Public education should be free - but public funding for Queensland’s state schools is among the lowest in the country.

On top of this, schools are charging families more and more for uniforms, resources, laptops, excursions, and even for kids to enroll in particular subjects. Given the broader cost of living crisis - with the cost of groceries and housing only going up - this can be a huge burden for families. 

I’m running a community survey to hear from Queensland families about out-of-pocket schooling costs. 

Your response to the survey will be totally anonymous. Once complete, I’ll share the results with the community, Premier, and Education Minister, and make sure your voice is heard in the fight for an education system that is genuinely free.

How much funding is going to Queensland schools?

Queensland schools are some of the most underfunded in the country. State governments are expected to contribute 80% of school funding, with the other 20% coming from the Federal Government. But of all the states, only the ACT actually meets its end of the bargain, with its full 80%. Queensland on the other hand, only contributes 69% - the second lowest in the country. Meaning Queensland schools are missing out on millions of dollars in funding every year, and the Queensland government has no plans to reach their 80% funding requirement. 

The state and Federal governments were meant to renegotiate their funding agreements this year, but this has now been delayed until 2024 - meaning Queensland schools and Queensland kids will go without for another year. Along with Senator Penny Allman-Payne, we are pushing to make sure our schools are properly funded, and our students and families supported.

Please take a minute to take part in the survey and share it around - I’d love to capture as many views and experiences as possible from parents, guardians and carers of kids at state schools right across Queensland.