On Tuesday, NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey handed down Labor's first budget for the state in more than a decade, announcing billions in extra funding for infrastructure projects, a historic pay rise for teachers and “cutting waste” so educators can focus on their core job.
The Minns Government will invest $3.5bn over four years towards 24 new and 51 upgraded primary and high schools in Western Sydney.
These include new high schools for Jordan Springs, Schofields/Tallawong, Gregory Hills/Gledswood Hills, Leppington/Denham Court and Melrose Park, and a new primary school for Sydney Olympic Park (Carter St precinct).
The Budget also allocated $1.4bn over four years for new schools in Regional NSW, including new high schools at Medowie and Googong and a new primary school at South Nowra, as well as schools “promised but never delivered by the former government.”
To tackle the state’s worsening school workforce shortages, the Minns Government confirmed that starting salaries will increase from $75,791 to $85,000, and salaries for those at the top of the scale increase from $113,042 to $122,100 from October 9, 2023.
“The four-year agreement is a nation-leading investment in our 95,000 teachers which will ensure our children are taught by teachers who know their contribution is valued. This offer will take some of the state’s teachers from the worst paid to the best paid in the country,” NSW Premier, Chris Minns said.
The Budget also took aim at “wasteful spending” in education, with Treasurer Mookhey announcing measures to save more than $37m over four years by reducing travel expenses across the Department of Education, TAFE NSW and NESA.
The Department will cut spending on external consultants, saving over $6 million over four years, and save more than $8m by managing legal costs. There will also be cuts to spending on advertising, saving $26m over four years, Mookhey said.