This report argues the benefits of Catholic schools go beyond the important role of educating students. Government financial support for Catholic schools makes them affordable for more families across NSW, and means governments are relieved of part of the cost of educating Catholic school students. 

This report details the savings to government arising from these arrangements in both recurrent and capital funding. 

Modelling for this report shows that under current funding arrangements, NSW Catholic schools result in a net reduction in recurrent government expenditure of $480 million in 2018. From 2018 to 2022, savings to government will reach a cumulative total of $2.56 billion. From 2014 to 2017, the accumulated savings are $1.46 billion. The current agreement between the NSW and Commonwealth Governments mean that the NSW Government saves $1.7 billion through not having to fund the full cost of educating those students currently enrolled at NSW Catholic schools. 

Modelling also identified that if the NSW Government were required to educate all students at NSW Catholic schools, it would require up to $7.91 billion in additional capital expenditure to build the necessary school capital.