AUSTRALIAN PARENTS COUNCIL Inc.
The Australian Parents Council (APC), the national federation of non-government school parents’
organisations, advocates for choice, quality, equity, improvement and partnerships in schooling.
Our Mission
APC advocates for choice and quality in schooling, the equitable distribution of government funds for
education, and effective partnerships to maximise schooling outcomes. We are passionate about
promoting parental engagement in childrens education.
We advocate for the needs and aspirations of parents and their children’s learning and wellbeing. We
believe that active and empowered parent groups and parents can, and do, make a significant
difference.
Who we are
The APC is the national voice and advocate for non-government school parents in Australia (Catholic and
Independent), who represent over 1,285,000 students in Australian schools. We are a community of
parents and friends who have children attending non-government schools.
We are a community with a strong voice in government. We are not for profit, funded by parents and
supported by government. We are non-denominational and non-party political.
The Background
The APC is one of Australia’s greatest social movements and has a strong and reputed 50 year history of
providing the unique ‘parent perspective’ in education policy and reform. We represent mums, dads,
grandparents and carers and lobby on their behalf with Government to gain positive policy change.
APC is led by a national federation of non-government school parents’ organisations from States and
Territories that share its objectives. The National Executive, made up of delegates from its State Affiliate
organisations, takes responsibility for the long term strategy of APC and its financial governance. Their
work is supported by a core team of Staff.
The APC in its modern context remains true to its roots of being a grass roots, parent led organisation of
influence.
Achievements
The APC’s work with stakeholders and governments has brought about more inclusive education reform,
leadership and partnerships in schooling and learning that has increased educational outcomes of
students and social capital of school communities throughout Australia.
The APC passionately advocates the needs and aspirations of parents and develops policy, practice,
programs and partnerships in schooling.
We develop and deliver innovative parent projects.
Partnerships
The APC works with the following groups to secure the best outcomes for parents and their children:
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The Australian Government across all relevant departments
Statutory, and other organisations, that promote quality education such as the Australian
Institute for Teaching and School Leadership and the Australian Curriculum Assessment and
Reporting Authority
Parents and carers
Schools and schooling authorities
APC also works closely with other organisations that share its interests such as the Australian Council of
State School Organisations.
Focus
Our focus is on the needs and aspirations of parents and children in non-government schools however
we are committed to all children having access to quality education.
Our key platforms are:
Choice
To promote choice in schooling and recognition of parents as the primary educators of their children.
Parental engagement matters.
Quality
To contribute to continuous improvement in the quality of education for all students in Australian
schools. We work to ensure school funding is a top priority for all governments in Australia.
Equity
To secure an appropriate share of Australian GDP allocated for education and an equitable distribution
of these funds for all students in Australian schools.
Voice
To enhance our role as the national peak body representing parents of non-government school children,
to promote partnerships with like minded organisations and work to develop and strengthen our
affiliates.
AUSTRALIAN PARENTS COUNCIL Inc.
The Australian Parents Council (APC), the national federation of non-government school parents’
organisations, advocates for choice, quality, equity, improvement and partnerships in schooling.
AUSTRALIAN PARENTS COUNCIL Inc. ABN: 29 984 203 605
National Office: PO Box 5011, Launceston TAS 7250 T: 03 63348886 E. admin@austparents.edu.au W. austparents.org.au
T.@austparents
Celebrating a milestone of influence and innovation
In 2012 the Australian Parents Council (APC) celebrated 50 years as the voice of state and territory nongovernment school parent organisations speaking as one at the national level.
The APC was born in 1962 and is one of Australia’s greatest social movements.
Article box … Title : The Goulburn parent protest
Monday 16 July 1962 saw the parents of over two thousand Catholic school students present their
children for enrolment at government schools in Goulburn to highlight the injustice which Catholic
parents in Australia suffered in the distribution of public funds for schooling.
The enormous nation wide publicity generated by their action led to a meeting on 22 July where the
following motion was moved:
This Meeting approves and authorises the setting up of an Australia wide Federal organisation which
shall be non party political and non denominational whose chief objectives will be:
i. To maintain the campaign for freedom of choice without penalty for all parents in accordance
with the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, which states ‘Parents have the prior
right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children,’ and
ii. Recognising that our schools are an integral part of the Australian education system – lend full
support to other citizen organisations in their efforts to improve Australian education
standards generally.
The Goulburn Evening Post wrote on 23 July:
"The most momentous news from last night’s meeting of Catholic parents and friends … was not the
motion that sent over 2000 pupils back to their desks today. That was described as only the ending of the
first stage in the historic stand made by Catholics for a share in the taxes paid by all Australians and
distributed for educational purposes.
The important decision from the 3 hour meeting, attended by more than 900 people, was the launching
of a militant organisation, nation-wide in concept, which will have as its sole objective the realisation of
this claim".
On 25 August 1962 over 200 parents from across Australia met in Goulburn to decide the details of the
new national organisation. The Australian Parents Council for the Advancement of Education was
formed, with this significant insertion in the formal motion of establishment:
Realising that independent schools are an integral part of the Australian education system – to lend full
support to other citizen organisations in their efforts to improve Australian educational standards
generally. End article box
APC has survived and thrived over the past 50 years because of its commitment to:
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foster and facilitate strong parent voices and views 'from the cubby house to Canberra' in the
non-government school sector
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remain non party political and open to parents of all religious faiths and those of none; to be
inclusive, not exclusive in its relationships and policy agendas
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work for the benefit of all children and young people, not just those in non-government schools
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be sensitive to, but not beholden by, the particular interests of schooling authorities, schools,
principal and teacher associations, and unions
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collaborating and developing partnerships in schooling that bring about increased educational
outcomes and learning that enhances the social capital of school communities
The APC in its modern context remains true to its roots of being a grass roots, parent led organization of
influence.
The principles of autonomy and related beliefs about the inherent importance, value and potency of
'bottom up', grass roots organization remain core to its advocacy of action in protecting parental right of
choice, discerning and disseminating parent perspectives to equity and quality in schooling provision for
all students in Australian schools..
The APC passionately advocates the needs and aspirations of parents and pursues policy, practice,
programs, partnerships and collaboration that maximize schooling outcomes for all Australian children.
AUSTRALIAN PARENTS COUNCIL Inc. ABN: 29 984 203 605
National Office: PO Box 5011, Launceston TAS 7250 T: 03 63348886 E. admin@austparents.edu.au W. austparents.org.au
T.@austparents