Submission | Independent Review into Regional, Rural and Remote Education | September 2017

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Australian Chamber) welcomes this opportunity to comment on an issue of concern to its members. The current disparity in students’ results and outcomes, seemingly in part determined by geographic location, is something that needs to be addressed because the consequences of this disparity extends far beyond the individual student. A graduating student’s successful transition from school to work or further education is a critical objective in order to minimise the economic and societal cost of youth unemployment and negative social and health outcomes for the individual. For regional, rural and remote students poor educational outcomes often have flow on effects to friends and families – which in the case of small rural towns could involve the entire community.

Although this submission will address the two specific terms of reference of the Review, namely the gaps in education achievement and successful transitions, the Chamber’s comments will discuss more broadly the issues concerning regional, rural and remote education within a regional economic and social context.