Education
Building the Education Revolution (BER) is a $16.2 billion investment over three financial years – 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11 and a critical component in the Australian Government’s Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan.
This investment will provide all eligible schools across Australia with world-class educational infrastructure that will meet the needs of our students to move into and compete in the 21st century.
This much needed boost into our schools will also help support jobs at both a local and national level through new construction and maintenance work which will commence as quickly as possible.
The three key elements of BER are:
- Primary Schools for the 21st Century: $14.1 billion to build or refurbish large scale infrastructure in primary schools, K–12s (primary component) and special schools, including libraries, halls and classrooms.
- Science and Language Centres for 21st Century Secondary Schools: $821.8 million to build science laboratories or language learning centres in our secondary schools. Funding will be allocated on the basis of demonstrated need.
- National School Pride Program: $1.3 billion to refurbish and renew existing infrastructure and build minor infrastructure in all schools.
BER will also assist in developing and supporting local communities. Under the program, major facilities that are built or renewed in primary schools, special schools or K-12s, such as halls or libraries, will be made available for community use at no or low cost.
BER complements the existing and planned investments by the states, territories and the non-government system. The program will be delivered through cooperation between Commonwealth, state and territory governments and the non-government school sector.
Program Guidelines are now available for download here.
