Advocacy

Amplifying the Voice of Combined Sector Leaders

At QACSL, advocacy is at the heart of everything we do. We exist to champion the needs, complexities, and strengths of Queensland’s combined sector state schools — schools that span from Kindergarten to Year 10, K–12, or P–12, often in some of the most diverse and dynamic settings across the state.

Representing Our Members

QACSL actively represents its members on a range of Queensland Department of Education committees, working groups, and consultation forums. This includes key discussions around curriculum, behaviour policy, staffing models, funding equity, student wellbeing, and leadership development.We ensure that the voice of leaders from combined sector schools — urban, rural and remote — is included in decisions that shape our system. Our advocacy highlights the practical realities and leadership complexities of schools that stretch across multiple phases of learning and often serve entire communities.

Key Focus Areas

Our current advocacy priorities include:

  • Recognition of Combined Sector Complexity: Promoting policy and resourcing models that reflect the unique challenges and opportunities of K–10/12 schooling.
  • Principal and Leadership Wellbeing: Ensuring support structures are in place for leaders working in high-responsibility, community-facing roles.
  • Workforce Planning: Addressing recruitment and retention in regional, rural and remote locations, and supporting leaders to grow local talent.
  • Equity of Access: Advocating for inclusive, high-quality learning opportunities for all students regardless of geography.
  • Professional Learning Access: Ensuring our members receive differentiated, relevant leadership development tailored to the combined sector context.

Our Approach

We believe that genuine influence comes from collaboration. Our Executive regularly consults with members to gather feedback, test policy ideas, and share lived experiences that inform our advocacy work. Through strong relationships with other associations, regional offices, and central decision-makers, we work to ensure that combined sector leaders are not only heard, but respected and empowered.

Strategic Alignment

Our advocacy work aligns closely with our Strategic Plan, which outlines a bold agenda to elevate the role of combined sector leadership in shaping the future of education in Queensland. Through ongoing dialogue, evidence-informed recommendations, and system-wide engagement, QACSL is driving change — for leaders, for schools, and most importantly, for students.