Independent and Catholic schools will receive hundreds of millions in new funding if Labor is re-elected.Credit:iStock
Federal seat McEwen,which covers state seat Yan Yean,had a -2 per cent swing against Labor in this year’s federal election. Similarly,the federal electorate of Hawke,which covers Melton,had a -2.59 per cent swing against the ALP.
Of the funding,$450 million will go towards building and upgrading Catholic and independent schools across the state,with Catholic schools receiving at least 70 per cent of the investment,in line with their share of students.
Andrews said the Melbourne Archdiocese has promised to match the Catholic school funding by 20 per cent.
“A third of families send their kids to low-fee Catholic schools and other low-fee independent schools,and choice has always been a really important part of our education system,” he said. “We know if we step in … that means parents pay lower fees.”
New schools promised in 2025/2026:
- New campus of Kolbe College,Donnybrook Road,Mickleham (Craigieburn Parish)
- New Catholic Primary School,Wollert (Epping Parish)
- Holy Trinity Primary School,Sunbury (Sunbury Parish)
- Mary,Queen of Heaven Primary School,Greenvale (Roxburgh Park Parish)
- St Lawrence of Brindisi Primary School,Weir Views (Melton South Parish)
Where possible,the government is also promising $250 million to build and upgrade about 60 kindergartens at Catholic and independent schools to allow for smooth drop-off for families with multiple children and to ensure all non-government kindergartens receive the standard non-government school rate of $3831 per enrolment.
The Smile Squad free dental van will also visit low-fee independent and Catholic schools from 2026 – saving on trips to the dentist – thanks to a $17 million pledge to expand its services.