Pursuant to the emerging political issue of government financial support for private schools in the United States, a study was made of the Australian system of educational finance, which includes substantial government aid to nongovernment schools. Following a historical analysis and typology of government educational policy in both countries, a composite profile of Australian policymakers' attitudes toward their federal government's school aid policies was derived from formal interviews with 10 Australian officials at levels ranging from school principal to minister of education, representing the three major school sectors--"government" schools, Catholic systemic, and independent nonsystemic schools. The 22 interview questions covered such issues as differences between governement and nongovernment schools, government influence on operations, curriculum issues, achievement levels, fees, racial/ethnic demographics, political affiliations, and religious/secular issues. Contrary to expectations, a high degree of consensus was revealed among these educational leaders' opinions, despite their diverse affiliations. A summary of their views is provided, followed by the implications of the study for educational policy in America. If the federal government begins to aid private schools, the results will be (1) incentives for closer cooperation between public and private sectors; (2) greater parental satisfaction; and (3) a boom in religious education; but also (4) an increase in social segregation, as upper income groups are siphoned off from the public school system. (TE)