Draft Education Bill at a glance

Overview
The major reforms of Tasmanias Education Act are:

extending the compulsory years of education and training by:

lowering the school starting age from 5 years to 4 years and 6 months, with a flow-on to Kindergarten
entry age of 3 years and 6 months. This will apply to children born in 2016,

lifting the minimum education and training leaving requirement to completion of year 12 or equivalent
(certificate III, apprenticeship) or until 18, whichever occurs first. This will apply to students who are in
Year 7 in 2016,

lifting the exemption from the education and training requirements for employment from 25 hours a week to
35 hours a week (full-time),

a new compulsory conciliation conferencing process with families to address issues associated with
non-attendance,

allowing for the collection of information to enable the development of risk management plans to better
support students who have conditions which may cause behaviour that leads to a risk of harm to themselves or
others,

the ability to set a minimum standard for adult behaviour in the context of schools,

providing for dual enrolment of students with disability between a mainstream and special school across
government and non-government sectors,

for government schools, updated legislative provisions so that disciplinary actions sit within a broader behaviour
management approach,

for non-government schools, increased options in the registration process - for the Non-Government Schools
Registration Board in assessing applications, and for schools with the capacity to register as systems of schools,

for home education, a stronger regulatory approach including standards for registration as a home educator and
annual reviews of student achievement, and the ability to apply for partial enrolment in a school,

one piece of legislation, replacing the Education Act 1994, the Youth Participation in Education and Training
(Guaranteeing Futures) Act 2005 and the Education and Training (Tasmanian Academy) Act 2008.

More information on these and other reforms is available on the Department of Education website
(www.education.tas.gov.au). A copy of the full draft Education Bill 2016 is available on the site.

Department of Education

For students
The reforms will support:

high quality learning experiences and safe, respectful and inclusive learning environments,

all children gaining earlier access to high quality learning and development experiences in
kindergarten settings,

young people achieving meaningful educational qualifications through completion of year 12 or

equivalent, thereby having greater opportunities to succeed in their lives and careers.

For parents
The reforms will support:

their children having access to high quality education,

earlier and for longer, giving them better
opportunities in their lives and careers,

families by resolving issues related to nonattendance, in partnership with schools, through a

new compulsory conciliation conference process,

safe and supportive school communities through

clear expectations of positive and respectful
behaviour for all members of the school community,
including parents and guardians.

For the community

The reforms will:

create a framework for the Tasmanian education system to enable the best outcomes for all
learners,

increase participation in and completion of Year 12 or equivalent qualifications, in line with

community expectations,

help Tasmania overcome significant social, economic and educational challenges, through the
creation of a better educated and job ready generation.

Have your say

Complete a web form
www.research.net/r/drafteducationbill2016
Email your comments directly to:
comments@education.tas.gov.au