Victoria pledges full Gonski school funding boost ahead of November election

In an interview with one outlet, Premier Ben Carroll committed to raising Victoria's school funding to the level required by the Gonski review, which will activate a matching contribution from the federal government. Currently the state funds only 70 percent of the agreed School Resource Standard, while the Commonwealth provides 20 percent. By increasing state spending by five percent, the federal cash injection will satisfy the Better and Fairer Schools agreement, a target that must be met by 2034.

Carroll emphasized the need to aid the 30 percent of disadvantaged students attending public schools and framed the policy as both equitable and fiscally responsible. He indicated that the funding increase will be in place before the November 28 election and that he has spoken with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about the plan. The announcement follows criticism of the former Jacinta Allan government for postponing the deal, which was said to have cost Victorian schools $2.4 billion over three years.