EdTech sits across multiple Federal Government Portfolios – Education, Innovation, Trade and Economic Development – A Federal Government that recognises the role of EdTech, by supporting the sector to grow and thrive, will reap the benefits of the sector’s contribution to, and impact on a number of important policy areas, including:

– Privacy and Security of Student Data
– Driving Innovation in the Higher Education and Skills Sector
– Expanding Access to Education
– Expanding Economic Participation
– Growing Australian Education Exports

Australia has the market expertise and collective ambition to become a world leader in the development and business of education technology and innovation.

The Australian EdTech sector consists of 775 companies, is considered a top industry for skilled technology workers, employing 20,500 people and generates A$4.2 Billion annually. These companies impact 45-50 million learners monthly, across Australia and around the world with the digital delivery of Australian education via technology.

Australian EdTech companies are globally competitive with A$1.3 Billion export revenue being generated annually. Data continues to show that the majority of Australian EdTech companies are exporters, and all companies with more than $4M annual revenue are exporting.

The sector is purpose-driven, founded from Australia’s long history of providing distance education to rural and remote areas. Despite doubling in size between 2017 and 2023, and showing a Compounding Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13.9% for the past 3 years, the sector has received limited Federal Government support.

In order to play a leading role in the development of education technology globally, and impact key policy areas, the next Federal Government needs to support a thriving and high-functioning EdTech ecosystem. Where all industry participants collaborate and have a clear role to play to further stimulate, support and scale local EdTech initiatives that will accelerate learning outcomes for the students we impact, and lead to increased economic participation and growth.

Our key recommendations include:

• Establish a National education innovation fund that supports educational institutions whilst investing in innovations from Australian EdTech companies.
• Establish formal, focussed and structured test-bed programs to drive EdTech success, fostering adoption and attracting industry investment.
• Develop a procurement model that recognises the role of Australian EdTech startups and scaleups.
• Fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing across the entire EdTech ecosystem – EdTech companies, education providers, educators, Government and consultants – is essential to growing the industry.