ACT defends specialist school budgets amid reports of multimillion-dollar cuts
The ACT government says specialist schools will not lose funding despite reports showing multimillion-dollar reductions under a new budgeting system.
The ACT government says Canberra's specialist schools will not have their budgets cut, despite reports showing large reductions under a new funding model. Reports suggest Malkara Specialist School faces a cut of more than $2.8 million, Black Mountain School more than $3 million, Cranleigh School more than $1.7 million and The Woden School more than $1.6 million.
The Education Directorate director-general said those figures represent only the schools' Student Resource Allocation, not their total funding. Specialist schools get their SRA plus extra funding based on their individual needs.
The government estimates the four schools will have an extra $7 million in needs-based funding beyond their SRA for 2027. The new centralised funding model was designed to create fairer distribution of resources across ACT public schools and cut admin work.
Parents, principals and the Opposition have questioned what the changes mean for staffing and services.
- more than $2.8 million
- Malkara reduction
- more than $3 million
- Black Mountain reduction
- $7 million across four schools
- Additional needs funding
- Jo Wood
- Director-general
Why it mattersFamilies with children in specialist schools need clarity on actual funding levels to understand what services and staffing will be available.
AustraliaACT families relying on specialist schools are uncertain about services and support due to confusing and disputed funding announcements.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 1 d ago
