Released 27/05/2026
Today marks a generational shift for public schooling in the ACT – building one coordinated public education system to deliver greater equity, consistency and long-term sustainability for students, the workforce, families and schools.
The new Future of Education: One public education system will create opportunity, strengthen fairness, level the playing field and ensure every child, no matter their background, can build a good life.
This reform is the centrepiece of the ACT Government’s interim response to an independent review of public school system resourcing, released today.
A key recommendation of the report is that the ACT’s public education system should shift from a legacy of autonomous schools to become a single public education system. The ACT Government has agreed to this recommendation and will move towards a coordinated system that is more consistent and equitable.
This change builds on the foundations commenced under the Future of Education Strategy, as well as ongoing work to deliver consistency in both evidence-based literacy and numeracy education through Strong Foundations and support for students with disability and diverse learning needs through the Inclusive Education Strategy.
“The Expert Panel report confirms what many in our school communities have been telling us – that the challenges facing schools today require a system‑wide response,” Minister for Education and Early Childhood Yvette Berry said.
“We’re better when we work together. Schools are stronger when they’re part of a system. This is the change we need.
“A stronger system will free up schools and teachers to do what they do best – teaching students. And a fairer system will ensure schools have what they need to deliver for all students, now and into the future.
“This is a deliberate and significant shift in how we deliver public education in the ACT.”
The Expert Panel report gives us a blueprint for a fairer public education system. The panel made 25 recommendations, to which the ACT Government has agreed to 18 and agreed in principle to the remaining seven.
“This kind of system-wide change will take time – it is a significant change to the way our schools operate and that takes time to get right,” Minister Berry said.
“But this change is ultimately about ensuring every child, regardless of which public school they attend, can expect consistent and high‑quality teaching, support and resourcing. I know from talking to stakeholders, teachers, parents and students, that that’s what people want.
“I look forward to seeing the benefits of this reform roll out across one public education system over the coming years.”
An investment in the 2026-27 Budget of $9.3 million is the first step of this reform – getting started on the transition from school-by-school operations to system-wide support.
The funding includes:
- $5.3 million for stronger system supports for schools, including HR, financial, infrastructure and leadership support.
- $2 million to review the school funding model.
- $2 million to establish new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander governance arrangements.
The Education Directorate will establish an implementation team to deliver on these commitments over the next two years.
The Expert Panel report and interim Government response is available at Education Directorate - ACT Government.
- Statement ends -
Yvette Berry, MLA | Media Releases