Chapter 2
Education, Employment and Workplace Relations portfolio
2.1
This chapter summarises areas of interest and concern raised during the
committee's consideration of budget estimates for the 2011-12 financial year.
This section of the report follows the order of proceedings and is an
indicative, but not exhaustive, list of issues examined.
2.2
The committee heard evidence on 30 and 31 May from
Senator the Hon. Chris Evans, as the Minister for Education,
Employment and Workplace Relations, along with officers from areas of the
department and agencies responsible for employment and workplace relations,
including:
- Comcare
- Safe Work Australia
- Fair Work Ombudsman
- Fair Work Australia
-
Australian Building and Construction Commission
2.3
On 1 and 2 June the committee heard evidence from Minister Evans,
Parliamentary Secretary for School Education and Workplace Relations Senator the
Hon. Jacinta Collins and officers from areas of the department and agencies responsible
for administering education policy, including:
-
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority
- Australian Learning and Teaching
Council
- Skills Australia
- National Vocational Education and
Training Regulator
2.4
Senators present over the course of
hearings were Senator Marshall (Chair), Senator Back (Deputy Chair), Senators
Abetz, Bernardi, Bilyk, Boyce, Bushby, Cameron, Cash, Collins, Crossin, Evans,
Fielding, Fifield, Fisher, Hanson-Young, Humphries, Hutchins, Mason, Nash,
Parry, Ronaldson, Ryan, Scullion, Siewert, Sterle and Wortley.
Fair Work Australia
2.5
The committee examined the performance benchmarks of Fair Work Australia
(FWA) including the average time required to settle claims. The committee
explored the circumstances in which an application fee could be refunded.[3]
Senators explored the delineation of roles between the Australian Electoral
Commission and FWA in conducting industrial ballots.[4]
2.6
Senators also sought details on the nature of adverse action claims
lodged with FWA and any possible relationship these may have with unfair
dismissal requirements, and discussed some statistics surrounding unfair
dismissal claims.[5]
2.7
Other matters explored included the process for an official to gain a
right of entry permit to a workplace for the purpose of conducting safety
inspections; the training they must undertake; independent verification of
evidence provided to FWA; and the penalties for making false declarations on
application forms.[6]
Fair Work Ombudsman
Community awareness and
responsiveness
2.8
Officials from the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) were asked what activities
they are undertaking to promote awareness of the rights and responsibilities of
employers and employees under the current workplace relations legislation.
Witnesses advised that the FWO is active in local communities, engaging with
interested parties through a variety of media and shopfronts.
2.9
In response to questions regarding recent natural disasters, representatives
informed the committee that telephone callers from Queensland were given
priority during the month of January, and that a new publication, Employment
entitlements during natural disasters or emergencies, was released. Officers
noted that this publication was not specific to recent flood and cyclone events
in Queensland, and would be of use in any future natural disaster or
emergency. Furthermore, the committee was informed that the FWO is currently
investigating upgrading the technology used for caller identification to
improve prioritisation of affected persons in future events.[7]
Auditing and compliance activities
2.10
FWO discussed their auditing methodology, outcomes, objectives and
follow-up activities used to monitor industry compliance with legislation. The
Committee was assured that these audits result in improved industry wide
outcomes as findings from an audited sample are distributed to interested
participants nationally.[8]
The committee heard that the FWO is providing a sophisticated range of tools
for employers and employees to manage their relations, protect their rights and
meet their obligations.[9]
Sham contracting
2.11
The FWO was also asked about investigations of 'sham contracting', the practice
of retaining the services of an independent contractor when the relationship
should be one of ongoing employment. The FWO informed the committee that:
[We] do take a look at sham contracting arrangements from
time to time. We have a set of work which is going on at the moment in a number
of industries to test the extent of sham contracting in about 90 to 100
different entities in the cleaning, call centre and hair and beauty industries.[10]
2.12
When asked about the potential overlap in operations between the Australian
Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) and the FWO, the committee learnt
that there is a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), signed in March 2011,
between the FWO and the ABCC which 'sets out a framework for [the FWO] to refer
wages and conditions matters explicitly to the ABCC.'[11]
The MOU ensures that all work which falls under the Building and Construction
Industry Improvement Act 2005 (BCII Act) is referred to the ABCC. Not all
building companies fall within the BCII Act as some are below the
necessary scale thresholds; therefore the FWO retains some interest in
potential sham contracting in the building industry.
Annual leave loading
2.13
The committee explored at length the question of when annual leave
loading is payable when an employee is terminated. The National Employment
Standards include annual leave loading on unused leave at the time of
dismissal. Officials clarified for the committee what would happen in an
hypothetical situation in which an agreement specifically stipulates that no
annual leave loading is payable on unused annual leave:
[W]here an enterprise agreement had been certified by Fair
Work Australia and it included a clause which was inconsistent with the
[National Employment Standards (NES)], we would argue that the NES survives and
that therefore annual leave loading on termination was payable, where it is
otherwise payable on annual leave taking during employment.[12]
2.14
Although this position is based upon the uncontested advice from senior
council, the Chair emphasised that the discussion was based around hypothetical
scenarios.[13]
Australian Building and Construction Commission
2.15
The committee discussed a wide range of matters with the ABCC including
staffing, office arrangements, recruitment, information provided to the public,
and workloads.
Commissioner's powers to obtain information
2.16
Section 52 of the ABII Act provides the ABCC Commissioner power to
require witnesses to give evidence relating to investigations being undertaken
by the ABCC. The committee explored the use of this power and upcoming reviews
into its use. The Commonwealth Ombudsman (Ombudsman) has been invited by the
Commission to attend section 52 hearings to ensure transparency and due process
are afforded to participants.[14]
The committee was informed that witnesses who are compelled to testify are
eligible for compensation for travel and other expenses.[15]
While it was established the three-quarters of witnesses summoned under section
52 later appeared voluntarily, it was explained to the committee that section
52 was an important tool to facilitate the work of the ABCC and to provide
protection to witnesses who may be adversely affected should they be seen to
cooperate with the ABCC voluntarily.[16]
Sham contracting inquiry
2.17
The committee received an update into the on-going sham contracting
inquiry being undertaken by the ABCC. Senators were informed that public
inquiries have concluded and that information is now being collated for the
report.[17]
Comcare
Review of Comcare health and safety
representative training course accreditation program survey
2.18
Senators discussed the review into Comcare's Health and Safety
Representative Training Course Accreditation Program. Senators raised concerns
about the concentration of survey respondents in Commonwealth agencies and the
potential this might have to skew the results of the survey. The quantum of,
and emphasis on, face-to-face training was also raised as potentially excluding
training providers that use external training methods. In response to questions
regarding the necessary duration of training for health and safety
representatives (HSR), witnesses explained:
[I]n all the circumstances and taking account of a range of
views from training providers, unions, employers, HSRs et cetera, did come to a
view on this particular issue when they revised the guidelines in April 2010
that they would require five days face-to-face training.[18]
2.19
Senators were informed that the draft regulations call for five days of
face-to-face training, but they are not prescriptive in the method of delivery
and consultations are still ongoing in regards this matter. [19]
Immigration detention facilities
2.20
Witnesses were asked about media reports that indicated that Comcare had
visited seven detention centres in the last fortnight. In response to questions
on the findings of those visits, officials explained:
The investigations and site visits to these immigration
detention facilities did find that generally the work places were compliant
with federal work health and safety laws. There were four areas of concern that
were shared with the department and also, through the department, with the
detention facility manages and Serco. They related to risk assessment, staff
training, critical incident control and also the issue of adequate preparation
to manage the risk of racial vilification. There were some specific issues with
regard to Villawood, in particular, at Blaxland, the high security centre. They
were raised with DIAC and immediate remedial measures were put in place.[20]
2.21
It was also revealed that an improvement notice, subsequently tabled,
had been issued to the Villawood detention facility. It was reported that the
improvement notice had been complied with in a timely manner.[21]
Service improvement
2.22
Comcare revealed that in the financial year to date, it has received
around 3700 new claims and provided ongoing support for in excess of 10 000
claimants. In that time it has received 318 complaints.[22]
Comcare is putting in place measures to improve the capabilities of staff to
deal with cases involving post-traumatic stress disorder. Officials undertook
to consider providing applicants with a receipt for evidence received in order
to minimise the possibility of evidence being misplaced.[23]
Safe Work Australia
Occupation health and safety draft
regulations
2.23
Safe Work Australia (SWA) was asked about the progress made to date in
preparing the new national regulations relating to occupation health and
safety. The committee was informed that SWA had conducted a four-month public
consultation process and had received approximately 1350 submissions which were
being considered. The committee discussed the potential impact of the draft
regulations on the building and construction sector. It was emphasized by SWA
that the draft regulations are still being refined to address concerns raised
through the consultation process.[24]
National standardisation of
occupation health and safety regime
2.24
Officials discussed the process of implementing a nationally consistent
occupational health and safety regime. Senators heard that the model
legislation, endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG), was
being enacted and should be in place by 1 January 2012.[25]
2.25
In response to questions regarding the potential implication of
amendments moved in the New South Wales Parliament granting unions the right to
prosecute in certain circumstances, an official informed the committee:
Under the intergovernmental agreement all of the
Commonwealth, the states and the territories committed to enact the model
legislation. That is a matter that is under auspices of COAG, so it will be a
matter for COAG to consider, when all the bills are enacted, to what extent
they have actually complied with the model legislation. Safe Work Australia has
a role to monitor the implementation of it. We will be reviewing that. We will
be raising it with the relevant ministerial council and ultimately to COAG.[26]
Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations – Outcome 5: Safer,
fairer and more productive workplaces
Safe Rates, Safe Roads
2.26
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
(department) was asked about any progress in the ongoing Safe Rates, Safe
Roads (SRSR) investigation being undertaken as part of the government response
to the National Transport Commission report Safe Payments Addressing the
Underlying Causes of Unsafe Practices in the Road Transport Industry. The
SRSR inquiry is exploring options for a national approach to pay, conditions
and safety measures across the road freight industry. The committee heard that
the department is currently undertaking economic analysis of various options.[27]
Fair Work Act
2.27
Senators discussed the implementation of the Fair Work Act 2009
(FWA 2009) and its impact on different sectors of the economy. Senator
Evans informed the committee that the government is willing to engage with
concerns but encouraged everyone to try and make the legislation work. The department
has begun preparations to undertake a two year, post implementation review of
the FWA 2009 from 1 January 2012.[28]
Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations – Outcome 4: Enhanced
employability and acquisition of labour market skills
Enterprise migration agreements
2.28
The committee commenced Tuesday's hearings with a discussion on
Enterprise Migration Agreements (EMA) that facilitate the importation of labour
for large resources sector projects valued in excess of $2 billion and
employing more than 1500 people. EMA emerged as a recommendation from the National
Resource Sector Employment Taskforce and are designed to meet peak demand for
labour in the resources sector.[29]
Minister Evans explained the government's position:
[EMA] were adopted as part of that cabinet budget
decision-making approach in response to the skills shortages that are likely to
emerge as we see the huge growth in mining and construction, or mining and
other resource projects. They were designed to try to deal with the larger
projects, which will have very large labour needs for construction stages, but
it is within the suite of measures that DIAC has in terms of 457 visas, labour
agreements, and now this bigger project category.[30]
Job Services Australia
2.29
Job Services Australia (JSA) assists unemployed individuals gain the
skills and experience required to ensure sustainable employment. The committee
heard that new contracts for JSA providers were due to commence on 1 July 2012;
contract extensions will be offered to all JSA providers that receive a star
rating of three or higher on a five star scale. The committee discussed the
operation and methodology of the star rating scale with departmental officials,
and witnesses indicated that the department expected to be in a position to
offer contracts to successful providers by March 2012 to provide certainty to
jobseekers and employees of JSA providers.[31]
2.30
It was reported to the committee that the government is achieving better
outcomes for job seekers through the use of a broad suite of measures and
incentivising JSA providers to offer a variety of options. As explained by the
department:
[JSA providers] are supposed to customise the work experience
for the job seeker...The idea of the Employment Pathway Fund is that it is
flexible and they are supposed to customise it for the job seeker's needs. They
may do education and training; they may do national Green Jobs Corp; they may
do a whole range of other activities: part-time work, volunteer work. There are
many activities they can do.[32]
2.31
Senators asked about the fiscal impact on JSA providers caused by
increasing the work activity requirements of the very long-term unemployed from
six to eleven months as announced in the 2011–12 Budget. The department
informed the committee that an addition $1000 per eligible participant will be
credited to the Employment Pathway Fund for a provider to work with those
people over 11 months rather than the six months currently required. The
committee was assured that the extension did not represent a significant new
burden on JSA providers as it was a matter of scaling rather than providing a
new service.[33]
2.32
JSA providers have created 2879 unpaid work experience activities
nationally since the beginning of JSA to 31 March 2011. Senators
expressed concern for the potential for work experience to displace paid
labour. The committee was assured that the guidelines in place ensure that
businesses are unable to displace paid labour with unpaid.[34]
Job capacity assessments
2.33
In 2010–11 there were around 465 000 job capacity assessments
(JCAs) undertaken. JCAs provide a comprehensive work capacity assessment,
combining referral to employment and related support services with assessment
of work capacity for income support purposes. Officials elaborated on the
processing times and performance in relation to JCAs, and were able to report
that 80 per cent of non-remote JCAs were completed within 10 business
days of referral. Currently 60 per cent of JCAs are undertaken by
Centrelink. The committee heard that the Department of Human Services has been
undergoing a significant training program in May and June 2011 in
preparation for taking on all JCAs.[35]
Building Australia's future workforce
2.34
The committee discussed Building Australia's Future Workforce (BAFW), a
$94.6 million initiative designed to assist the very long-term unemployed to find
employment through wage subsidies. Senator Evans explained that:
This is a high disadvantaged group. International experience
is that wage subsidy has been one of the most successful ways of giving them an
opportunity they otherwise would not get. We will be looking to work with
employers of good heart who are prepared to give someone a chance and we are
going to help subsidise the fact that they may not be as competitive in the job
market that employer in the first place. It is a very targeted program so there
is not the potential waste in the program. These are really disadvantaged
jobseekers.[36]
2.35
The committee was assured that there would be measure in place to ensure
that sustainable outcomes were achieved and jobseekers would be appropriately
matched with employers.[37]
Productive aging package
2.36
The productive aging package is designed to keep mature workers engaged
in the workforce and share their knowledge and experience with the community;
especially young people.
2.37
The committee explored the $500 000 Golden Gurus program that
emerged from the 2020 Summit and offered providers grants of up to $10 000
to link up older citizens with small businesses in the community. The department
reported that the program will be reviewed in 2012 to assess the effectiveness
of the program at establishing mature-age people as mentors.[38]
2.38
Experience Plus provides a mechanism for mature age workers with skills
but not formal qualifications to have their skills assessed and formally
recognised. The committee explored the decision to extend the eligibility of
the Experience Plus program to those aged 50 plus, whereas it had previously
been restricted to those over 55 years of age. The number of eligible
industries has also increased to all industries in priority employment areas. Approximately
129 people had signed up in the first 12 months of the program.[39]
Disability employment services
2.39
The department was asked if the government's budget measures would have
an impact on the number of people accessing Disability Employment Services (DES),
an employment assistance service for jobseekers with a disability. The department
informed the committee that there was strong demand for the now uncapped DES.
Discussing specific measures to support people with disabilities into work, and
the number impacted, a witness summarised:
There is a wage subsidy being provided: $3000 for an employer
who takes on people with disability in a job for 15 hours a week for 26 weeks...We
are estimating 1000 jobseekers will be assisted through that program, as well
as the $2,000 supported wage system employer payment for those who employ someone
under the supported wage system for 15 hours a week for 26 weeks. So the total
of those two wage subsidy measures is, we think, 1,000 jobseekers with
disability...That is commencing 1 July 2012 and over the forward estimates.[40]
2.40
The $3000 wage subsidy will commence on a pilot basis as an incentive to
get DSP recipients into employment.[41]
School enrolment and attendance measure
2.41
Senators sought details about the School Enrolment and Attendance
Measure (SEAM), a trial program that suspends income support to parents in
cases where students are either not enrolled in school or have poor attendance
records. The trial is set to be evaluated sometime after 30 June 2012. The department
reported that in the Northern Territory income support payments to six parents
had been suspended for failure to enrol their child in school, and payments to
37 parents had been suspended under the attendance component of SEAM. The
attendance component of SEAM activates when a child's attendance falls below a
certain threshold. Four hundred and ninety parents have been
issued with an attendance notice because of concerns regarding their children's
attendance record; of those 169 children demonstrated improved attendance. The
other 321 children were either within the 28-day compliance period, awaiting a
determination on their case by Centrelink, or their parents were subject to
income support suspensions. In Queensland 79 parents have had their income
support suspended as a result of the enrolment component of SEAM, and three
parents have had their income support suspended as a result of the attendance
component.[42]
Income support for teenage parents
2.42
Senators inquired into how the proposed changes to income support for
teenage parents would be administered to ensure the program met it stated
outcomes. Officers informed the committee that the new policy aimed for more
than simply ensuring that young parents finished school. The program had the
potential to help teenage parents access services in the community, and
complete educational qualifications other than Year 12.[43]
As the witness explained:
[T]he trial will very carefully explain to the parent
everything that they are entitled to in order to complete their education...it
is quite complicated for a teen parent to understand how they can finish their
education once they have had a child, and that is the major focus of the trial.[44]
Skills Australia
2.43
Senators engaged in an expansive discussion on the work that Skills
Australia undertakes in predicting future skills shortages and recommending
policy to government. The committee heard that Skills Australia undertakes
significant modelling work – one manifestation of which is the revisions to the
skilled occupations in demand list maintained by the Department of Immigration
and Citizenship – in an effort to identify areas where government action may be
required. Officials explained:
What we are doing is taking a medium- longer term view of the
economy and, in terms of our scenario modelling, we looked at what the total
size of the workforce might be, what the qualification levels should be
achieving and from that we have extrapolated those to certain industries.[45]
2.44
Skills Australia identified the aged-care and resources sectors as
potential areas of future skill shortages.[46]
2.45
Officials emphasised the importance of the Vocational Education and Training
(VET) sector for Australia's future prosperity. They indicated the importance
of ensuring nationally consistent education standards across institutions and
the importance to industry of quality assurance in educational achievements. To
this end Skills Australia supported the national VET regulator and recommended
that registered education providers should be validated externally on an annual
basis.[47]
Australian Learning and Teaching
Council
2.46
Senators heard evidence of the administrative work underway to liquidate
the Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) which will be succeeded by
the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency. The department explained
that all grants currently awarded and administered would be transferred to the department
where they would continue as before. In response to difficulties in
interpreting the Portfolio Budget Statement, the department suggested it would in
future list ALTC funding separately in future portfolio budget statements to
improve transparency.[48]
Vocational education and training
2.47
The committee discussed the growth in student numbers in the Vocational
Education and Training (VET) sector and some of the reasons for that growth.
The committee discussed some of the reasons why students choose different
institutions, and the differences between those institutions in terms of
quality and variety. One official summarised the policy of government in terms
of harmonisation:
The other point is not to harmonise—that is, the government
is keen—and we have been keen for a long time—to try to promote what is called
competency based training, not time based training. Rather than everyone having
to take four years to get an apprenticeship, if you are that good and you could
do it in two, and you are just as competent as someone else who did it in four,
then you ought to be able to finish in two.[49]
2.48
The committee was assured that VET training in schools and TAFE were
taught by accredited instructors and was of a high quality. The department
reported that it was looking at ways to ensure that there was transparency
around the terminology of VET. Senators asked about completion rates of
qualification and retention rates for apprentices; the department discussed the
complexities of these areas and highlighted the recently announced $100 million
apprenticeship mentoring program as a way of improving retention rates among
apprentices.[50]
VET – National support
2.49
The committee learnt that the department has been working closely with
Industry Skills Councils in formulating the Enterprise Based Productivity
Places Program which will initially focus on providing trained workers in the
aged care and construction industries; both of which are experiencing annual
growth rates in excess of 4 per cent. In explanation of the government choice
to focus on these two sectors, officials explained:
Both also have challenges with parts of their workforce in
need of basic foundational skills. There is very strong demand and employers
who are going to be—with strong industry skills councils in both
industries—keen to take the lead in developing their own workforce.[51]
2.50
Senators also discussed the functioning and performance of Australian
Apprenticeship Centres with the department. The committee was informed that
there are currently 441 000 Australian Apprentices undertaking training through
25 organisations providing approximately 350 outlets where people can access
assistance.[52]
2.51
The committee heard that the $100 million allocated in the budget for
accelerated apprenticeships will fund approximately 25 centres that will
recognise individuals' prior experience and learning under a competency based
learning model. It is hoped that this program will be able to deliver the skilled
workers industry needs by recognising the abilities of existing workers through
formal qualifications without diminishing worker quality.[53]
Higher education
2.52
Senators undertook a searching review of fiscal and infrastructure
implications caused by an expected increase in tertiary enrolments by 2025,
planned capital expenditure, changes in university enrolment and the
implications for revised indexation methods. Witnesses stressed the difficulty
in forecasting over such long timeframes due to changing learning patterns,
demographic changes and other factors. Senators agreed that this is an area of
significant national importance.[54]
2.53
The committee discussed the recent growth of low socio-economic status
students (low-SES), the department reported that those students currently
account for 16.2 per cent of university students.[55]
Witnesses described for the committee the methodology used to calculate the
number of low-SES students and prospective changes to the methodology to ensure
accuracy.[56]
2.54
Senators asked about the policy design and administration of the Student
Learning Entitlement (SLE). For the benefit of the committee departmental
officials explained the operation of the SLE:
The ordinary SLE is your standard seven years. There is then
additional SLE. There are three different formulae for providing additional
SLE. The first one is where the course load of the original undergraduate
course of study you are doing, other than an honours course or a graduate entry
bachelor degree course, is greater than six EFTSL and, where that is the case,
you get additional SLE that is equal to your course load, plus one EFTSL, minus
your seven ordinary EFTSL and minus any additional SLE that you already have.
Then there is the calculation for the additional SLE where
you are enrolled in an honours course, a graduate entry bachelor degree course
or a postgraduate course. The formula for that one is essentially the length of
your course minus any additional SLE. The last one for additional SLE is where
a higher education provider restructures a course while you are in it and
effectively you get additional SLE for the additional length of the course
while you are in that.
These are the circumstances in which a person has lifelong
SLE: the guidelines set up dates from which you initially get one year of EFTSL
and then annually afterwards you get an additional quarter of an EFTSL. So if
on 1 January 2005 the person was aged 20 years or greater, the person begins
accruing lifelong SLE on 1 January 2012 and every January after, and if on 1
January 2005 you were less than 20 years of age, you begin accruing lifelong
SLE on 1 January of the year in which you turn 27. They are the dates where you
get your initial one year lifelong EFTSL for the Student Learning Entitlement, and
you get a quarter of an EFTSL for every year after.[57]
2.55
The committee discussed the administrative burden this placed on
universities and the difficulty in monitoring each student's SLE in the absence
of an integration information technology system.[58]
2.56
The committee also discussed the Review of Student Income Support
Reforms. The review will consider the impact of changes to student income
support arrangements; with a particular focus on rural and regional students
and their capacity to access higher education. Senators asked about the
impacts of changes to student income support, especially as they relate to
regional students. Witnesses provided statistics regarding the number of
students accessing various student income support.[59]
Minister Evans encapsulated the government's view on the new Youth Allowance
policy settings:
We think we have a fairer system and one which is actually
supporting the kids who most need the support; and not only that but, now the
system has grown, the number who are eligible. So we have many more eligible,
many more accessing youth allowance than before, many more kids being helped,
families being supported, and more kids going to universities. So I would have
to say to you that is a pretty good result if you are trying to assess whether
something is working or not.[60]
National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Australian Skills
Quality Authority)
2.57
The committee engaged in a broad discussion on progress towards the establishment
of a National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Regulator) due to
commence operations from 1 July 2011. Senators asked questions regarding cost
recovery, legislative scrutiny, financial auditing practice, and potential
policies. Departmental officials indicated that they would be able to provide
answers in greater detail at the Supplementary Budget Estimates round,
scheduled for 17‑20 October 2011, as the Regulator would have
commenced operations.[61]
2.58
The Department reported that one Indigenous Early Childhood Education Centre
(IECEC) is complete, with interim services being provided from nine further
locations, and three more to commence by the end of July 2011. The department
informed senators of consultations undertaken with communities and state
governments in relation to the establishment of the IECEC.[62]
2.59
The committee discussed issues relating to staffing numbers and
qualifications in the early childhood education sector. Specifically,
government initiatives to accredit non-qualified experienced workers with
formal qualifications were discussed.[63]
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority
2.60
The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA)
reported to the committee that it was planning on including satisfaction
surveys in future incarnations of its MySchool website. The committee
proceeded to discuss some of the methodological uncertainties around these
surveys and the comparative costs, benefits and utility of collecting such
information.[64]
2.61
ACARA reported to the committee on progress to date and key milestones
in implementing the national curriculum. Witnesses reported that the new
national curriculum has been fully implemented in government schools in the
Australian Capital Territory and is being piloted in 60 Victorian schools. These
are steps on the road towards full nation-wide implementation by 2013.[65]
Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations – Outcome 2: Schools
and youth
Building the education revolution
2.62
The committee discussed programs within Building the Education
Revolution (BER) including: Primary Schools for the 21st Century;
Science and Language Centres; and National School Pride. Officials provided
senators with an update regarding the number of projects completed and
outstanding. The department tabled a document detailing expenditure to date
under the BER.[66]
Indigenous boarding facilities
2.63
The government has undertaken to construct three Indigenous boarding
facilities to be located at Wadeye, East Arnhem and the Warlpiri Triangle. Officials
reported that below-ground construction at Wadeye is complete and the builder
is on-site preparing for the commencement of above-ground construction. Garrthalala
has been chosen to host the East Arnhem facility and an architect and project
manager have been recruited. Infrastructure hurdles were discussed at length
and the importance of ensuring access during the wet season was raised.[67]
Rewards for school improvement
2.64
Officials were questioned regarding the operations and design of the
Reward for School Improvement program that will reward primary and secondary
schools that can demonstrate improved student performance across a number of
measures including: attendance; literacy and numeracy performance; and post school
destination information. Witnesses provided senators with information
regarding the collection and utility of the National Assessment Program –
Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) and how it may be used to measure changes in
students' academic performance. Officials also about potential methodologies
for the collection and comparison of student attendance data.[68]
National school chaplaincy program
2.65
Senators discussed the National School Chaplaincy Program (NSCP) at some
length. Officials discussed the criteria for entry into the program and the
necessary qualifications for individuals and service providers to be eligible
to work in schools. Witnesses reported that service providers are responsible
for undertaking eligibility assessments of individual chaplains, and that
schools are primarily responsible for monitoring the quality of services and
compliance with program guidelines.
2.66
Senators explored how a school engaged an individual under the NSCP;
especially how a school would engage a secular person under the NSCP. The
policy regarding the appointment of secular chaplains was explained to the
committee:
On the change of government, a decision was made to allow
schools, in those cases where they were not able to source a chaplain who had
some religious affiliation, to choose a secular one.[69]
Senators discussed how this policy would be applied and what
evidence a school must produce validating their claims of being unable to find
a religiously affiliated chaplain.
2.67
Senators discussed the process for raising complaints regarding the
behaviour of chaplains and the way in which the department dealt with any
complaints received. Compliance monitoring was discussed and senators learnt
that departmental officials visit around 10 per cent of schools each year to
speak to key figures, such as school principles, and monitor the implementation
of the program.[70]
Digital education revolution
2.68
Senators received an update from the department on progress implementing
the Digital Education Revolution (DER). The DER aims to make sustainable and
meaningful change to teaching and learning in Australian schools through the
effective integration of information and communication technology (ICT). Witnesses
provided information regarding the distribution and use of lap-top computers to
senior high school students; the provision of high speed internet services to
schools nationally; and programs to improve the ICT capacity of teaching
professionals to ensure they are equipped to utilise the technologies provided.[71]
Senator Gavin Marshall
Chair
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