Schools, universities, education policy, and student issues
Victoria's Free TAFE program has enrolled nearly 685,000 students since 2023, but a damning survey reveals nearly two-thirds of TAFE teachers are considering leaving their jobs, threatening the entire skills pipeline.
Grace Okonkwo New research shows 90% of Australian teachers report extreme stress, with two-thirds experiencing depression and anxiety symptoms. The crisis points to systemic workload problems that money alone cannot fix.
Grace Okonkwo Australia's first major schools funding agreement in a decade commits $16.5 billion over ten years with specific targets for attendance, literacy and numeracy. The progress report released March 25 reveals what the government is betting on to close the gap.
Grace Okonkwo Australian families will spend a combined $14.4 billion on back-to-school costs in 2026, but one in three parents cannot afford the bill. New uniform rules in Victoria offer relief, while smart shopping strategies can ease the burden.
Andrew Marsh Tasmanian teachers have launched an indefinite ban on administering NAPLAN tests, sparking rolling strikes this week. The dispute centres on pay offers the union says are inadequate for a workforce under strain.
Grace Okonkwo Australian secondary schools have rapidly embraced AI tools, but new research reveals a massive gap between adoption and preparedness. Only zero percent of schools feel fully ready, and most lack even basic AI policies.
Jake Nguyen 
Australian universities have secured positions among the world's elite for engineering and artificial intelligence, with four courses ranking in the global top 10.
Daniel Kovac 
Parents in two regional Victorian towns celebrate the approval of school zone changes that will finally grant their children direct access to Daylesford Secondary College.
Patrick Donnelly Australia ranks third-worst in the OECD for teacher shortages, with 42% of secondary teachers in schools unable to find qualified staff. Disadvantaged schools are hit hardest as burnout drives nearly half of teachers to consider leaving.
Grace Okonkwo 
Following an embarrassing October exam bungle, Queensland schools now face stricter requirements to verify they are teaching the correct exam topics before students sit their final assessments.
James Callahan Families across Australia are making trade-offs that shouldn't be necessary. Childcare costs have become unaffordable for 40% of families, while school fees and grocery prices continue to climb.
Bruce Mackinnon 
More than 40,000 Victorian teachers have walked off the job, demanding better pay and exposing broader wage pressures facing Australia's lowest-paid workers across the economy.
James Callahan 
About 10,500 Queensland teachers received underpayment totalling $8.7 million, prompting scrutiny of the state's administrative systems. Parliament has resumed with work on multiple fronts including industrial relations reform.
Priya Narayanan 
Half of Australia's newest Teach For Australia cohort are career changers bringing real-world expertise to classrooms. But research shows keeping them in the profession is the real test.
Grace Okonkwo Australia's gaming sector is booming with 2,443 jobs and 400+ new positions planned for 2026. Universities are launching formal programs in game development and esports. For students considering the industry, the barrier to entry is clearer than ever.
Jake Nguyen Australian families are facing record private school fees and growing cost pressures. New data reveals 71% of parents are making sacrifices to afford education, even as independent school enrolments continue to climb.
Grace Okonkwo As Australian families plan Easter holidays, school holiday childcare costs spike to $100-150 per day. We break down the real costs, government support, and strategies to manage expenses.
Ella Sullivan As NAPLAN testing began in 2026, technical failures left students unable to log in, while officials warn that schools are misusing results as entrance exams contrary to the test's original design.
Grace Okonkwo 
Victoria's public school teachers will strike for the first time in 13 years on March 24, rejecting a government pay offer they say abandons the profession to financial stagnation.
Yuki Tamura 
NSW school principals will gain expanded powers to ban parents who engage in unreasonable or threatening behaviour, preventing them from coming within 25 metres of school grounds and contacting teachers.
Grace Okonkwo