Skip to content
Education Training, General News

What makes the grade? Inquiry into educational attainment

House of Representatives < 1 min read

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education has launched an inquiry into the factors influencing educational attainment.

The inquiry will consider any variations in educational achievement based on gender, cultural and linguistic diversity and socioeconomic status. It will also seek to identify the elements that drive differences in student engagement, participation and outcomes at all levels of the education system.

Committee Chair, Hon Tim Watts MP, said the inquiry aims to build a clearer understanding of what drives educational achievement and where targeted improvements can make the greatest difference.

‘Educational attainment plays a critical role in shaping individual life outcomes and broader social and economic well-being.’

‘This inquiry will examine the factors that support positive educational progression, as well as the challenges faced by students, particularly those from disadvantaged or under-represented backgrounds,’ Mr Watts said.

The Committee welcomes written submissions providing recommendations in response to the terms of reference by Friday, 12 June 2026. Submissions, ideally no longer than 10 pages, are encouraged from a wide range of stakeholders, including educators and education experts, government, peak bodies and academics, as well as students and families.

More information on the inquiry, including the full terms of reference and details on making a submission, can be found on the inquiry website.

Media inquiries

Laura Green
Chair’s Office
(03) 9687 7661

For background information

Committee Secretariat
02 6277 4573
[email protected]

For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

More from this category

  • General News, Medical Health Aged Care
  • 01/04/2026
  • 14:26
House of Representatives

Inquiry into access and affordability of medical specialists

TheHouse of RepresentativesStanding Committee on Health, Aged Care and Disabilitytodayannounced a new inquiry into access to and affordability of medical specialists in Australia. The inquiry will examine the availability, cost and equity of access to medical specialist services across Australia, including in metropolitan, regional and rural communities, and will consider the impacts on patients, families and the broader health system. Chair of the Committee,Dr Mike Freelander MP, said the inquiry would consider the growing challenges Australians face in accessing timely and affordable specialist care. “Access to medical specialists is critical to early diagnosis, effective treatment and better health outcomes. However,…

  • Foreign Affairs Trade, General News
  • 01/04/2026
  • 12:54
Parliament of Australia

Treaties Committee recommends ratification of Papua New Guinea-Australia Mutual Defence Treaty (the Pukpuk Treaty)

The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) has tabled a report recommending the ratification of thePapua New Guinea-Australia Mutual Defence Treaty (the Pukpuk Treaty). The Pukpuk Treaty strengthens Australia’s defence partnership with our close neighbour, Papua New Guinea by elevating the status of our defence relationship to a formal Alliance. Once ratified, the Pupuk Treaty will form Australia’s third Alliance, following on from the signing of the Security Treaty between Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America (ANZUS), over 70 years ago. Committee Chair,Lisa Chesters MPsaid: “The Pukpuk Treaty marks a significant achievement in Australia’s relationship with Papua…

  • Building Construction, General News
  • 01/04/2026
  • 12:27
Parliament of Australia

Public Works Committee supports redevelopment of Blamey Barracks

Today,Mr Tony Zappia MP, Chair of theParliamentary Standing Committee on Public Workspresented the Public Works Committee’s second report of 2026 to the House of Representatives. Report 2/2026 – Referral made in September 2025considers the proposed redevelopment of Blamey Barracks, Kapooka, New South Wales for a total estimated cost of $889.2 million (excluding GST). Following an inquiry during which the Committee had the opportunity to visit the Barracks and see firsthand the conditions of the site and question Department of Defence officials at public and in-camera hearings in Wagga Wagga, the Committee found that the proposed works will bring the Barracks…

Media Outreach made fast, easy, simple.

Feature your press release on Medianet's News Hub every time you distribute with Medianet. Pay per release or save with a subscription.