Department of Education

Queensland Budget 2026-27 · Crisafulli Government

Minister
John-Paul Langbroek MP
Department head
Director-General Sharon Schimming

As at budget day (2026-06-23)

$15.328B
Total expenses
$1.631B
Capital program
$91M
6 tracked measures
79,944
FTE staff

Across budgets

Tracked across 6 budgets (2021-22 to 2026-27).

Key service areas

Early childhood education and careSchool education (Prep to Year 12)Arts QueenslandNon-state school fundingStudent wellbeing and inclusion

Budget initiatives

Back to School Boost Uplift$7.6MExpandedAnnounced

A 50% increase to the Back to School Boost, providing $150 for every primary school student, with a $141.2 million investment over four years to help families with the cost of school essentials.

Every primary school student receives $150 a year (up from $100) to help families pay for schoolbooks, uniforms and excursions at the start of the school year.

2026-27: $7.6M

General Government operating. BP4 shows $7.6M additional in 2026-27 with $133.5M over four years met internally; BP2 cites $141.2M over four years total.

New School Infrastructure (22 New Schools)$20.8MNewCapitalAnnounced

$700 million over five years for planning and construction of new schools, part of a $2.3 billion program to build 22 new schools including four primary schools, three high schools and nine special schools.

New schools for growing communities, including a secondary school in Ripley Valley, a primary school in Greater Flagstone, Gracemere High School stage two, and new special schools in Townsville and Wynnum-Manly.

2026-27: $20.8M2027-28: $164.1M2028-29: $222.7M2029-30: $158.3M

Capital, $700M over 5 years (including $254.1M held centrally). Forms part of the $2.3 billion 22 new schools program.

Nine New Special Schools$862.4M totalNewCapitalAnnounced

$862.4 million for nine new special schools in Wynnum-Manly, Townsville, Berrinba, Coomera, Springfield-Redbank, Beenleigh, Ipswich West, Moreton Bay South and Logan Reserve to give parents more choice.

Nine new special schools across Queensland give families of children with disability more local choice and support for their education.

Capital, $862.4M total investment. Year-by-year profile not separately disclosed; overlaps with the New School Infrastructure program.

Safer Classrooms Work Health and Safety Officers$83.9M totalNewAnnounced

$83.9 million for an extra 139 work health and safety officers in schools, including 30 in special schools, to make classrooms safer.

139 extra work health and safety officers, including 30 in special schools, help protect teachers and students in classrooms.

General Government operating, $83.9M total. Year-by-year profile not separately disclosed in BP4.

Capital Assistance Scheme for Non-State Schools$60MContinuingAnnounced

$60 million in 2026-27 to help non-government schools with the cost of building or upgrading educational facilities.

Helps non-government schools build and upgrade classrooms and facilities for their students.

2026-27: $60M

General Government operating, $60M in 2026-27

Screen Queensland Studios, Brisbane$3.1MNewAnnounced

$9.9 million over three years to support the operation of Screen Queensland Studios in Brisbane.

Supports film and television production jobs in Queensland by funding the operation of Screen Queensland's Brisbane studios.

2026-27: $3.1M2027-28: $3.0M2028-29: $3.8M

General Government operating, $9.9M over 3 years

Forward estimates

Year-by-year allocations for 4 measures with published forward profiles.

Measure2026-272027-282028-292029-30Total
Back to School Boost Uplift$7.6M$7.6M
New School Infrastructure (22 New Schools)$20.8M$164.1M$222.7M$158.3M$565.8M
Capital Assistance Scheme for Non-State Schools$60M$60.0M
Screen Queensland Studios, Brisbane$3.1M$3.0M$3.8M$9.9M
Total$91.5M$167.1M$226.5M$158.3M$643.4M

Performance metrics

Service standards from the Service Delivery Statement. Targets and actuals as published.

MetricPrior targetActualTarget
2024-252024-252025-26
Proportion of Queensland children enrolled in an early childhood education program95%104.6%95%
Government expenditure per child — kindergarten$8,284$8,351$8,487
Year 5 Test — Proportion of students achieving a proficiency level of Developing, Strong or Exceeding — Reading (all students)88%84.8%88%
Year 5 Test — Proportion of students achieving a proficiency level of Developing, Strong or Exceeding — Numeracy (all students)87%86.2%87%
Proportion of Year 12 students awarded Certification (QCE or QCIA)98%99.5%98%
Proportion of students who, 6 months after completing Year 12, are participating in education, training or employment88%87.1%88%
Proportion of parents satisfied with their child's school94%91.1%94%
Average cost of service per student — School Education$25,238$25,532$26,261
Percentage of grant recipients who are satisfied Arts Queensland investment programs delivered intended objectives95%97%95%
Utilisation of arts-owned and/or managed arts and cultural facilities6.4M visitors6.6M visitors6.8M visitors

Source: Service Delivery Statement. Prior target and actual are for 2024-25; target is for 2025-26.

Source document

Service Delivery Statement — Department of Education (PDF)

Last updated: 2026-06-24. Factual information from published budget documents.