Image: https://www.nme.com/features/australia-higher-education-universities-stem-2699179
Australia is launching a bold new education reform in 2025, poised to reshape student outcomes and teaching standards nationwide. Education Minister Jason Clare has announced the creation of the Teaching and Learning Commission (TLC)—a single authority combining four key agencies into one unified body.
What’s Changing?
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Structural Reform Ahead
The TLC will merge ACARA, AITSL, AERO, and Education Services Australia. Its mission is clear: to improve Year 12 completion by 7.5%, reduce the number of students needing literacy or numeracy support by 10%, and increase top-performing NAPLAN results by 10%—all within five years. -
$16 Billion for Better Teaching
To access new federal funding, states must meet these milestones using evidence-based methods, such as phonics checks, small-group tutoring, and digital learning tools. -
AI & Inclusion Take Center Stage
The commission will also focus on teacher training reform, workforce analytics, and bolstering Indigenous educator representation, all while embracing educational technology and AI integration. The Australian -
Equity + Productivity
Clare emphasized that these reforms are essential for addressing educational disparities and boosting national productivity—funding will be performance-based, not automatic.
Why It’s Important
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Purpose-Driven Reform
By setting clear benchmarks and linking them to funding, Australia is emphasizing data-driven effectiveness in education. -
Global Trend in Education
The changes reflect a broader move worldwide toward centralizing education oversight, integrating AI tools in classrooms, and demanding accountability. -
Blueprint for Others
Countries watching for education reform models could find inspiration here—from combining agencies for efficiency to integrating technology responsibly.
Final Thought
Australia is rewriting the rules on how education systems can be restructured around performance, support, and innovation. As the world watches, the Teaching and Learning Commission could become a model for how to modernize schooling effectively.