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Department of Education and Training (Australia)

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Headquarters
  
Canberra

Department of Education and Training (Australia)

Formed
  
23 December 2014 (2014-12-23)

Preceding Department
  
Department of Education

Jurisdiction
  
Commonwealth of Australia

Ministers responsible
  
Simon Birmingham, Minister for Education and Training Scott Ryan, Minister for Vocational Education and Skills Richard Colbeck, Minister for Tourism and International Education

Department executive
  
Michele Bruniges, Secretary (since 4 April 2016)

The Australian Department of Education and Training is a department of the Government of Australia charged with the responsibility for national policies and programs that help Australians access quality and affordable early childhood education, school education, higher education, vocational education and training, international education and academic research.

Contents

The head of the department is the Secretary of the Department of Education and Training, currently Michele Bruniges, who reports to the Minister for Education and Training, currently Senator the Hon. Simon Birmingham, and the Minister for Vocational Education and Skills, currently Senator the Hon. Scott Ryan. In addition, Senator the Hon. Richard Colbeck assists the portfolio in his capacity as the Minister for Tourism and International Education.

History

The department was formed by way of an Administrative Arrangements Order issued on 23 December 2014. It incorporated the functions of the previous Department of Education, except for child care which was transferred to the Department of Social Services. Vocational training was transferred from the Department of Industry to the new Department of Education and Training.

The Department of Education and Training's predecessor agencies have been:

  • Department of Education, Employment and Training (DEET) (1987)
  • Department of Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs (DEETYA) (1996)
  • Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs (DETYA) (1997)
  • Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) (2001)
  • Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) (2007)
  • Department of Education (2013)
  • Department of Education and Training (2014)

    • Operational activities

    The functions of the department are broadly classified into the following matters:

  • Schools education policy and programs, including vocational education and training in schools
  • Schooling transitions policy and programs including career pathways
  • Education and training transitions policy and programs
  • Youth affairs and programs, including youth transitions
  • Pre-school education policy and programs
  • Higher education policy, regulation and programs
  • Policy, coordination and support for international education and research engagement
  • Coordination of research policy in relation to universities
  • Creation and development of research infrastructure
  • Research grants and fellowships
  • Skills and vocational education policy regulation and programs
  • Training (including apprenticeships) and training and skills assessment services
  • Foundation skills for adults
  • Adult migrant education

    • References

    Department of Education and Training (Australia) Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA