7 May 2026
The Finocchiaro CLP Government's 2026-27 budget includes an increase of $48.3 million for Government Schools bringing their total funding to $1.03 billion and $14.3 million more for non-government schools, bringing their total funding to $351.9 million.Minister for Education and Training Jo Hersey has made it clear she expects real outcomes from the increased funding.From term 3, the Department of Education and Training will spend $250,000 on launching a new ad campaign in partnership with industry and sporting representatives such as AFL NT, targeted at parents and children about why its important children go to school.
The Finocchiaro CLP Government is investing a record $1.73 Billion in education and training, focusing on reducing persistent truancy in Northern Territory children to reduce crime and rebuild the Territory's economy.
The CLP Government's responsible and disciplined budget for the everyday Territorian includes an increase of $48.3 million for Government Schools bringing their total funding to $1.03 billion and $14.3 million more for non-government schools, bringing their total funding to $351.9 million.
The increased funding is due to the Northern Territory and Commonwealth funding through the Better Fairer Schools agreement.
With the additional funding to Schools, Minister for Education and Training Jo Hersey has made it clear she expects real outcomes from the increased funding.
"This budget builds on the foundations of the 2025-26 budget, continuing our work to reduce crime, rebuild the economy and restore our Territory lifestyle," Mrs Hersey said.
"Education and Training is critical to reducing crime, a safer Territory is essential to restoring confidence and enabling economic growth.
"We know that Education and Training opportunities are key to reducing crime, and this budget provides students with real opportunities and pathways to real employment."
CEO of the Department of Education and Training, Susan Bowden said: "Our expectation is, organisations that receive funding from the Department must focus on outcomes not output.
"Their focus must be on activities or programs that get children to school and keep them at school.
"By the start of next term every school must have a mandatory attendance plan.
"This will form part of their Annual School Improvement Plans, with a key focus on re-engaging students on the intensive support roll and boosting school attendance.
"Schools with a high level of disengaged students returning to school will receive extra support from the Department to manage their transition back to school."
Key investments in this year's budget include:
$1.03 Billion for Government Education.$351.9 million for Non-Government Education.$120.8 million for Training and Higher Education.$110 million for the construction of the Palmerston Secondary Special Education School.$30.2 million to support apprenticeships and traineeships.$14.6 million to attract and keep teachers in Government schools.$13.7 million to get schools back-to-basics through the boosting literacy and numeracy plan.$12.3 million for School Attendance Officers.$9.5 million for Rosebery and Driver Secondary School upgrades.$3.5 million for Ali Curung School upgrades.$3.4 million to bring more qualified counsellors to schools.$3 million for free swimming lessons for all Territory Primary School students (Government and Non-Government).
In response to stagnant attendance levels and an increase in students on the intensive support roll, Department of Education and Training school engagement advisors role will shift to supporting parents of chronically disengaged children who have been referred to the Commonwealth for income management.
From term 3 2026, when a student is placed on the Intensive Support Roll, it will trigger a letter going to the students' family, and the Department's school engagement advisors will make contact with the family, advising them if their child doesn't return to school, they will be referred for income management.
School engagement advisors will outline the support available to families to assist with getting their children back to school.
A target will be set to reduce the number of the students on the intensive support roll to less than 800 by the end of the 2026 school year, and 500 by the end of the 2027 calendar year.
"The message is simple, get your children to school or be income managed, if you don't want to be income managed, take some responsibility of your children and get them to school," Minister Hersey added.
From Term 3, the Department of Education and Training will spend $250,000 on launching a new ad campaign in partnership with industry and sporting representatives such as AFL NT, targeted at parents and children about why its important children go to school.
The ads will feature on TV, YouTube, social media and in every school.
