In a commitment to faith-based education and multicultural inclusivity, the federal Opposition has pledged up to $8.5 million to establish Australia’s first Hindu school, should the Coalition form government following the upcoming federal election.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton announced during a visit to the BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir and Cultural Precinct, which coincided with the visit of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj.
The announcement was met with enthusiastic support from the Hindu Education and Cultural Group, who recently held meetings with Shadow Ministers Michaelia Cash, Sarah Henderson, and Jason Wood, who have formally backed the proposal.
“This announcement reaffirms the Coalition’s support for faith-based education and community-led initiatives,” said Mr Dutton.
“The 684,000-strong Hindu community in Australia makes an enormous contribution to our multicultural character. Supporting the establishment of a Hindu school is a long-overdue recognition of the community’s vision.”
“This is a moment of pride and progress for the Hindu community,” said a spokesperson for the Hindu Council of Australia.
“A Hindu school will not only preserve our rich cultural and spiritual heritage but also provide our children with the tools to thrive in modern Australia.”
The school will follow a similar model to other independent faith-based institutions, integrating Hindu values, language, and cultural teachings with the Australian curriculum. It aims to provide a comprehensive and inclusive education that respects both academic standards and cultural identity.
“We are not just building a school; we are building a future where Australian values and Hindu philosophy can coexist in harmony, inspiring generations to come,”
the spokesperson added.
Shadow Education Minister Sarah Henderson described the proposal as a response to longstanding calls from the Hindu community:
“It is only fair that Hindu children have access to the same faith-based educational opportunities as other religious groups. This school will foster academic growth while nurturing cultural heritage.”
Echoing the sentiment, Shadow Multicultural Affairs Minister Jason Wood added, “Hinduism is one of the fastest-growing religions in Australia. The community support for a Hindu school has become increasingly clear.”
“This initiative will ensure Hindu children receive an education that celebrates both Australian values and their cultural identity,”
added Wood.
The Hindu Council of Australia, which has been advocating for the project for over a decade, welcomed the announcement. Under the plan, an initial $850,000 will be allocated to fund a business case assessing the school’s feasibility, costs, and ideal location. A further $7.65 million is set aside for capital expenditure, pending the successful completion of the feasibility study.
“We welcome the support of Mr Peter Dutton and his colleagues. This announcement sends a strong message: that multicultural Australia includes and empowers the Hindu voice,” the spokesperson continued.
“We are ready to work with education authorities and community stakeholders to ensure the school upholds the highest standards while remaining deeply rooted in Hindu values.”
With more than 684,000 Hindus now living in Australia, the proposal for a dedicated faith-based school is not just timely, but a vital recognition of the growing community’s needs.
“This school will give Hindu children a sense of identity and belonging while fostering respect for all cultures and communities in Australia,” concluded the Hindu Council spokesperson.
Former Multicultural Affairs Minister Alex Hawke said “For years, successive governments have supported Christian, Islamic and Jewish schools – and rightly so. But it’s about time we extended that same recognition and respect to the Hindu community, which is now the third-largest religion in Australia.”
“Supporting a Hindu faith-based school is not just about education, it’s about preserving religion, culture, and identity. We will proudly stand with the Hindu community and support initiatives like these through temples and schools that foster cultural pride and belonging.”
The school is expected to offer Hindu philosophy, languages such as Sanskrit and Hindi, traditional arts and yoga while maintaining the academic rigour of the Australian curriculum.
In a joint statement, the Hindu Education and Cultural Group said the pledge marks “a historic moment for our community” and thanked the Coalition for its commitment to cultural and educational equity.
The Dutton-led Coalition said it looks forward to collaborating with the Hindu Council of Australia to bring this vision to life, supporting freedom of choice in education and strengthening Australia’s multicultural future.
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