This report considers the impact of the State Government's decision to delay raising Victoria’s school funding to 75% of the Schooling Resource Standard until 2031. 

Findings

1. Victorian government schools have only been funded at around 90% of the recommended Gonski amount since December 2018.
2. It is unclear when Victoria will reach the 75% of Schooling Resource Standard funding share government schools that it has committed to provide. 
3. The Victorian Government has not yet met its obligation to fund 75% of the Schooling Resource Standard funding benchmark, which has resulted in Victoria having one of the lowest funded Schooling Resource Standard compared to other jurisdictions.
4. The Victorian Government has not yet secured a long‑term bilateral agreement with the Commonwealth Government, contributing to uncertainty in Schooling Resource Standard funding and the ability to plan and deliver consistent supports for students.
5. It is extremely challenging for Victoria to determine how much money to allocate in the budget for education because of how often the Commonwealth Schooling Resource Standard output target changes. 
6. The Commonwealth has not implemented the Gonski Review's recommendation regarding funding capital works programs in government schools.

Recommendations for the Victorian Government

1. Confirm when it will reach the 75% of Schooling Resource Standard funding for government schools.
2. That when reaching its 75% of Schooling Resource Standard funding share the Victorian Government determine the amount by which it has underfunded government schools since 2018; compensate the government school system appropriately; and advocate to the Commonwealth to also compensate the amount it has underfunded the government school system in Victoria since 2014.
3. Immediately finalise a long‑term bilateral agreement with the Commonwealth Government.
4. Continue to advocate to the Commonwealth to provide more certainty in Schooling Resource Standard output targets for schools.
5. Continue to advocate for the Commonwealth Government to significantly increase funding for capital works in government schools.