Non-government schools, including faith-based schools, make up an important part of our nation’s educational landscape.
These schools contribute to the rich tapestry of cultural and religious diversity that underpins Australian multiculturalism.
Based on measures of need, these schools receive public funding to educate more than 1.5 million students across the nation.
Such funding should be accompanied by strong transparency and accountability measures to ensure that governments, families and the public can have confidence in how taxpayer funding is distributed and used.
Recent media reports, including the exposé on practices at Redeemer Baptist School and corruption investigations into spending by Catholic Schools NSW, have reinforced the need for greater transparency and accountability in the use of funding by non-government schools.
Improve accountability
The IEU has long advocated for improvements to funding accountability and transparency, including in the spending of funds targeted for students with identified learning needs. Recent developments demonstrate that reform can no longer be delayed.