GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES IN EDUCATION
State and territory governments' responsibilities in education and training include: the constitutional responsibility for the provision of schooling to all children of school age; the major financial responsibility for government school education and contributing funds to non-government schools; regulating school activities and policies; and determining curricula, course accreditation, student assessment and awards for both government and non-government schools. They are also responsible for the administration and major funding of vocational education and training (VET) and legislation relating to the establishment and accreditation of higher education courses.
The Australian (Commonwealth) Government has special responsibilities in education and training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, migrants, international partnerships in education, and financial assistance for students. It is also principally responsible for the funding of non-government schools and higher education institutions and provides supplementary funding for government schools and VET.
The Australian Government provides special grants to the states and territories for areas of particular need. The Government is also involved in promoting national consistency and coherence in the provision of education and training across Australia.
Government responsibilities in education and training extend beyond funding and administration. There is a broader responsibility to plan for future demand for education resources and for future demand for particular skills in the Australian workforce. Governments are also responsible for monitoring the performance of education services, and evaluating the outcomes of education.
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