Higher quality schooling
In schools, the focus of Realising Our Potential is on improving quality. This includes raising standards for teaching and learning, and improving literacy and numeracy outcomes for students.
A quality school education is critical to every student’s future. Every parent is entitled to expect that their children will receive a high quality education and develop the core skills necessary to be able to realise their potential, no matter which school they attend.
The States and Territories have primary responsibility for government schools and therefore provide the bulk of funding to these schools. The Australian Government provides significant complementary funding for non-government schools to support parental choice.
Government schools continue to receive the bulk of public funding, receiving around $10,800 per student on average, compared to around $6,150 per student in non-government schools in 2004‑05.
When revenues from private sources (including private school fees) are taken into account, schools in the non-government sector receive around the same average funding per student as schools in the government sector.
The Australian Government’s aim through Realising Our Potential is to improve the quality of Australia’s school system and the education outcomes it provides.
There is a broad consensus on how to improve the quality of schooling. Reforms to enhance teacher quality, deliver more consistent curriculum in key subjects and provide principals with greater autonomy are essential. Improving literacy and numeracy outcomes at all stages of schooling is also vital.
Realising Our Potential focuses on these key areas of reform.
Total government funding per student in government and
non-government schools, 2004-05
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