State Budget signals progress, but more needed to support Independent school families
Tuesday 5 May
INDEPENDENT Schools Victoria (ISV) has welcomed the announcement in today’s State Budget that indexation will be applied to payroll tax and that the threshold will increase, noting it as a constructive step forward following sustained engagement with the Victorian Government.
Chief Executive of ISV, Ms Rachel Holthouse, acknowledged the Education Minister’s willingness to listen and engage in good faith, noting the changes reflect the value of ongoing, evidence-based dialogue with the sector.
“We appreciate the constructive engagement with the Minister in the lead up to the Budget. These measures are a positive step and demonstrate how policy can be strengthened through open and collaborative discussion,” Ms Holthouse said.
While these changes are a step in the right direction, Ms Holthouse noted that further reform is needed to address ongoing cost pressures facing Independent schools and families.
“The cost pressures on Independent schools remain significant. Payroll tax is adding to those pressures and, in some cases, flowing through to fees making it harder for families to choose the education they want for their children”
— ISV Chief Executive, Rachel Holthouse.
More than one in six Victorian students (16.8 per cent) are now educated in an Independent school, reflecting strong and sustained family choice in the Independent sector.
ISV will continue to advocate for further changes to ensure funding settings remain fair and sustainable across the Independent school sector.
“We should not be heading toward a system where families are priced out of the school of their choice because of ill-considered tax enforced on a not-for-profit sector,” said Ms Holthouse.
For all media enquiries, please contact:
Siobhan Gleeson
Head of Corporate Affairs
03 9825 7216 I 0491 200 433
media@is.vic.edu.au