Schools For Our Future Inquiry Travels to Perth
Australian Education Union Media Release 31st March 2026
The Australian Education Union is bringing its Australia-first national inquiry into public school infrastructure to Perth today, focusing on how targeted investment can deliver world-class learning environments for every Western Australian student.
The inquiry, chaired by Sharan Burrow AC, is travelling the country to hear directly from teachers, Governments and community organisations about how school infrastructure can support high-quality teaching and learning now and into the future. The inquiry will also visit schools which have unmet infrastructure needs and those schools that have seen recent state government investment so we can ascertain what is working well and what needs to be improved.
AEU Federal President Correna Haythorpe said Western Australia has a strong foundation to build on, but sustained investment is needed to ensure every school benefits.
“We know WA has public schools with facilities that are too often outdated, overcrowded or not fit for purpose. There are also examples of schools that have had significant investment,” Ms Haythorpe said.
“We see the incredible impact that high-quality facilities can have when schools are properly resourced. The challenge now is uplifting every public school, so all students have access to high quality learning facilities.”
Consultations in Perth will begin with the WA Education Minister Sabine Winton and bring together principals, teachers, and community organisations to identify practical solutions and long-term priorities for school infrastructure investment in Western Australia.
New data highlights why action is needed. Commonwealth investment in public school infrastructure in WA has declined sharply over the past decade, falling from an average of 31.6% of total capital funding between 2009 and 2017 to just 1.0% between 2018 and 2024.
“In 2024, the Commonwealth contribution to capital works in WA public schools was effectively zero. That’s not sustainable if we are serious about delivering world-class public education,” Ms Haythorpe said.
“There is a real opportunity right now for the state and federal government to work together and invest in the schools our communities need.”
Ms Haythorpe said the inquiry is focused on solutions and long-term planning.
“This is about getting the settings right for the future. We must ensure our schools have the infrastructure to meet growing student needs and support high-quality teaching,” she said.
“Teachers in WA cannot be expected to deliver 21st century learning in facilities designed for decades past. With the right investment, we can ensure every child in Western Australia learns in a school that is safe, modern and built for success.”
The Perth roundtable forms part of a nationwide consultation process that will inform recommendations to governments on how to deliver equitable, future-focused public school infrastructure across Australia.
