Students in rural and remote (non-metropolitan) areas of NSW experience compounding social and contextual pressures that contribute to lower performance on major educational indicators when compared to students in metropolitan locations. The long-term nature of this disadvantage requires an ongoing focus on improving outcomes across a range of areas including early childhood education, external supports and services, quality school staff, modern information and communications technologies and support to help students transition to further education or work. 

In February 2021, the department released the ‘Rural and Remote Education Strategy (2021–2024)’. The strategy sets a vision that ‘every child in regional NSW has access to the same quality of education as their metropolitan peers’.  

This audit will assess the effectiveness of the Department of Education’s activities to ensure that students in regional, rural and remote areas have access to the same quality of early childhood education, school education, and skills pathways as their metropolitan peers. 

Estimated tabling period 

August 2023 

Agencies audited 

Department of Education

This audit is open to taking submissions from members of the public and sector organisations or stakeholders. If you would like to make a submission to the audit, please consider the following targeted questions:

1. What are the main barriers to accessing educational opportunities and support services in regional, rural and remote areas?

2. What else would help support quality early childhood education, school education and skills pathways in regional, rural and remote areas?

To share your views, click on ‘Contribute to this audit’ on the left-hand side of your screen.

Feedback will be accepted until 7 April 2023.