Public school students to gain $500 each according to NSW Department of Education figures

NSW public schools students will be getting nearly $500 extra each in state government funding from January after a total Budget boost of more than $480 million.

NSW public schools students will be getting nearly $500 extra in state government funding from next year after a statewide Budget boost of more than $480 million.

The $481.1 million funding injection, which takes NSW’s contribution to the joint state and federally funded School Resourcing Standard from 73 per cent to a minimum 75 per cent, will take effect on January 1.

NSW Department of Education modelling shows the boost will increase the average funding for a public primary school student by $469 and lift secondary students by $589, with low socio-economic, rural and regional schools to get a larger slice of the pie.

The Minns government continues to lobby the Commonwealth to stump up the remaining 25 per cent of the SRS for public schools. To date, the Albanese government has offered only 22.5 per cent – a deal accepted by Western Australia but rejected by the other states.

If NSW’s public schools reached 100 per cent of the SRS, the Department’s modelling shows base funding per student in 2025 would increase to $13,977 for primary and $17,564 for secondary students.

Federal Education Minister Jason Clare is on the hook to increase the Commonwealth’s school funding offer. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Oldman

NSW Minister for Education Prue Car is not backing down. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

It comes as the Commonwealth’s Expenditure Review Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, prepares to meet on Tuesday. It is understood school funding and the National School Reform Agreement are on the ERC’s agenda.

Federal Education Minister Jason Clare said the Albanese government has already put an additional $4.1 billion on the table for NSW’s public schools, from a total $16 billion across the country.

“This would be the biggest increase in Commonwealth funding to public schools that has ever been delivered … (but) the States have to chip in too,” he said.

“If the Northern Territory can chip in additional money for public schools, I know other jurisdictions can too.”

NSW Education Minister and Deputy Premier Prue Car said her state would continue to ask the Albanese government to close the remaining gap.

“I am focused on equity, and ensuring all children in NSW have access to fully funded public education,” she said.

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