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Annual Report 2025

Contact details within our Annual Reports are current at the date of publication. Find up-to-date contact information in the contact section on our webpages.

The 2025 Department for Education annual report is on this page. You can also download the department's 2025 Annual Report (PDF 762 KB) .

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Document information

Department for Education
Education Centre, 31 Flinders Street, Adelaide 5000
Postal address: GPO Box 1152, Adelaide SA 5001
www.education.sa.gov.au

Contact phone number: (08) 8226 1000
Free call: 1800 088 158
Contact email: education.customers@sa.gov.au

ISSN: 1835-1530
Date presented to Minister: 31 March 2026

To:
Hon Lucy Hood MP
Minister for Education, Training and Skills
Minister for Autism
Minister for the City of Adelaide

This annual report will be presented to Parliament to meet the statutory reporting requirements of the Public Sector Act 2009, the Public Finance and Audit Act 1987, and the Education and Children’s Services Act 2019 and the requirements of Premier and Cabinet Circular PC013 Annual Reporting.

This report is verified to be accurate for the purposes of annual reporting to the Parliament of South Australia.

Submitted on behalf of the Department for Education by:

Professor Martin Westwell
Chief Executive

From the Chief Executive

Martin Westwell smiling, wearing a blue shirt, blue jacket and glasses.

In 2025, we continued to make significant progress in delivering our Strategy for Public Education and the SA Curriculum in schools and preschools across the state.

Our focus on equity and excellence and developing effective learners was evident in sustained growth in student literacy and numeracy. For the first time since NAPLAN testing began, South Australia improved or held its position relative to other States and Territories in every domain this year.

The year 1 phonics screening check results remained well ahead of the first year of testing in 2018. With additional support for those who need it, these students will be screened again in year 2 to confirm their learning progress, and this will be joined by a similar year 1 numeracy check in 2026. Ensuring learners of all abilities build their literacy and numeracy will help them step into the future with confidence and with the skills needed to thrive.

We continued to invest in these foundational skills, supporting teachers through targeted professional learning and curriculum resources as part of our ongoing commitment to empowering educators to focus on what they do best – teaching South Australia’s children and young people.

We also strengthened protections for teachers and education communities through improved barring notices, because everyone deserves to feel safe and respected at their school or preschool.

The future of our democracy and social cohesion is being shaped in our classrooms. This year, we began taking active steps to develop democratic values in the future leaders and citizens through education and held our first Active Citizenship Convention in August.

It saw 1,500 students, educators and community leaders come together to explore what it means to live and act as part of a democracy and the role education plays in shaping it. We were intentional in the prominence of student voice to ensure civics and citizenship education is framed with students, not just about them.

Another key priority has been strengthening partnerships outside the classroom with communities and local industries.

We opened our second Technical College, located in Port Augusta, celebrated the first graduating class from Findon Technical College, and prepared for three more to open in early 2026. We also saw increased participation in vocational education and training (VET) across South Australia. Through our engagement with local employers, we’re working together to support young people to finish school with clear and diverse career pathways.

For our youngest learners, early childhood reforms continued to progress with a focus on safety and preparing to introduce 3-year-old preschool from 2026. This is a time of significant early childhood reform in South Australia, which further strengthens the unique and vital role government preschools play in local communities.

In 2025, we delivered major facility upgrades across the state, and progressed planning for a new northern suburbs secondary school and primary school and a primary school in Mount Barker to meet demand where it’s needed.

We also continued to leverage technology to reduce administrative burden for staff and open new learning possibilities through the rollout of EdChat, our custom-built generative AI tool for teaching and learning in South Australia. It was developed in conjunction with teachers, students and a global partner in Microsoft, and made available to staff and secondary students this year.

While we were the first state to engage students and educators in the responsible use of artificial intelligence as an emerging technology, importantly, we also saw positive shifts in student wellbeing and engagement away from devices.

We continued to see more students report a sense of belonging at school, which is critical to their wellbeing, improving attendance and building positive learning habits. Initiatives such as the mobile phone ban in schools have contributed to safer and more inclusive learning environments.

I would like to thank all Department for Education staff and community members for their contributions towards helping all South Australian children and young people to learn and thrive.

Professor Martin Westwell

Chief Executive

Department for Education

Overview: about the agency

Our strategic focus

Significant progress has been made to deliver on our purpose and Strategy for Public Education in South Australia since the launch of the strategy in July 2023.

Our continued focus is on delivering on the intent of the strategy and creating the greatest impact for all learners in South Australia’s public schools and preschools.

Our purpose

Public education is for every child and young person in every community across our state.

Educators and staff work in partnership with families and communities to nurture, develop and empower all South Australian children and young people with the knowledge, skills and capabilities they need to become fulfilled individuals, active, compassionate citizens and lifelong learners.

Our preschools and schools are the heart of local communities. They are safe, inclusive, and collaborative – a place where every child and young person is encouraged to contribute, develops positive relationships, has a say in their learning, and where their needs, interests, languages and cultures are recognised and supported.

We are relentless in our ambition for all children and young people to enter the world beyond the classroom ready to learn and create opportunities to live a satisfying and fulfilling life of their choosing.

When our children and young people thrive so does South Australia.

Our areas of impact

Our 4 areas of impact represent strategic choices made by the Department. They reinforce each other, each supporting the others to amplify the impact on students’ ability to learn and thrive. Each area is underpinned by a series of domains.

Wellbeing

Our learners feel safe, included, and valued. They have access to support, experiences, teaching, and resources to build their resilience and social and emotional skills to positively and confidently engage in learning.

We are focusing effort across the domains that most directly contributed to learning: belonging and safety; resilience and persistence and cognitive engagement.

Equity and excellence

We strive for excellence including foundational capabilities such as literacy, numeracy and digital literacy in all learners, by providing varied, challenging, and stimulating experiences and the appropriate use of a range of pedagogies. Equity means improving the outcomes of all learners while enabling them to explore learning that is meaningful to them building on their own abilities, interests, culture and experiences. We seek out inequity, eliminate barriers to success and support all students to learn and thrive.

Effective learners

We work to develop children and young people who can learn, not only when they are being taught. At preschool and school and throughout their lives, learners need to develop the skills to be effective learners so that they can make the most of future opportunities and respond to changes in their worlds.

We are focusing effort across the domains: curiosity; creativity; meaning making; strategic awareness; and metacognition and self-regulation.

Learner agency

Our learners are empowered to develop a sense of identity and responsibility as they participate in their preschool and school community and are supported to be active participants in shaping their learning experiences.

We are focusing effort across the domains: voice to agency; partners in learning; and discernment and judgement.

Our levers for impact

We make change and impact through the most influential parts of our system: our people and the ways we work together. These 7 key levers will be used to make the most impact across our work.

People levers: Our people are our strongest levers for impact, particularly those working alongside our learners to support their capacity to thrive.

  • Effective teaching
  • Empowered leadership
  • Partnering with families and communities
  • Engaging children and young people

System levers: As a system we have a strategic advantage in that we have teams and inputs that can support our preschools and schools to deliver impact for all learners in every community in South Australia.

  • Strengthening supports
  • Resourcing and investment
  • Improvement and responsibility

Our guiding principles

Our guiding principles describe how we make decisions and approach our work in ways that best use the levers to achieve our areas of impact:

  • Collective responsibility
  • Learning system
  • Evaluate for impact
  • Tight and flexible
  • Trust and verify

These principals serve as markers for the culture of the organisation, guiding the ways of working so we remain focussed on impact and positively activate everyone who works in education, including children and young people.

Our organisational structure

As at 31 December 2025, the department was comprised of the following divisions:

  • Office of the Chief Executive
  • Curriculum and Learning
  • Finance
  • Information and Communication Technology Services
  • Infrastructure
  • People and Culture
  • Preschools and Early Childhood Services
  • Schools and Preschools
  • Strategy and Performance
  • Student Pathways and Careers
  • Support and Inclusion

Changes to the agency

During 2025 there were the following changes to the agency’s structure and objectives because of internal reviews:

  • Effective 31 October 2025, the System Performance division merged with the Strategic Policy and External Relations division (now named Strategy and Performance).

Our Minister

The Hon Blair Boyer MP is the Minister for Education, Training and Skills and Minister for Police.

Blair Boyer, smiling and wearing a black suit with a white shirt and red tie.

Our Senior Executive team

As at 31 December 2025, the Senior Executive Group comprised:

NameRole
Professor Martin Westwell Chief Executive
Ben Temperly Deputy Chief Executive, Strategy and Corporate Services
Peter Kelly Deputy Chief Executive, Schools and Preschools
Chris Bernardi Chief Operating Officer
Dan Hughes Chief Information Officer, Information and Communication Technology Services
Bill Glasgow Executive Director, Infrastructure
Clare Feszczak Executive Director, Student Pathways and Careers
Darren Humphrys Executive Director, Support and Inclusion
Luke Fraser Executive Director, Strategy and Performance
Kathryn Jordan Executive Director, Preschool and Early Childhood Services
Marina Elliott Executive Director, People and Culture
Rod Nancarrow Executive Director, Curriculum and Learning
Bronwyn Milera Director, Aboriginal Education
Libby Rolfe Director, Communications

Legislation administered by the agency

  • Education and Children’s Services Act 2019
  • Education and Children’s Services Regulations 2020

Other related agencies (within the Minister’s area/s of responsibility)

  • Carclew Youth Arts
  • Child Death and Serious Injury Review Committee
  • Child Development Council
  • Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People
  • Commissioner for Children and Young People
  • Education Standards Board
  • Guardian for Children and Young People
  • History Trust of South Australia
  • Office for Early Childhood and Development
  • SACE Board of South Australia
  • South Australian Skills Commission
  • TAFE SA
  • Teachers Registration Board of South Australia

The agency's performance

Performance at a glance

Our strategy for public education commits the department to using high-quality evidence and measures to guide our understanding of how the education system is working and where to adapt.

The below metrics were developed in 2025 with a range of stakeholders, including the Education Innovation Council, to identify a tight and coherent set of indicators to show the progress made by our public education system overall, in working towards our purpose and strategy.

Earning and learning pathways

 

2022

2023

2024

2025

Increase the proportion of students participating in the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE):

    

Proportion of Year 12 students (including Year 13) enrolled in the SACE in October

75%

78%

79%

79%

Sustain or increase the proportion of students completing the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE)

    

Proportion of students enrolling in Year 12 (including Year 13) who have completed the SACE to date

67%

71%

70%

*

Increase the number of A and B grades awarded as a proportion of SACE subjects attempted:

    

Proportion of Stage 2 SACE subject attempts awarded a grade of B- or above

67%

68%

69%

71%

Increase the proportion of Year 12 students awarded a B grade or above for at least one SACE subject

    

Proportion of students attempting at least one Stage 2 subject awarded at least one grade of B- or above

75%

77%

79%

*

Foundational skills: Literacy

 

2022

2023

2024

2025

Increase the median count of words correct in the Year 1 Phonics check

    

Median count of words correct on the Phonics Screening Check for all Year 1 students

32

33

33

32

Increase the proportion of students showing at least a year's growth in learning for each year of school

    

Proportion of students achieving the same or higher proficiency in NAPLAN Reading between:

    

Year 3 to Year 5

*

*

*

90%

Year 5 to Year 7

*

*

*

81%

Year 7 to Year 9

*

*

*

81%

Proportion of students achieving the same or higher proficiency in NAPLAN Writing between:

    

Year 3 to Year 5

*

*

*

76%

Year 5 to Year 7

*

*

*

82%

Year 7 to Year 9

*

*

*

84%

Reduce the proportion of secondary school students in the lowest NAPLAN proficiency level (‘needs additional support’) or not participating in testing

    

Proportion of Year 7 and Year 9 students with a NAPLAN Reading test result of absent, withdrawn, exempt or needs additional support

*

26%

27%

27%

National Improvement Measures: NAPLAN Reading

    

Proportion of students in the Needs Additional Support proficiency level

*

12%

13%

13%

Proportion of students in the Strong and Exceeding proficiency level

*

56%

54%

54%

Foundational skills: Numeracy

 

2022

2023

2024

2025

Increase the proportion of students showing at least a year's growth in learning for each year of school

    

Proportion of students achieving the same or higher proficiency in NAPLAN Numeracy between:

    

Year 3 to Year 5

*

*

*

90%

Year 5 to Year 7

*

*

*

88%

Year 7 to Year 9

*

*

*

83%

Reduce the proportion of secondary school students in the lowest NAPLAN proficiency level (‘needs additional support’) or not participating in testing

    

Proportion of Year 7 and Year 9 students with a NAPLAN Numeracy test result of absent, withdrawn, exempt or needs additional support

*

27%

28%

28%

National Improvement Measures: NAPLAN Numeracy

    

Proportion of students in the Needs Additional Support proficiency

*

12%

12%

12%

Proportion of students in the Strong and Exceeding proficiency level

*

51%

50%

51%

Attendance

 

2022

2023

2024

2025

Increase the proportion of students attending at least 90% of available school days

    

Proportion of primary school students with an attendance level of 90% or higher

50%

61%

64%

65%

Proportion of secondary school students with an attendance level of 90% or higher

42%

49%

50%

57%

National Improvement Measure: Attendance rate

    

Increase the student attendance rate to 91.4% (2019 level)

85%

87%

87%

88%

Inclusion and community support

 

2022

2023

2024

2025

Increase the share of school students enrolled in public education

    

Proportion of total South Australian primary school full-time-equivalent enrolments in government schools

65%

65%

65%

64%

Proportion of total South Australian secondary school full-time-equivalent enrolments in government schools

60%

59%

58%

58%

Belonging

 

2022

2023

2024

2025

Increase the proportion of students who agree or strongly agree that they belong at school (student wellbeing survey)

    

Proportion of Year 4-6 survey respondents who agree or strongly agree

55%

54%

54%

57%

Proportion of Year 7-10 survey respondents who agree or strongly agree

30%

27%

28%

30%

Proportion of Year 11-12 survey respondents who agree or strongly agree

30%

29%

31%

33%

Increase the proportion of students who agree or strongly agree that there is an important adult at school they are connected with (student wellbeing survey)

    

Proportion of Year 4-6 survey respondents who agree or strongly agree

69%

71%

73%

76%

Proportion of Year 7-10 survey respondents who agree or strongly agree

60%

47%

48%

51%

Proportion of Year 11-12 survey respondents who agree or strongly agree

50%

51%

53%

54%

Safety

 

2022

2023

2024

2025

Decrease the proportion of students suspended from school (Semester 1)

    

Proportion of primary school students suspended or excluded at least once

*

2.6%

2.4%

2.7%

Proportion of primary school students suspended or excluded two or more times

*

1.0%

1.0%

1.1%

Proportion of secondary school students suspended or excluded at least once

*

8.6%

7.3%

7.0%

Proportion of secondary school students suspended or excluded two or more times

*

3.1%

2.4%

2.1%

Engagement in learning

 

2022

2023

2024

2025

Increase the proportion of students who agree or strongly agree that they persevere with challenges (student wellbeing survey)

    

Proportion of Year 4-6 survey respondents who agree or strongly agree

48%

47%

46%

47%

Proportion of Year 7-10 survey respondents who agree or strongly agree

33%

31%

32%

32%

Proportion of Year 11-12 survey respondents who agree or strongly agree

33%

33%

35%

36%

Increase the proportion of students who agree or strongly agree that they are supported by their teachers (student wellbeing survey)

    

Proportion of Year 4-6 survey respondents who agree or strongly agree

77%

75%

75%

76%

Proportion of Year 7-10 survey respondents who agree or strongly agree

60%

55%

55%

56%

Proportion of Year 11-12 survey respondents who agree or strongly agree

67%

66%

69%

70%

Increase the proportion of students who agree or strongly agree that they are confident about their ability to learn (student wellbeing survey)

    

Proportion of Year 4-6 survey respondents who agree or strongly agree

67%

66%

64%

66%

Proportion of Year 7-10 survey respondents who agree or strongly agree

52%

47%

48%

49%

Proportion of Year 11-12 survey respondents who agree or strongly agree

52%

51%

53%

53%

Note: * Indicates that data is not available for this time period or is not comparable to later calendar years.

Agency specific objectives and performance

The department works in partnership to build an adaptive, world-leading and equitable public education system that empowers every child and young person to learn and thrive, both now and in the future.

We continue to create opportunities for positive change and impact through the most influential parts of our system - with our people and in the ways we work together.

The 7 levers outlined below have been identified in our strategy to make the most impact across our work. The performance outlined under each of these levers highlights the department’s progress in the 2025 calendar year.

Agency objectives

Inputs

Outputs

Effective teaching

Resources, professional learning, and support are provided to educators to enhance the quality of teaching and assessment practices, leading to improved learning outcomes

Developed innovative resources and delivered ongoing professional development to SA public school teachers. This included:

  • Professional   learning for all year 1 teachers in the administration of the Numeracy Check   to support planning and identification of students’ needs.
  • The Reading   Academy program to support early career teachers to teach reading.
  • The Phonics and   spelling scope and sequence (R-2, Version 2), with professional learning and online   coaching for over 700 teachers and leaders.
  • Delivery of Prototype 2 of the South Australian Curriculum for   public education in 2025.
  • The Teachers’   Companion, which supports R–12 teachers with reflections, pedagogic prompts, and SA Curriculum   implementation. Over 13,000 hard copies were ordered by educators, with leaders also benefitting from targeted resources and online networking.
  • Participation   of over 800 curriculum leaders in Primary Years and Secondary Years   Networks and Conferences.
  • Participation of 114 schools in Learning Expeditions, informing the scaling of the SA Curriculum-aligned learning design initiative for 2026.
  Strengthen workforce attraction and retention to address the national workforce shortages

Refreshed the department’s Workforce Strategy, supporting the evolving needs of public education across four key areas: Diversity and Inclusion; Organisational Effectiveness; Workforce Capability; and Supply, Attraction and Retention.

Reviewed a recruitment and placement system to empower principals in staffing decisions. Improvements included:

  • Decreasing the   number of unfilled teacher positions at the start of Term 1 2025.
  • Achieving zero   leadership vacancies.
  • Sponsoring 11   International teachers to work in SA, with 180 additional teachers   registering interest to work in regional schools.

Converted 1,800 temporary teacher’s contracts to permanent since 2022.

Established, in partnership with the Teachers Registration Board, the first SA employment-based SAT policy to enable new pathways into teaching.

Certified 71 Highly Accomplished teachers and 43 Lead teachers in 2025 (up 46% from 2024)

Procured a fully funded, statewide Temporary Relief Teacher (TRT) booking platform for all schools and preschools, available from Term 1, 2026, reducing administrative burden for site leaders and improving system-wide access to relief teachers.

Provided 3,907 TRT days to 65 schools through the Country Relief and Capacity program.

Co-designed the department’s first Employee Value Proposition to strengthen recruitment, enhance attraction, and support workforce sustainability.

Empowered leadership

Reconceptualise the role of principals to make it a more attractive profession

On 17 November 2025, the South Australian Government announced a $36.2 million reform, providing additional pay increases to 699 principals and preschool directors.

In partnership with leader associations, the department progressed a pilot to support site leaders to focus on core work.

Introduced 10-year tenure arrangements for principals and preschool directors.

 

Strengthen system coherence through clearer leadership roles and responsibilities across Local Education Teams (LETs)

LET reform progressed with redefined roles being embedded across the system.

Education Director portfolios were refreshed through a structured spill and reappointment process, improving alignment to partnerships, geography and system priorities.

The introduction of new Education Lead roles strengthened system capability in curriculum, pedagogy, leadership development and early childhood reform.

Partnering with families and communities

Provide alternative learning pathways to jobs in the future

Technical colleges progress and achievements:

  • In November   2025, the first cohort of students across three specialisations successfully   graduated, with the students who began a university pathway in year   12 also completing the first year of their degree and are progressing   to the second year at Flinders University. Many are already working in their   chosen industry while undertaking higher-level studies.
  • Enrolments at   Findon Technical College have increased to 128 full-time and 200 part-time students in 2025.
  • Port Augusta   Technical College opened on 4 August 2025 with 203 students enrolled.
  • The Heights,   Tonsley and Limestone Coast Technical Colleges are scheduled to open at the commencement of the 2026 school year.

Build greater awareness and understanding of vocational education and training (VET) pathways in South Australia by growing career education programs and hosting large-scale events that connect students, families, and communities right across the state.

In 2025, career education and guidance initiatives included the Adelaide Careers Expo, which was held on 7-9 May with over 17,000 school students and families attending.

Career Awareness Month has been expanded to Career

Awareness Series with 101sessions across 55 different venues.

In 2025, VET participation has increased by 21%.

 

Expand industry engagement and collaborative learning opportunities across schools by strengthening partnerships with employers and implementing real-world projects.

Industry engagement is an integral part of the department’s Pathways Strategy, connecting schools to employers. Over 350 employers are engaged, offering more industry immersions and career awareness activities than ever before.

Provide high-quality Government early childhood education and care services that respond to the changing needs of children, families and communities in South Australia.

In 2025 the department prepared to offer 3-year-old preschool services at 45 government sites (41 remote/regional, 3 metropolitan demonstration sites) commencing from Term 1, 2026.

Preschool delivery has included:

  • Delivering 15   hours of preschool education through 274 standalone and 111   school-based preschools.
  • 1534 Aboriginal children enrolled in Term   1 2025.
  • 194 children in care enrolled in Term 1 2025.

High-quality and nurturing early learning and care programs and service delivery includes:

  • Kindy Care   operating at 15 sites: 73% department operated and   27% third-party operated through Gowrie SA.
  • Operating 102   Occasional Care Sites for   children who cannot access   any other early childhood education and care delivered in department   preschools.
  • Launching Port Pirie West Children’s Centre in Term 4, 2025 as the first government integrated hub.

Consolidated Family Day Care Schemes from 12 to 2. Services for home-based long day care and out of school hours care (birth to Year 12) remain unchanged.

Improve overall satisfaction with OSHC services

Annual family satisfaction surveys have been expanded to include school governing council services, in addition to third-party providers. Comparative data will be analysed centrally and provided to sites to inform quality improvement planning and efforts.

Strengthen partnerships with Aboriginal community-controlled organisations

On 11 September 2024 the Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Education Committee (PYEC) and the department jointly signed an agreement to strengthen and support actions to meet the vision and goals set out in the PYEC Strategic Plan 2022-2032. The PYEC is the governing body for all 10 Anangu schools in South Australia, providing leadership and policy direction to ensure education aligns with Anangu priorities and cultural identity. In 2025, work continued in developing the Anangu Bilingual Education Policy.

In South Australia’s 2025 Closing the Gap Partnership Stocktake, the department reported 5 partnerships with Aboriginal community-controlled organisations that met Closing the Gap’s Stronger Partnership Elements. This is one more than reported in the 2023 Partnership Stocktake.

Engaging Children and Young People

Continue to monitor and review the Mobile Phone Ban policy

Following the mobile phone ban implemented in Term 3, 2023, there has been:

  • 47.6% fewer behaviour issues   involving a device in 2025 (compared with 2023).
  • A 74.4% reduction in high-level   social media issues in 2025 (compared with 2023).
  • A 66% reduction   in issues relating to compliance with the mobile phone policy in 2025 (compared with 2023).
 

Implement a suite of education initiatives designed to safeguard democracy

Continued development and improvement of curriculum learning including:

  • Delivered the   inaugural Active Citizenship Convention, held at Adelaide   Oval during 18-20 August 2025 as part   of Safeguarding Democracy   reforms. The convention was attended by 873 students from 122 schools, including 77 metropolitan and 45 regional schools.
  • Commenced planning for the 2026   convention Delivered professional learning for teachers, with 23 year 9 and   10 teachers from non-HASS learning areas completing the program to bring   civics and citizenship into their non-HASS specialist subject areas and 89 year 7 and 8 HASS teachers completing the civics and citizenship specialisation course
 

Enhance learning outcomes by setting measurable improvement targets, such as raising the percentage of students achieving proficiency in key learning areas and supporting continuous academic growth for all students

New system level measures of impact were adopted in 2025 for public reporting (see the agency’s performance section above).

 

Support our Aboriginal students to be proud and confident leaders through our:

  • Aboriginal   Education Strategy (2019-2029)
  • Stretch
    Reconciliation Action
    Plan (2023-2026)
  • Aboriginal Workforce Strategy

Closing the Gap actions

Aboriginal Education Strategy

  • Aboriginal Learner   Networks increasing their engagement with 25 schools, collectively   covering 45% of all Aboriginal learners.

Aboriginal Workforce Strategy

  • Aboriginal workforce percentage increased by 8.6% from 2024   to 2025.
  • 7.7% increase of Aboriginal leaders

Aboriginal Student Pathways

  • Aboriginal   Pathways participation has grown, with 1,264 students in the SA Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy and 632 in Workabout programs.

Aboriginal Funding Model

  • The revised   Aboriginal Funding Model improved clarity in funding priorities and enabled   more effective tracking of   student mobility and long-term certainty for Aboriginal support staff across South Australia. These enhancements ensure students are better supported wherever they enrol.

Language and Culture Programs

  • In 2025, 54 government schools offer 61 Aboriginal language programs, which has a reach of approximately 10,360 students. In 2019, there were only 48 programs across schools
  • The department, with Kaurna Warra   Karrpanthi launched the Kaurna language scope and sequence curriculum   document, the first of its kind in Australia.

Aboriginal Voice Framework

  • Over 115 Aboriginal staff   are now enrolled on the Voice register, representing schools,   preschools, corporate teams, and both regional and metropolitan Adelaide.   Their diverse experience, expertise, and perspectives support department   policy and project development.
  • In 2025, over   60 consultations were conducted with Aboriginal Voice, ensuring all new   corporate policies and projects benefit from Aboriginal knowledge,   perspectives and expertise.
  • Professional   learning sessions co-developed with Tauondi Aboriginal College.

Strengthening Supports

Enhance inclusive education by actively identifying and addressing emerging challenges, consulting with stakeholders, implementing flexible support processes, strengthening educator capability, and supporting the individual learning needs of all students

Provided support to educators in the Inclusive Education Support Program (IESP) following 2024 reform work including:

  • Removing panel   deadlines for flexible submissions.
  • Providing ongoing dedicated   site support to strengthen educators’ capability.

Implemented neurodiversity affirming practices at selected schools through the Autism in Secondary Schools Trial.

The department has hosted its first Autism Inclusion in Secondary Schools student roundtable on 25 July 2025.

The Education and Children’s Services Act 2019 was amended to ensure inclusive services for students with disability, requiring public reporting of enrolment refusals, cancellations, and exclusionary behaviour responses.

In 2025, delivered approximately 18,000 specialist and allied health services to children and young people at almost 950 education sites.

Codesigned a new Personalised Learning System set to roll out through 2026.

 

Support students’ wellbeing

15 actions are being implemented under the Safe and Supportive Learning Environments Plan of Action (2024-2026). Actions completed

in 2025 include:

  • Enabling student input on   strengthening school safety and positive culture.
  • Providing   grants and strategies to address safety issues on school sites.
  • Creating a physical activity resource to use during   unstructured times for positive social interaction.
  • Delivering statewide training on the revised suspension, exclusion, and expulsion procedure.
  • Providing   restorative practices training to staff.

Expanded Youth Mental Health First Aid Training to all staff working with students, leading to a 50% increase in course completions.

Funding of the School Breakfast Program, with provisions supplied by Foodbank SA/NT and Kickstart for Kids. Participation increased from 336 schools in term 3, 2024, to 355 schools in term 3, 2025.

 

Support disengaged students by embedding Tailored Learning practices to empower our schools to optimise student engagement in learning and future pathways.

In 2025, the department’s Tailored Learning program provided $16 million in supplementary grants to 121 secondary schools.

The program provides support for young people at-risk of disengaging from education.

Resourcing and Investment

Deliver upgrades to school assets or build new facilities to ensure quality learning environments in public sites

Continued upgrade delivery, providing improved learning environments for students and teachers. In 2025, this included:

  • Delivering new gymnasiums   at 4 primary schools.
  • Relocated Warriappendi Secondary School   to new facilities in   Thebarton.
  • Completed infrastructure upgrades at Avenues College, Edwardstown Primary School, Le Fevre Peninsula Primary School, Para Hills High School, Plympton International College, Springbank Secondary College and Westport Primary School.
  • Delivered new facilities for Elliston Children’s Centre
  • Delivered   significant redevelopments at Seaview Downs Primary School, Pimpala Primary   School and Fregon Anangu   School.

$10 million was allocated to improve 12 sites including:

  • Banksia Park   School R-6
  • Mitcham Girls   High School
  • East Torrens   Primary School
  • Kilkenny Primary   School
  • Hewett Primary School
  • Flagstaff Hill R-7 School
  • Underdale High   School
  • Renmark West   Primary School (completed)
  • Coromandel Valley   Primary School
  • Goodwood Primary School
  • Marion Primary   School
  • Karcultaby Area School
 

Support schools and preschools by reducing administrative burden

The department completed its rollout across schools and preschools replacing legacy systems with the new Education Management System (EMS).

This supports schools and preschools with both student administration and financial management. It is providing sites with a centralised, single student record that will exist throughout each student’s public education.

 

Support schools to access and safely use generative AI

In March 2025, the EdChat app was approved to streamline the ‘Learning English: Achievement and Proficiency (LEAP)’ levelling process. By the end of the 2025 school year, over 58,000 student writing samples had been assessed through a secure platform, saving an estimated 22,544 hours for teachers and

$1,722,318 for schools.

After a successful evaluation of AI impact, EdChat was rolled out to all secondary students in government schools from October 2025. Currently, 57 schools have access.

The department is continuing to collaborate with educators to expand EdChat apps and reduce administrative burden.

Negotiate and sign a new National School Reform Agreement to ensure a better and fairer education system for all students.

On Friday 24 January 2025, South Australia became party to the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement 2025-2034 - Full and Fair Funding.

Deliver initiatives under the Country Education Strategy to address the key challenges identified by country students, teachers, and leaders.

The Country Education Strategy continues to be implemented, with new initiatives including investment in country teacher housing, and expanding hybrid learning in country schools.

Over 5,000 country students affected by drought have received financial support to attend camps and excursions.

Improvement and Responsibility

Upskill the quality in preschools by increasing National Quality Standard (NQS) ratings, strengthening regulatory oversight, and providing targeted support to preschools

Progress in quality improvement of preschools has included 84% of government preschools having met or exceeded the NQS as at December 2025.

The department introduced a Targeted Quality Program to support preschools rated ‘working towards’ the NQS.

 

Supporting principals to establish and maintain high quality OSHC services.

Increase in proportion of services achieving a rating of “meeting” or above when undergoing assessment and rating.

In Sept 2025 a “quality uplift program” was implemented with intensive support being provided to school governing council operated OSHC services with consecutive ratings of “working towards” the NQS.

Contract management processes have been reviewed and implemented to strengthen the accountability of third-party providers.

Support educators to develop a trauma informed practice

Strengthening trauma-informed practice in schools and preschools through training, capacity building, and the Trauma Aware Schools Initiative (approximately 170 sites).

Delivered 357 trauma-informed practice training sessions in 2025, with over 10,000 staff attending – the highest attendance since 2018.

The Trauma Informed Practice in Education program received the 2025 Public Education Award for Outstanding Safety Initiative.

Promote and encourage wellbeing and respectful behaviour in schools

The department hosted the Respectful Relationships Student Forum at Adelaide Oval in June 2025, with 450 students from 54 schools (years 5–12) sharing their needs and preferences for learning about respectful

relationships. A regional forum was held at Millicent, with 30 students from five schools participating.

39 Positive Behaviour for Learning pilot schools completed three years of training, with evaluation showing improved student behaviour and teacher wellbeing. Thirteen schools commenced this year.

A central Attendance ‘Hub’ providing resources and support to schools commenced in Term 2, 2025.

The Education and Children’s Services Act 2019 was amended to strengthen provisions for addressing non-enrolment and non-attendance.

Research commenced on new support models to enhance Student Wellbeing Leader responses to mental health concerns in primary schools.

 

Provide tailored supports to identified schools to increase local enrolments.

Of the three Targeted Uplift School Sites, Mount Gambier High School and LeFevre High School have reported enrolment growth, with Oakbank Area School seeing an increase from local in-zone uptake.

Corporate performance summary

The department’s corporate functions play a critical role in enabling a world-leading and equitable public education system, safeguarding integrity, and building future capability across the education system.

Corporate functions, services and supports create the conditions for educators and staff to focus on what matters most: learning, wellbeing and opportunity for every child and young person.

Culturally responsive and inclusive workplaces

The department progressed its second Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2023–2026. As at November 2025, progress against deliverables was as follows:

  • 47 deliverables completed (49%)
  • 30 deliverables recognised as annual tasks completed to date (31%)
  • 17 deliverables on track (18%)
  • Two deliverables identified as controlled risks (2%) Key achievements include:
  • Three satellite Reconciliation Week events were held at regional schools.
  • The number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people working in public education increased by 10% from 2024, with 968 Aboriginal employees as at June 2025, up from 877 in June 2024, placing the department on track to achieve its RAP commitment of 3% workforce representation by 2031.
  • Spend with Supply Nation registered and accredited businesses increased by 67% from 2023–2024 to 2024–2025.

The department's Culturally Responsive Framework was refreshed, including the release of the first online learning module, Aboriginal Business is Everyone's Business: the Culturally Responsive Framework. The module had been completed by nearly 17,000 employees as at December 2025.

Progress toward a public education system free from racism was advanced through the establishment of an Anti-Racism Lived Experience Advisory Group in early 2025, ensuring actions are grounded in lived experience. Anti-Racism Fundamentals for Leaders training was delivered to 243 senior leaders and managers, with broader online training accessed across the workforce.

Enabling organisational effectiveness and performance

The department progressed targeted reforms to reduce workload and support educators to focus on teaching and learning.

  • Centralised financial support was delivered to preschools and small schools, streamlining site leaders' workload, enhancing financial reporting and analysis, and supporting more informed strategic decision-making.
  • The LEAP app, an AI-powered tool within EdChat, was launched to automatically evaluate student writing and generate teacher-ready reports, reducing administrative workload and freeing thousands of hours for teaching and learning.
  • A pilot was led to optimise the deployment of School Services Officers (SSOs) in schools, providing targeted training, resources and implementation support to strengthen collaboration between SSOs, teachers and school leaders, reducing teacher workload and enhancing classroom impact.
  • Facilities management was streamlined through several initiatives: FacilitiesChat, an EdChat app integrating the facilities factsheet library; edInfrastructure, an online portal improving access to information and resources; and the development of comprehensive guidelines and training to support new leaders.
  • Employee engagement improved across all domains of workplace culture, with increases recorded in Enabling People (4%), Empowering Learning (6%), Driving Effective Change (4%) and Building Shared Meaning (7%).

The department maintained its commitment to a safe and supportive work environment. Work Health and Safety Business Partners conducted 551 site visits during the year, comprising 48 partnership and portfolio engagements and 113 safety system coaching sessions, and inducted 110 site leaders. Annual playground inspections were centralised and a Suicide Prevention Action Plan was developed and launched. Mandatory training processes were reviewed and updated approaches to recording and reporting were embedded in Plink.

Several diversity employee forums were introduced to seek lived experience and advisory input on departmental policies, processes and data. The 2025 Perspective employee experience survey captured responses from 16,640 site-based staff (58%), with results showing an increase in overall employee engagement, including increases of 3% among primary school teachers and 6% among secondary school teachers. Eighty-nine per cent of site-based employees indicated an intention to remain with the department and 72% intended to stay in their current site, both comparing favourably against global and national benchmarks.

The department achieved White Ribbon Australia Workplace re-accreditation in November 2025 for the next five years.

Employment opportunity programs

Program name

Performance

Amy Levai Aboriginal Teaching Scholarship Program

Expanded the Amy Levai Aboriginal Teaching Scholarship program, supporting 42 Aboriginal people on a teaching pathway, an increase of 31% from 2024.

Country Teaching Programs In 2025, the Teach First in Country Program supported 19 graduates to commence their first teaching roles in country schools and recruited 15 additional graduates to begin in 2026. Country programs also provided scholarships for 41 pre-service teachers undertaking practicum placements across 34 country sites and supported 52 pre-service teachers to participate in regional tours during Terms 2 and 3.

Work While You Study Program (WWYS)

42 Preservice Teachers were supported across 34 different sites; all were studying an Initial Teacher Education degree.

Post program, 55% were retained, 17 of those at the same school as their WWYS employment

Agency performance management and development systems

Performance management and development system

Performance

The department’s Performance Review and Development (PRD) process

At the end of the school year, 75% of the workforce had a Performance and Development Plan recorded in our HR system.

Work health, safety and return to work programs

Program name

Performance

WHS Incident and Hazard Management System

The department is transitioning to a new incident reporting platform – Incident 360 – for improved usability. A pilot was undertaken in March 2024 involving two sites (Craigmore High School and Paralowie R-12), followed by an expanded site trial involving four sites in Para Hills (excluding Early Years) in October 2025.

WHS Verified Self-Assessment program

The WHS Unit provided support to sites to complete identified corrective actions throughout 2025.

Preventing and responding to challenging behaviour and violence

The WHS Management System includes policies and procedures focused on supporting sites in the prevention of workplace violence and challenging student behaviour, with the aim of reducing such incidents.

Wellbeing in Schools

The department’s employee mental health and wellbeing procedure includes information on how to assess hazards that can impact employee wellbeing and psychological safety.

Training in conflict management and personal safety and psychological first aid training is available for staff on Plink. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services are available in employee counselling, manager assist program and peer support programs for leaders in sites.

Risk Based Review Concurrent Duties

The managing external contractors’ procedure has been reviewed. The procedure is currently undergoing consultation. Training to support the updated process is under development.

Managing WHS training

The WHS Unit has strengthened resources to manage and coordinate WHS training.

Enhancements within Plink to record and monitor completion of mandatory WHS training.

Review of First Aid arrangements

The revised first aid procedure was published in March 2025. Sites have been provided with increased funding to enable them to train additional staff to meet the new requirements.

Installation of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)

The Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Act 2022 (AED Act) required the installation of an AED in every school by 1 January 2025. A similar requirement applied to corporate offices over 400m2 with public access.

The department made a one-off purchase of AEDs to meet the requirements of the AED Act. An AED has been provided to every site to which the Act applies.

Playground and Nature Play Safety

The department has entered into a centrally managed contract with Kidsafe SA to conduct annual playground inspections at all department sites with playgrounds. Annual inspections have been scheduled over a 12-month period by portfolio, with inspections commencing from July 2025.

Completion of any maintenance identified by an inspection is then followed up at the site level.

Enforceable Undertaking (EU)

SafeWorkSA agreed to extend 1 action under the EU until July 2026. All remaining actions were completed on time and within budget.

Workplace injury claims

Current year

2024-25

Past year

2023-24

% Change
(+ / -)

Total new workplace injury claims

800

734

8.99

Fatalities

0

0

-

Seriously injured workers*

0

2

-

Significant injuries (where lost time exceeds a working week, expressed as frequency rate per 1000 FTE)

11.1

11.7

-5.13%

*number of claimants assessed during the reporting period as having a whole person impairment meeting the relevant threshold under the Return to Work Act 2014 (Part 2 Division 5)

Work health and safety regulations

Current year

2024-25

Past year

2023-24

% Change
(+ / -)

Number of notifiable incidents (Work Health and Safety Act 2012, Part 3)

112

86

30.23%

Number of provisional improvement, improvement and prohibition notices (Work Health and Safety Act 2012 Sections 90, 191 and 195)

25

283

-91.17%

The large decrease in improvement and prohibition notices over 2023-24 FY to 2024-25 is due to the SafeWork SA Nature Play and Playground Proactive Compliance Campaign conducted during that period. These primarily relate to soft fall and equipment wear/maintenance issues.

Return to work costs**

Current year

2024-25

Past year

2023-24

% Change
(+ / -)

Total gross workers compensation expenditure ($)

$26,456,949.00

$23,997,832

10.25%

Income support payments – gross ($)

$11,547,704.00

$9,988,434

15.61%

**before third party recovery

Data for previous years is available at: https://data.sa.gov.au/data/dataset/work-health-and-safety-and-return-to-work-performance-reporting-by-the-department-for-education

Executive employment in the agency

Executive classification

Number of executives

Chief Executive

1

SA Executive Services Level 1

80

SA Executive Services Level 2

21

SA Executive Services Specialist

1

Principal Band A-2

57

Principal Band A-3

150

Principal Band A-4

105

Principal Band A-5

88

Principal Band A-6

70

Principal Band A-7

30

Principal Band A-8

21

Principal Band A-9

30

Principal Band A-9 plus

15

Education and Children’s Services Act Section 121 Negotiated Conditions

225

Preschool Director Band A-2

11

Preschool Director Band A-3

48

Note: Workforce Information Collection as at the last pay day in June 2025

Data for previous years is available at: https://data.sa.gov.au/data/dataset/executive-employment-in-the-department-for-education

The Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment has a workforce information page that provides further information on the breakdown of executive gender, salary and tenure by agency.

Financial performance

Financial performance at a glance

The following is a brief summary of the overall financial position of the agency. The information is unaudited. Full audited financial statements for 2023-24 are attached to this report.

Statement of Comprehensive Income

2024-25 Budget

$000s *

2024-25 Actual

$000s

Variation

$000s

2023-24 Actual

$000s

Total Income

5,025,168

4,656,337

(368,831)

4 664 809

Total Expenses

4,935,844

4,567,249

(368,595)

4 791 383

Net Result

89,324

89,088

(236)

(126 574)

Total Comprehensive Result

89,324

554,868

465,544

454 927

**Reflects original budget reported in the 2023-24 State Budget

Our income – where it comes from

The total income received by the department and schools from controlled operations for the 2024-25 financial year was $4.7 billion, which was a decrease of $8.5 million from the previous financial year.

Key factors contributing to the movement include:

  • Appropriation from the SA Government decreased by $54.0 million to $3.4 billion in 2025. This reduction was due to $310.6 million appropriation received in 2024 for Skills SA, which transferred to the Department of State Development from 1 July 2024, that was partly offset by additional appropriation received by the department in 2025 relating to indexation, capital projects and continuing investment in strategies.
  • Commonwealth sourced grants and funding increased by $62.8 million, reflecting an additional $100.3 million funding received by the department in 2025 relating to the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement, the Preschool Reform Agreement, the Schools Upgrade Fund, and $6.8 million from other initiatives. The 2024 Commonwealth grants received included $37.5 million for Skills SA with these grants redirected in 2025 to, the Department of State Development following the transfer of this function.
  • Intra-government transfers revenue decreased by $28.3 million, reflecting a decrease of $16.8 million relating to the Teachers Enterprise Agreement funding from 2023-24 and an $11.5 million decrease for funding transferred to the Department of State Development.
  • Sale of goods and services increased by $4.3 million overall relating to increases of $4.5 million in user fees and charges, $3.7 million in fee for service income from schools, offset by a $4.0 million drop in student enrolment fee revenue.
  • Other income increased by $10.0 million mainly due to the receipt of insurance monies relating to a high school fire.
  • Investment income decreased by $2.9 million due to lower interest rates across 2024-25.

Our expenditure – how our funds were spent

Total operating expenses of the department and schools for controlled operations for the 2024-25 financial year was $4.6 billion, which was a decrease of $224.5 million from the previous financial year. The decrease in expenditure from the previous financial year is predominantly attributed to:

  • Employee benefit expenses increased by $154.5 million, mainly attributable to enterprise agreement salary increases and FTE increases. There were also increases in superannuation and payroll tax costs; and
  • Supplies and services decreased by $12.9 million and Grants and subsidies decreased by $363.8 million which was primarily due to the transfer of Skills SA to the Department of State Development from 1 July 2024 totalling $384.7 million

Statement of Financial Position

2024-25 Budget

$000s *

2024-25 Actual

$000s

Variation

$000s

2023-24 Actual

$000s

Current assets

1,488,687

1,504,228

15,541

1,406,865

Non-current assets

6,789,610

7,714,096

924,486

7,247,072

Total assets

8,278,297

9,218,324

940,027

8,653,937

Current liabilities

720,938

569,978

-150,960

531,766

Non-current liabilities

1,095,465

1,116,708

21,243

1,090,411

Total liabilities

1,816,403

1,686,686

-129,717

1,622,177

Equity

6,461,894

7,531,638

1,069,744

7,031,760

**Reflects original budget reported in the 2023-24 State Budget

Summary of our assets – what we own

The value of assets for the department and schools totalled $9.2 billion as at 30 June 2025, which represented an increase of $564.4 million compared with the previous financial year.

Property, plant and equipment increased by $480.0 million resulting primarily from additional capital expenditure on construction projects and the revaluation of assets, which were partly offset by depreciation expenses.

Cash and cash equivalents increased by $55.6 million, and receivables were $43.0 million higher than the previous financial year.

Summary of our liabilities – what we owe

The value of liabilities for the department and schools totalled $1.7 billion as at 30 June 2025, an increase of $64.5 million compared with the previous financial year.

This increase was mainly due to increased employee related liabilities of $56.3 million, increased payables of $5.2 million and increased provisions of $17.8 million, partly offset by a decrease of $13.9 million in other financial liabilities as at 30 June 2025.

Materials and services charges

The materials and services charge set by each governing council is for materials and services used or consumed by individual students during the course of their study and shall reflect the cost of the materials and services provided.

For 2025, the prescribed amount as determined in accordance with the Education and Children’s Services Regulations 2020 was $300 for primary students and $396 for secondary students. Governing councils are able to poll their school communities to seek majority support to charge an amount greater than the prescribed amount as well as including specific subject charges where applicable.

For the 2024-25 financial year, the actual amount recorded by schools for material and services charges was $51.3 million. It is noted that for the 2025 school year eligible families were provided with a rebate of the 2025 materials and services charge, which is not included in this amount.

Consultants disclosure

The following is a summary of external consultants that have been engaged by the agency, the nature of work undertaken, and the actual payments made for the work undertaken during the financial year.

Consultancies with a contract value below $10,000 each

Consultancies

Purpose

$ Actual payment

All consultancies below $10,000 each – combined

Various

$10,582

Consultancies with a contract value above $10,000 each

Consultancies

Purpose

$ Actual payment

Flinders University

Otitis Media Project 2023–2025 (Aboriginal Hearing Screening – APY Lands).

$80,409

Kerry Dollman

Consultation regarding the Aboriginal Funding Reform.

$78,000

Alex Semmens Consulting

Strategic design of digital teaching and learning initiatives for the department’s Digital Strategy.

$56,000

Scyne Advisory Pty Ltd

Preparation of a Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program grant submission for the Mount Gambier Research, Education and Training Precinct on behalf of the department.

$51,039

Meld Collective Pty Ltd

Professional services relating to the Personalised Learning Project.

$50,650

Scyne Advisory Pty Ltd

Review and independent advice to determine needs for the Children and Students with Disability program, delivery options and funding models.

$49,988

Acer

Evaluation and recommendations for the first year of implementation of the Autism Inclusion Teacher initiative.

$49,525

KPMG

Professional services relating to the review of the NAPLAN service and cost model.

$49,465

Ernst & Young

Market and industry research and vendor scan to inform a future pulse-check survey product.

$48,000

The Kids Research Institute Australia

Implementation and evaluation of a Positive Behaviour and Learning pilot.

$43,712

3arc Social Pty Ltd

High-level evaluation of the implementation of mid-year intake in SA preschools and schools.

$38,756

Ruchi Sinha

Advisory sessions to establish My Wellbeing in 2024, including dashboard support.

$29,750

Rogue Networking

Support for the roll-out of Tailored Learning in SA secondary schools.

$15,564

Monash University

Support for implementation of

Multi-Tiered Systems of Support in SA schools.

$15,279

KPMG

Review of the OSHC projection model.

$15,000

Scyne Advisory Pty Ltd

Independent assurance report on compliance with section 22A(1) of the Australian Education Act.

$10,053

 

Total

$681,409

Data for previous years is available at: https://data.sa.gov.au/data/dataset/consultants-engaged-by-the-department-for-education

See also the Consolidated Financial Report of the Department of Treasury and Finance for total value of consultancy contracts across the South Australian Public Sector.

Contractors disclosure

The information contained is sourced from the department’s general ledger and invoices, and it is noted that sampling has occurred for some individual vendors with significant volumes.

Transactions between the department and government schools and preschools have been excluded from the below transactions in addition to some transactions that were identified that are not in the nature of contractors.

Contractors with a contract value below $10,000

Contractors

Purpose

$ Actual payment

All contractors below $10,000 each – combined

Various

$1,685,696

Contractors with a contract value above $10,000 each

Contractors

Purpose

$ Actual payment

3ARC Social Pty Ltd

Provision of support for ICT reform (Site Budget Planning Tool Enhancements)

$34,877

3NA Pty Ltd

Provision of support for ICT reform (Engaging for Success Application)

$117,160

ABC Multilingual Pty Ltd

Provision of translation and interpreting services

$402,607

Aboriginal Basketball Academy

Aboriginal Basketball Academy funding

$25,000

Action OHS Consulting

Working at Heights External Risk Review

$46,524

Acuity Partners Pty Ltd

Professional Services for Recruitment

$21,410

Adelaide Contemporary

Custom design artwork

$28,916

Adelaide Data Collection

Asset Management Site Audits

$30,100

Adelaide Uhak Centre

International student support program

$24,000

Aim To Succeed Tutoring

Professional tuition services for School Retention Program

$41,895

Akkodis Australia Talent

Engagement of temporary staffing services

$470,584

AKTO Pty Ltd

Data Governance Enablement Services

$48,600

All Adelaide Speech Pathology

Professional Services - Speech Pathology

$29,517

Ana Tu Psychology

Psychological assessment services

$41,094

Andre Castellucci Photography

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (Photography)

$10,405

Anglicare Sa Ltd

Professional mentoring services for School Retention Program

$330,364

Ann Morrice Language Literacy

Anangu Partnership - Language Literacy

$11,200

Armadale Consultancy Ltd

Engagement of temporary staffing services

$211,792

ASI Solutions

Provision of support for ICT infrastructure

$24,654

Australian Society for Music Education (SA) Chapter Inc

Professional Development Package (Australian Society for Music Education- 2025 Music Can Do Foundation)

$23,000

Adelaide Training & Employment Centre

Delivery of training services

$13,660

Atomix Design Pty Ltd

Provision of support for ICT reform (student pathways website)

$90,035

Aurecon Australasia P/L

Provision of support for strategic asset management

$154,822

Auslan Services Pty Ltd

Provision of translation and interpreting services

$98,326

Austral Tree Services Pty Ltd

Provision of support for bushfire safety

$281,260

Australian Institute Of

Client Fitness Screenings

$33,506

Australian Integrated Security

Professional security services

$162,330

Autism CRC Ltd

Provision of support to the department (research project to inform changes to Initial Teacher Education)

$89,266

B S P Design Pty Ltd

Bushfire safety assessments - Schools and Preschools

$38,600

Bain Education Services

Behaviour support planning and implementation

$19,657

Bao & Co

Numeracy Check Maths Assessment Interview SA

$21,901

Beyond Brilliant Education

Tuition for young people under the guardianship of the CE

$10,248

Bob May Workplace Emergency

Delivery of training services

$15,301

Bookipi Pty Ltd

Annual License Costs (Payroller for Governing Councils)

$38,966

Bright Space Psychology

Psychological assessment services

$110,374

Broaden Psychology

Psychological assessment services

$86,553

Broadtec Services Pty Ltd

Provision of support for ICT infrastructure in schools

$16,142

Bronwyn Custance Education

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (Learning English: Achievement and Proficiency strategies, planning, support, and training)

$146,050

BTS Australasia Pty Ltd

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (Future Leaders Program)

$30,331

Cablelink Communications

Provision of support for ICT infrastructure in schools

$33,460

Carmel O'Reilly

Provision of support for delivery of National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy

$12,184

Centacare Catholic Family

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (National Student Wellbeing Program)

$179,017

Center for Curriculum Redesign

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (Curriculum development)

$54,482

CGI Technologies & Solutions

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (Cyber Escape)

$40,120

Chamonix IT Management

Professional ICT services for departmental initiatives

$55,972

Chipit

Professional landscaping services

$11,450

Click Films Pty Ltd

Filming and video production

$35,600

Cogs Project Therapy Pty Ltd

Provision of support for the Education Management System project

$23,760

Colin Macmullin

Psychological assessment services

$96,375

Collab Pm Services Pty Ltd

Project management services for the department

$157,684

Communication Republic

Provision of translation and interpreting services

$59,012

Complete Hospitality Training

Delivery of training services

$29,460

Complete Tutoring Solutions

Professional tuition services for School Retention Program

$36,322

Connected Self Pty Ltd

Professional mentoring services for School Retention Program

$1,013,193

Corporate Health Group P/L

Health assessment services

$717,784

Courts Administration

Education Family Conferences Services

$155,438

Culturalchemy Pty Ltd

Business strategy workshop

$39,950

Custom Minds Pty Ltd

Psychological assessment services

$133,482

Dansie's Head to Toe Pty Ltd

Psychological assessment services

$33,248

Data 3 Ltd

Provision of support for ICT infrastructure (Backup & maintenance)

$707,710

David O'Brien Consulting

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (Development Experiences Program)

$36,140

Deaf Services Ltd

Provision of translation and interpreting services

$109,668

Deakin University

Development of Financial Literacy Professional Learning Program

$89,200

Dean Angus

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (New Site Leader Program)

$22,425

Deb Roberts

Provision of support for delivery of National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy

$11,390

Dell Australia Pty Ltd

Provision of support for ICT reform (support and equipment)

$34,171

Deloitte Access Economics

Professional support services for departmental initiatives

$74,385

Deloitte Financial Advisory

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (School Upgrade)

$12,462

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (Business Continuity Management - Resilience Framework)

$91,574

Denise Higgins

Mentoring services for new site leaders

$17,530

DFP Recruitment Services

Engagement of temporary staffing services

$193,335

Di Robertson

Provision of support to the department (mentoring for new site leaders)

$14,297

Dialog Pty Ltd

Enterprise Architect

$316,600

DK Psychology

Psychological assessment services

$65,763

Driven From Within

Delivery of training services

$37,400

DXC Technology Australia

Provision of support for ICT infrastructure in schools

$227,343

Dylan Wiliam

Delivery of training services

$42,096

Edge Recruitment

Engagement of temporary staffing services

$334,356

Edith Cowan University

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (curriculum development)

$17,000

Education Services Australia

Hosting and maintenance of the my future career information service 2024-25

$102,751

Elevare Studio

Professional Support Services

$42,300

Elevate Management Consulting

Project services and implementation

$449,578

Emotous Pty Ltd

Delivery of training services

$62,820

Ernst & Young

Work health and safety operating model assessment

$65,697

Escient Pty Ltd

Business analysis and strategy services - 3 yr old Preschool Program

$10,392

Exelnet Pty Ltd

Delivery of training services

$20,538

Exceptional Learners Assessment

Psychological assessment services

$16,558

Expose Data Pty Ltd

Engagement of temporary staffing services

$136,788

Feelbetter Limestone Coast

Professional Services (School Mental Health Services)

$18,370

Ford Psychology

Psychological assessment services

$21,783

Fragile To Agile (Asia Pacific) Pty Ltd

Enrolment services market scan

$47,000

Fujifilm Data Management

Provision of support for delivery of National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy

$702,839

Fusion5 Pty Ltd

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (ICT and business strategy / architecture)

$46,192

Graham Wood

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (New Site Leader Program)

$17,744

Grow And Learn Together

Delivery of training services

$19,660

Growth Coaching International

Coaching masterclass program

$47,309

Guy Claxton

Provision of support to the department (Empowering Effective Leaders)

$12,000

Halcyon Knights Pty Ltd

Engagement of temporary staffing services

$418,612

Harrison McMillan Pty Ltd

Engagement of temporary staffing services

$300,274

Hays Specialist Recruitment

Engagement of temporary staffing services

$6,037,348

HDAA Australia Pty Ltd

School Mental Health Accreditation

$16,009

Heather Heading

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (New Site Leader Program)

$24,060

Hero Head Quarters Pty Ltd

Delivery of training services

$57,500

Hoban Recruitment Pty Ltd

Engagement of temporary staffing services

$352,455

Hudson Global Resources (Aust)

Engagement of temporary staffing services

$199,500

Human Psychology

Psychological assessment services

$907,112

Hydon Consulting Pty Ltd

Early childhood development and parenting outcomes framework practice guide

$7,000

Ialign Pty Ltd

Psychometric assessment and reporting

$37,619

Ian Carswell

Professional tuition services for School Retention Program

$16,554

IEEE South Australia Section

Women in engineering regional workshop

$13,000

Incompro Aboriginal Association

Professional mentoring services for School Retention Program

$297,258

Infrastructure and Transport

Redleap project lessons learnt workshop

$12,500

Inspired Psychology

Psychological assessment services

$19,060

Insync Solutions Pty Ltd

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (Education Internet Management Services deliverable)

$770,190

Interpreting & Translating Ctr

Provision of translation and interpreting services

$21,328

Intuito Pty Ltd

Enrolment services market research study

$49,823

IOT TEK

Professional audio-visual support services

$46,198

Iron Mountain Australia Group

Provision of support for departmental services (Data Management)

$24,625

Jade Thelda Cleasby

Provision of translation and interpreting services

$79,488

James Alexander Ellis

Business analysis, strategy and development services for the Bilingual Schools Project

$15,578

Jodie Benveniste Brave New

Psychological first aid leadership program

$17,000

Jones Lang Lasalle Pty Ltd

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (property portfolio strategy)

$47,000

Julia Atkin Pty Ltd

Learning and development consulting

$191,219

Julie Dini Psychology

Psychological assessment services

$21,674

K Welsh & Co Pty Ltd

Professional financial administration services to support Wiltja Residential Program

$12,705

Kids First Australia

Professional mentoring services for School Retention Program

$135,515

Kidsafe SA Inc

Delivery of training services

$224,595

KIK Innovation Ltd

Autism Pre Pathway Program assessment and development workshops

$45,908

Kodaly Music Education Institute

Delivery of training services

$28,000

KPMG

Fee for professional services (cleaning services review)

$175,770

KPP Ventures Pty Ltd

Engagement of temporary staffing services

$89,856

Kristy Lyn Sinkovic

Provision of support for delivery of National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy

$11,396

Lady Gowrie Child Centre Inc

Delivery of training services

$48,568

Latitude It Pty Ltd

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (Digital Transformation)

$98,613

Learning Lab Psychology

Psychological assessment services

$16,772

Learning Through Doing Pty Ltd

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (Mathematics, learning through doing)

$135,000

Life Without Barriers

Professional mentoring services for School Retention Program

$62,987

Lisa Williams

Provision of support for delivery of National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy

$13,959

Little Bee Psychology

Psychological assessment services

$18,853

Luisa Sergi

Provision of support for delivery of National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy

$18,860

Lyn Langeluddecke

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (New Site Leader Program and mentoring)

$10,438

M&M Group of Companies Pty Ltd

Professional Landscaping Services

$20,672

Matthew Nairn

Psychological assessment services

$51,780

Maureen Hegarty

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (Mathematic - Thinking Maths Program)

$102,900

Maxima Training Group (Australia)

Engagement of temporary staffing services

$92,905

Maybo

Delivery of training services

$24,767

McArthur Management Services

Engagement of temporary staffing services

$36,506

McNeil Consulting

Wellbeing assessment services

$16,900

MEGT (Australia) Ltd

Engagement of temporary staffing services

$1,381,331

Microsoft Pty Ltd

Unified Enterprise Support

$96,330

Mindful Pathways Psychological

Psychological assessment services

$16,681

Mindset Procurement

Engagement of temporary staffing services

$140,525

Miri Kawi Services

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (Aboriginal Funding Reform)

$49,903

Mixed Mediums Enterprises

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (multimedia production)

$19,830

MTX Australia Pty Ltd

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (digital architecture and support)

$58,728

Murdoch Children's Research

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (Children's centre review)

$90,335

Nathan Rice

Provision of support for delivery of National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy

$10,620

Nation Creative Pty Ltd

Provision of support for departmental initiatives

$39,897

Nec Australia Pty Ltd

Provision of support to support ICT delivery (Corporate site upgrades)

$335,496

Neil White

School site visits, reporting and consultation services relating to incidents

$36,040

Newman Education

Professional tuition services for School Retention Program

$12,150

Nharangga Warra Wambana

Nharangga language scope & sequence document

$10,800

Nicholas Kingsley

Provision of support for delivery of National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy

$11,351

North Eastern Metrostars Inc

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (South Australian Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy - Indigenous Cup)

$39,535

Nutshell Systems Pty Ltd

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (EdAnalytics)

$201,040

Oakhill Farm

Anangu lands partnership conference 2025

$32,619

Olivia Kathigitis

Delivery of training services

$25,185

Oncall Language Services Pty Ltd

Provision of translation and interpreting services

$14,055

Opex Nominees Pty Ltd

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (Procurement services)

$387,492

Orff Schulwerk Association of SA Inc

Delivery of training and development services

$28,458

Our Global Table

Delivery of training services

$25,000

Outsidein Group

Observation and Report Writing Services

$143,350

Pamela Grigg

Video production

$6,639

Patrick Moran

Mentoring services for new site leaders

$5,138

Pauline Carter Educational

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (Mathematic - Thinking Maths Program)

$59,500

Paxus Australia Pty Ltd

Engagement of temporary staffing services

$2,461,759

Peoplebank Australia Ltd

Engagement of temporary staffing services

$83,090

Perks People Solutions Pty Ltd

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (Recruitment)

$12,572

Pernix Pty Ltd

Provision of support for the Education Management System project

$534,100

Peter Gandolfi

Delivery of training services

$112,773

Peter Heydrich

Provision of support for delivery of National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy

$14,232

Phil Jenkins

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (Leader Advisor Program)

$18,087

Plan IT Test Management Solutions

Professional Framework and Practice Development

$395,338

Pop Education Pty Ltd

Creation of Learning Materials / Resources

$145,455

Power To Move

Fitness Program Facilitation

$10,600

Project Green Pty Ltd

Provision of support for bushfire safety

$241,300

Promind Psychology

Psychological assessment services

$173,627

Psychmed

Psychological assessment services

$44,201

Qualtrics LLC

Business analysis and strategy services

$124,280

Rachael Furner Speech Path

Professional Services (Speech Pathology)

$55,287

Randstad Pty Ltd

Engagement of temporary staffing services

$3,987,122

Reconciliation South Australia

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (Reconciliation Action Plan)

$3,000

Richard Costi

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Education Committee Governance and Implementation Project)

$30,612

RKM Consulting Pty Ltd

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (Human Resources Management Information System Design)

$21,094

RNTT Pty Ltd

Engagement of temporary staffing services

$112,550

Robert Eldridge

Provision of support for delivery of National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy

$11,571

Robert Walters Pty Ltd

Engagement of temporary staffing services

$992,283

Ronald Berger

Delivery of training services

$36,089

Rosa Enterprises

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (Leader Advisor Program)

$15,369

Royal Life Saving Society Aust

Delivery of training services

$36,450

Rupert Wegerif

Delivery of training services

$17,501

SA Netball Association Inc

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (South Australian Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy)

$32,820

Sammy D Foundation

Professional mentoring services for School Retention Program

$204,382

Sarah McDonagh

Delivery of training services

$17,500

Schools Ministry Group

National Student Wellbeing Program

$5,374,254

Scyne Advisory Pty Ltd

EMS program assurance and management

$34,732

Sean Fitzgibbon

SA curriculum engagement data analysis tool development

$14,400

Seedling Education Pty Ltd

Professional tuition services for School Retention Program

$133,789

Semaphore Consulting

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (data collection)

$23,975

She Creative Pty Ltd

CE Dialogues week zero resources: Areas of impact work

$78,807

Simfoni Analytics Ltd

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (Procurement analytics)

$78,022

Sitback Solutions Pty Ltd

Online Digital Edspark work

$47,349

Smaart Pty Ltd

Engagement of temporary staffing services

$152,483

Smiles All Round

Psychological assessment services

$55,583

Soji Pty Ltd

Delivery of training services

$63,867

Sonder

Psychological assessment services

$133,149

Stanislaw Pulgies

Provision of support for delivery of National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy

$10,870

Switch Education Recruitment

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (Future Leaders Program)

$50,447

Synergy Iq Pty Ltd

Delivery of training services

$137,871

System Solutions Engineering

Heating, ventilation and cooling systems review to inform update of the department's design standards

$26,250

Tafe SA

Delivery of training services

$523,455

Talent International (SA) Pty Ltd

Engagement of temporary staffing services

$2,379,794

Talk Speech Pathology

Professional Services (Speech Pathology)

$165,034

Taptu Pty Ltd

Application modernisation and finance system reform program

$74,355

Taysols Pty Ltd

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (Financial Consolidation Project)

$126,793

Telstra Ltd

Provision of support for ICT delivery (ICT and telecommunication expenses)

$1,187,443

Telus Health (BG Australia)

Psychological first aid leadership program

$518,081

Terry Sizer

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (New Site Leader Program)

$26,783

The Benevolent Society

Professional Services (Speech Pathology)

$11,062

The Eventful Learning Co

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (Public Education Purpose Design)

$29,318

The French Beauty Academy Pty Ltd

Aboriginal pathways pilot program

$24,000

The Learning Hook Pty Ltd

Development of custom learning resources

$45,000

Think Tank Consulting Aust

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (Business analysis and strategy)

$130,631

Thirdera Aus Pty Ltd

ICT service delivery consulting

$256,991

Trainable Pty Ltd

Delivery of training services

$10,027

Transforming Education

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (English as an Additional Language or Dialect Project)

$19,600

Translation Consultants

Provision of translation and interpreting services

$22,445

Trevor Lovegrove

Injury Management Services

$40,000

Trisan Australia Pty Ltd

Testing and supply of electrical appliances

$48,785

Turner Townsend Thinc Pty Ltd

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (Department for Education modular review)

$281,850

Unified Solutions Group Pty

Provision of support for ICT infrastructure in schools

$29,000

Uniting Communities

Professional Services - School Mental Health Services

$121,030

Uniting Country SA Ltd

Professional mentoring services for School Retention Program

$99,578

University of Adelaide

Australian Curriculum scope and sequence - linguistic expertise Aboriginal Languages

$16,143

University of New England

Provision of support for departmental initiatives

$2,924

University of South Australia

Chinese Bilingual Quality Assurance

$90,655

Upstream Health Pty Ltd

Psychological assessment services

$173,267

Victoria Mckinnon

Provision of support for delivery of National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy

$10,530

Vincent Raymond Riviere

Professional assessment services

$13,870

Vision Australia Ltd

Sensory learning materials for those with impaired vision

$14,633

Vivienne Wright

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (Leader Wellbeing Program)

$13,725

Vonnie Dolling

Provision of support for departmental initiatives

$20,823

Wattle Psychology Studio

Psychological assessment services

$33,518

Wiltalk Speech Pathology

Professional Services (Speech Pathology)

$22,406

Win-Win Matters Pty Ltd

Delivery of training services

$17,250

With the 18th Pick Pty Ltd

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (Sports Program)

$21,875

Work Safety Hub

Delivery of training services

$37,440

WSP Australia Pty Ltd

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (Sports Program)

$13,020

XP School Trust Ltd

Delivery of training services

$64,178

Xtreme Kites & Paddle

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (School Aquatics Program)

$65,964

Yamagigu Consulting Pty Ltd

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (Aboriginal Adult Education and Trainings Strategy)

$20,300

Your Dream Inc

National Student Wellbeing Program

$549,756

Zed Management Consulting

Inclusive Education Support Program Funding Application Development

$257,802

Zertain Pty Ltd

Provision of support for departmental initiatives (Digital transformation work)

$928,728

 

Contractors over $10,000 Total

$50,337,175

Data for previous years is available at: https://data.sa.gov.au/data/dataset/contractors-reporting-by-the-department-for-education

The details of South Australian Government-awarded contracts for goods, services, and works are displayed on the SA Tenders and Contracts website. View the agency list of contracts.

The website also provides details of across government contracts.

Risk management

Risk and audit at a glance

The Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) provide independent assurance and advice to the Chief Executive and the Senior Executive Group on the department’s risk, control and compliance framework, and its external accountability responsibilities.

The ARC comprises three members from senior management and three independent external members. Representatives of the Auditor-General's Department attend as observers. The committee met on five occasions during 2025.

During 2025, the ARC has focused on the following matters:

  • Corporate governance and risk management frameworks.
  • External accountabilities and financial legislative compliance.
  • Internal audit coverage and review of significant issues identified in audit reports and actions taken.
  • External audit oversight of implementation and actions taken to address issues raised in Auditor General’s audit reports.

Fraud detected in the agency

Category/nature of fraud

Number of instances

Maladministration

0

Misconduct

4

Corruption

0

NB: Fraud reported includes actual and reasonably suspected incidents of fraud.

Strategies implemented to control and prevent fraud

The department is committed to maintaining a working environment free of fraud and corrupt behaviour and prompts this position through the department’s fraud and corruption control policy and framework. The policy and framework articulate the department's prevention, detection and response strategies and provides the processes for managing suspected and/or actual fraud or corruption.

Fraud control risks are reviewed and assessed annually to ensure that processes are in place to adequately manage potential fraud risks.

Any instances of misconduct are treated seriously by the department, and where these occur, prompt action is taken to ensure that they are thoroughly investigated and that those responsible are held to account.

Data for previous years is available at: Annual Report open data fraud 2013-2025.csv

Public interest disclosure

Number of occasions on which public interest information has been disclosed to a responsible officer of the agency under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2018:

0

Data for previous years is available at: Annual report open data public interest disclosure 2013-2025.csv

Note: Disclosure of public interest information was previously reported under the Whistleblowers Protection Act 1993 and repealed by the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2018 on 1/7/2019.

Reporting required under any other act or regulation

Reporting required under the Carers’ Recognition Act 2005

The Department for Education reports under the Carers Recognition Act 2005 in accordance with section 7, which requires applicable organisations to include information on their obligations under section 6 of the Act in their annual report.

The department supports carers who are employees and students across three areas:

  • Awareness - A system is in place to ensure management, staff, volunteers, parents and students understand the Act and Carers Charter.
  • Consultation - A system is in place to ensure carers, or persons or bodies that represent carers, are consulted in the development and review of human resource plans, policies, procedures and practices.
  • Practice - A system is in place to ensure the principles of the Carers Charter are reflected in human resource practices.

Public complaints

Number of public complaints reported in 2025

Complaint categories

Sub-categories

Example

Number of Complaints

Professional behaviour

Staff attitude

Failure to demonstrate values such as empathy, respect, fairness, courtesy, extra mile; cultural competency

215

Professional behaviour

Staff competency

Failure to action service request; poorly informed decisions; incorrect or irrelevant information provided

157

Professional behaviour

Staff knowledge

Out of date knowledge of processes/services/supports

2

Communication

Communication quality

Inadequate, delayed or absent communication with customer, language difficult for the customer to understand

52

Communication

Confidentiality

Customer’s confidentiality or privacy not respected; information shared incorrectly

11

Service delivery

Systems/technology

System offline; inaccessible to customer; incorrect result/information provided; poor record keeping operating system design

2

Service delivery

Access to services

Service difficult to find; location poor; facilities/ environment poor standard; not accessible to customers with disabilities, lack of access for parents

24

Service delivery

Process

Processing error; incorrect process used; delay in processing application; process does not meet customer’s needs

114

Policy

Policy application

Incorrect policy interpretation; incorrect policy applied; conflicting policy advice given

192

Policy

Policy content

Policy content difficult to understand; policy unreasonable or disadvantages customer

22

Service quality

Information

Information is incorrect, incomplete, out-dated or inadequate

7

Service quality

Access to information

Information difficult to understand, hard to find or difficult to use; not plain English

1

Service quality

Timeliness

Lack of staff punctuality; excessive waiting times (outside of service standard); advised timelines not met

3

Service quality

Safety

Maintenance; personal or family safety; duty of care not shown; poor security service/ premises; poor cleanliness or SunSmart practices

134

Service quality

Service responsiveness

Service design doesn’t meet customer needs; poor service fit with customer expectations, funding or learning opportunities and or staff resources needed

159

No case to answer

No case to answer

Third party; customer misunderstanding; redirected to another agency; insufficient information to investigate

1

  

Total

1,096

Additional Metrics

Total

Number of positive feedback comments

44

Number of negative feedback comments

310

Total number of feedback comments

354

% complaints resolved within policy timeframes

82%

Data for previous years is available at: https://data.sa.gov.au/data/dataset/public-complaints-received-by-the-department-for-education

Service Improvements

Aligned with PC039 – Complaint Management in the South Australian Public Sector, the departments central complaint management system (CMS) has been instrumental in driving improvements through effective data capture, analysis, and reporting. Key business improvements include:

Enhanced Case Management Capability:

CMS system enhancements were implemented to strengthen how complex complaint matters are recorded and managed. Improvements to the system introduced more accurate categorisation of unreasonable conduct and communication strategies, enabling faster retrieval of information and supporting more consistent, accountable decision making.

Improved Accessibility and Inclusivity of Complaint Resources:

Complaint resources for schools were enhanced to be more user-centred, inclusive and easy to navigate. These updates focused on improving accessibility for students and parents with disability, ensuring clearer guidance, flexible pathways, and more equitable support for diverse needs across school communities.

Strengthened Professional Capability in Managing Complex Customer Interactions:

Targeted training on complaint management was delivered across customer facing areas within the department, supporting staff to respond confidently, consistently, and safely to challenging issues and behaviours. This enhanced capability, reinforcing clear communication, appropriate boundaries and a respectful approach to resolving enquiries and complaints.

The department has made considerable improvements to school operations by using complaints and feedback more effectively to identify issues, improve processes, and the overall experience for students, families, and school communities.

Key sites (school and preschool) business improvements:

Stronger Alignment with Department Policies:

Schools and preschools strengthened their understanding and application of departmental policy requirements. Improvements were made in behaviour support local policy requirements, accurate recording of parental responsibility, item inspection procedures, and student health related needs. These actions support more consistent, compliant, and transparent practices across several sites.

Local Policy and Practice Reviews:

A number of sites undertook comprehensive reviews of their local policies and operational practices, with a strong focus on strengthening communication with families. Key areas addressed include processes relating to excursion information, transition processes, parental contact procedures, communication following incidents, and timely updates regarding changes to school routines. These improvements promote clearer expectations and more responsive engagement with school communities.

Targeted Training and Professional Development:

As a result of reviewing practices within complaint management, many staff engaged in training to enhance service quality, safety and inclusivity for all students. Key areas included updates to suspension and exclusion procedures, management of head related incidents, and implementing appropriate adjustments for students with a disability. This investment in capability supports safer environments and more equitable outcomes for students.

Compliance Statement

RequirementCompliant

The Department for Education is compliant with Premier and Cabinet Circular 039 – complaint management in the South Australian public sector

Yes

The Department for Education has communicated the content of PC 039 and the agency’s related complaints policies and procedures to employees.

Yes

Appendix: Audited financial statements 2024-25

Contact

Phone: 8226 1000

Free call: 1800 088 158

Online form for general enquiries, feedback or complaints