9 February 2022

The Commonwealth’s new non-government school funding model hits schools squarely where it already hurts – in regional Australia. According to the Coalition of Regional Independent Schools Australia (CRISA), more than $180 million each year will be stripped from 164 regional independent schools across Australia when the new funding model is fully implemented.  This impact will be felt in areas where communities are trying to recover from the devastation of drought, fire and flood, not to mention loss of tourism dollars due to COVID-19’s impact on travel. CRISA Chairman, Stephen Higgs OAM, said: ‘This goes against what we need in regional Australia – we need more parental choice and greater investment in all schools, not a model that reduces educational options for young people in the country. ‘These cuts disproportionately and unfairly impact regional Independent schools, with these schools losing funding at an average rate of $760 per student. By contrast this loss is $287 per student across metropolitan independent schools. How can that possibly be fair? ‘We have heard from many Members of Parliament who are stunned that an outcome of the Federal Government’s non-government school funding policy means money being stripped from schools in country Australia. They rightly ask why the Federal Government would undermine its own stated commitment to both parental choice in school education and growth in regional Australia. We agree, and ask Federal MPs across regional Australia – and all who support school choice for regional families - to advocate change to this unfair policy. ‘CRISA and its members will not stop our campaign until this issue is addressed - all the way to the Federal election and beyond if needed,’ he declared. ‘These funding cuts diminish the affordability of independent education for regional families, many of whom sacrifice a great deal to contribute to the cost of their children’s education.’ ‘Our Principals right across the nation have enough on their hands already without having to deal with unfair funding cuts. They are determined to guard for young regional Australians the educational outcomes threatened by this funding model. We need urgent Ministerial intervention to stand up for regional Australia’ Mr Higgs concluded. 

Stephen Higgs 0417 112 577 stephen.higgs@es.edu.au