Australian Government - Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations

Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations

The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) was created on 3 December 2007, bringing together elements of the former Departments of Education, Science and Training, Employment and Workplace Relations and the Youth and Early Childhood functions from the Department of Family, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.

The department implements government policies and programs to provide education and training opportunities for all Australians, to increase employment participation and to ensure fair and productive workplaces. Education, training and workforce participation are central to our goal of building a productive and socially inclusive nation, one which values diversity and provides opportunities for all Australians to build rewarding social and economic lives.

Current News

National Numeracy Review

The National Numeracy Review, commissioned by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) is an independent review undertaken by a panel of experts led by Professor Gordon Stanley. The report informs best practice for teaching numeracy and mathematics. The report identified 15 recommendations with a focus on:

• the need for early, systematic teaching of numeracy and mathematics that includes assessment activities to ensure that all students have the foundational skills to progress through a developmental continuum; and
• increasing resources for teachers in terms of professional development and pre-service teacher education to address the identified shortfalls in both mathematics content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge to ensure quality teaching of numeracy and mathematics across the curriculum.

Updated - Australian JobSearch website

DEEWR has released a new version of jobsearch.gov.au. Visitors to JobSearch will enjoy enhanced usability, accessibility and job search functionality. While the content of the site has been improved many of the basic functions have not changed. Visit www.jobsearch.gov.au to see the changes.

National Bilby Day

It is National Bilby Day on 14 September 2008. To help promote this day, the Save the Bilby Fund is running the Face the Challenge crossword competition as a fun way for school students to learn more about bilbies and other endangered species. National Bilby Day was launched in 2005 to promote awareness of bilbies and other endangered species and their fight for survival.

Rewarding Quality Schooling

The 2008 Australian Government National Awards for Quality Schooling were presented on 3 June 2008 by the Hon Julia Gillard MP, Minister for Education. The winners included teachers, principals, support staff and schools from across Australia.

National Secondary School Computer Fund - Round One Successful Schools

The Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, the Hon Julia Gillard MP announced the National Secondary School Computer Fund Round One successful schools on 12 June 2008.

Notification of release of discussion paper

The Expert Panel of the Review of Australian Higher Education has released a discussion paper which invites submissions by 31 July 2008.

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