‘Cruel joke’: tax concession drives donations to Australia’s richest private schools and must stop, critics argue

Geelong Grammar was one of 11 private schools to receive more than $3m in donations in 2023. Photograph: Tracey Nearmy/AAP

The Albanese government has been urged to end an “outrageous” and “cruel joke” that incentivises donations to Australia’s richest private schools in return for a tax deduction.

But the peak body for independent schools says the criticism is overblown and that tax-deductibility is “essential” to build campus infrastructure, with 95% of capital expenditure funded through parent contributions, fundraising, loans and philanthropy.