Queensland public school students have been receiving thousands of dollars less in state government funding than their interstate counterparts, data reveals.
The federal government ended a 19-month stand-off with Queensland over state school funding with a promise to boost its contribution, but the deal would come with conditions.
Premier David Crisafulli joined Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra on Monday morning to spruik the agreement.
Premier David Crisafulli and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announce the new school funding deal in Canberra.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer
Data shows the Queensland government invested less money in schools per student in 2023 than any other state or territory except Victoria.
Queensland state school students received $18,440 per student from the state and Commonwealth combined in 2023, compared with a national average of $18,669, the National Report on Schooling in Australia shows.
The Queensland government contributed $14,355 per student, less than every other state and territory, except Victoria.
Schools also get funding from other sources, including fees and contributions. When adding those to the total government funding, Queensland’s state school students each received $19,269 on average in 2023.
Queensland’s Catholic schools, meanwhile, received $15,827 per student in total government funding that year – but when combined with other income from fees and donations, that jumped to $21,789.
