Review to Inform a Better and Fairer Education System

About the Review to Inform a Better and Fairer Education System

The National School Reform Agreement is a joint agreement between the Commonwealth, states and territories to lift student outcomes across Australian schools. In December 2022, Education Ministers agreed to establish the Review to identify the reforms needed to drive real and measurable improvements for all students, particularly those most at risk of falling behind. The Review built on the work of the Productivity Commission and their review of the NSRA, released on 20 January 2023. This review highlighted key areas where reform is needed, including lifting student outcomes, reducing differences in outcomes across students, and supporting student wellbeing.

The Review was published in December 2023.

The Review will help inform next year’s Education Funding and Reform Agreement. The current agreement has been extended for a further 12 months, to 31 December 2024.

Governments are continuing to progress initiatives to support teachers under the National Teacher Workforce Action Plan.

Expert Panel

The Expert Panel was formally appointed to advise Education Ministers on the key targets and specific reforms that should be tied to funding in the next Education Funding and Reform Agreement.

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Terms of Reference for the Review

The Terms of Reference identify five priority areas. The Review delivered advice focused on these themes.

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Consultation

Throughout the Review, the Expert Panel heard from a range of stakeholders on the issues highlighted in the Terms of Reference.

This included state and territory governments, the non-government school sector, educators, students, parents, researchers, unions and other groups that have been mentioned in the Terms of Reference.

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