Education Minister Yvette Berry has attributed significant budget overruns in schools to systemic issues within the education directorate. This revelation comes as teachers express growing anxiety regarding their job security for the upcoming year of 2026. During an assembly on September 2, Berry outlined the challenges facing the education system, noting that 77 out of 92 schools are projected to exceed their budgets.
In her statement to the Australian Education Union, Berry described the current financial situation as stemming from “system-level management issues.” The situation escalated in July when principals were summoned to discuss budget concerns after many schools were found to be financially overextended. The principal of Telopea Park School communicated to staff that schools had been asked to curtail their expenditures to alleviate the ACT government’s budget deficit, a claim later refuted by the government.
Berry acknowledged that, initially, she believed overspending could be addressed through adjustments to school resources. However, further discussions revealed that the primary cause was increased staffing costs, particularly for learning support assistants and casual relief teachers. “Schools are spending more money on supporting children,” she noted, adding that this trend had been evident for several years.
The directorate previously managed to adjust school budgets without issue, but the current projected spending for the remainder of 2025 has risen significantly. In response to a request from the union, Berry has committed to a comprehensive review of the funding processes within the education directorate, with findings expected to be presented by February 2026.
Teachers Express Concerns Over Job Security
Despite assurances that public schools began the 2025 academic year fully staffed, teachers report feeling overwhelmed. One public school educator shared with The Canberra Times that managing classes of up to 40 students has become increasingly common. Additionally, teachers are taking on extra playground duties, which reduces their planning and administrative time. The uncertainty surrounding staffing for 2026 has created considerable anxiety among educators.
During the assembly, Berry assured that there would be no changes to permanent teaching positions for 2026. However, she was unable to extend the same assurance to temporary staff, including learning support assistants. As of July 30, 2025, there are 5,769 permanent employees and 902 temporary staff within ACT public schools, with 1,155 learning support assistants, of whom 410 are temporary.
Berry confirmed to the union that all schools would be allowed to maintain staffing levels for 2026 at the same capacity as in 2025. “All school staffing changes for 2026 will be achieved through natural attrition and redeployment,” she explained. Should a school have an excess of temporary staff relative to enrolment needs, options for redeployment to other schools within the public system will be available.
Union Leaders Call for Structural Changes
The president of the Australian Education Union ACT branch, Angela Burroughs, criticized the education directorate’s budget management, stating that principals have been placed in an “impossible position.” She emphasized that the union’s campaign has highlighted the inadequacies of the current budget system, which threatens the quality of education provided to students. Burroughs insisted that the upcoming review must identify the structural problems within the budgeting processes.
While the opposition welcomed Berry’s commitment to temporary staff retention, they expressed concern over the stress caused by the budget overruns. Jeremy Hanson, the Liberal education spokesperson, emphasized the need for accountability, stating, “It’s pretty obvious that the minister has no idea what is happening in her own education directorate.” He called for Berry to apologize for the confusion and distress caused among teachers and staff in ACT schools.
As this situation unfolds, many educators remain hopeful that the promised review will lead to necessary reforms within the education funding system, ensuring that all schools are adequately resourced for the benefit of every student.
