All Northern Territory public schools will be fully and fairly funded by the Australian and Northern Territory Governments following a historic agreement signed today.
Both Governments have signed a Statement of Intent to increase funding for all public schools in the Northern Territory to 100 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS), by 2029.
This means Northern Territory public schools will reach the full and fair funding level two decades earlier than they would under current settings.
It will provide more resources to schools across the Territory to provide extra support to NT students who need it most – helping to improve education outcomes.
Under the agreement, the Australian Government will invest at least an additional $737.7 million from 2025 to 2029 in Northern Territory public schools.
The Northern Territory Government has committed to investing at least an additional $350 million over the same period.
This means the Commonwealth will increase its share of funding from 20 per cent to 40 per cent of the SRS, contingent on the Territory increasing its funding share to reach 60 per cent by 2029.
Under the agreement, the most disadvantaged schools will receive additional funding first.
This agreement follows the additional $40.4 million the Commonwealth is investing in Central Australian schools which will see those schools reach 100 per cent of the SRS this year.
The Albanese Government acknowledges the specific challenges facing the Territory, including the significant concentrations of disadvantage, with the funding needed for a public school student in the Northern Territory almost double the national average needed.
The two Governments are committed to Closing the Gap and improving the educational outcomes for Territory students.
The Statement of Intent provides a basis for the negotiation of the next National School Reform Agreement and associated bilateral agreements, which will tie funding to reforms that will help students catch up, keep up and finish school.
Today’s Statement of Intent follows an agreement reached recently with the Western Australian Government to fully fund all WA public schools.
The Australian Government is committed to working with all states and territories to get all public schools in the country on a path to 100 per cent of the SRS.
