Education Laws for the Future
Education (General Provisions) Act 2006
The new Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 new window 
was passed by Parliament on 8 August 2006, and received Royal Assent on 11 August 2006. The new Act retains many of the provisions of the previous Education (General Provisions) Act 1989 and incorporates the Youth Participation in Education and Training Act 2003 ("YPET"), forming a single, key piece of legislation for the schooling sector. The new Act also provides the legislative basis for a range of recent significant initiatives in education, including the universal availability of the Preparatory Year in 2007, an increase in the compulsory school age in 2008, changes to schools reporting requirements and the exchange of consistent student information across all schools.
The new Act and Education (General Provisions) Regulation 2006 new window will commence on 30 October 2006. Once the new legislation commences, the Education (General Provisions) Act 1989, the Youth Participation in Education and Training Act 2003 and the associated regulations will no longer be in force.
Significant provisions in the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 include:
- New provisions for schools' reporting that require all schools, State and non-State, to provide at least two student report cards each year, to provide parents with the opportunity to meet with their child 's teachers at least twice each year, and to publish an annual report.
- The recognition of home education as a legitimate alternative when considering the education of children, and the introduction of a new registration system that requires parents to provide details of their child's program and to demonstrate their child's educational progress through annual reports.
- Confirmation that the cost of providing instruction, administration and facilities for the education of students at State schools will be met by the State, while also confirming that State schools may charge students fees for specialised educational programs, educational services purchased from an external provider, and services, materials and consumables that are not defined as instruction, administration and facilities. Overseas students may also be charged for their education.
- Requiring all State schools to have an approved student behaviour plan that has been developed in consultation with parents, staff and students.
- Enabling State schools to develop a dress code to apply when students are attending or representing their school, which can stipulate standards of what is acceptable in relation to clothing and other aspects of the personal presentation of the students.
- In conjunction with the implementation of the new Preparatory Year, increasing the compulsory school age in 2008 to 6 years and 6 months, and confirming that, while enrolment in Prep will not satisfy the compulsory schooling obligations of parents in 2007, it will from 2008 onwards.
- Introducing specific provisions relating to enrolments in State schools, which will require the use of a standardised application form and satisfactory evidence of a student'seligibility to enrol.
- Introducing the concept of an Enrolment Agreement, a document supporting the enrolment process in State schools that outlines the respective rights and obligations of students, parents and staff of a school.
- Introducing the concept of Transfer Notes to facilitate a consistent system for the transfer of student information to support movement between any school, State or non-State, within Queensland.
The minimum age for enrolment in the Preparatory Year will be specified in the supporting Education (General Provisions) Regulation 2006. This minimum age will apply to both State and non-State schools and will require a child to be 5 years or older on or before 30 June in their proposed year of attendance.
A number of information statements have been developed to explain the significant changes for:
Further queries about the Act can be directed to:
Legislation Review Team
Strategic Policy and Education Futures Division
Department of Education, Training and the Arts
PO Box 15033
City East
Brisbane Qld 4002
Fax: (07) 3237 1175
Phone: (07) 3237 1700
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