Paid Pracs for Teaching (2024)
As announced in the 2024-25 Budget, the Australian Government introduced a Commonwealth Prac Payment of $331.65 per week (benchmarked to the single Austudy rate) from 1 July 2025 for tertiary students undertaking mandatory placements as part of their teaching, nursing, midwifery or social work. More information about the program can be found here.
Commonwealth Teaching Scholarships Program (2024-2028)
Announced in 2024, the Commonwealth Teaching Scholarships Program provides up to $40,000 to new undergraduate and up to $20,000 to new postgraduate teacher education students.
In return for a scholarship, recipients need to teach in government schools or government-run early learning settings after finishing their degree.
Scholarships are available over five rounds from 2024 to 2028 with up to 1,000 scholarships per year to be offered.
Commonwealth Teaching Scholarships Program application and eligibility
The Better and Fairer Schools Agreement (2025-2034)
The Better and Fairer Schools Agreement - Full and Fair Funding 2025-2034 (the Full and Fair Funding Agreement) is a joint agreement between the Commonwealth, states and territories to help create a better and fairer education system for all students.
Under the Full and Fair Funding Agreement, the Commonwealth has increased its contribution to 25 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) to put government schools on a pathway to 100 per cent of funding over the life of the agreement. This is subject to states and territories maintaining a share of at least 75 per cent of the SRS for public schools.
States and territories will also be required to remove the 4 per cent provision for indirect expenditure, such as capital depreciation, previously counted towards their funding share, and replace it with funding on eligible expenses.
The Full and Fair Funding Agreement commenced on 24 January 2025 and replaces the National School Reform Agreement which expired on 31 December 2024, and the Interim School Funding Agreement. It will run for 10 years from 24 January 2025 to 31 December 2034.
Additional Australian Government funding is tied to reforms that aim to help students catch up, keep up and finish school.
10 National Reform Directions in the agreement support the achievement of 3 national priority areas;
- equity and excellence
- wellbeing for learning and engagement
- a strong and sustainable workforce.
The Full and Fair Funding Agreement has been informed by several inputs including the findings and recommendations of:
- the Review to Inform a Better and Fairer Education System
- the Productivity Commission’s Review of the National School Reform Agreement.
ICPA Aust continues to be involved with informing reviews and participating in Education Minister Parent Roundtables (Nov 2025, March 2026)
Senate Standing Committee Inquiry Into Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport
Kim Hughes (Past ICPA Qld President); Wendy Hick (Past ICPA (Aust) President) and ICPA member Danielle Doyle were fortunate to be invited to speak at one of the panels on the Senate Standing Committees on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport into the operation, regulation and funding of air route service delivery to rural, regional and remote communities
The Federal Government has released a number of Reviews and Reforms pertinent to the advocacy within the ICPA Federal Rural Schools portfolio that members may find interesting.
Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training
This inquiry looked at the role of culture, family and community in delivering better education outcomes for students living in remote Australia and in complex environments. The Committee’s work took into consideration the initiatives in place to meet the unique learning needs of students in these areas and to address barriers that they may face when accessing education.
Report on Education in remote and complex environments
Independent Review into Regional, Rural and Remote Education
In 2017, the Australian Government commissioned an Independent Review into Regional, Rural and Remote Education (IRRRRE). The Review was part of the Australian Government's commitment to improve the education of country students so they can reach their full potential and participate in Australia's economy.
Independent Review into Regional, Rural and Remote Education
Senate Standing Committee Inquiry Into Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport into the operation, regulation and funding of air route service delivery to rural, regional and remote communities
An inquiry into the operation, regulation and funding of air route service delivery to rural, regional and remote communities.
