The student resource standard (SRS) is a needs-based funding benchmark created as part of the Gonski school funding reforms. Under the current schools funding agreement between the commonwealth and the states, public schools receive 75% of the SRS from the states and 20% from the commonwealth, leaving a 5% gap.
NSW and Victoria have urged new federal education minister Jason Clare to close the gap, with Clare indicating that revisiting the Gonski reforms will be one of his first priorities:
“I will be seeking a commitment from the federal government that they will lift their funding contribution to NSW public schools by 5%,” [NSW education minister, Sarah Mitchell] told Guardian Australia.
