Diversity and inclusion
All NSW public school students have a right to an inclusive learning environment and to feel happy and safe at school.
Aboriginal student support
We are committed to closing the achievement gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. We know that we need to learn about, nurture and value the cultural identity of our Aboriginal students to help them be successful learners.
We welcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family members, parents and carers, and community members to our schools so that we can get to know one another, learn about local Aboriginal communities and develop shared goals and plans for Aboriginal students.
Aboriginal education and communities
The role of the Aboriginal Education and Communities Directorate is to advance education for Aboriginal students in public schools across New South Wales.
The Aboriginal Education Policy confirms the NSW Department of Education's commitment to improvement in educational outcomes and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Visit or resources for parents and carers of Aboriginal students page for more information.
Multicultural education
To support and deliver the best outcomes for our students, it is important that we reflect the community we serve. The department has continued to increase the number of employees from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. We aim to continue this by understanding and tackling systemic barriers to entry and progression, to help improve experiences for all our staff and students.
Our schools welcome students, families and community members from all cultural backgrounds. We appreciate difference and diversity. We aim to provide a culturally inclusive and responsive learning environment that benefits all students.
Our teaching and learning programs develop intercultural understanding, promote positive relationships and enable all students to participate as active Australian and global citizens. Our schools foster student wellbeing and community harmony by implementing anti-racism and anti-discrimination strategies that encourage engagement by parents and carers from all backgrounds.
The Multicultural Education Policy outlines the NSW Department of Education's commitment to providing opportunities that enable all students to achieve equitable education and social outcomes and participate successfully in our culturally diverse society.
The Anti-Racism Policy confirms the department's commitment to rejecting all forms of racial discrimination in NSW public schools and eliminating expressions of racism in its learning and working environments.
For more information visit:
- Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2018-2022
- Multicultural education
- Anti-racism education
- Interpreting and translations
- Translated documents.
Supporting English language learners
Learning English is essential for success at school and effective participation in Australian society. Our schools can provide specialist support to help students learning English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D).
For more information, visit: EAL/D education.
Supporting refugee students
Our schools offer safety, support and security to help refugee students adjust to life in Australia and participate successfully in education. We provide targeted support strategies to assist refugee students in NSW public schools.
For more information, visit Supporting refugee students.
Disability, learning and support
Our school learning and support teams play a key role in ensuring we meet the specific needs of students with additional learning and support needs, including disability.
Our teams:
- support teachers in identifying and responding to the additional learning needs of students
- facilitate and coordinate a whole-school approach to improving the learning outcomes of every student
- coordinate planning processes and resourcing for students with additional learning and support needs
- design and implement the support required to build teacher capacity so that all students access quality learning
- develop collaborative partnerships with schools, parents and carers as well as other professionals and the wider school community.
Our Additional learning needs pages include tips and resources for parents of children with additional learning needs as they prepare to start or return to school.
For more information on programs and services to help students with additional learning and support needs, visit Disability, learning and support.
Anti-bullying
Bullying of any kind is not acceptable in NSW schools.
The NSW anti-bullying website brings together information and resources for teachers, students, parents and carers. It provides information related to online safety and what you can do if your child has been bullied, witnessed bullying or been involved in bullying.
For more information on anti-bullying strategies for NSW public schools, see the department's Bullying of Students: Prevention and Response Policy.
For information on racial bullying and anti-racism education for NSW public schools, visit: