By Denis Hay
Descriptions
Free education in Australia is possible now. Discover why public money must go to public schools and how monetary sovereignty makes it happen.
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Introduction – Free Learning Is a Public Right
STAT BOX
According to the Australian Government Schools Funding Report 2022, the Commonwealth supplied approximately $16 billion to non‑government schools (private) and $9.9 billion to government (public) schools in 2022 alone, totalling $25.9 billion in federal assistance that year.
Source: Australian Government Schools Funding Report 2022
What happened to the idea of free education in Australia? For decades, our public schools opened the door to opportunity for every child, no matter their postcode. But now, ordinary Australians face skyrocketing school costs, underfunded classrooms, and a system tilted towards the wealthy.
The truth is, this didn’t just happen; it was a political choice. Neoliberal governments chose to fund private privilege instead of public purpose. But here’s the thing: we have the power to fix it. We can reclaim this right because Australia has the monetary sovereignty to make free education in Australia a reality for every citizen.
So, why aren’t we?
The Problem – Why Australians Feel Stuck
1. Neoliberalism Damaged Public Education
Let’s be clear: public education funding has been deliberately redirected toward private and religious schools. Neoliberal ideology pushed the false idea that competition would drive quality, but all it has done is entrench inequality.
Private schools enjoy new sports centres and STEM labs, while public schools hold raffles to fix leaking roofs. Is this fair? As Australians, we value a fair go, so why do we accept a two-tiered education system?
Related reading: Why Neoliberalism in Australia Harms People and Planet
2. Families Forced to Pay More for Less
Textbooks, excursions, “voluntary” contributions, these costs are crushing families. Teachers are stretched to the breaking point. TAFE, once a lifeline for trades and skills, is a shadow of its former self.
What’s the result? A generation of students is falling behind. And all while private schools receive public subsidies. Why are taxpayers funding exclusivity and choice, while public schools go without?
Free education in Australia would change this if we had the courage to prioritise people over profit.
The Impact – What Australians Are Experiencing
3. Learning Inequality in Everyday Life
Imagine two Year 10 students, one at a government school in regional Queensland, the other at a top-tier private school in Sydney. One has a Chromebook and out-of-date textbooks. The other has access to AI tools, language labs, and excursions to Canberra.
This isn’t a gap. It’s a chasm. It tells students from less privileged backgrounds they’re worth less.
When world-class education depends on wealth, we lose not just potential but our national integrity.
Related reading: How Australia’s Dollar Sovereignty Unlocks Progress
4. Who Profits from This System?
Private schools are not charities. They charge fees, select students, and boast multimillion-dollar surpluses, yet billions in public money prop them up.
This is public money that should go to classrooms where most children learn. It’s a system that rewards privilege and punishes those who are struggling.
Who decided to shift funding from public to private? And why aren’t our politicians reversing it?
The Solution – What Must Be Done
5. Dollar Sovereignty Is the Key to Educational Justice
As the issuer of its own currency, Australia can never run out of dollars. We fund wars, corporate bailouts, and sports stadiums, so why not education?
Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) shows us the constraint isn’t money; it’s real resources and political will. We don’t need to “find the money.” We need to stop pretending we’re financially limited when we’re not.
Explore further: How Australia Can Smash Monetary Myths.
6. Policy Blueprint for Free, Equal Education
Here’s what a better future looks like:
- Fully fund all public schools to meet minimum standards.
- End all government subsidies to private and religious schools.
- Make all TAFE and university education tuition-free.
- Boost teacher salaries to attract and keep skilled educators.
- Ensure proper staffing, resources, and student support services.
- Build new schools in high-growth, underserved areas.
This is not just possible. It is urgent. We can do better. We must do better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is free education in Australia really affordable?
Yes. Free education in Australia is entirely affordable because of our monetary sovereignty. The government can invest directly in education without raising taxes or borrowing. What we need is political courage.
Q2: Why stop public funding of private schools?
Because public money should go where it helps the most, private schools already charge fees, select their students, and often have more resources than public schools. They are not open to everyone, so why should taxpayers fund them?
If a school wants to operate privately, it should be funded privately. Public money should serve public purpose, like fully funding schools that accept all children, regardless of income, ability, or background.
Q3: What does “world-class education” really mean?
It means every child has access to qualified teachers, modern facilities, inclusive support, and rich learning experiences, regardless of income or location.
Q4: What about vocational training and TAFE?
TAFE should be revitalised as part of a national education system, free, respected, and adequately resourced.
Final Thoughts – Time to Choose Fairness Over Privilege
Let’s stop pretending we’re broke when we’re not. Let’s stop rewarding private schools with public cash while public school children go without.
Free education in Australia is not just a moral obligation, it’s a practical necessity for a fairer, smarter, and more cohesive society. If we truly value equality and opportunity, then free education in Australia must be restored as a national priority.
Imagine an Australia where every child can dream big and learn freely, without worrying about cost or postcode. That future is possible if we demand it now.
What’s Your Experience?
Have rising school costs affected your family? Do you believe free education in Australia should be restored? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Studies show no academic advantage between public and private school students when they attend university. Privilege is related to other things besides education. Our comprehensive high schools do a very good job.
I recall, some years ago, a wealthy grandparent wanting to choose the very best school for his grandchild. In a letter to the Sydney Morning Herald he told how he decided that it should be a toss up between the school with top mark in the highest level of English or Mathematics. This turned out to be a decision between Bowral High School for English or Mt. Druit High for Maths.
Thank you, Lyndal, for such a grounded and insightful contribution.
You’re absolutely right, research consistently shows that when public and private school students reach university, their academic performance is often very similar. What tends to make a difference isn’t the type of school but the broader support systems around a student: stability, nutrition, access to healthcare, emotional safety, and, as you mentioned, privilege in all its forms.
Your anecdote about the grandparent choosing between Bowral High and Mt Druitt High is a powerful reminder that excellence exists in all corners of our public system, often against great odds. Our comprehensive high schools continue to do incredible work, often with fewer resources.
That’s exactly why public money should go where it delivers the greatest return for the whole community, not just where it reinforces privilege. A properly funded public system gives every child a fair go, no matter where they live or what their background.
Thanks again for adding such a meaningful example to the conversation.