Government expenditure on education, total in Australia
Australia: Government expenditure on education, total was 12.6% in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Government expenditure on education, total in Australia, 1980–2022
Source: Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Measured in % of government expenditure.
Analysis
The most recent figure for government expenditure on education, total in Australia is 12.6%, measured in 2022.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 4.4% on the previous year.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on education, total in Australia peaked at 15.0% in 1993 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1980.
Australia ranks 98th of 193 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Government expenditure on education, total in Australia, year by year
| Year | % of government expenditure | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 0.0% | — |
| 1982 | 0.0% | — |
| 1983 | 0.0% | — |
| 1985 | 0.0% | — |
| 1986 | 0.0% | — |
| 1987 | 0.0% | — |
| 1988 | 13.2% | — |
| 1989 | 13.4% | +0.8% |
| 1990 | 13.6% | +1.8% |
| 1991 | 14.1% | +3.5% |
| 1992 | 13.2% | -6.1% |
| 1993 | 15.0% | +13.7% |
| 1994 | 14.3% | -4.8% |
| 2020 | 12.2% | -14.9% |
| 2021 | 12.1% | -0.5% |
| 2022 | 12.6% | +4.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 3.3% | 0.0% | 13.4% | 8 |
| 1990s | 14.0% | 13.2% | 15.0% | 5 |
| 2020s | 12.3% | 12.1% | 12.6% | 3 |
Countries ranked near Australia
- 95 Saint Lucia 12.7% compare
- 96 New Zealand 12.7% compare
- 97 Ukraine 12.7% compare
- 99 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 12.6% compare
- 100 Thailand 12.6% compare
- 101 Trinidad and Tobago 12.6% compare
More education data for Australia
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 104,110 (1992)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 316,638 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 292,593 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 2.65 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 2.27 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 0.4362 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0835 units per person (2024)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is government expenditure on education, total in Australia?
- Government expenditure on education, total in Australia was 12.6% in 2022, according to Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
- What is the highest government expenditure on education, total recorded in Australia?
- The highest recorded value was 15.0% in 1993.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on education, total recorded in Australia?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1980.
- How does Australia rank for government expenditure on education, total?
- Australia ranks 98th out of 193 countries with data for 2022.
- Where does this Australia data come from?
- The figures come from Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), published as part of Government expenditure on education, total (% of government expenditure). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
General government expenditure on education (current, capital, and transfers) is expressed as a percentage of total general government expenditure on all sectors (including health, education, social services, etc.). It includes expenditure funded by transfers from international sources to government. General government usually refers to local, regional and central governments.