Tas looks to budget for education dollars

Tasmanians could scramble to find news of education funding in the upcoming federal budget.

The island state has some of the nation's worst literacy and numeracy rates, and poor high school retention. Its Liberal administration has made it clear Canberra will need to supply dollars for the problems to be addressed.

Treasurer Peter Gutwein has forecast a loss of $100 million in schools funding for 2018-19 if the federal government pushes ahead with plans for the final two years of provisions under the Gonski agreement.

There have been ongoing talks between state and federal counterparts.

"The government continues to work constructively with the federal government on a whole range of issues," Mr Gutwein told AAP.

"We will continue to campaign for Tasmania's fair share of federal funding, including education funding."

The treasurer hailed significant funding deals with Canberra covering irrigation, roads and infrastructure, and health, the latter attracting a $54 million sweetener for 2017-20 at the latest COAG meeting.

The federal government has already made a $203 million pledge to a freight equalisation scheme, helping Tasmanian businesses overcome the added cost burden of shipping across Bass Strait.

"We will also continue to participate in discussions for states to receive a share of income tax to fund frontline services," Mr Gutwein said.

In 2015 Tasmania was keenly awaiting ongoing funding for the nation's only federally funded hospital, the northern Mersey.

While it wasn't a line item in the budget papers, a subsequent $148 million funding envelope appeared, securing the facility's operation until mid-2017.

The Tasmanian government is likely to be on the lookout for mention of the Mersey in Tuesday's forward estimates.