Extra money will go to Catholic and independent schools under a new funding deal but state education ministers say they deserve a funding boost too.
Under pressure from non-government schools over a change to funding models, Prime Minister Scott Morrison handed the sector a $4.6 billion top-up.
But now state schools feel like they've been left out.
"I won't be signing any deal that doesn't treat every student and every school with fairness," NSW Education Minister Rob Stokes said on Friday.
Victorian Education Minister James Merlino said his government wanted a "fair deal and equality for all kids".
Their Queensland counterpart Grace Grace said schools should be funded equitably.
"Public schools deserve their fair share of any extra new federal government funding," she said.
The government is providing Catholic and independent schools $3.2 billion over 10 years to fund changes to the way parents' wealth is measured, based on income tax data.
Mr Morrison said the states don't have a role funding non-government schools.
"Once he fully understands the announcement we made yesterday, I'm sure he'll see the benefits," Mr Morrison said about Mr Stokes' comments.
An extra $1.2 billion will go to "address specific challenges" in those schools, but Mr Morrison rejected suggestions it was a slush fund to get the Catholics off his back politically.
He said it would be especially helpful for schools in drought-affected areas.
The opposition was at first critical of the multi-billion dollar agreement with Catholic and independent schools, but is now claiming credit.
"We've won the money for the Catholic sector, now it's the turn of the state schools to get properly looked after," Mr Shorten told reporters in Gippsland on Friday.
The government was under pressure to provide increased cash for Catholic and independent schools after reducing funding, while Labor campaigned earlier this year on behalf of the sector.
Australian Associated Press
