Record investment in education to benefit students and create jobs

  • State Budget includes a total of $5.5 billion for education in 2020-21
  • McGowan Government to invest $456.23 million in school facilities in 2020-21
  • $489 million invested in WA schools as part of WA Recovery Plan
  • Capital works to support jobs for Western Australians and help with the State’s recovery
  • The McGowan Government will invest $456.23 million in 2020-21 to improve public school infrastructure in Western Australia and create jobs.

    The State Budget includes a total of $5.5 billion for school education in 2020-21, an increase of $225.8 million or 4.3 per cent from the previous year.

    Enrolment growth in Western Australian public schools remains strong with an extra 6,169 students enrolled in public schools in Semester 1, 2020 compared to Semester 1, 2019. Public school enrolment growth of 22,180 students or seven per cent is forecast over the four years from 2020 to 2024.

    As part of the WA Recovery Plan, more than $492 million of new funding has been committed to modernise Western Australian public schools over the next four years. This includes:

    • construction on the Stage 2 expansion of Bob Hawke College ($57.6 million) increasing the capacity of the school to 2 000 students;
    • stage 1 of a new secondary school in Piara Waters including an education support centre will open for the start of the 2023 school year at a cost of $60 million;
    • works on Stage 2 of Ridge View Secondary College will commence at a total cost of $29.9 million, with construction expected to be completed for the 2023 school year;
    • planning will commence for upgrades and expansions at Carine ($32 million), and Kalamunda ($18.3 million) Senior High Schools;
    • a new classroom block will be provided at Australind Senior High School ($15 million) and a new oval at Margaret River Senior High School ($6.3 million);
    • a new performance arts centre and sports hall at Pinjarra Senior High School ($10.4 million);
    • in addition, a significant investment of new funding in regional schools includes $22 million upgrades at Karratha Senior High School and a $42 million rebuild at Roebourne District High School;
    • redevelopment of Lynwood Senior High School ($18.3 million) will commence;
    • planning will commence to construct education support facilities at Canning Vale College ($3.9 million) and at Lakeland Senior High School ($5.5 million) to open in the 2022 school year;
    • upgrades to education support facilities at three other schools costing $740 000 in 2020-21 and $4.9 million over the next four years;
    • refurbishments and upgrades at 24 primary schools at a total cost of $6.9 million in 2020-21 and $65.8 million over the next four years including rebuilds of Lesmurdie ($15.2 million) and Westminster ($10 million) Primary Schools; and
    • major additions and refurbishments at a further 28 secondary schools at a cost of $10.7 million in 2020-21 and $84.7 million over the next four years.

    The McGowan Government has committed $39.6 million for Semester 2, 2020 to ensure schools can continue an enhanced cleaning regime.

    The High Priority Maintenance and Minor Works Program will continue to be rolled out around the State with funds allocated to every public school to address high priority maintenance needs and minor works and support jobs. A total of $200 million has been invested across 2019-20 and 2020-21.

    Construction of new primary schools will include:

    • construction of five new primary schools at a total cost of $78.3 million which will open in 2021:
      • North Harrisdale Primary School ($18.3 million);
      • Pine View Primary School in Baldivis ($17 million);
      • Yarralinka Primary School in Southern River ($7.2 million – Stage 1);
      • Yanchep Rise Primary School ($17.3 million); and
      • Brabham Primary School ($18.5 million).
    • planning for five new primary schools to open in 2022 and 2023 in Forrestdale, Treeby-Banjup, Burns Beach, Alkimos and Wellard continues with a total cost of $116.2 million;
    • work continues on the rebuild of Yanchep Lagoon Primary School at a cost of $15 million;
    • construction continues for a permanent two storey building at Victoria Park Primary School to increase capacity at a cost of $7.1 million; and
    • a further $144 million has been allocated from 2020-21 to 2023-24 to construct new primary schools.

    Upgrades and redevelopments will take place at the following schools:

    • construction continues for the second stage of Yanchep Secondary College at an estimated cost of $13.7 million;
    • redevelopment of Balcatta Senior High School to expand and upgrade facilities will continue at a cost of $50 million, with works expected to be completed in 2021;
    • works continue at Darling Range Sports College to upgrade specialist facilities and general classrooms at a cost of $10 million;
    • construction will commence for a major upgrade at John Forrest Secondary College to replace outdated specialist facilities at a cost of $50 million;
    • facilities are being refurbished at Kinross College at a cost of $2.5 million;
    • construction to expand the capacity at Mount Lawley Senior High School is due to be completed in 2021 at a cost of $4 million; and
    • works have commenced at Wanneroo Senior High School for a new sports hall and hard courts worth $5 million.

    The McGowan Government continues to deliver on its election commitment to boost science in schools to prepare students for future jobs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

    A total of $12 million has been invested to provide 200 primary schools with science laboratories by 2021. To date, 163 have been completed with 37 due for completion by the end of 2020. In addition, schools have been provided with additional funding totalling $5 million to purchase science equipment for their new laboratories.

    For more 2020-21 State Budget information, visit https://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au

    As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:

    “We’re committed to investing in high-quality infrastructure and facilities at public schools in Western Australia.

    “This year, students will also benefit from the significant investment in upgrading and expanding schools as part of the WA Recovery Plan, creating improved learning environments, as well as jobs for local workers.

    “I am proud to see our election commitment to install science laboratories in 200 primary schools almost complete.

    “New primary and secondary schools will provide modern learning environments for families in Perth’s new and growing suburbs.”

    /Public Release. View in full here.