Inequality between advantaged and disadvantaged students is one of the greatest enduring challenges in Australian school education. Allocating funding according to the needs of students and schools is a critical part of addressing inequality, but needs-based funding must be part of a more comprehensive effort that encompasses diverse learning needs.

The Mitchell Institute looks at how our school system is both supporting and failing young learners; the extent to which our system is perpetuating disadvantage; and what can be done to address these persistent challenges.

Key contacts

Sergio Macklin
Deputy Lead of Education Policy, Mitchell Institute
Action needed to deliver the Melbourne Declaration
Opinion

Choosing a school for your kid? Here’s how other Australian parents do it

31 October 2019

School choice is a defining feature of Australian education. One reason is because more families make choices between public and private schools than in other OECD countries.

assets/arrow-long Created with Sketch.
Opinion

Catholic school enrolments trending down

26 September 2019

In recent months, one of Victoria’s oldest Catholic girls’ schools, Presentation College, announced it was closing down, citing falling enrolments.

assets/arrow-long Created with Sketch.
Submissions

Unlocking the value of VET for school students

17 September 2019

There is a need to rethink South Australia’s approach to VET for school students, in the broader context of a more coherent and equitable secondary curriculum.

assets/arrow-long Created with Sketch.
Action needed to deliver the Melbourne Declaration
News

Action needed to deliver the Melbourne Declaration

8 August 2019

Mitchell Institute at Victoria University has called on the Federal Education Minister to use the review of the Melbourne Declaration aims of schooling, to deliver a roadmap for delivery.

assets/arrow-long Created with Sketch.
Papers

A Melbourne Declaration for system transformation

8 August 2019

The Melbourne Declaration's vision and aspirations have not been realised, due to a failure by Australia's education systems to take appropriate actions.

assets/arrow-long Created with Sketch.
Opinion

Less talk, more action needed on the Melbourne Declaration

8 August 2019

The outcomes of the current review into the Melbourne Declaration requires a roadmap for delivery or it risks another decade of failure to deliver on its aims.

assets/arrow-long Created with Sketch.
News

Health & education policy come together in ambitious expansion plan for the Mitchell Institute

17 December 2018

Victoria University today announced that the Mitchell Institute will be expanded to focus on health as well as education policy.

assets/arrow-long Created with Sketch.
Opinion

How to implement the general capabilities in busy schools

22 October 2018

In 2008 the Melbourne Declaration suggested that, by the end of their schooling, all young Australians should become successful learners and confident creative individuals.

assets/arrow-long Created with Sketch.
News

Time to commit to a capable Australia

22 October 2018

The latest report by Mitchell Institute at Victoria University calls for rapid government action to boost capabilities across all stages of learning.

assets/arrow-long Created with Sketch.