The Queensland Government has introduced legislation that would enable independent schools to deliver the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) offshore.
The move has been welcomed by the peak body Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ).
“Delivering curriculum offshore means Queensland independent schools can establish or partner in overseas campuses and programs, creating pathways for international students while maintaining strong Queensland standards and oversight,” said ISQ Chief Executive Officer, Christopher Mountford.
Through the Education and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026, proposed amendments to the Education (Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority) Act 2014 and the Education (Accreditation of Non-State Schools) Act 2017 would allow non-state schools to enter into partnership arrangements with recognised overseas schools to deliver the QCE through transnational education (TNE).
Currently, the Department of Education, through Department of Education International (DEi), manages offshore delivery of the QCE via direct partnerships with overseas schools. This government-led model does not provide a legislative pathway for non-state schools to participate directly.
The Bill would create such a pathway for independent schools, shifting elements of authorisation to the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority and enabling recognised partnership agreements involving non-state schools. ISQ has indicated that it has advocated for this change for more than five years.
The legislation has been referred to the Education, Arts and Communities Committee for consideration.
