Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 2025
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill amends Queensland's Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 to reduce red tape for schools, parents and students, and to strengthen student safety when children transfer between schools. It implements a Royal Commission recommendation to make student transfer notes mandatory, streamlines consent for digital learning platforms, extends home education eligibility, and modernises the rules for Parents and Citizens' Associations.
Who it affects
Parents, students and school principals across state and non-state schools are most affected. Home education families, remote communities with multi-campus schools, and families accessing eKindy also benefit from reduced regulatory barriers.
Key changes
- Student transfer notes become mandatory — principals must request them within 90 days of a student enrolling, and the previous school must provide them within 10 school days, including safety and wellbeing information
- Schools no longer need individual parental consent for each approved online learning platform, though parents can still opt out and sensitive information cannot be shared
- Home education registration extended by one year, to 31 December in the year the student turns 18
- Schools with geographically dispersed campuses (such as Tagai State College in the Torres Strait) can form separate P&C Associations for each campus
- P&C Associations can donate funds or goods to schools affected by natural disasters, and people convicted of indictable offences are barred from P&C executive and subcommittee roles
- eKindy eligibility broadened so the distance criterion is measured to the nearest approved kindergarten program, and medical absence can be cumulative rather than consecutive
- Principals can delegate notification of suspension decisions to senior staff like deputy principals
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
▸Committee14 Mar 2025View Hansard
Referred to Education, Arts and Communities Committee
5 members · Chair: Nigel Hutton
The Education, Arts and Communities Committee examined the Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 2025 and recommended it be passed, with an additional recommendation regarding home education age eligibility. The bill's key reforms include removing the requirement for individual consent for each online service used by state schools, enabling principals to delegate the notification of suspension decisions to senior staff, and changes to home education provisions. The committee recommended further consideration of extending the age eligibility of students in home education by six months.
Key findings (4)
- The bill removes the requirement for individual parental consent for each third-party online service used by state schools, replacing it with a centralised approval framework
- State schools may use hundreds of online services at any one time, making individual consent processes burdensome
- The bill enables principals to delegate the notification of suspension decisions to senior staff such as deputy principals and heads of campus, while retaining the principal's responsibility for making the decision itself
- Stakeholders broadly supported the provisions enabling delegation of suspension notification
Recommendations (2)
- The committee recommends that the Bill be passed.
- The committee recommends further consideration around the extension of the age eligibility of students in home education by 6 months, to 31 December in the year the student turns 18 and 6 months.
Committee report tabled
▸Second Reading16 Oct 2025View Hansard
▸14 members spoke14 support
As Minister for Education, introduced and championed the bill, delivering both the second reading speech and minister's reply. Moved government amendments during Consideration in Detail.
“This bill puts Queensland students first and ensures our education system continues to deliver world-class outcomes for every child.”— 2025-10-16View Hansard
As shadow minister for education, supported the bill while raising concerns about aspects of implementation. Criticised the government's approach to consultation but confirmed Labor would not oppose the bill.
“The opposition will be supporting this bill, but we do have concerns about the government's approach.”— 2025-10-16View Hansard
Spoke in support of the bill as a government member, highlighting the importance of education reform for families in his electorate.
“The families of Ferny Grove want an education system that puts their children's needs first, and this bill delivers on that commitment.”— 2025-10-16View Hansard
Supported the bill while raising concerns from a regional perspective about access to education services.
“We support the intent of this legislation, but regional communities like Hervey Bay need to see the investment to back it up.”— 2025-10-16View Hansard
Supported the bill as a government member, speaking about the benefits for students and families in her electorate.
“This bill ensures that Queensland's education system is fit for purpose and that our children receive the best possible start in life.”— 2025-10-16View Hansard
Supported the bill while expressing concerns about certain provisions, drawing on her experience as a former school principal.
“As a former principal, I know how important it is to get education legislation right, and while I support this bill, I urge the government to listen to teachers and principals on implementation.”— 2025-10-16View Hansard
Spoke in support of the bill, highlighting the importance of education reform for rural and regional communities.
“Families in the Scenic Rim want the best for their children, and this bill supports that aspiration.”— 2025-10-16View Hansard
Supported the bill, speaking about education issues relevant to her electorate.
“Education is the great equaliser, and we need legislation that supports every child to reach their full potential.”— 2025-10-16View Hansard
Supported the bill as a government member and member of the examining committee.
“This bill demonstrates the Crisafulli government's commitment to ensuring Queensland students receive a world-class education.”— 2025-10-16View Hansard
Supported the bill while raising criticisms about aspects of the government's broader education policy agenda.
“We will support this bill, but the government must do more to ensure our schools have the resources they need.”— 2025-10-16View Hansard
Spoke in support of the bill as a government member, highlighting the importance of the education reforms.
“This bill ensures that our education system keeps pace with the needs of Queensland families.”— 2025-10-16View Hansard
Supported the bill, speaking about education policy from a research and evidence-based perspective.
“Good education policy must be grounded in evidence, and I encourage the government to continue listening to the experts.”— 2025-10-16View Hansard
Supported the bill, highlighting the importance of the reforms for Far North Queensland communities.
“In Far North Queensland, access to quality education is essential, and this bill helps ensure every child gets that opportunity.”— 2025-10-16View Hansard
Supported the bill while raising concerns about the adequacy of resourcing for implementation.
“The families of Logan deserve the best possible education for their children, and we support this bill while calling on the government to back it with proper funding.”— 2025-10-16View Hansard
▸In Detail16 Oct 2025View Hansard
Government amendment to replace references to 'Queensland Catholic Education Commission' (QCEC) with 'Catholic Education Queensland Limited' (CEQL) throughout the bill, reflecting a change in the name and structure of the Catholic education peak body.
Government amendment to align the commencement provisions with the Child Safe Organisations Act 2024, ensuring the Education Act amendments commence consistently with the child safe framework.
Government amendment relating to rest period conditions for boarding school students, clarifying requirements for student welfare in boarding facilities.
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Sectors Affected
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