Like most advanced economies there is universal free education in Australia though parents must pay for school supplies. Around one-third (31%) of students attend private schools which a majority have a religious affliction.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Australia spends 5.1% of their nations GDP on education which accounts for under 6% of the economy which is more than most other economies. This provides $9,271 per primary students and $12,193 per secondary student. The commonwealth government contributes $29 million on education, State level and local governments contributes $52,780m on education which is significantly higher than the commonwealth governments expenditure. Intra-sector transfers were $25,481m. In 2012-13
$40,625m (51%) was spent on primary and secondary education and a further $29,097m (37%) on tertiary education. Furthermore $4.4m was spent on Pre-school and $1.3m on transportation for students. Additionally expenditure on education by all levels of government increased $3,711m from $75,852m in 2011-12 to $79,563m in 2012-13 which is an increase of 5% of the education budget. The Australian governments funding of education is above average