- Deborah Dunstone has been appointed the independent reviewer to undertake the Review of the Home Education Unit.
- 114 nominations have been received from registered home educating families in Queensland to take up 12 places on the Home Education Expert Group.
- The Home Education Expert Group is being established to advise government on changes to improve outcomes for home educated children.
The review will consider the diverse experiences and needs of home educating parents and provide recommendations on options to engage more broadly with home educators, enhance the effectiveness of regulation, and provide supports for home educating parents.
Following a department-led procurement process, Deborah Dunstone has been appointed to lead the independent review and chair the Home Education Expert Group.
Ms Dunstone is currently CEO of The Learner First and brings a wealth of experience in the education sector in Queensland, including as a former Regional Director and the inaugural Assistant Director-General of State Schools – Disability and Inclusion. Ms Dunstone is also a recipient of an Australia Day Medal for her work in rural and remote Queensland.
Ms Dunstone will undertake stakeholder consultation in the coming months and provide a final report in September 2024.
The Home Education Expert Group is also in the process of being established. 12 members will be drawn from the home education parenting community.
Expressions of Interest for the Group closed in the first week of June, and many parents took the opportunity to express interest in being involved.
When it is up and running, the Home Education Expert Group will provide a forum to share with and learn from the home educating parent community and better understand their experiences.
As stated by Minister for Education Di Farmer:
“The purpose of this review is to better understand the experiences of home educators and their children in Queensland and the supports they need to enhance the effectiveness of regulation.
“The review will be directly informed by home schooling parents via the Home Education Expert Group.
“The Miles Government is committed to supporting the right for parents to choose the education they want for their children.”
As stated by Independent Reviewer, Ms Deborah Dunstone:
“I am looking forward to undertaking the Home Education Unit Review and meeting with a wide range of home educating parents to understand their diverse experiences.
“This review is an opportunity to look at what support home educating families need and how the regulation of home education can better support families.”
Media – Tim Auguston 0427 090 563
