17 October 2025
MEDIA RELEASE
Union wins major independent review to address chronic under-resourcing of ACT public schools
A union-led campaign has secured an independent review of ACT public school resourcing- preventing tens of millions of dollars in cuts and forcing the government to address a system in crisis.
The review, announced today by the government, is a direct result of advocacy by the AEU ACT Branch after revealing in July that 77 of 92 public schools—84% of all public schools—were operating over their allocated budgets.
“This is a win for every teacher, student, and family in the ACT,” said AEU ACT Branch President Angela Burroughs. “The government was preparing to slash school budgets. Instead, they’re now forced to confront the systemic under-resourcing that has stretched our schools to breaking point.”
“We called for an independent review to put an end to blame shifting and to focus on the system-level problem of chronic under-resourcing of ACT public schools. The review cannot start soon enough.”
Fundamental gaps in workforce planning
“The first task for this review is ensuring that baseline resourcing guarantees a teacher in every classroom, for every lesson,” Ms Burroughs said.
“It is unacceptable that students should have their classes split, collapsed or cancelled and miss out having a teacher because the ACT Government has not resourced its schools correctly.”
“The system is seriously stretched. Staffing shortages are real. Some schools cannot operate a full five-day timetable because they don’t have enough staff, yet somehow they are being told they have exceeded their staffing budget.”
Major reforms need proper resourcing
“The panel is also charged with determining the additional staffing and resources needed to deliver government initiatives. Major reform is being implemented to strengthen literacy and numeracy education, and to roll out a new inclusive education strategy,” Ms Burroughs said.
“For these reforms to succeed and make a difference to students, we have to be confident that the plans are resourced.”
Teachers doing more with less
“Every day our members do their absolute best to meet the needs of every student. Yet our members tell us they do not have the resources to meet the expectations placed on them,” said Ms Burroughs.
In a February 2025 survey of AEU members, more than 90% of respondents said that the education directorate is not adequately resourced to implement all its strategic initiatives. Almost 60% said that they do not have adequate support for working with students with complex needs.
Community support essential for change
The union noted the importance of community support for public schools and called on supporters of public education to continue to put pressure on the government.
“Securing this review is an important first step, but our work doesn’t stop here. We will continue to mobilise community support to ensure the government delivers on the future our students deserve,” Ms Burroughs said.
Media contact: Angela Burroughs, ph. 6272 7900, aeuact@aeuact.org.au