Education and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill delivers reforms across Queensland's education and arts portfolios. It reduces red tape for non-state schools, creates a legal framework for programs that re-engage disengaged students, expands international delivery of the Queensland Certificate of Education, modernises governance of five arts statutory bodies, and introduces anti-scalping protections for QPAC ticket resales.
Who it affects
Non-state schools and their students benefit from streamlined accreditation processes. Disengaged young people gain formally recognised pathways back into education. QPAC patrons are protected from ticket scalping.
Non-state school regulation
Reduces regulatory burden for non-state schools by introducing risk-based assessments when schools change accreditation attributes, and extends temporary site provisions to all non-state schools during emergencies. Enables NSSAB to delegate routine functions and requires it to share key regulatory information with the Department of Education.
- Risk-based assessments replace full accreditation reviews when schools change attributes like year levels or boarding
- All non-state schools can now use temporary sites during emergency events, not just Special Assistance Schools
- NSSAB must share show cause notices and accreditation decisions with the Department of Education
- Minister can issue a Statement of Expectations to guide NSSAB priorities
Student re-engagement and youth detention education
Creates a legislative framework for education re-entry and transition service programs that help disengaged children and young people return to schooling. Also formally recognises Education and Training Centres in youth detention as state educational institutions.
- Education re-entry and transition service programs are formally recognised in law, with five named non-government providers
- Children participating in these programs are exempted from compulsory schooling attendance requirements while they re-engage
- Information can be shared between the Department of Education, program providers, and schools to support smooth transitions
- Education and Training Centres in youth detention are legislatively recognised, and teachers there do not need a separate blue card
International delivery of the QCE
Expands the model for delivering the Queensland Certificate of Education overseas. Non-state schools can now partner with overseas schools to deliver the QCE, with the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority taking over approval and oversight.
- Non-state schools, including grammar schools, can partner with overseas schools to deliver the QCE
- QCAA becomes the authorising body for all overseas QCE delivery, replacing the Department of Education's sole role
- QCAA can charge fees to cover the cost of oversight and quality assurance
Arts statutory body governance
Modernises governance arrangements for Queensland's five arts statutory bodies with consistent provisions across all five Acts. Introduces criminal history checks for board members, disqualification criteria, Ministerial Statements of Expectations, and establishes a Foundation Committee for the State Library.
- Board members must disclose criminal convictions and insolvency, with disqualification for indictable offences
- Minister can issue Statements of Expectations to guide each body's strategic priorities
- State Library gets a legislatively recognised Foundation Committee for philanthropic fundraising
- All arts bodies can engage in partnerships and cultural activities across the South Brisbane cultural centre precinct
QPAC ticket scalping
Creates a new offence for reselling tickets to QPAC performances at more than 10% above the original price, consistent with existing provisions for major sports facilities.
- Reselling QPAC tickets at more than 10% above original price is an offence, with penalties up to 135 penalty units for individuals and 680 for corporations
- Non-profit organisations reselling tickets for fundraising are exempt
Bill Journey
▸Committee23 Apr 2026View Hansard
Referred to Education, Arts and Communities Committee
5 members · Chair: Nigel Hutton
Referenced Entities
Legislation
Organisations
Programs & Schemes
Sectors Affected
Classified using AGIFT/ANZSIC Australian government standards