The Allan Labor Government is cutting the ‘Complexity Allowance’ for P-12 schools that will impact schools like Orbost, Cann River and Mallacoota and Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, wants it reversed.
“I have had correspondence from one of the local schools stating this cut will decrease the capacity to offer the same breadth of VCE studies and reduce classroom support for individual students,” Mr Bull said.
“In a period when we are working to close the gap in educational outcomes between the city and country, we have decisions like this being made when they should be getting more support.”
The P–12 Complexity Allowance, part of the Student Resource Package (SRP), provides additional funding to schools that combine primary and secondary education, recognising the unique administrative and operational challenges of a P–12 setting.
This funding has been critical for schools across the Gippsland East electorate.
“The recent SRP changes, which phases out the P-12 complexity allowance over several years, will have significant and long-lasting impacts,” Mr Bull said.
“Once these cuts are fully implemented, schools will face reduced VCE subject offerings, limiting pathways for senior students, and fewer VET and applied learning opportunities, which are essential for local employment readiness.
“In addition, this funding has allowed schools to provide tailored academic and wellbeing programs, including literacy and numeracy intervention, mentoring, and social and emotional support.
“Schools in our electorate already struggle to attract and retain high-quality staff, and these cuts will only make matters worse. Despite using their existing resources efficiently and achieving excellent results, our schools are being unfairly penalised by the Allan Labor Government.
“Labor cannot manage education, and regional Victorian students are paying the price.”
