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About the Australian Schools List

National education initiatives, government agencies and online education services rely on a current and accurate list of schools in Australia.

In order to operate, schools must be registered with the respective school registration authority in each state and territory. ACARA has obtained the list from all 14 school registration authorities in Australia to create the Australian Schools List. This list provides an update of all schools and campuses in Australia. It also includes school location, school type and school sector attributes. (In some states/territories, these school registration authorities register both government and non-government schools and in others separate registration processes exist.)

Where does the data come from?

The 14 school registration authorities in Australia are:

  • New South Wales Education Standards Authority
  • New South Wales Department of Education
  • Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority
  • Victoria Department of Education and Training
  • Non-State Schools Accreditation Board Queensland
  • Queensland Department of Education
  • Education Standards Board of South Australia
  • Western Australia Non-Government School Regulation
  • Western Australia Department of Education
  • Tasmania Office of the Education Registrar
  • Department of Education Tasmania
  • Northern Territory Non-Government School Ministerial Advisory Council
  • Northern Territory Department of Education
  • Australian Capital Territory Education Directorate
ASL

How was the ASL developed?

In May 2014, the Data Strategy Group (DSG) of the Australian Education, Early Childhood and Youth Affairs Senior Official’s Committee (AEEYSOC) received a proposal to build an Australian Schools List (ASL) based on lists maintained by school registration authorities. The proposal included the use of the Systems Interoperability Framework (SIF) to streamline the collection and dissemination of data. SIF is an open, industry supported standard, endorsed by Australian ministers of school education in 2009. SIF is used to link data systems within the school sector.

This new schools list, developed in conjunction with the National Schools Interoperability Program (NSIP), is an extension of pilot and planning work conducted by NSIP in collaboration with state, territory and Australian government education authorities. ACARA’s work on the list involves ongoing consultation with NSIP, Education Services Australia and the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment.

The collaborative effort means that the ASL service has been designed to meet the needs of users, school systems and solution providers. The work will continue to reflect all changes to the Australian Schools List, ensuring the service offers the best value to all of its users.

ACARA would like to acknowledge the school registration authorities and education departments for their cooperation and contribution to the current Australian Schools List.