What would Victoria be without the Education State: Challenges and Opportunities

Candid Conversations with Tony Bates

Hosted by Tony Nippard

Australia’s school funding system is complex, with responsibilities shared across governments and funding arrangements that vary by school sector. This presentation explains how funding is determined and the respective roles of the Commonwealth and state governments. It then considers the Victorian context within this national framework, including key outcomes and investments for Victorian students.
 
Tony Bates PSM has been Secretary of the Victorian Department of Education since August 2025 and a senior executive in the Victorian Public Service for many years. He has held leadership roles in treasury and finance as well as justice portfolios and in 2016 was awarded a Public Service Medal for outstanding public service at Victoria Police.
 
In his current role, Tony has responsibility for steering the Department of Education in Victoria with responsibility for management, oversight, and delivery of the government school system, as well as landmark reforms in early childhood education that are seeking to deliver transformative social and economic benefits for the state.

Please join Tony Bates as he unpacks Victorian school funding: who pays, how funding is allocated, and what it means for Victorian students.