Daily Brief — Australian Education

Education Ministers agree to explore a new Early Education and Care Commission, backed by ~$500 million in child safety investment, and call for a NAPLAN pen-and-paper writing review (15 July, Parramatta). Meeting in Parramatta on 15 July, Education Ministers released a communiqué spanning five themes. On early childhood: ministers agreed to explore establishing a Commission to strengthen safety and quality, with a Working Group to advise at the October 2026 ministers' meeting and an expert panel for targeted consultation; the accompanying child safety package totals approximately $500 million ($226 million Commonwealth, $271 million or more from states and territories), with 99% of educators having completed mandatory National Child Safety Training and the first ECEC service having had its Child Care Subsidy revoked on safety grounds; the 15% Worker Retention Payment was extended with new health and safety conditions attached. On schools: the Annual Statement under the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement was tabled to Parliament, and a discussion of the Schooling Resource Standard review methodology is planned for October. On NAPLAN: ministers reaffirmed commitment to the assessment program, noted mitigation actions for the recent platform interruption, and requested a review of the efficacy of the pen-and-paper writing test. On the Teaching and Learning Commission: further governance and implementation advice is due October, with Queensland noting an alternative position that prioritises existing agency reforms. On First Nations education: a draft policy was developed with peak organisations; Queensland did not support it as a joint commitment, with feedback sought before reconsideration. (Clare, 15 July)

Victoria launches $18.6 million "Study with Victoria" strategy targeting student wellbeing, TNE expansion, and Asia Pacific collaboration (16 July). Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Steve Dimopoulos launched the refreshed strategy, covering student wellbeing and inclusion via the Study Melbourne Hub and Study Melbourne Inclusion Program, offshore and transnational education, Asia Pacific partnerships, and industry collaboration. Victoria hosted 322,000 international students from approximately 170 countries in 2025, generating $17.9 billion in export revenue and supporting 69,000 jobs; Melbourne ranked fifth globally in the QS Best Student Cities 2026 rankings. Dimopoulos: "Victoria's international education sector is second to none. We welcome international students with open arms and support them to thrive while they study in Victoria." (The PIE, 16 July)

Standing figures: 2026 NPL 295,000 (+25,000 on 2025); visa refusal rates 69% Nepal, 42% India (early 2026); domestic commencements 413,133 (+4.3% YoY); $50m over-enrolment fund; $50m Structural Adjustment Fund.

28–29 July — The PIE Live Asia Pacific 2026, HOTA, Gold Coast.

17–18 November 2026 — TEQSA 2026 Conference, fully virtual.

19 May 2027 — ASQA 12-month VET/ELICOS registration pause expires.