Ministers

Department of Education, Skills and Employment

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Dr Michele Bruniges AM - Secretary

The department’s purpose is to help create an inclusive and prosperous Australia by maximising opportunity through national leadership on education, skills and employment policy development.

We will work to ensure Australians can experience the social wellbeing and economic benefits that quality education, training and employment provide by actively supporting our ministers to deliver Australian Government policies and priorities.

The department achieves its purpose through the delivery of outcomes.

Outcome 1: Improved early learning, schooling, student educational outcomes and transitions to and from school, through access to quality child care, support, parent engagement, quality teaching and learning environments.

Outcome 2: Promote growth in economic productivity and social wellbeing through access to quality higher education, international education and international quality research.

Outcome 3: Promote growth in economic productivity and social wellbeing through access to quality skills and training.

Outcome 4: Foster a productive and competitive labour market through policies and programs that assist job seekers into work and meet employer needs.

Accountable authority

Dr Michele Bruniges AM, Secretary of the Department of Education, Skills and Employment, was the department’s accountable authority.

Secretary of the Department of Education, Skills and Employment from 1 February 2020 to 30 June 2020.

Secretary of the Department of Education from 1 July 2019 to 31 January 2020.

Portfolio responsibilities

On 5 December 2019, the Prime Minister announced changes to the structure of the Australian Public Service (APS) as part of the Australian Government’s reform agenda to put Australians at the centre of government.

Under the Administrative Arrangements Order (AAO) made on 5 December 2019, the employment and skills functions from the former Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business were transferred to the Department of Education. The Department of Education was renamed the Department of Education, Skills and Employment.

Work towards implementing the Machinery of Government changes commenced on 5 December 2019, with changes taking effect from 1 February 2020.

Portfolio entities - as at 30 June 2020

Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority

Mr David de Carvalho, Chief Executive Officer

Outcome: Improved quality and consistency of school education in Australia through a national
curriculum, national assessment, data collection, and performance reporting system.

Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership Limited

Mr Mark Grant PSM, Chief Executive Officer
Outcome: Enhance the quality of teaching and school leadership through developing standards,
recognising teaching excellence, providing professional development opportunities, and supporting the teaching profession.

Australian Research Council

Professor Sue Thomas, Chief Executive Officer
Outcome: Growth of knowledge and innovation through managing research funding schemes,
measuring research excellence and providing advice.

Australian Skills Quality Authority

Ms Saxon Rice, Chief Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer
Outcome: Contribute to a high-quality vocational education and training sector, including through
streamlined and nationally consistent regulation of training providers and courses, and the communication of advice to the sector on improvements to the quality of vocational education and training.

Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency

Professor Nick Saunders AO, Chief Commissioner and acting Chief Executive Officer
Outcome: Contribute to a high-quality higher education sector through streamlined and nationally consistent higher education regulatory arrangements; registration of higher education providers; accreditation of higher education courses; and investigation, quality assurance and dissemination of higher education standards and performance.

Australian National University

Professor Brian P. Schmidt AC, Vice Chancellor, President and Chief Executive Officer
The Australian National University (ANU) is a research-intensive educational institute, established by the Australian National University Act 1991. The Australian National University is not part of the general government sector. It is not included in the Commonwealth general government sector fiscal estimates and is exempt from the Portfolio Budget Statements (PBS).