← Back to bills❌This bill did not pass parliament29 Nov 2024
The bill was rejected or lapsed before becoming law.
🏛 House of Representatives3 readingsAmendments circulated
Better and Fairer Schools (Funding and Reform) 2024
✦ Plain-English Summary
# Better and Fairer Schools (Funding and Reform) 2024
## What it does
This bill changes how the federal government gives money to schools by requiring states and territories to sign agreements about education reform before they can receive funding. It also sets up new rules to make school funding more transparent and accountable across the country.
## Why it matters
Schools across Australia will need to meet agreed reform standards to access federal funding, which could drive improvements in how education is delivered. Better transparency means parents and taxpayers will have clearer information about where school funding actually goes and what results it's producing.
## Key details
- **The agreement requirement**: States and territories must be party to a formal agreement on school education reform—and any state or territory can join this agreement if they choose to.
- **Timing**: Most of the changes take effect immediately once the bill receives Royal Assent (the Governor-General's approval), though some funding provisions will be set by a later proclamation date.
- **Who's affected**: State and territory governments, schools, and families—since federal funding eligibility now depends on participating in education reform agreements.
Official Description
Amends the Australian Education Act 2013 to: amend the approach for determining the Commonwealth’s contribution to recurrent funding for government schools by providing for the Commonwealth share to be prescribed by regulation, subject to certain conditions; specify the Northern Territory’s funding share; and provide for certain publication and reporting requirements.
Committee Referrals
Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee; Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills
Audit History
Last updated on APH
10 Apr 2026
Last checked by Crossbench
today
🗳️No formal division recorded
This bill passed by voice vote — parliament agreed without calling a formal count. A division is only recorded when a member explicitly requests one.
Constituent votes
Voting is closed — this bill has been decided by parliament.
No votes yet.
No votes were recorded for this bill.
🔒 Voting closed — this bill has been decided by parliament