Schools, universities, education policy, and student issues
Nearly three-quarters of Australian adolescents experience clinically significant anxiety or depression. New research and school-based interventions show prevention can turn the tide.
Grace Okonkwo Australia is moving to standardise how TAFE qualifications count toward university degrees, potentially saving students up to $18,000 and a year of study.
Grace Okonkwo Victorian teachers are voting on their first strike in 13 years. The dispute reflects a broader crisis: 47% of Australian teachers intend to leave the profession, and Victoria's classroom staff earn nearly $16,000 less than their NSW peers.
Grace Okonkwo Australia's 20% student debt cut is welcome relief for 3.1 million graduates, but it masks a deeper problem: government funding per student has collapsed while costs mount.
Daniel Kovac NAPLAN testing coincides with Ramadan in 2026, forcing schools to adapt. Early morning sessions and flexible scheduling are meant to help fasting students, but educators question whether it's enough.
Grace Okonkwo Australian universities are stepping up their esports offerings with scholarships, dedicated facilities, and formal education pathways as the industry grows rapidly.
Jake Nguyen 
When Debating SA set a Year 9 debate topic about tradwives, it sparked international outrage and phone calls from angry parents. But the real debate—about when we should argue about ideas—is just beginning.
Mitchell Tan As Australian families struggle with back-to-school costs reaching record levels, Victoria is tackling one driver of inflation: branded school uniforms. But experts warn a patchwork of state responses leaves many families behind.
Grace Okonkwo 
The head of Australia's national testing program has urged parents to refuse requests from selective schools asking for NAPLAN results during enrolment, warning the practice undermines the test's intended purpose.
Grace Okonkwo Australian families are bracing for another expensive school year, with 30% unable to afford uniforms and supplies. The average bill has climbed to $712 for primary students and $1,166 for secondary students.
Kate Morrison This week, as NAPLAN testing begins across Australia, nearly two million students face exams while battling unprecedented levels of anxiety and depression. Government mental health leaders are being deployed, but schools remain severely under-resourced.
Kate Morrison 
Australian universities are embracing AI for student learning while tightening controls around exams and tests. But without regulatory teeth, schools lack the accountability needed to protect integrity.
James Callahan Australia's game development industry is booming, with 2,465 full-time jobs, 61% of studios hiring, and 10,000+ openings projected over five years. Yet careers in gaming remain overlooked.
Jake Nguyen The AEU has launched a formal inquiry into public school infrastructure, revealing that private schools have outspent public schools by $38 billion over the past decade.
Grace Okonkwo 
Victorian teachers seeking WorkCover support for stress and bullying face lengthy claim delays that extend their absence from classrooms, according to reporting from education sector sources.
Priya Narayanan 
NSW public schools have signalled support for students wearing the Palestinian keffiyeh at school events, marking a significant reversal after a student's exclusion sparked widespread criticism.
Aisha Khoury On March 5, Victorian secondary students raced F1 24 simulators metres from the real Albert Park circuit. It's a milestone moment for Australian school esports.
Jake Nguyen Australia's private tutoring sector is booming, with one in six students now receiving private coaching. The trend reveals growing academic pressure on families already squeezed by education costs and cost-of-living pressures.
Grace Okonkwo Queensland schools are grappling with the reality of climate disruption: closed campuses, relocated classrooms, and students dealing with trauma and uncertainty. The question is not whether schools can rebuild, but whether education policy is prepared for this to become routine.
Kate Morrison With university semester underway, thousands of Australian students are scrambling to find accommodation as universities report critical housing shortages. The crisis threatens to undermine access to higher education, particularly for regional and first-year students.
Grace Okonkwo