Independent school authorities have come out in support of the Federal Government’s Gonski reforms, after ironing out some concerns they had in meetings with Education Minister Bill Shorten.

Concerns between the Independent Schools Council of Australia and Education Minister Bill Shorten have reportedly been resolved after Mr Shorten provided the modelling tool for schools to work out how much money they would be awarded under the sweeping educational funding reforms.

The government has also pledged an extra $25 million per year to help independent schools access and implement reforms over the next six years. Agreement is not mutual between different states’ independent school bodies though; Independent Schools Victoria is withholding support and the Association of Independent Schools of South Australia is worried the agreement signed by the SA government means no extra funding for the sector until 2018.

The 1100 independent school across Australia comprise about 560,000 students. The new agreements and reports Tasmania has signed on to the changes now mean 63 per cent of Australian students will be covered by funding reforms.

Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory have yet to sign on, even after the deadline was extended and more discussions undertaken. Mr Shorten held further talks with Victorian Education Minister Martin Dixon, a spokeswoman for Mr Dixon saying that negotiations were continuing in good faith, Shorten also met with his Queensland counterpart John-Paul Langbroek on Tuesday. The WA Premier wants the deadline to sign on extended by 12 months to allow time to address his concerns, the PM says Northern Territory Chief Minister Adam Giles is “stonewalling” progress as well.

Kevin Rudd said, "I don't know what is going on up here, but in previous times, if the Prime Minister of Australia came to Darwin and said 'I want to invest $300m in your schools', it would take about 45 seconds to get an immediate and positive response."