The Anchor

From the Principal

School Choice Counts Campaign 2025

Independent Schools Australia (ISA) launched its School Choice Counts Campaign on 27 February 2025, in preparation for the Federal election.

 

The campaign platform outlines five priority areas:

  1. Protect family choice
  2. End the blame game
  3. Support our most vulnerable students
  4. Invest in cross-sector innovation 
  5. Build choice into the future.

As part of the campaign, ISA has produced a booklet that outlines these priorities and provides key funding facts associated with independent schools. This booklet, which is also available as a website, is informative and helps debug urban myths about the government funding of independent schools and the holistic support of all education sectors.

 

Some facts worth knowing:

  • The annual contribution from families to independent schools eases the burden on taxpayers to the tune of $9.6 Billion
  • The average government funding for students in independent schools is $12,160.
  • The average government funding for students in public schools is $22,510.
  • 716, 848 students or 18% of all students in Australia are educated in an independent school
  • 60% of families choosing independent schools are from low to middle-income households
  • 90% of all capital expenditure in independent schools is provided by families, donors and through fundraising activities.

At a recent ISA and Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia forum I attended in Canberra, both major political parties reaffirmed their commitment to the recurrent government funding model for the independent school sector.

 

This week as part of the Coalition of Regional Independent Schools Australia, I had the opportunity to share with the Commissioner of Regional Education, Ms Fiona Nash the importance of recurrent government funding of our school, regional funding loadings in recognition of our unique context and the opportunities and challenges for independent schools more broadly into the future.

 

With the State election taking place this weekend and the imminent announcement of a Federal election, I strongly encourage you to read the booklet from ISA and continue to advocate for school choice in our community.

 

Go well!

Mr Mathew Irving | Principal