Voluntary contributions – PV media comment
An article in today’s Age examines the ‘moral dilemma’ facing Victorian public schools – they know that many parents cannot afford to pay voluntary parent
23/03/2026
An article in today’s Age examines the ‘moral dilemma’ facing Victorian public schools – they know that many parents cannot afford to pay voluntary parent
Recent media stories in The Age and Herald-Sun have reported on the high costs of schooling in Victoria. Both articles refer to a recent report
Articles in today’s Age and Herald-Sun focus on the issue of under-funding of Victorian schools. The Age article begins: Parents, teachers and principals at Victorian
This page brings together articles on the funding of public education from a variety of sources.
For broader issues related to public education, see our Public Education page.
An analysis by economist Trevor Cobbold published in February 2026 shows that Victorian public schools remain massively underfunded. Trevor’s article, published on the Save Our
Parents Victoria made a submission to the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into Public School Funding in late 2025. The submission makes the following points (among others):
Research published by Save Our Schools in 2025 shows clearly that Australian public schools bear a very large burden of disadvantage but are under-resourced for
Parents Victoria made a submission to the federal Parliamentary Inquiry into the Better and Fairer Schools (Funding and Reform) Bill, debated in Parliament in 2024
Economist Trevor Cobbold from Save Our Schools has exposed further evidence of the over-funding of private schools, due to a flaw in the way funding
The 1981 High Court case brought by the group Defence of Government Schools (DOGS) tested the validity of State Aid to religious schools against Section
This presentation, titled The facts about school funding in Victoria, was delivered by Trevor Cobbold at our 2023 Conference. The presentation clearly demonstrates structural inequality in
What is the National School Reform Agreement? The National School Reform Agreement (NSRA) is a joint agreement between the Commonwealth, States and Territories to lift
Parents Victoria made a submission to the Federal Government’s Expert Panel, set up to advise it on the National School Reform Agreement. The submission was
This open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was published on 27 Nov 2023 by the For Every Child campaign. Parents Victoria is one of
An analysis by economist Trevor Cobbold published in February 2026 shows that Victorian public schools remain massively underfunded. Trevor’s article, published on the Save Our Schools website, describes the way Victorian schools are further short-changed
Parents Victoria made a submission to the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into Public School Funding in late 2025. The submission makes the following points (among others): Victorian government schools are funded well below the SRS benchmark
Research published by Save Our Schools in 2025 shows clearly that Australian public schools bear a very large burden of disadvantage but are under-resourced for the challenge. This is because public schools receive less income
Parents Victoria made a submission to the federal Parliamentary Inquiry into the Better and Fairer Schools (Funding and Reform) Bill, debated in Parliament in 2024 and passed on 26 November. National parent body ACSSO (Australian
Economist Trevor Cobbold from Save Our Schools has exposed further evidence of the over-funding of private schools, due to a flaw in the way funding needs are assessed. Trevor’s article begins: Some private schools have
The 1981 High Court case brought by the group Defence of Government Schools (DOGS) tested the validity of State Aid to religious schools against Section 116 of the Australian Constitution. The DOGS argued that state
This presentation, titled The facts about school funding in Victoria, was delivered by Trevor Cobbold at our 2023 Conference. The presentation clearly demonstrates structural inequality in our education system, in particular under-funding of public schools in
What is the National School Reform Agreement? The National School Reform Agreement (NSRA) is a joint agreement between the Commonwealth, States and Territories to lift student outcomes across Australian schools. The NSRA extends over several
Parents Victoria made a submission to the Federal Government’s Expert Panel, set up to advise it on the National School Reform Agreement. The submission was in response to the Panel’s Consultation Paper. Our submission makes
This open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was published on 27 Nov 2023 by the For Every Child campaign. Parents Victoria is one of 52 organisations who have endorsed this letter. Here is the
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