The Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA) acknowledges the Australian Government’s ongoing support for the education of young Australians and, in particular, its support of students attending non-government schools.

AHISA further acknowledges that Australian Government funding arrangements for schools post-2017 are currently under review and that the Government is seeking to find savings or contain expenditure across it ministry portfolios. At the same time, it must be recognised that there are key issues in Australian school education demanding the attention of governments. In this submission we focus on three:
   a. The achievement gap between non-Indigenous and Indigenous students
   b. The evolution of schools in response to rapid social and technological change
   c. Projected increases in Australia’s school population and therefore increases in the capital and recurrent costs of schooling provision.

While responses to these issues will of necessity demand additional resources, we describe policy and program options that draw on the capacity of schools – and independent schools in particular – to leverage private contribution for public benefit. An outline of independent schools, private contribution and savings to government therefore forms an introduction to this submission.

Yours faithfully,
(Mrs) Karen Spiller
AHISA National Chair
Principal of St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School, Qld

Pre-Budget Submission - full version