- Improving preventative health and safety education modules, including mental health and wellbeing, online safety and respectful relationships; and
- Supporting female students who demonstrate high potential in STEM, prioritising those with limited opportunities due to their socio-economic or geographic circumstances.
National Student Ombudsman
All higher education providers registered with the Tertiary Quality and Standards Agency will be required to pay a levy to ensure sustainable, ongoing funding for the National Student Ombudsman.
Inclusion Support Program
The Government will provide AUD 54.8 million to help childhood education and care services increase their capacity to support the inclusion of children with additional needs.
Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency
The Government will provide AUD 9.4 million over four years to allow the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency to have stronger enforcement and monitoring powers to help ensure universities meet the standards of students, staff and the community.
A copy of the Federal Budget papers can be found here.
Jeremy Hyman, Head of Communications, and Sky Friend, Business Development Consultant, have contributed to this legal update.