May 2026

What does this report mean for students? 
The Victorian Parliament looked into whether public schools are getting enough funding. The report found that many public schools do not have enough money and that students are being affected because of it. 
 

What is school funding? 
School funding is the money governments give schools for things like: 

• teachers and support staff 

• wellbeing programs 

• classroom resources like laptops, sports equipment and stationery 

• school buildings and maintenance 

• programs that support students 
   

Governments agreed that schools should receive a minimum amount of funding called the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS). This is the amount experts say schools need to properly support students. 
 

Right now, Victorian public schools are still not funded at 100% of that amount. The federal and state governments were working on a plan to fully fund schools, but Victoria has delayed this until 2031. 
 

Why does this matter? 

When schools do not get enough funding, students can feel the impact through: 

• fewer supports at school 

• tired and overworked teachers 

• fewer opportunities and programs 

• older buildings and facilities 

• unfair differences between schools 
   

The report also found some students are affected more than others, including: 

• rural and regional students 

• students facing financial challenges 

• students who need extra support 
   

What did the inquiry recommend? 

The inquiry said governments should: 

• fully fund public schools 

• be more open about school funding 

• better support students with greater needs 

• stop delaying funding promises 
   

What’s the good news? 

The report recognised many of the problems students have been talking about for years. 
 

It acknowledged that: 

• underfunding affects learning and wellbeing 

• some schools have less support than others 

• students are feeling the impact right now 
   

This is important because it puts pressure on governments to improve funding. 
 

What’s still missing? 

The report talks a lot about students, but less about students helping make decisions. Many students want to be included earlier and more meaningfully in decisions about education. 
 

Student reflections from the hearing 

Students spoke about funding as more than just money. They shared how it affects support, opportunities and everyday school life. Many students also said they want to help shape solutions, not just respond after decisions are already made. 
 

What happens next? 

The Victorian Government now has to respond to the report. This means student advocacy is still important. 
 

VicSRC will continue pushing for fairer school funding and making sure student voices are part of conversations about education and the 2026 State Election. 

Reports can create pressure, but change only happens when governments take action and students keep speaking up about what schools need.