Realising the potential of our kids

At a glance

From Free Kinder to Free TAFE – and everything in between – the Victorian Government invests in education.

This Government has opened 121 new schools since 2017 with a record 19 opened in 2026, and 2 more opening in 2027.

Since we’ve been in government, we have increased the number of registered teachers by more than 40,000.

And the investment is working – Victoria has some of the best schools in Australia. Victoria has recorded its best-ever NAPLAN results and continues to lead the nation.

Shaping the lives of young Victorians

The Victorian Government is transforming early childhood education through reforms to deliver more hours of quality education and care. 90% of a child’s brain develops before they turn 5, and play-based learning boosts social skills and literacy and lays the foundation for school.

Investing in early childhood education also supports parents – especially mothers – to return to work, increasing economic participation.

Victoria has one of the highest rates of kinder enrolment in Australia, and Free Kinder is saving families up to $2,700 a year per child on fees.

Last year, we invested an additional $846 million on Free Kinder for the next 3 years, bringing our total spend to over $2.5 billion.

Now, we’re continuing to roll out government-run Early Learning Victoria centres in areas where families need them most.

And we’re transforming Four-Year-Old Kinder with more hours, gradually increasing from 15 hours a week up to 30 hours a week by 2036.

We’re also ensuring early childhood services are safe places for children to play and learn, investing an additional $26 million into the new Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority, delivering on the Rapid Child Safety review.

Building kindergartens and childcare centres

We’re also investing in new and expanded kindergartens and government-run Early Learning Victoria centres.

New kindergartens are built on or near public schools wherever possible, helping families avoid the stress of the double drop-off between school and kinder. This Budget invests $201 million to deliver up to 22 new kindergartens on or near public school sites.

We’re investing nearly half a billion dollars to build and expand kindergartens and Early Learning Victoria centres, including:

• $180 million in grants to deliver 27 new and expanded kindergartens and childcare centres.
• $71 million for 5 government-owned Early Learning Victoria centres in communities where demand for childcare outstrips the places available. This means we have funded 40 out of 50 government-run Early Learning Victoria centres, giving families the choice to return to work.
• $9.8 million for grants to improve and upgrade early childhood infrastructure, enhancing the quality and amenity of learning environments.

Investing in schools

We’re investing in new and better schools, helping students engage and participate in the classroom, and supporting the educators who make it all possible.

This Budget brings our total investment in building new schools, and maintaining and upgrading existing schools, to $20 billion over the past 12 years.

We’re investing $420 million to build 4 brand new schools and campuses, and construct additional stages at Homestead Senior Secondary College in Wyndham, Wulerrp Secondary College in Casey and Yubup Primary School in Hume.

We’re also starting planning and early works for 3 more new schools and campuses.

As well as building new schools, we’re investing in education infrastructure across Victoria, including:

• $552 million for school building maintenance and compliance, delivering high-quality spaces for learning, including to make school buildings more accessible for students and staff with disabilities.
• $295 million to upgrade 31 schools across Victoria, including upgrades to visual and performing arts spaces, sports facilities and learning spaces.
• $217 million for modular classrooms to provide flexible spaces for learning at schools where they’re needed including at Broadford Secondary College.
• $104 million to acquire land for new schools and new campuses, including in Cardinia, Greater Geelong, Melbourne, Hume, Mitchell and Wyndham.
• $25 million for minor works such as upgrading bathrooms and fixing roofs.
• $22 million to begin planning for future new schools.

We’re investing in new and better schools, helping students engage and participate in the classroom, and supporting the educators who make it all possible.

This Budget brings our total investment in building new schools, and maintaining and upgrading existing schools, to $20 billion over the past 12 years.

We’re investing $420 million to build 4 brand new schools and campuses, and construct additional stages at Homestead Senior Secondary College in Wyndham, Wulerrp Secondary College in Casey and Yubup Primary School in Hume.

We’re also starting planning and early works for 3 more new schools and campuses.

As well as building new schools, we’re investing in education infrastructure across Victoria, including:

• $552 million for school building maintenance and compliance, delivering high-quality spaces for learning, including to make school buildings more accessible for students and staff with disabilities.
• $295 million to upgrade 31 schools across Victoria, including upgrades to visual and performing arts spaces, sports facilities and learning spaces.
• $217 million for modular classrooms to provide flexible spaces for learning at schools where they’re needed including at Broadford Secondary College.
• $104 million to acquire land for new schools and new campuses, including in Cardinia, Greater Geelong, Melbourne, Hume, Mitchell and Wyndham.
• $25 million for minor works such as upgrading bathrooms and fixing roofs.
• $22 million to begin planning for future new schools.

Investing in quality teaching and learning excellence

High-quality learning comes from high-quality teaching. That’s why we’re boosting teachers’ professional development in and outside the classroom to improve student outcomes, tailoring school to community needs and continuing assistance for students requiring additional support.

This year, the Victorian Government is investing $158 million in initiatives that support our teacher workforce to deliver the best outcomes for students including:

• $62 million to provide interpreting and translating services and continue support to the English as an Additional Language program.
• $49 million to boost teacher leadership skills through the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership, with a range of training programs.
• $24 million to support best practice teaching and learning in schools, including $1.8 million to support teachers with implementation of the Year 1 Phonics Check.
• $21 million to deliver critical school workforce reforms to support teachers.

Reforming the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority

The Victorian Government is acting to restore confidence in the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) following a root and branch review.

This Budget invests $222 million into the VCAA, including funding to deliver on the review’s recommendations.

Every year, the VCAA develops and delivers over 100 VCE exams, for more than 70,000 students across Victoria.

The initiatives in this Budget will improve governance and invest in stronger IT systems and digital infrastructure.

These changes will help deliver a more robust and accountable VCAA in 2026 and beyond, so students and families have confidence in our assessment authority.

Supports for Victorians with disabilities

The Victorian Government is making sure children with disabilities are supported to learn, investing $2.2 billion to support students with disability in schools.

This includes:

• $2.1 billion to provide individualised disability support in schools for students with complex needs.
• $39 million for the students with disabilities transport program.
• $29 million for more accessible school buildings.
• $24 million for High Intensity Outside School Hours Care.

This, along with other disability supports, brings this Budget’s total investment to $4.7 billion for people with disability.

Investing in vocational learning

Vocational learning provides hands-on experience so that young people are ready to start their career in a trade as soon as they finish school.

It’s an important way to make sure our state has skilled workers for in-demand industries, and it allows young people to build their skills and experience without leaving school.

The Victorian Government has introduced generational reforms to skills training with the VCE Vocational Major (VM) – a 2-year program within the VCE that equips students with the skills they need to start work.

More than 30,000 school students enrolled in the VCE VM in 2025 – an increase of more than 36% since the program began in 2023.

We have also expanded access to VET, delivering industry-specific training at schools and TAFE, and invested in apprentices to help develop the next generation of tradies.

Through these reforms, we’re making it easier for young people with an interest in a trade to get a good job as soon as they finish school.

This Budget invests $137 million in vocational learning and skills, including:

• $69 million to support delivery of VET and applied learning in secondary schools.
• $46 million to continue the Head Start program, supporting students in Years 10 to 12 to participate in a school-based apprenticeship and traineeship program.
• $13 million to continue connecting early school leavers with further education, training or employment pathways.
• $2.1 million to continue the Work-Based Learning Application, making it easier for parents and families to enrol young people in work experience programs.
• $2.1 million to continue the Vocational Taster Experiences pilot, giving young people the chance to try different careers to find the right fit.