New South Wales Budget shows urgent need to support next generation with STEM skills

However much more is needed to equip the next generation with the science and technology skills needed to address our most complex challenges. It is critical for public schools to be funded at 100% of the Schools Resourcing Standard. Public school attendance is as low as 81.6% for secondary schools (down from 90% in 2014), only 52% of year 10 students in NSW attained the science proficiency standard in 2023 and international assessments show maths and science literacy are at a decade low.

ATSE calls on the New South Wales Government to lift its ambition and aim to fund all public schools at 100% of the Schools Resourcing Standard, as outlined in ATSE’s priorities for this term of government.

ATSE CEO Kylie Walker says that students in New South Wales should have the same opportunities as those in other states and territories.

“New South Wales, like the rest of the country, will need a STEM-skilled workforce to help it meet the challenges of the next decade and beyond. The first step to this is investing in strong public education.

“The state is falling behind. The ACT already funds public schools at 100% of the Schools Resourcing Standard, while Western Australia and the Northern Territory have committed to do so in the next few years. We believe that students In New South Wales should get the same level of support as their counterparts across state lines”, said Kylie Walker.

Budget measures like expansions of Fee-Free apprenticeships and funding to support the conversion of causal teachers into permanent staff are small steps in the right direction.

ATSE also welcomes the $1.9 billion investment to purchase a zero-emission bus fleet to help reduce the state’s carbon emissions. 

“The investment in zero-emission buses is welcome: we urge the New South Wales Government to continue to take rapid steps to reduce the state’s carbon footprint as quickly as possible and invest in research and development of new technologies to support the transition,” said Kylie Walker.

ATSE also welcomes investments in:

• Water quality – $25M to reduce fish deaths in the Darling Baaka River
• Infrastructure and drought resilience –  $43M to support water infrastructure and improve drought resilience; $190M for internet improvements and repairs (particularly important for RRR areas)
• Biosecurity – $945.7M to address biosecurity threats, including $25M for biosecurity laboratory defence
• Cyber security – $205M for cyber security support and $21.4M to build a digital ID system