A new preschool and primary school in Mount Barker and a new high school in the northern suburbs of Adelaide will be built, in response to demand due to population growth.
More than $155 million has been allocated for the new high school in the northern suburbs – which is a key urban growth area – which will have capacity for 1300 students. The school is expected to commence operations in 2028.
A further $62.7 million has been allocated to construct a new preschool at Mount Barker, providing 100 places, along with a new primary school that will have capacity for 300 enrolment places. The preschool and school are expected to open in 2028.
A number of schools across the state will share in an additional $38.1 million, to address urgent upgrades for facilities and expansions to ensure capacity.
This will include:
- Surrey Downs Primary School – $16.5 million
- Bellevue Heights Primary School – $7.6 million
- Mount Gambier High School – $6 million
- Le Fevre High School – $4 million
- Mount Barker High School – $4 million
The news comes as more detail is released around the funding of South Australia's three-year-old preschool roll out.
The 2024-25 State Budget allocates $715 million over five years to implement universal three-year-old preschool, which will start being rolled out in 2026 as promised, and other key recommendations from the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care.
This is part of a total investment of $1.9 billion over the period to 2032-33.
The investment includes:
- $339.7 million over five years to deliver universal three-year-old preschool in government and non-government settings, including long day care centres.
- $127.3 million over four years to provide 30 hours per week of preschool to three and four-year-old children at greatest risk of developmental vulnerability.
- $96.6 million over four years to grow and support the early childhood workforce and provide support for quality teaching and learning in preparation for universal three-year-old preschool delivery.
- $30.6 million over four years to align the support offered through four-year-old preschool with enhanced supports being developed for three-year-old preschool.
- $14 million over four years to partner with Aboriginal communities to increase the benefits Aboriginal children receive from three-year-old preschool and invest in early childhood and care provided by Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.
From 2026, the government will partner with long day care providers across the state who meet quality and workforce requirements to deliver three-year-old preschool to children enrolled in their services. This will enable thousands of children to access the program from the early stages of the reform.
Government and non-government preschools will also phase in the availability of three-year-old preschool places between 2026 and 2032 based on location, starting in remote and regional communities. Participation and hours will grow over the life of the reform.
Two integrated hubs will be established in 2025 – one in Port Pirie and the other in the Adelaide’s northern suburbs.
These two sites will act as a pilot, guiding the establishment of future hubs, and will offer parenting programs and children and family health services.
To learn more, visit the Office for Early Childhood Development.
