What Hope for Real Reform in Australian Education?

2025 ASPA National Summit

The path to fully funded public education in Australia has been a long and winding road, and while recent developments offer some optimism, significant challenges remain. With full funding under the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement (BFSA) 2025–2034 not set to materialise until 2034, systemic inequities in Australian schooling continue to undermine the promise of equity and excellence.

At the heart of these inequities lies a dual education system that has entrenched socioeconomic segregation between public and private schools. Public schools, tasked with educating the most disadvantaged students, face resource shortages, while private schools, often serving advantaged populations, continue to receive substantial public subsidies. This system has not only widened the funding gap but also deepened disparities in educational outcomes, as highlighted by research from the Centre for Future Work and Save Our Schools.

A Call for Structural Reform

Education Minister Jason Clare, speaking at the ASPA National Summit, acknowledged the stark reality of Australia’s education system, describing it as "one of the most segregated in the world, not by the colour of your skin, but by the size of your pay packet." This recognition is a hopeful sign, but translating this awareness into meaningful action requires bold leadership and collaboration.

ASPA’s 2025 Policy Briefing underscores this need for transformative reform, offering evidence-based recommendations to tackle critical challenges such as equitable school funding, principal well-being, teacher shortages, and inclusive education. The briefing highlights the importance of addressing socioeconomic segregation, which remains a key driver of educational inequity in Australia. Policies that reduce school segregation and level the playing field between public and private schools are essential to creating a fairer education system.

Key Recommendations for Reform:

1. Tie Public Funding to Equity Benchmarks

Public subsidies for non-government schools should be conditional on meeting benchmarks for enrolling, supporting, and retaining disadvantaged students. This ensures that public funds promote equity rather than privilege.

2. Introduce a Common Regulatory Framework

A uniform framework for all publicly funded schools would standardise enrolment practices, transparency, and accountability. This would help eliminate selective enrolment and exclusionary practices that perpetuate inequities.

3. Address Socioeconomic Segregation

Policies to mitigate segregation, such as incentives for private schools to enrol disadvantaged students or restrictions on selective enrolment, are necessary to reduce the concentration of disadvantage in public schools.

4. Focus on Cultural and Operational Barriers

Structural reforms must address systemic challenges impacting disadvantaged students, including systemic racism, inadequate support for students with disabilities, and the need for culturally responsive teaching practices for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Building Public Support for Change

While Australians broadly support equitable education, public opinion is complex. Deep cultural attachment to school choice and limited awareness of systemic inequities present hurdles to reform. However, ASPA believes that public opinion is not immutable. A targeted communication campaign, framing reform as a matter of fairness and economic necessity, can shift public sentiment and build momentum for transformative change.

A Moment for Bold Leadership

The Albanese government, with its strong parliamentary majority and no immediate electoral pressure, has a unique opportunity to lead transformative education reform. The Mparntwe Declaration emphasises equity and excellence, but achieving these goals requires moving beyond cautious, incremental changes. Structural reform is not just a moral imperative—it is an economic necessity. The Productivity Commission has repeatedly warned that poor educational outcomes among disadvantaged students undermine workforce participation, productivity, and social cohesion.

As the leading voice for secondary education in Australia, ASPA calls on policymakers, educators, and communities to work together to create a stronger, fairer education system. Bold leadership, informed by evidence and grounded in collaboration, can ensure that every Australian student can access high-quality education that supports their potential.

Join the Conversation

ASPA remains committed to advocating for equity, excellence, and innovation in public education. Explore our 2025 Policy Briefing, our 2025 ASPA National Summit report, and contribute to the national conversation on education reform. Together, we can create a future where every student thrives.

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For more resources, updates, and advocacy efforts, visit https://www.aspa.asn.au or contact us at admin@aspa.asn.au.