Education Minister Bill Shorten, Finance Minister Penny Wong – one of Labor’s most outspoken advocates for marriage equality – and Labor’s Melbourne candidate Cath Bowtell will launch the scheme at Fitzroy High School in Melbourne on Friday morning.

A 2011 study by La Trobe University found that ‘‘75 per cent of same-sex attracted young people have experienced some form of homophobic abuse and 80 per cent of those incidents occur in schools''.

The money would go to the Foundation for Young Australians to expand its Safe Schools Coalition program across the country, which provides training and resources to schools to tackle homophobic bullying.

''Bullying impacts on an individual’s ability to engage in school and achieve positive learning outcomes,'' Mr Shorten said.

''Schools are already doing a lot to make sure students are safe and supported but too many young Australians still experience bullying and discrimination in schools.''

Senator Wong said Labor would ask the foundation to work closely with state and territory education authorities to roll out the program.

Funding for this project is already included in the budget.