Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has used a rousing address to the Australian Education Union (AEU) Federal Conference in Melbourne to declare public education “part of Labor’s DNA”, hailing the full funding of government schools and the expansion of free TAFE as defining achievements of his government.
Speaking at Southbank on Friday, Albanese praised teachers as the nation’s “best weapon against disadvantage” and credited AEU federal president Correna Haythorpe for her “relentless” advocacy in securing long-sought reforms.
He said the decision to fully fund every public school to the Schooling Resource Standard marked a historic shift, ensuring no child would be “held back or left behind”.
“It’s about creating the resources so that every child can fulfil their potential,” he told delegates.
“When you create opportunity, you create future success.”
The Prime Minister said agreements had now been signed with every state and territory, with Queensland the last to come on board on the eve of last year’s federal Budget. He described the deals as critical to preventing future funding cuts and ensuring federal investment was matched by the states.
He pointed to the Northern Territory as a major beneficiary, reflecting higher levels of disadvantage, and said funding would continue to increase each year.
Albanese also took aim at past Coalition cuts, arguing that previous reductions to education and health had underscored the need to entrench Labor reforms.
“When our opponents talk about fiscal responsibility, we know where they always go,” he said.
“They go to public education and public health.”
Beyond schools, the Prime Minister highlighted the government’s vocational education agenda, declaring that public TAFE had been restored to the centre of skills training.
He said 725,000 Australians had enrolled in free TAFE courses, with more than 200,000 completing their qualifications so far. The scheme has now been legislated as permanent.
Additional measures include $10,000 incentives for apprentices in construction and electrical trades, designed to address housing shortages and support the energy transition.
Albanese recounted meeting a near-qualified law student who had chosen carpentry instead, saying the story illustrated the value of vocational pathways.
“Not everyone wants to go to university — and they shouldn’t have to.”
Linking funding to reform, the Prime Minister said new agreements emphasised evidence-based teaching, including phonics instruction and early intervention for students falling behind.
“The earlier you intervene, the easier it is to lift people up,” he said, arguing that timely support ultimately saves money and improves outcomes.
He also stressed the broader social role of public schools, describing them as vital to social cohesion in an increasingly polarised world. “Public schools are open to everyone,” said the Prime Minister.
“Kids don’t see race, religion or gender — hatred and division is learned.”
The address also canvassed changes to higher education, including a 20 per cent cut to HECS-HELP debts, benefiting three million Australians by an average of $5,500 each.
Paid placements for students in nursing, social work and early childhood education were introduced to ease financial strain during compulsory practical training. Albanese described the previous requirement to undertake weeks of unpaid placement as “crazy” given workforce shortages.
He also pointed to wage increases in feminised sectors such as aged care and early learning, arguing that lifting pay was essential to retaining workers.
Closing his speech, Albanese thanked teachers for choosing a profession driven by service rather than wealth, and described the funding breakthrough as a shared achievement. “I can’t think of a union that has run such a long campaign, not just to help its members, but to help the students they teach,” he said.
“This is your victory — achieved through relentless commitment.”
The conference applause suggested the message had landed with a union long at the forefront of the fight for full and fair public education funding.
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