Public Schools Under 100 Students Get Funding Boost

• Funding increase in 2025 for small or remote schools with fewer than 100 students
• 128 public schools will share in the $4.7 million boost to ensure smaller schools can thrive
• From 2026, the additional investment will be doubled to an estimated $10 million per year

The Cook Government will inject $4.7 million into 128 schools with fewer than 100 students across WA, making sure they are not disadvantaged due to their size or location.

Public school principals running the State's smallest schools, particularly in regional areas, will benefit from the significant funding boost in 2025.

The additional funding for small schools is part of the wider full and fair funding targets outlined in the Better Fairer Schools Agreement (BFSA), signed in 2024 between the Federal Albanese Government and the Cook State Government.

Under the 10-year BFSA model, funding will be targeted to drive real improvements in the outcomes for Western Australia's public school students.

BFSA is designed to support students from low socio-economic backgrounds, regional and remote students, students with disability and Aboriginal students.

Schools in WA are funded via the student-centred funding model (SCFM), which includes an Enrolment-Linked Base (ELB) allocation to ensure that schools with smaller student populations can meet general operating costs.

The additional injection of funds through the ELB works to ensure that schools are not disadvantaged due to their size.

From 2026, the additional investment will be doubled to an estimated $10 million per year and provided to the schools on an ongoing basis.

An estimated breakdown of the additional funds for 2025 is provided by region in the table below, noting that the additional funding amounts will double from 2026.

Comments attributed to Education Minister Dr Tony Buti:

"Every school and every student in Western Australia should reach their full potential, regardless of their location or the size of the local population.

"Our aim is to give all students every opportunity to learn and thrive in their school setting, particularly in regional and remote parts of the State.

"This additional investment in small schools will ensure that they are able to meet rising operating costs, as well as provide funding for further initiatives to support small cohorts - such as classes with reduced numbers across multiple year groups.

"This funding initiative will continue and increase in 2026 to $10 million. It's part of this Government's commitment to full and fair funding that makes sure all students are supported."