Department of Education

Educational Performance Services (EPS) monitors
and measures student outcomes in the pre-compulsory
and compulsory years of schooling including achievement in
literacy and numeracy; and also provides statewide programs
for assessment and statistical moderation against the
standards of the Tasmanian Curriculum. It reports Tasmanian
compliance with national assessment program requirements,
national reporting for the schooling sector to the end of
Year 12 and monitoring and reporting on the educational
accountability information required for specific purpose
programs. It is also responsible for corporate reporting and
facilitating the collection, storage and utilisation of student
and school data, particularly for the purposes of publishing
the annual Tasmanian Education Performance Report and
individual school improvement reports.
Skills Tasmania is responsible for developing strategy
and policy relating to skills and workforce development
in Tasmania, and for purchasing vocational education and
training from the Tasmanian Polytechnic, the Tasmanian
Skills Institute and other Registered Training Organisations
(RTOs), to support the skill development needs of
Tasmanian enterprises and individuals. Skills Tasmania also
manages the regulation of apprenticeships and traineeships,
provides support services to RTOs and other service
providers, and is generally responsible for the development,
regulation and administration of the training system in
Tasmania. As a statutory authority, Skills Tasmania reports
separately through a board to the Minister.
Tasmanian Qualifications Authority (TQA) is
responsible for consolidated statements of qualifications,
and accreditation and registration in the senior secondary,
vocational education and training, and higher education
sectors. As a statutory authority, the TQA reports
separately through a board to the Minister.
Finance and Resource Services (FRS) ensures that the
department has a strong financial and resource management
focus and infrastructure to enable the appropriate and
effective delivery of education, skills and LINC Tasmania
services across the state. The unit provides guidance in
financial and budget management for the agency and fosters
an environment which supports strong financial management
within the department, whilst enabling innovation and
improvements to resource management across all areas of
the department.
Facilities and Capital Planning (FCP) ensures that
the department has high quality, accessible, functional, well
maintained, safe and secure facilities for the appropriate and
effective delivery of education, skills and LINC Tasmania
services across the state. The unit also provides support
for innovative strategic asset management across the
department.
Human Resources Management Branch (HRMB)
provides support and services on human resources and
people management issues to all areas of the department.
This includes providing HR policy development,
implementation and advice; processing of payroll and
employee benefits; establishment, recruitment and reporting
services; safety, injury and risk management; workplace
consultancy; industrial advice; and advice on the attraction,
induction, retention and development of the department’s
workforce.
Information and Technology Services (ITS) provides
timely and high quality information and communications
technology related services and support to schools, colleges,
libraries and corporate units within the department.
These services include the provision and maintenance
of information technology infrastructure hardware and
network services, the identification of opportunities
for business improvement through technology, and the
development and maintenance of standards and processes
for information technology issues across the department.
The unit is also responsible for information and document
management systems and processes including archiving and
disposal schedules.
Portfolio Co-ordination Unit
The unit comprises four areas:
• Ministerial Services is the primary point of contact
between the department and the office of the Minister for
Education and Skills, and is responsible for managing the
flow of information, advice and documents between the
department and the Minister’s Office. The unit also assists
with policy and administrative matters for the department.
• Legal Services provides support to school and nonschool
areas within the department on legal issues. Staff
also manage the department’s responsibilities under the
Right to Information Act 2009 (previously the Freedom of
Information Act 1991).
• Communication Services manages internal and external
communication and media, responds to enquiries from
the media and issues media releases. The unit provides
a media advisory service to the department, develops
communication strategies for education programs and
initiatives, and assists with major education events.
• Marketing and Information Services is responsible
for managing the department’s websites (technical and
content), developing publications such as enrolment
guides and other information for parents and students,
undertaking graphic design for publications, managing events
and handling copyright for the department.
Internal Audit provides the Secretary with reports on
the administrative effectiveness and efficiency of programs
conducted by the department and conducts special
investigations as required.
New arrangements
Post-Year 10 (PY10) responsibilities transferred to the
Department of Education in January 2011. This involves
the five colleges that were previously transitioned as the
Tasmanian Academy as well as the Tasmanian Polytechnic.
The Tasmanian Academy now consists of all eight colleges and
together with the Tasmanian Polytechnic operates through
the PY10 division of the department.
In 2011, the following changes occurred within the
Kindergarten to Year 10 (K-10) sector:
• Fingal Primary School was annexed under St Marys District
High School becoming St Marys District High School –
Fingal Campus.
• Acton, Upper Burnie and Brooklyn Primary Schools were
amalgamated, becoming Romaine Park Primary School.
• The Tasmanian eSchool was created. As Tasmania’s online
service provider it incorporates Distance Education
Tasmania, The Online Campus and Centre for Extended
Learning (CELO).
• Claremont Primary School and Mt Faulkner Primary School
amalgamated to become Windermere Primary School.
• Abbotsfield Primary School and Roseneath Primary School
amalgamated to become Austins Ferry Primary School.
• Bridgewater High, Bridgewater Primary, East Derwent
Primary, Gagebrook Primary and Herdsmans Cove Primary
Schools were amalgamated, becoming the Jordan River
Learning Federation with the following campuses:
o Senior School Campus
o Middle School Campus
o East Derwent Campus
o Gagebrook Campus
o Herdsmans Cove Campus.
Department at a Glance – Services
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