Education reform: investing in Australia’s next generation
The Morrison Government delivered significant federal support to education, to provide all young Australians with a variety of learning opportunities and parents with a range of choices. On 20 September 2018, Prime Minister Morrison unveiled a transformative $3.2 billion education funding package, marking a significant milestone for Australia’s schooling system. From 2020, a new federal funding calculation method for non-state schools would create a fairer and more equitable education system.
The comprehensive package included a dedicated $1.2 billion fund targeting schools needing additional support, particularly benefitting rural, regional, and drought-affected communities.
Support to students and trainees during the COVID-19 pandemic
In March 2020 — at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic — additional funding was provided for schools to facilitate online learning and support students who faced challenges during lockdowns. This included resources for teachers and families to adapt to remote education effectively.
On 12 April 2020, to help Australians retrain and upskill, the Morrison Government announced the cost to study short online courses from Australia's world-class universities and private providers would be cut.
The Morrison Government had already committed to providing universities with more than $18 billion in 2020. A guaranteed Commonwealth Grants Scheme and HELP funding streams were established for higher education providers for the rest of 2020. For public universities, their 2020 performance-based funding amounts were also guaranteed.
Prime Minister Morrison also announced reforms to the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector to enhance its appeal and effectiveness. On 16 July 2020, a $1 billion investment into VET programs was announced, including initiatives such as the JobTrainer Fund. The announcement was aimed at providing free or low-cost training places for young Australians and job seekers in high-demand industries. This initiative was crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic to help Australians gain skills and employment opportunities.
Additionally, there was a six-month exemption from the loan fees associated with FEE-HELP and VET Student Loans in a bid to encourage full-fee paying students to continue their studies through the difficult times of the pandemic.
Early childhood education was also a priority for the Morrison Government that year. In the 2020-21 Federal Budget, an additional $1.7 billion was allocated to ensure that all children could access quality early learning programs in their critical early years. This initiative was particularly focused on disadvantaged communities — aiming to close the educational gap before children even entered primary school.
Related media:
1. Address, Press Conference with the Minister for Education, 20 September 2018: https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-41798
2. Press release, JobTrainer skills package for economic recovery and growth, 16 July 2020: https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-42932
3. Press release, Early childhood education and care relief package, 02 April 2020: https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-42768
