However these figures are reliant on state co-operation, which Ms Gillard has not secured. It is not clear how much Commonwealth funding will be given to states and territories that don't sign up to the plan. The education plan, a key campaign ground for the Prime Minister's election pitch, was announced in detail this morning. It will cost $14.5 billion over the next six years, which is a lower amount than the $6.5 billion a year proposed by review author David Gonski, but the funding would grow over time. Under the plan, funding will be allocated to individual students, with a benchmark amount per student, calculated based on the "efficient costs" of educating a child at a group of high-performing "reference schools" - 1600 schools across Australia where at least 80 per cent of students are performing above the minimum standard for reading and numeracy. The base amount for every primary student will be $9,271 and $12,193 for every high school student. Extra money will be added in loadings for kids from low socio-economic backgrounds, indigenous students and students with "limited" English. There will be an extra size loading of $150,000 for primary schools with up to 200 students and $240,000 for secondary schools with up to 500 students. There is also a loading for remote and regional schools.

There will be a loading for students with disability "when more accurate data is available". increasing numbers of children on the autism spectrum have made determinations of disability more difficult, education sources said. In the meantime, the government will give a one-off lump of $100 million in 2014 to students with a disability. Primary students from low socio-economic backgrounds will get $695 to $4,635 extra, and high school students from $4,635 to $6,096. All of this extra money would be publicly funded, no matter whether the student attends a government or a non-government school. The plan would be paid for by deep cuts to universities, something which is already attracting criticism among tertiary education experts. The base amount for every primary student will be $9,271 and $12,193 for every high school student.

State leaders are heading to Canberra on Friday for the Council of Australian Governments meeting where the education funding issue will be thrashed out.



If agreement isn't reached, Ms Gillard says the states will be left to fight among themselves for the limited resources available.



So far Western Australia and Queensland have been sceptical about the federal government's plans despite drawn-out, high-level negotiations with officials and schools education minister Peter Garrett. NSW government to mull Gillard's offer Loading The NSW government says it needs more time to consider the federal government's offer of $2 for every extra $1 that states and territories invest in education.



NSW Education Minister Adrian Piccoli said the government would "examine the details" of the proposal.



"The NSW Government has constructively supported Gonski because we see it as a win for students," Mr Piccoli said in a statement.



"We continue to work constructively with the Commonwealth to turn this review into an opportunity for all of our students."



The federal government wants agreement from the states and territories at this Friday's Council of Australian Governments (COAG) leaders meeting.



Of the $14.5 billion in extra investment, NSW would get $5 billion, with the majority to go to public schools. WHERE THE MONEY WOULD GO

BY SYSTEM:

Public schools $12.1 billion

Catholic $1.4 billion

Independent $1 billion



BY STATE:

NSW $5.0 billion

Victoria $4.0 billion

Queensland $3.8 billion

WA $0.3 billion

SA $0.6 billion

Tasmania $0.4 billion

ACT $0.1 billion

NT $0.3 billion

- The $14.5 billion would cover additional funding for the six calendar years 2014-2019.

- No information on what amounts would come from Commonwealth and State governments respectively.

- Figures reflect the amount by which systems and states are currently below the school resource standard set by the Commonwealth.