Victoria currently has the second lowest-funded public schools in Australia.

The $2.2 Billion Annual Shortfall

The 2011 Gonski review established the School Resource Standard (SRS) in 2014 - which outlines the minimum funding that our primary and secondary schools need to function.  Save Our Schools reports that, in 2026, Victorian public schools receive only 86% of this standard. This means our primary and secondary schools have missed out on $2.2 billion in 2026 alone.

All other states and territories in Australia have signed long term agreements with the Federal Government to properly fund schools to 100% of the SRS. Despite being in office since the SRS was established, the Victorian Labor Government has failed to do so. 

The Government has repeatedly delayed its plan to fully fund schools, from 2028 to 2031 and now to 2034. This is far too late for our kids. My oldest child is currently in Grade 5 and will graduate in 2033 - they cannot afford to wait. (This is, of course, in addition to the pressing need for our teachers and education support staff to be paid fairly.)

Premier Carroll has spoken with Prime Minister Albanese on the need to fully fund our public schools and we want to make sure he delivers.  

The Real-World Impact on Our Kids

This shortfall is illustrated starkly by one of our children's primary school, which misses out on $1.7 million each year. (You can find out how much your school is missing out, here.) This lack of funding directly results in:  

• Fewer teachers, resulting in larger classes and making it difficult to implement individualised learning plans effectively;
• A narrower curriculum;
• Less allied health support, delayed diagnoses and reduced funding;
• Immense pressure on school leadership and education support staff. 

On top of this, infrastructure investment is much needed and incredibly lacking.

Our Ask

We call on Premier Carroll and the Victorian Government to reach a long-term agreement with the Federal Government on education funding before the upcoming November 2026 election. The timeline to fully fund public schools under the SRS needs to be transparent, expedited, and loophole free. The future of our children and their education depend on the actions taken today.

Please join us in demanding immediate action. Sign this petition to hold our elected officials accountable and ensure every child in Victoria receives a fair chance at a high-quality public education. 

Katherine Gilbert, Gufran Mohammed, Molly O’Brien and Loren Trad on behalf of the Education Advocacy Group. 

 

If you would like to, you can also email Premier Carroll (ben.carroll@parliament.vic.gov.au) with this text: 

Dear Premier Carroll,

Congratulations on becoming our Premier. Given your passion for education, I am writing to ask you to commit to fully funding Victoria's public schools in line with the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) as soon as possible.

Victoria's public schools are currently funded at only 86% of the SRS, leaving our schools with a significant funding shortfall. This has real consequences for Victorian children, including larger class sizes, fewer teachers, reduced access to allied health and education support, and less capacity to provide the broad and inclusive education our children deserve.

I am particularly concerned that Victoria has not yet secured a long-term agreement with the Federal Government to reach 100% of the SRS. The timeline for full funding has already been pushed back repeatedly, while Victorian schools continue to face significant resource pressures.I am asking you to:

• ⁠Reach a long-term agreement with the Federal Government to fully fund Victorian public schools in line with the SRS.
• ⁠Bring forward the timeline for reaching 100% of the SRS, so that Victorian children do not have to wait another generation for the resources they need.
• ⁠Ensure that the funding calculation is transparent and does not rely on accounting arrangements that divert funding away from the core needs of schools and classrooms.

Every child in Victoria deserves access to a high-quality public education, regardless of where they live or their family's circumstances. Our public schools are the foundation of our communities and the bedrock of a fair society, and they deserve to be properly funded.

I urge you to act before the November 2026 election and commit to a clear, transparent and accelerated pathway to fully fund Victoria's public schools.

Yours sincerely,

[Your name]

[Your suburb]