Tasmania’s new school funding deal promises more money - but critics say it is not enough.

Tasmania has signed onto the federal government’s school funding agreement, which aims to provide full funding for public schools by 2029. 

The joint announcement between the Australian and Tasmanian governments was praised by officials, but criticised by education unions.

The agreement will increase Commonwealth funding for Tasmanian public schools from 20 per cent to 22.5 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS), while the Tasmanian government will contribute 77.5 per cent. 

This move follows similar agreements with Western Australia and the Northern Territory, as part of the federal government’s efforts to fully fund public schools nationwide. Currently, only public schools in the ACT are funded to 100 per cent of the SRS.

Premier of Tasmania Jeremy Rockliff called the agreement “the next step in delivering for young Tasmanians,” with an additional $300 million to flow to Tasmanian schools over the next five years.

However, the Australian Education Union (AEU) has expressed concern, claiming the deal will lock in underfunding. 

The AEU estimates a shortfall of $260 million for Tasmanian schools by 2029 due to a provision that allows 4 per cent of required state funding to be diverted to non-school-related costs, such as capital depreciation. 

“This accounting trick will deny public schools up to $1,062 per year per student by 2029,” AEU Federal President Correna Haythorpe said this week.

Other states, including New South Wales and Victoria, have yet to sign the agreement. 

They argue that the current deal leaves students short-changed, with Victoria’s Education Minister Ben Carroll stating his students would be “$1,000 worse off per year” under the proposed funding levels. 

These states are pushing for a 25 per cent federal contribution, compared to Tasmania’s accepted 22.5 per cent.

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