The Palaszczuk Government will invest a record $16.5 billion in school and early childhood education in the upcoming state budget, with hundreds of infrastructure projects to improve schools from the Gold Coast to the Cape.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said another five new schools would be opened in 2025 and 2026, while existing buildings would be expanded and improved thanks to more than $1.9 billion in infrastructure investment supporting thousands of jobs.
“I am proud that yet again my government is delivering a record investment in education,” the Premier said.
“Projects to provide new and enhanced school buildings right across Queensland will support nearly 4200 jobs and ensure our youngest Queenslanders can learn in state-of-the-art facilities.
“It’s another example of the Palaszczuk Government creating more jobs and delivering even better services right across Queensland.
“Investing in our state’s future and the future of young Queenslanders is what Labor governments do.”
Education Minister Grace Grace said this was the Palaszczuk Government’s eighth record budget for school and early childhood education.
“We are committed to giving all Queensland children the best possible start in life, no matter where they live,” Ms Grace said.
“Under the $3 billion Building Future Schools program, the Palaszczuk Government continues to deliver schools for our fastest growing areas.
“We have opened 21 since 2015, have 11 more planned for 2023 and 2024, and today we are announcing another five for 2025 and 2026.
“Those five schools will be in Caboolture, Caloundra, Ripley, Flagstone, and Bahrs Scrub.
“The budget also includes funding of nearly $220 million over two years for additional classrooms at existing schools experiencing in-catchment enrolment growth.”
Minister Grace said there would be around $650 million over the next five years for renewal projects at existing schools.
“The Palaszczuk Government delivers for all of Queensland, and that’s why we’ll invest around $650 million on hundreds of infrastructure upgrades right across the state,” she said.
“That includes $181.5 million for major renewal projects at 36 schools, $108.9 million for six special schools, $43.2 million for projects in all 18 discrete communities, $20 million for playground and tuckshop upgrades, and $3.6 million to plan and design 18 new school halls and performing arts centres.
“There will also be $5 million from our maintenance budget set aside especially for painting projects at our smaller schools.
“The budget also includes an additional $263 million invested over four years and $77 million in ongoing annual funding to support the continued provision of universal access to kindergarten for Queensland children.
“This additional funding is part of our kindergarten funding reform package worth more than $1 billion over five years,” she said.
“Funding for kindergartens for 2022-23 is $260.5 million.
“We continue to invest heavily in kindergarten because we know how important early childhood education is to set our students up for success at school and in life.”
The budget also includes:
- 675 extra teachers and nearly 200 extra teacher aides in 2022-23
- The $100 million, four-year Go for Gold Fund for new and upgraded sports infrastructure for schools across the state
- $80.6 million over three years to support schools to transition to a new resourcing model for students with disability
- $15.5 million over three years to support all Queensland state schools in implementing respectful relationships education as part of the government’s response to the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce
- $13.3 million in 2022-23 to expand the partnership with Queensland-based charity Share the Dignity, giving all state schools the opportunity to install a vending machine that provides free period products
- $5.6 million over four years to Former Origin Greats (FOGS) Queensland to continue to support the delivery of the Achieving Results Through Indigenous Education (ARTIE) Program for up to 2000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Queensland state schools
