[Australia]: Department of Education Media Centre

[Owen]

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Overview​

The Department of Education is an Australian Government department responsible for national policies and programs that help Australians access quality and affordable early childhood education, school education, higher education, vocational education and training, skills, international education and academic research. The portfolio also includes government agencies such as the Australian National University, the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership, the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency, the Australian Research Council, the Australian Tertiary Education Commission, the Australian Skills Quality Authority, Education Services Australia, the Australian-American Fulbright Commission, the Australian Education Research Organisation, the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority, the Office of the Student Identifiers Registrar, the Tuition Protection Service, the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students, Jobs and Skills Australia, the National Centre for Vocational Education Research, the Skills and Workforce Ministerial Council and Trades Recognition Australia. It also administers various programs and schemes such as the Australian Qualifications Framework and the Unique Student Identifiers. The functions of the department are broadly classified into the following matters as laid out in an Administrative Arrangements Order: Schools education policy and programmes Education transitions policy and programmes Pre-school education policy and programmes Higher education policy, regulation and programmes Policy, coordination and support for international education and research engagement Co-ordination of research policy in relation to universities Creation and development of research infrastructure Research grants and fellowships Early childhood education and care policy and programmes Skills and vocational education policy regulation and programmes, including vocational education and training in schools Training, including apprenticeships and training and skills assessment services Training transitions policy and programmes Foundation skills for adults Careers policy and advice Adult migrant education