Commonwealth Numbered Acts

SCHOOLS COMMISSION ACT 1973 No. 213, 1973 - SECT 13

13. (1) In the performance of its functions, the Commission shall consult and
co-operate with representatives of the States, with authorities in the
Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory responsible for
primary or secondary education in either or both of those Territories and with
persons, bodies and authorities conducting non-government schools in
Australia, and may consult with such other persons, bodies and authorities as
the Commission thinks necessary.

(2) The functions of the Commission are to inquire into, and to furnish
information and advice to the Minister with respect to, the following
matters:-

   (a)  The establishing of acceptable standards for buildings, equipment,
        teaching and other staff and other facilities at government and
        non-government primary and secondary schools in Australia, and means
        of attaining and maintaining those standards;

   (b)  The needs of such schools in respect of buildings, equipment, staff
        and other facilities, and the respective priorities to be given to the
        satisfying of those various needs;

   (c)  Matters in connexion with the grant by Australia of financial
        assistance to the States for and in respect of schools and
        school systems and to schools in the Australian Capital Territory and
        the Northern Territory, including matters relevant to the necessity
        for financial assistance to be so granted by Australia, the conditions
        upon which financial assistance should be so granted and the amount
        and allocation of any financial assistance so granted; and

   (d)  Any other matter relating to primary or secondary education in
        Australia, or to Australian schools, that may be referred to the
        Commission by the Minister or which the Commission considers to be a
        matter that should be inquired into by the Commission.

(3) In addition to the functions of the Commission under sub-section (2), the
Commission shall have such other functions as are conferred on it, either
expressly or by implication, by or under any other Act.

(4) In the exercise of its functions, the Commission shall have regard to such
matters as are relevant, including the need for improving primary and
secondary educational facilities in Australia and of providing increased and
equal opportunities for education in government and non-government schools in
Australia and the need for ensuring that the facilities provided in all
schools in Australia, whether government or non-government, are of the highest
standard, and, in particular, shall have regard to-

   (a)  the primary obligation, in relation to education, for governments to
        provide and maintain government school systems that are of the highest
        standard and are open, without fees or religious tests, to all
        children;

   (b)  the prior right of parents to choose whether their children are
        educated at a government school or at a non-government school;

   (c)  the educational needs of handicapped children and handicapped young
        persons;

   (d)  the needs of disadvantaged schools and of students at disadvantaged
        schools, and of other students suffering disadvantages in relation to
        education for social, economic, ethnic, geographic, cultural, lingual
        or similar reasons;

   (e)  the need to encourage diversity and innovation in education in schools
        and in the curricula and teaching methods of schools;

   (f)  the need to stimulate and encourage public and private interest in,
        and support for, improvements in primary and secondary education and
        in schools and school systems;

   (g)  the desirability of providing special educational opportunities for
        students who have demonstrated their ability in a particular field of
        studies, including scientific, literary, artistic or musical studies;
        and

   (h)  the need, in relation to primary and secondary education and in
        schools and school systems, to promote the economic use of resources.

(5) For the purpose of the performance of its functions, the Commission may
undertake, or cause to be undertaken, such research as it thinks necessary
into matters that relate to the functions of the Commission.