Record federal schools funding for Ballarat under new needs-based model

Ballarat's public school system will receive a $42 million increase in Commonwealth funding over the next four years after the federal government implemented a revised Schooling Resource Standard that increases the Commonwealth share for schools below 90 per cent of their benchmark funding, bringing all Ballarat government schools to at least 95 per cent of their SRS entitlement.

Federal Education Minister Jason Clare said the funding increase addressed a historical inequity that had seen many of the schools most in need of investment — those serving lower socio-economic communities — receiving less than their benchmark entitlement. "The Schooling Resource Standard only works if schools actually receive it. We are fixing the funding model so the most disadvantaged schools get what they need," he said.

Ballarat's public school system, which serves approximately 22,000 students across 48 primary and secondary campuses, includes several schools in the northern suburbs and outer growth areas where socio-economic disadvantage, housing instability, and first-generation higher education aspiration create complex support needs. Those schools will be the primary beneficiaries of the increased Commonwealth allocation.

Victorian Education Minister Ben Carroll confirmed the state government would maintain its funding contributions in full, rejecting suggestions that increased Commonwealth funding could lead to state supplementation reductions. He said Ballarat's schools would see the full benefit of the additional federal investment in learning support, literacy and numeracy programs, and teacher professional development.

The Catholic school system in Ballarat, which serves approximately 8,000 students, will also receive increased Commonwealth funding under the revised SRS calculation methodology.

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