The Facts on School Funding

Christian schools believe that all schools – both public and private – should be well-funded.

Education in Australia for independent school students, including Christian schools, is funded by both state and federal governments through a student-focused, needs-based, sector-blind school funding model.

This helpful infographic outlines the processes the government uses to calculate the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) for every school in Australia.

The SRS is an estimate of how much total public funding a school needs to meet its students’ educational needs.

Unlike students in government schools, the base funding for students in non-government schools is discounted based on parental income.

This funding recalculation occurs despite these independent-preferring parents paying the same taxes as parents who choose government schools.

Funding to non-government schools reflects the bipartisan recognition of ‘the common good’ they make, as evidenced by the comprehensive research published in 2020 as part of the Cardus Education Survey.

Total average per-student government funding in each education sector is, according to the most recent figures:

• Government – $24,860
• Catholic – $15,490
• Independent, including Christian schools – $13,080

As reported by Independent Schools Australia Snapshot 2025 Edition, in reference to FY 2022-23.

Families contributed around $10.6 billion in recurrent and capital funding towards independent schools in 2023.

These family contributions via fees and donations to independent schools delivered an estimated saving of $8.5 billion to governments across Australia.

In 2022-23, non-government schools had 36% of enrolments and received 25% of all government expenditure on schools.

Around 64% of students are enrolled in government schools, which received 75% of all government expenditure on schooling.

In percentage terms, the average non-government school is funded in the following proportions:

• 49% from parents and community
• 40% from the Commonwealth Government
• 11% from the State or Territory Government

As reported by Non-Government Schools Financial Questionnaire, in reference to FY 2022-23.

MyChristianSchool believes that Australians have the right to seek and privately fund a high-quality education based on their own family values.