Public schools across Western Australia are set to receive more support for students with complex behaviours and learning challenges, thanks to a major funding boost from the Cook Government.
Education Minister Sabine Winton has announced $16.5 million in funding over two years to expand the Complex Behaviour Support Coordinators initiative.
The number of full-time coordinators will increase to 64, supporting 192 schools.
“This is another step in the work the Cook Government is doing to reduce the workload of teachers so they can focus on helping our young people prepare for the future,” Ms Winton said.
An additional $21.8 million has also been committed to the Small Group Tuition Initiative. The program will help students with literacy and numeracy in 350 public schools across the state.
“These important initiatives provide support for those students who need it most,” Ms Winton said. “These measures will also free up the time of teachers so they can focus on what they do best teaching.”
The funding is part of a larger agreement with the Commonwealth Government, expected to deliver an extra $1.6 billion in education funding for WA public schools from 2025 to 2029.
The Workload Intensification Taskforce will track the rollout and outcomes of both initiatives.
Local schools like Yale Primary in Thornlie are already seeing the benefits. Member for Thornlie Colleen Egan recently visited the school with Federal Education Minister Jason Clare and Federal Member for Burt Matt Keogh.
“It was great to join the Federal Education Minister, Jason Clare, and Federal Member for Burt Matt Keogh at Yale Primary School to see how the Albanese and Cook Labor Governments’ investment is making a real difference,” Ms Egan said.
“Yale Primary is already putting the Complex Behaviour Support Coordinators initiative to work in innovative ways, developing a student-led program to improve attendance through class competitions and positive engagement.”
She said the school’s approach shows how targeted support can make a big impact.
“This program is a fantastic example of how our schools are using targeted support to create a safer, more inclusive environment where every student can thrive,” she said.
“Together with our Federal colleagues, the Cook Labor Government is focused on fully funding public education and backing in local schools like Yale to ensure every student has the best start in life.”
Ms Egan also praised the students.
“I was very proud that the Federal Minister could see what a wonderful school we have in Thornlie, and we were all very impressed with the questions asked by the Year 6 class,” she said.
Federal Member for Burt Matt Keogh said the visit helped highlight the real impact of national and state investment in local schools.
He said, “By investing in education in communities like ours, we’re seeking to give the next generation of Australians the best start in life, and the strongest foundation for success. Thanks to the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement, each public school in WA will be fully and fairly funded – with an extra $1.6 billion in Federal school funding.”
“It was wonderful to welcome Minister Clare to our community so he can hear the impact the $4.5 million investment in Yale Primary, Armadale Education Support Centre and Grovelands will have on local families, thanks to the Schools Upgrade Fund.”
He added that “the Albanese Labor Government is committed to building a stronger and fairer education system from early education all the way through to higher education.”
