Rural and Remote Schools

Rural and Remote locations in Australia provide the greatest challenges for improving the provision of education options and pathways for children and families.  Many children attend small schools with limited subject availability, with the more isolated schools consisting of one-two teacher classrooms that comprise of multi-levels from kindergarten to year 6.

The Rural and Remote Schools portfolio engages with the school community to achieve the best outcomes for students.

In 2026 the Rural and Remote Schools Portfolio will focus on issues including: 

•Advocating for the full-time Kindergarten trial to include regional, rural and remote schools before statewide implementation of the program.

•Advocating to continue dedicated funding for the Small Schools Mathematics and Science programs delivered through SIDE to Level 3 schools, and advocating to ensure small senior high schools are not required to bear the financial cost of delivering Year 11 and Year 12 subjects that cannot be accessed locally and must instead be provided through SIDE.

•Incentives, support and housing for teachers working in rural, regional and remote areas.

•Allowing geographically isolated SOTA students to enrol in the in-term VACSWIM swimming programmes at Kindergarten level.

•Ensuring that necessary upgrades at the Kalgoorlie Camp School are completed in a timely manner.

•Advocating for a review into the Principal Selection Panel criteria and processes for principal appointments in small regional and rural schools. 

This portfolio is led by Gemma Abbott and supported by Jasmine Carmody.