The Public Education Foundation (PEF) is a national not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing life changing scholarships to young people in public education, as well as their teachers and principals.

The current Foundation is an iteration of an earlier state-based entity created in 2007 following an Australian Tax Office ruling allowing tax deductible philanthropic funds to support public education. As a not-for-profit entity, PEF can accept donations from individuals, trusts and businesses, based on its Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status. This has permitted public education to access philanthropic funds in support of students and teachers in public schools.

PEF aims to support students with particular educational needs or talents – students who without extra help may struggle to reach their full potential. Our focus is on removing the barriers to achievement created by social and economic disadvantage, and on acknowledging and rewarding excellence. To celebrate excellence in our public schools, we also recognise high-achieving students through our academic scholarships.

PEF also supports teachers, principals and other education leaders by providing them with opportunities to access the very best professional development on offer at universities around the world.

Our role is to enhance the value and reputation of public education because we know education has the power to change lives and transform communities.

Helping young people in public education is one of the best investments society can make.

Under the founding Constitution, the Public Education Foundation’s purpose is to:

  • Recognise that individual students draw support and encouragement from their families, their schools and the broader community;

  • Support students to achieve their potential at public schools;

  • Enhance the value and reputation of public school education;

  • Target support of the school community in ways which build on evidence;

  • Provide a tax exempt fund for community contributions to public education;

  • Work in collaboration with government, schools, communities and business to achieve the Foundation’s goals.