Submissions

Queensland’s school education system is subject to ongoing review and reform. Some proposed changes are small, while others are significant with far-reaching implications for independent schools.

Independent Schools Queensland's (ISQ) advocacy work on behalf of member schools is multi-faceted and includes preparing submissions to governments and other peak bodies on state and national issues of significance that have the potential to impact the provision of education services in Queensland independent schools.

Latest submissions

Submission paper: Education (General Provisions) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024

Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ) supports the Amendment Bill in its objective of further protecting students and modernising and improving education services. ISQ does, however, hold specific concerns relating to transfer notes as specified in clause 105 of the Amendment Bill, which are explained in this submission.

 

Submission to: ShapingSEQ 2023 Update

Independent schools in Queensland play a pivotal role in the enhancement and provision of social
infrastructure across Southeast Queensland. Independent Schools Queensland, on behalf of the Queensland independent schooling sector, is asking for consideration to be made around well-located, well-serviced land within a close proximity to the proposed urban footprints in identified high growth areas to be allocated or identified for new school sites.

Review Submission: Non-state schools accreditation framework

Independent Schools Queensland values the opportunity to contribute to the Review of the Queensland Non-State Schools Accreditation Framework (Review) announced by the Queensland Minister for Education on 31 October 2022. Since this initial announcement, ISQ has been consulting extensively with leaders and governing bodies of independent schools to hear about their experiences and understand their views regarding the Accreditation Framework.

Religious Education Institutions and Anti-Discrimination Laws: Consultation Paper

In light of its commitment to promoting and supporting choice and diversity in the education sector, ISQ welcomes the opportunity to submit to the Australian Law Reform Commission’s consultation paper on Religious Education Institutions and Anti-Discrimination Laws (2023).

Inquiry into the delivery of Vocational Education and Training in regional, rural and remote Queensland

The following submission has been derived from feedback provided by independent schools located
in the far north of Queensland, central Queensland, and the Darling Downs southwest region of
Queensland. Contributions have also been provided by the Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ)
Parents Network and the collective experience and exposure of the ISQ Education Services Advisor
(VET) and the ISQ Manager (School Improvement) to a range of regional, remote, and rural
independent schools.

Submission to: The national trend of school refusal and related matters inquiry

School refusal is a live issue in the Queensland independent school sector and an area of growing concern for
parents and educators.

Review of the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006

The Department of Education (DoE) released ten (10) Consultation Papers to assist relevant
stakeholders to respond to a focused review of the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 (EGPA),
to ensure it remains contemporary and fit for purpose. Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ)
acknowledges the Consultation Papers and responds to those papers relevant to non-state schools
in this submission.

Review of Queensland's Anti-Discrimination Act

The Queensland Human Rights Commission released a Discussion Paper to assist people and
organisations to prepare submissions that will inform the Review of the Anti-Discrimination Act.

Response to the Initial Teacher Education Quality Review Discussion Paper

ISQ welcomes the review of the Initial Teacher Education in Australia and offers recommendations to attract and select high-quality teachers, and ensure they are prepared as effective teachers.  

Submission on Australian Education (Direct Measure of Income) Bill 2020

The new DMI methodology represents a major change to the needs-based school funding model, which will replace the current Socio-Economic Status methodology to determine Capacity to Contribute.

Response to the NAPLAN Review, Interim Report

Queensland’s school education system is subject to ongoing review and reform. Some proposed changes are small, while others are significant with far-reaching implications for independent schools.

Past submissions

Submission Paper: Education (General Provisions) And Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 | March

Submission to ShapingSEQ 2023 Update | September

Review Submission: Non-State Schools Accreditation Framework | May

Religious Education Institutions and Anti-Discrimination Laws: Consultation Paper 2023 | February 

Inquiry into the delivery of vocational education and training in regional, rural and remote Queensland | January 

Submission to: The National Trend of School Refusal and Related Matters Inquiry | December 

Review of the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 | April 

Review of Queensland's Anti-Discrimination Act | March 

Response to the Initial Teacher Education (ITE) Quality Review Discussion Paper | July Independent Schools Queensland submission to the federal Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE).

Submission on Australian Education (Direct Measure of Income) Bill 2020 | March Independent Schools Queensland submission to the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee

Response to the NAPLAN Review, Interim Report | March Independent Schools Queensland submission to Department of Education

Submission to the Review of Senior Secondary Pathways into Work, Further Education and Training | December Independent Schools Queensland submission to the Education Council

Submission to the Review of the Universal Access National Partnership | October Independent Schools Queensland submission to the Australian Government

Religious Freedom Bills | September Independent Schools Queensland submission on the package of legislative reforms on religious freedom

Submission to the Criminal Code (Child Sexual Offences Reform) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2019 | September Independent Schools Queensland submission to The Department of Justice and Attorney-General

Submission to the Review of the Melbourne Declaration into the Educational Goals of Young Australians | June Independent Schools Queensland submission to the Education Council 

Submission to the Education Council NAPLAN Reporting Review | March Independent Schools Queensland submission to the Education Council

Education (Queensland College of Teachers) Amendment Bill 2019 | March Independent Schools Queensland submission to the Education, Employment and Small Business Committee 

Response to Cyberbullying | Independent Schools Queensland submission to Queensland Anti-Cyberbullying Taskforce 

Review of the Socio-economic Status Score Methodology | Independent Schools Queensland submission to the National School Resourcing Board 

Review to Achieve Educational Excellence in Australian Schools | October Independent Schools Queensland submission to the panel chaired by Mr David Gonski AC 

Education (Accreditation of Non-State Schools) Bill 2017 | June Independent Schools Queensland submission to the Queensland Parliament Education, Tourism, Innovation and Small Business Committee 

Australian Education Amendment Bill 2017 (PDF Link Missing???) | May Includes changes to the funding model, Schooling Resource Standard, effects on the independent sector, justification for the level of Australian Government support for independent schools

Proposed Changes to the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2007 | March Submission by Independent Schools Queensland to The Department of Education and Training, detailing overall support for the streamlining of the revised Code, while also recommending simpler regulation to reduce confusion and additional administrative burden

Foreign Policy White Paper | February ISQ’s responses to the Education sector routable discussion questions as part of the White Paper Taskforce, which is charged with shaping the future of Australian foreign policy. 

Review of Planning Instruments and Provision of Future School Infrastructure | February Co-written with the Queensland Catholic Education Commission, this letter provides comment on the consultation drafts of some planning instruments, including the State Planning Policy, Planning Regulation, Ministerial Guidelines and rules and SEQ Regional Plan.

Review of the blue card system – Discussion Paper | January Discussion paper provided to the Queensland Government reviewing the role of blue cards and how to strengthen the system to create a safer environment for children.

Positive Futures: Apprenticeships and Traineeships in Queensland - Discussion Paper | December Feedback on the Jobs Queensland discussion paper Positive Futures: Apprenticeships and Traineeships in Queensland

Draft, Advancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education and Training – An Action Plan for Education in Queensland | November Response to Advancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education and Training – An Action Plan for Education in Queensland. ISQ highlights strengths and specific areas for further consideration for the plan.

Issues Paper The civil litigation recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse: Redress and Civil Litigation Report – understanding the Queensland context | October Response to the issues paper supporting initiative and providing recommendations to a change in the legal structure, as well as advocating for no further extension of liability for schools.

Draft 2, Stage 1 Redeveloped QCAA Senior Syllabuses | September Response to Draft 2, Stage 1 Redeveloped QCAA Senior Syllabuses, consolidating responses drawn from consultation with over 150 senior curriculum leaders in Brisbane and Queensland regional centres.

Grammar Schools Bill 2016 | September Letter to the Education, Tourism, Innovation and Small Business Committee supporting the Grammar Schools Bill 2016, which was proposed to replace the Grammar Schools Act 1975.

Draft International Education and Training Strategy to Advance Queensland 2016-26 | September Submission to the Queensland Government’s 2016 Trade and Investment Queensland Draft International Education and Training Strategy. 

Health and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 | July Letter to the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee, supporting intent of the Amendment, while also highlighting concerns around privacy, administrative burden, data integrity, storage and destruction.   

Draft 1 of the Redeveloped QCAA Senior Syllabuses | 2016 Response to Draft 1 of the redeveloped QCAA senior syllabuses developed by consolidating feedback from a large number and wide range of curriculum leaders across the sector.  

Inclusion of SWD data on My School | June Response to ACARA on the inclusion of SWD data on My School. ISQ’s response is a summary of feedback provide by member schools with most respondents questioning the purpose and value of including SWD information on My School. 

Education and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 |June Response highlighting support for improving regulation of the teaching provision, strengthening ability to protect the wellbeing and safety of students and reducing red-tape for non-state schools by reducing requirements for the provision of school survey data.

Proposed Amendments to the Public Health Act 2005 | May Submission to the Department of Health on the proposed amendment to the Public Health Act 2005 asking for clarification on some use of terms and issues.

Towards a Queensland Rural and Remote Mental Health Action Plan - Discussion Paper | April Submission regarding Towards a Queensland Rural and Remote Mental Health Action Plan, supporting the discussion paper focus, while also highlighting challenges that should be considered.  

Education and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 |April Response to Education and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016, providing preliminary feedback for consideration.  

Draft Education (Queensland College of Teachers) Amendment Bill | 2016 Independent Schools Queensland responds to draft Education (Queensland College of Teacher) Amendment Bill. 

Queensland Jobs Growth Summit 2016 | April Submission to the Queensland Jobs Growth Summit - an initiative of the University of Queensland School of Economics and The Australia Institute. 

Review of Planning Legislation | January Non-state schools made a joint submission to the Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources Committee on the Planning Bills 2015 by Independent Schools Queensland and Queensland Catholic Education Commission. 

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