Output costs
The 2025–26 Department Performance Statement sets out the department’s outputs and funding. For the 2025–26 financial year, the department’s output budget totals $17.8 billion.
| The department’s objectives and outputs | 2025–26 ($ million) |
|---|---|
| Raise development outcomes of 3- and 4‑year old children prior to attending school |
|
| Kindergarten delivery | 1,259.4 |
| Early childhood sector supports and regulation | 772.8 |
| Raise learning, development, engagement and wellbeing outcomes for all Victorian students |
|
| School education – primary | 5,439.6 |
| School education – secondary | 4,703.2 |
| Wellbeing supports for students | 426.4 |
| Supports for schools and staff | 1,907.9 |
| Provide equitable and inclusive schooling to all Victorian students |
|
| Promoting equal access to education | 1,157.4 |
| Additional supports for students with disabilities | 2,177.4 |
| Total (may not add due to rounding) | 17,844.1 |
Operating performance
The department is expected to report an operating surplus of $378 million in 2025–26, compared with an expected operating surplus in 2024–25 of $449 million for the revised budget.
Balance sheet
The department’s net assets position is estimated to increase by $2.3 billion in 2025–26, compared with the 2024–25 revised budget, mainly reflecting an increase in total assets of $2.4 billion.
Investing and finance
The department is anticipating an increase of $2 million in its net cash position in 2025–26, compared with the 2024–25 revised budget increase of $86 million.
Asset outlook and investment
The department manages a significant and growing asset portfolio to deliver effective education services for Victorians. The asset portfolio includes schools’ property, plant and equipment. The department’s total assets are estimated to increase to $51 billion by 30 June 2026. More than $2.7 billion has been committed in 2025–26 for new and existing capital projects and $2.9 billion remaining expenditure has been committed for future capital works. Further financial detail on the department’s asset program is available in the 2025–26 Victorian Budget Paper 4: State Capital Program.
Approved use of State Administration Unit surplus
The Resource Management Framework (section 3.5.2) sets out the order of funding for approved asset investments.
The department follows this order and if required, funds will be drawn down from accumulated State Administration Unit funding, after seeking approval from the Treasurer, as required under Section 33 of the Financial Management Act 1994.
Details of any access to surplus under Section 33 can be found in the department’s Annual Report.
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