How much does your school get in government funds?
Our analysis has revealed just how much money schools in the eastern suburbs are receiving from the Commonwealth and the state. And one school raked in more than $60 million over three years. See how yours compares.
Schools Hub
Don't miss out on the headlines from Schools Hub. Followed categories will be added to My News.
One school in Melbourne’s east received more than $61.1 million in state and federal money in three years — giving it the highest amount of government funding in the region.
Lilydale High School received the amount from 2015-17, according to the most recent publicly available figures.
Principal Wendy Powson said the money helped the school achieve better outcomes for more than 1700 students.
“We’re very proud of what we’ve been able to achieve in recent years in developing the young people of the future through programs such as our numeracy and literacy close monitoring support and the opportunity for our students to work on real-world challenges using new technologies at Yarra Ranges Tech School,” she said.
According to the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, the State Government contributes to almost 80 per cent of Lilydale High School’s funding.
Leader can reveal government funding for schools between 2015-17 after an independent compilation of figures from the MySchool website.
Balwyn High School received the second highest amount of combined government funding in the region with $60.5 million over the three-year period, while Glen Waverley Secondary College received $59.5 million.
Lynall Hall Community School in Richmond scored the most government funding per student of any school in Melbourne’s east.
The state school, which had 83 students in 2017, received $46,270 in government funding for each child.
It was followed by Olinda Primary School, which received $30,214 for each of its 83 students.
The amounts schools receive from the state are based on student numbers, the characteristics of the school — such as socio-economic status — and the needs of the students.
State Education Minister James Merlino said the Victorian government had invested a record $12.6 billion in schools since coming into office.
“We want every child in every school to have the opportunity to fulfil their potential. A child’s school results should not be restricted by their background,” he said.
“That is why schools with greater levels of disadvantage receive more funding per student.”
Overall, the school which received the highest amount of combined government funding in the state was St Francis Xavier College, a Catholic school with more than 3000 students across three campuses in Melbourne’s booming outer southeast.
MORE: RICHEST SCHOOLS IN MELBOURNE’S EAST REVEALED
THE GROSS REASON YOU SHOULD CHECK YOUR CHILD’S LUNCH BOX
OUR $1 A WEEK SUBSCRIPTION OFFER IS BACK
During the 2015-17 financial years Wesley College, which has campuses in Melbourne’s CBD, Glen Waverley and Elsternwick, spent $69.9 million on capital expenditure — more than any other school in the eastern suburbs.
Over that same three-year period Camberwell Grammar School spent $62.3 million on capital expenditure and Scotch College spent $60.4 million.
Region’s most funded schools
Lilydale High School: $61.1 million
Balwyn High School: $60.5 million
Glen Waverley Secondary College: $59.5 million
Rowville Secondary College: $58.3 million
Wellington Secondary College: $57.3 million
Mount Waverley Secondary College: $56.1 million
Aquinas College, Ringwood: $53.4 million
Mount Lilydale Mercy College: $50.5 million
Ringwood Secondary College: $48.9 million
East Doncaster Secondary College: $46.3 million
Region’s least funded schools
Yarralinda School: $923,337
Olinda Primary School: $1.3 million
Silvan Primary School: $1.5 million
Christadelphian Heritage College Melbourne: $1.7 million
Erasmus Primary School: $1.8 million
Alia College: $1.9 million
Don Valley Primary School: $1.9 million
Hoddles Creek Primary School: $1.9 million
Village School: $2.3 million
Warburton Primary School: $2.6 million
Region’s schools with the highest capital expenditure
Wesley College: $69.6 million
Camberwell Grammar School: $62.3 million
Scotch College: $60.4 million
Melbourne Garmmar School: $50.3 million
Presbyterian Ladies’ College: $49.3 million
Carey Baptist Grammar School: $47.8 million
Melbourne Girls Grammar: $31.4 million
St Kevin’s College: $31.1 million
Ruyton Girls’ School: $27.3 million
Marcellin College: $24.8 million