Budget confirms capital funding promise

The Queensland State Budget has confirmed that Catholic schools will see an increase in capital funding over the next three years which will help meet demand for new and expanding schools.

Queensland Catholic Education Commission Executive Director Dr Lee-Anne Perry said the funding was promised during the election campaign and Catholic schools were pleased to see it delivered in the budget.

“The additional funding through the Capital Assistance Supplementary Scheme will mean Catholic schools can keep pace with demand,” Dr Perry said.

“Schools will share in $60 million per year for the non-government sector through the scheme, up from $45 million per year.

“With Catholic schools looking at an increase of more than 32,000 in enrolment by 2036, this additional capital funding is needed to support the building of new schools and the expansion of existing schools in high growth areas,” she said.

Dr Perry said Catholic schools would also share in $757 million in recurrent funding for the non-state sector.

“We will be looking further at the details of how recurrent funding has been allocated to ensure Catholic schools are receiving a fair allocation,” she said.

“We want to ensure that no Catholic school is disadvantaged by the arrangements laid out in the fine details that sit behind the budget. 

“We’ll also be talking further with the government about how Catholic schools can provide greater access to kindergarten for our youngest learners,” Dr Perry said.