More than one-third of Victorian students study in Catholic or independent schools, so the Victorian government has committed $400 million to fund work on non-government schools. This is in addition to the $3.8 billion it has already invested in government schools. The focus of their investment in the non-government school sector is to upgrade and build new schools. This is intended to help accommodate the more than 90,000 additional students anticipated by 2022 to give parents a choice in what school they want their children to attend.

This investment is intended to take the pressure off our public school system and highlights the importance of non-government schools to Victorians and their economy.

Infrastructure adds jobs

There are many suburbs and regions across Victoria that are growing. As part of its partnership with non-government schools, the Andrews Government has dedicated a planning unit to fast-track non-government school approvals and upgrades. These upgrades will add both capital infrastructure and jobs to the economy.

New opportunities will also exist in engineering, development and construction of the new infrastructure. From new play areas and courtyards to classrooms equipped with modern facilities, everything will need to be meticulously planned, designed and built over the next three years.

New schools mean new roles

The new facilities will give many non-government schools the opportunity to relieve crowded classrooms and spread out. This, in turn, will drive demand for more teaching and administrative positions as more students mean more people will be required to provide support and ensure the schools thrive.

There are a multitude of roles that are required to support growing schools. These include back-office functions like human resources, finance, maintenance and technology. There are also many support roles that help students develop and learn including librarians, counsellors, community and specialist aid workers. Each of these roles are essential to the smooth operation of a school and ensure that students have opportunities to learn in a safe and supportive environment.

With more funding being devoted to non-government schools, opportunities for employment in these roles will also grow – both in new schools and in existing ones. It’s an exciting time to work in the education sector. Find out more about how we can assist you.