Draft Telecommunications Universal Service Obligation (Standard Telephone Service – Requirements and Circumstances) Amendment Determination 2026
ICPA (Aust) considers the telecommunications Universal Service Obligations (USO) to be absolutely essential, given the continued reliance on fixed phones across so much of Australia, particularly in remote areas. Previous suggestions that the USO is no longer necessary due to the availability of mobile phones, advancing technologies and the nbn fail to recognise the significant technological gap still experienced by residents in geographically isolated areas. There should be no decline in the current voice services available to our members.
Submission to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Review of Occupation Classification - Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA)
ICPA(Aust) have put forth this submission to support the recognition of a Distance Education Classroom Supervisor role within in the current Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA). Although Education Assistants, specifically Teaching Assistance are similar, they fall short of covering the unique skills and circumstances faced by geographically isolated Distance Education Classroom Supervisors.
The Productivity Commission consultation on “Determinants of regional airfares”.
ICPA (Aust) firmly believes that regional air services fit for purpose and place underpinned by affordability and reliability is essential to facilitate access to/from their place of learning. Anecdotal evidence, underpinned by member surveys, indicates to us that members value the availability of air services, often using them due to the advantage of time saving and ease of accessibility particularly during weather events when road access is unavailable.
The Productivity Commission consultation on “Determinants of regional airfares”.
Pre Budget Submission 2026 - 2027
Improving the educational outcomes of rural and remote students requires a nationwide, collaborative approach to ensure national consistency, no matter where education is provided. The financial cost to families educating children in geographically isolated locations continues to rise, and the loss of many families from these areas can be attributed to the cost and difficulties of accessing equitable education.
The Australian Government, Department of Education’s 2024-25 corporate plan states … “build a better and fairer education system for all Australians; a system based on the principals of access and equity, sustainability and excellence… deliver a system able to meet the challenges of our nation’s future” Tony Cook, PSM.
