Open Consultations

The purpose of this review is to inform the development and negotiation of the next National School Reform Agreement and Bilateral Agreements with individual states and territories. It will build on the work of the Productivity Commission’s Review of the National School Reform Agreement, which recommended a focus on a smaller number of reforms where a coordinated national approach will help lift student outcomes. It will provide advice on the specific reforms that should be tied to funding in the next National School Reform Agreement.

The Review will advise Education Ministers:

• What targets and reforms should be included in the next agreement to drive real improvements in student outcomes, with a particular focus on students who are most at risk of falling behind and in need of more assistance - for students from low socio-economic backgrounds, regional, rural and remote Australia, students with disability, First Nations students and students from a language background other than English
• How the next agreement can contribute to improving student mental health and wellbeing, by addressing in-school factors while acknowledging the impact of non-school factors on wellbeing
• How the next agreement can support schools to attract and retain teachers
• How data collection can best inform decision-making and boost student outcomes
• How to ensure public funding is delivering on national agreements and that all school authorities are transparent and accountable to the community for how funding is invested and measuring the impacts of this investment.

Submissions due 2 August 2023

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources is seeking views on how the Australian Government can mitigate any potential risks of AI and support safe and responsible AI practices.

The discussion paper focuses on governance mechanisms to ensure AI is developed and used safely and responsibly in Australia. These mechanisms can include regulations, standards, tools, frameworks, principles and business practices.

Deadline extended to 4 August 2023

IP Australia is consulting on three proposals to enhance Australian design protection:

• virtual designs - virtual, non-physical designs (including screen displays, screen icons and graphical user interfaces (GUIs)
• partial designs - parts of a product made in one piece
• incremental designs - protection for incremental design improvements.

Submissions are due by 8 August 2023.

The Senate referred an inquiry into the worsening rental crisis in Australia to the Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report.

The worsening rental crisis in Australia, with particular reference to:

• the experience of renters and people seeking rental housing,
• rising rents and rental affordability;
• actions that can be taken by governments to reduce rents or limit rent rises;
• improvements to renters’ rights, including rent stabilisation, length of leases and no grounds evictions;
• factors impacting supply and demand of affordable rentals;
• international experience of policies that effectively support renters;
• the impact of government programs on the rental sector; and
• any other related matters.

Submissions due 1 September 2023

It is so important that the arts and culture perspective is heard on matters of national significance. This NAVA Guide sets out to go about writing a submission to a consultation or inquiry.