General News
4 December, 2025
P-12 College cash hit
Schools across the region could be $640 a student worse off from next year with the hit tipped to cost them $900 a student within two years.
VICTORIA’S P12 schools are to be stripped of vital funding by the State Government.
Schools across the region could be $640 a student worse off from next year with the hit tipped to cost them $900 a student within two years.
Concern for the hit on schools offering classes from prep to Year 12, including Charlton, was raised in State Parliament last week by the Member for Murray Plains, Peter Walsh.
Mr Walsh said Victoria’s financial mess has reached the point where cuts are the only way forward – and that’s where the Allan Government was now going.
He says “everyone knows, and it has been widely reported” Victoria’s state schools are the most poorly funded in the country.
“The Allan Labor government has claimed – and I quote – ‘Victoria’s vision for the Education State is to deliver excellence in every classroom, in every corner of the state’,” Mr Walsh said. “Except, obviously, in Boort.
“Schools have been told that they will be able to write-off debt next year but principals say 2027 will be ‘the pinch year’.”
“We will use all our savings to get through next year,” one regional principal said this week.
“After that, we will be losing teachers, support staff ... kids will have limited options”.
A Government spokesperson told NCN Herald on Monday: “We are continuing to ensure every dollar families invest in their child’s education directly benefits their child today on their school journey. “We have made a number of changes to the 2026 indicative school budgets, including changes to the P12 complexity allowance, to simplify school budget line items for business managers and principals.”
“Following consultation with schools, adjustments are also being made to the School Carryover Policy that will enable small rural P12 schools to maintain existing programs - ensuring our students receive the world-class education they deserve.”
P12 complexity allowance follow a report to the State Government in June.
The independent review into administrative and compliance activities in Victorian government schools made multiple recommendations on school administration, finances, resources and governance. The report recommendations included a review of financial requirements against red tape reduction principles to reduce workload that is not purposeful.
The Government said it would consider the recommendations.
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