The Australian Hindu community has expressed profound disappointment following the release of the 2025–26 Federal Budget, which lacks specific funding allocations for the establishment of a Hindu school and omits dedicated support for enhancing the security of Hindu temples, despite assurance from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese less than two weeks ago.
During the Holi celebrations, Prime Minister Albanese announced his government’s support for the creation of Australia’s first Hindu school. He emphasised the importance of providing Hindu children with an educational environment guided by Hindu culture, acknowledging the integral role of the Hindu community in Australia.
Education Minister Jason Clare echoed this sentiment, highlighting the significant growth of the Hindu population in Australia, which numbers over 684,000 individuals. He stated that it was time to realise the community’s vision of establishing a dedicated Hindu school.
Despite these commitments, the recent Federal Budget does not include any financial provisions for the proposed Hindu school. This omission has left many community members feeling overlooked, especially given the government’s allocation of funds to other religious and multicultural initiatives.
For instance, the budget commits $60.4 million to enhance security at Jewish community sites and support for the Muslim community to uplift the security of places of significance. $15 million for the Aspire Performance Centre to establish a centralised sports and education hub, alongside $20 million has been allocated over four years to support projects that meet African-Australian community needs.
Additionally, $2.2 million has been committed to redevelop the Museum of Chinese Australian History in Melbourne and the Golden Dragon Museum in Bendigo.
Yet no such allocation has been made to support the long-standing calls for a Hindu school or security measures for Temples that continue to face targeted vandalism across the country.
Young Hindu Community leader Vasihnavi voiced the community’s frustration, stating, It’s disheartening to see that the Hindu school funding was not announced in the budget. As an Australian Hindu, I would like to see the government support us to create a collaborative educational space/ platform for Hindus to learn about their faith whilst also growing to become contributing citizens of this country.”
“I think it’s high time the Hindu community is also given an equal opportunity (as other faiths have been provided with) to establish a Hindu school that can impart beautiful values and teachings to future generations,”
She added.
Melbourne-based Biren Joshi told The Australia Today, “The Hindu community is asking for a very small amount compared to what has been and is being given to established schools of other faiths.”
“Every year this school is delayed, thousands of Hindu children are being deprived of their right to learn about their faith, a right everyone else has.”
The absence of dedicated funding for Hindu temples is particularly concerning given the increasing incidents of vandalism and security threats they have faced in recent years. Community leaders have been advocating for financial assistance to implement necessary security measures to protect these places of worship.
The Australia Today enquired of Education Minister Jason Clare on his promise and Prime Minister Albanese’s announcement.
Minister Clare summed it up by replying,
“We will have more to say in coming weeks.”
The Hindu community’s aspirations for a dedicated school have been longstanding, with the Hindu Education and Cultural Centre having purchased land in Sydney’s north-west for this purpose. The proposed school aims to integrate the New South Wales curriculum with core Hindu teachings, fostering a holistic educational environment that promotes both Australian values and Hindu principles.
Hindu Council of Australia member Surinder Jain told The Australia Today, “PM had announced that his government would provide funding support for the first Hindu school in Western Sydney. We contacted his office to point us to this item in the budget.”
“We have been assured by the Education Minister’s office that there will be a further announcement about the timing and amount of funding support during subsequent election announcements. We are waiting for that announcement.”
The lack of financial commitment in the Federal Budget has cast uncertainty over the project’s future and raised questions about the re-elected Albanese government’s dedication to supporting the educational and cultural needs of Australia’s diverse communities.
Community leaders are calling for the government to honour its promises and provide equitable support to ensure the preservation and promotion of Hindu culture and education in Australia.
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