The recent Labor victory offers some real wins for public education but also demands that Public Education Party members stay vigilant. The Albanese Government’s campaign put education front and centre. Key promises included new funding and reforms for public schools, expanded TAFE and vocational training, discounted HECS, and big boosts to early childhood education. For example, Labor has struck school-funding deals to raise the Commonwealth’s share of public school funding from 20% to 25% of the Schooling heralded as the “biggest new investment in public schools by the Australian government – ever”. Funding will also be tied to reforms: the government plans phonics and numeracy checks in early years, plus targeted tutoring and extra mental-health support in schools. In vocational education, Labor committed to cementing and expanding its fee-free TAFE program: legislation would lock in 100,000 fee-free TAFE places per year from 2027, focused on critical skills like nursing, aged care, childcare and trades. Finally, the government signalled major action on childcare: it will extend the Child Care Subsidy to at least three days a week for most families and scrap the restrictive “activity test”, and it has set aside $1 billion to build or expand roughly 160 new childcare centres in high-need areas.

These commitments could transform the public education landscape.  

For students and teachers, the promise of more resources is a game-change. Many schools have operated for years under acute funding shortfalls – only about 1.3% of Australian public schools currently meet 100% of the SRS  – so even modest increases can pay huge dividends. More funding means better facilities, smaller class sizes, extra learning support, and equipment (from technology to science labs). Labor’s Teacher Workforce Action Plan (an extra $337 million invested) aims to attract and retain new teachers, and additional funding for school counsellors and psychologists will address student wellbeing. All told, a better-funded school system can ease the crushing workloads many educators face and help students to fulfil their potential. In our experience, when a school gets the support it needs it can spark a love of learning that changes children’s lives. 

For younger children and their families, the new policies also have major positive effects. Cheaper childcare and more centres mean children gain early education experience without crushing costs for parents. Working mothers and fathers will welcome the three-day subsidy (indeed, moving toward “universal” preschool is  a Public Education Party priority). More local childcare spots in outer suburbs and regions also helps families balance work and family life. Meanwhile, fee free TAFE will open the door for many students and retrenched workers. The government points out that nearly 40% of new jobs in the next decade will require VET qualifications. By training people in high-demand fields (nursing, construction, childcare, etc.), free TAFE means communities gain skilled workers for hospitals, schools and businesses. It is also a boon for regional areas: so far about 30% of fee free TAFE enrolments are from regional students. In short, these policies, if delivered, could strengthen schools and TAFEs, help families afford early learning, and inject skills into local economies. 

However, we must keep a keen eye on the fine print. In particular, “full funding” for public schools still lies far in the future. Under the new Better and Fairer Schools deal, each state’s government still has to sign up – and even then the Commonwealth only lifts its share to 25% by 2034. That means years of underfunding will persist.  For example, WA and Tasmania have only agreed to go up to 22.5% of SRS by 2026 – still well short of the 100% targets. In practice, this delay means current students – perhaps a whole extra cohort or two – will miss out on promised resources. The Public Education Party has already pointed out that Labor’s timeline is far too slow: “full funding of public schools… will not be enacted until 2034,” even under these new plans. We agree: we must highlight how pushing any promise into the 2030s hurts children today. 

Holding the Government Accountable 

We applaud the ALP’s bold talk on education, but now action is what counts. Every Public Education Party member should remain engaged. Let’s watch budgets and legislation closely: when the government tabled the Better and Fairer Schools Act, teacher unions and parent groups questioned whether it truly solved school funding. We should echo those questions. Members are encouraged to ask our MPs whether the promised funding increases are on track, and to demand firm timelines. We should continue spreading awareness of shortfalls: share stories of schools that still need infrastructure or extra staff, and remind Labor that improving all public schools was their pledge. 

Meanwhile, we must push together. The Public Education Party members can coordinate with teacher  and community groups to press for faster action – for instance, asking that funding ramps up sooner than 2034. We should use social media, community meetings and letters to government: note that the  Public Education Party  “flagged the slow pace” of funding and now quote Labor’s own words back at them. We should rally around clear goals (full SRS funding, early childhood access, support for struggling schools). We will celebrate the positives, extra TAFE places, cheaper HECS, new childcare centres, but demand follow through, not excuses. 

In summary, Labor’s victory gives public education some real momentum. But our work is not done. Let’s channel our enthusiasm into holding the new government’s feet to the fire. By staying organised and vocal, we can help ensure these campaign promises deliver real, tangible gains right now for students, teachers and communities. Public Education Party members have the passion and the facts to make this happen.  Let’s use them! 

Yours in Public Education, 

• Cheryl McBride 
• Glen Stelzer 
• Lila Mularczyk 
• Gemma Ackroyd