The standing committee is one of nine general purpose investigatory committees established by the House of Representatives of the Parliament of Australia.

Information on the establishment, role and powers of House of Representatives committees can be found at the Committee Office home page and in chapters 16 and 17 of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives.

In summary, the role of the Standing Committee on Education and Employment is to carry out inquiries into matters referred to it by the House of Representatives or a Minister of the Commonwealth Government. The Committee may also inquire into matters raised in annual reports of relevant Commonwealth Government departments and authorities or in reports of the Commonwealth Auditor-General.