Federal Government to fund national consent in relationships education

The Federal Government is giving ACT schools just over $1 million to help it roll out age-appropriate programs to educate students about consent in relationships.

Across all states and territories, the government will provide $77.6 million over the next five years to state-run and non-government schools to deliver the programs. However, it will be up to the recipients to decide exactly how they will develop and deliver the education with that money.

The ACT will get $1,094,984, with NSW schools in line for $25,440,396.

Victoria will receive $18,350,973, Queensland $14,346,689, WA $8,967,679, South Australia, $5,770,646, Tasmania $2,078,072, and the Northern Territory $1,550,561.

The Federal Government says the education programs must be evidenced-based, age‑appropriate and expert-developed.

The funding will support the delivery of education programs, partnerships between schools and expert organisations, engagement with families, and access to professional development for teachers – all focused on consent and respectful relationships.

Federal Education Minister Jason Clare said the school sectors will decide how to invest this funding in order to best meet local needs.

“One in five women and one in 16 men in Australia have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15,” he said.

“Sexual violence is a national shame.

“A range of approaches are needed, and there is a role to play in the classroom to make sure that young people develop healthy relationships.

“This investment is important in making sure we help our youngest Australians, in particular young boys and men, to have healthy, respectful relationships.”

The Minister said the program promotes healthy interactions between boys and girls and is a key measure in the First Action Plan that underpins the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032.

He said respectful relationships education complements the government’s national consent campaign, launched in May, which helps adults be informed and understand consent so that they feel comfortable and confident having conversations with young people.

“It also complements the latest phase of the Stop It At The Start campaign, designed to combat misogynistic attitudes and influences online.”

Asked why the Federal Government isn’t being more prescriptive with the states and territories about how the money should be spent, ACT Senator Katy Gallagher – who is also Finance and Public Service Minister and the Minister for Women – said it was clear what will be expected of the schools.

“In terms of our agreements with states and territories … who run the public education system, we can have those discussions,” she said.

“I think the independent and private systems do have a level of autonomy.

“I mean, we’re making it clear what we think needs to happen. And I think from many of the discussions I’ve had with the private Independent Schools Association, they are keen on this too.

“There is an issue in schools that we need to make sure we’re reaching young people about the importance of consent education. And we’ll keep focused on that.

“It’s not just our programs in schools. It’s also some of the campaigns you’ve seen run out more broadly around the issues around consent, including teaching parents about what consent means.

“This is part of the solution. It’s not all of it, but it is important we reach into schools.”