Non-state, or non-government, schools have educated Queensland children for more than 170 years, often as a community's sole provider of secondary education.
The state's first school, administered by the Anglican Church, catered to 16 students—the children of soldiers and convicts from Moreton Bay settlement, now known as Brisbane (Meanjin). The school closed in 1842 but, by then, other private schools had opened, paving the way for government-run schools in the mid-19th century and expanding access to education across the state.
Non-state schools reflect the rich diversity of our population with varied educational philosophies, religious beliefs and organisational affiliations. Alongside state schools, they offer families choice in their children's education and contribute to a vibrant and inclusive future for our communities.
Today, the sector is made up of around 550 non-state schools, including primary, secondary and special education, which are run by about 185 governing bodies and educate more than 320,000—about one-third of—Queensland's students. Visit the
open data page for breakdowns in enrolment statistics and more.
Non-state schools sector structure
Knowing who is responsible for what and where to start when operating or considering operating a non-state school is important. Use the following information as a starting point to help you understand some of the sector's key bodies and organisations.
Non-State School Accreditation Board
The Non-State Schools Accreditation Board (NSSAB) administers the
Education (Accreditation of Non-State Schools) Act 2017 (PDF, 930KB) (the Act) and the
Education (Accreditation of Non-State Schools) Regulation 2017.
NSSAB is a statutory body and part of the Minister for Education and the Art's portfolio. More information is available about
what we do,
our approach and
team.
Peak organisations
The following peak organisations can help schools and governing bodies with policy and advocacy, compliance and funding, professional development, and provide a united voice on sector issues.
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Anglican Schools Commission—supports and oversees the development and operation of Anglican schools across Queensland.
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Catholic Education Queensland Limited—represents the Catholic school sector which is a significant part of the non-state school system (formerly Queensland Catholic Education Commission).
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Edmund Rice Education Australia—provides leadership, support and advocacy for schools in the Edmund Rice tradition.
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Independent Schools Queensland—supports a broad range of non-state schools and communities.
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Lutheran Education Queensland—nurtures, strengthens, guides and uplifts educators working in Lutheran schools.
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Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association—governs and supports schools affiliated with the Presbyterian and Methodist traditions in Queensland.
Other authorities and agencies
A range of other authorities and agencies are relevant to operating a non-state school including the following.
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Local government authorities (councils)—responsible under the applicable local government planning scheme for approving development applications, including how an existing building or piece of land is used. If you are considering setting up a new school or planning to operate on a new site, check with your
local government for relevant approval processes.
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Australian Building Codes Board—nationally consistent building standards are incorporated in the Building Code of Australia (BCA) for all planned or new Queensland schools (including those undertaking assessable building works) in scope of the Act. If you are planning to operate on a new site or making amendments to an existing site, check with the
Australian Building Codes Board for your requirements and responsibilities.
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Blue Card Services—legislative requirements for operating a non-state school include working with children checks prescribed under the
Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000, administered by the Department of Justice and Attorney-General. Contact
Blue Card Services for information about blue card compliance.
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Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority—responsible for developing and revising syllabuses and guidelines for kindergarten to Year 12. Visit the
Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) website for more information.
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Queensland College of Teachers—the regulatory body for the teaching profession in Queensland. More information is available on the
Queensland College of Teachers website.
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Queensland Family and Child Commission—responsible for reviewing and improving the systems that protect and safeguard children, and administering the Child Safe Organisations system.
Read more about
broader legislative obligations.
Governing bodies
A governing body is the legal entity responsible for overseeing the non-state school. The governing body handles a school's daily operations, including its policies, procedures and compliance with legislation. Under the Act, NSSAB must determine whether governing bodies remain suitable. Read more about
requirements for governing body directors or find your school's governing body in the
non-state schools directory.