Tasmanian Department of Education, Children and Young People

The Tasmanian Department of Education, Children and Young People (often referred to as Education Tas Gov) is the state government agency responsible for delivering public education and related child and family services in Tasmania. It oversees the operation of government schools from kindergarten through to Year 12, providing curriculum instruction, assessment and reporting, and support for diverse learner needs. The department also manages early childhood education and care services, including licensing and quality monitoring of preschools and childcare centres. In addition, it administers vocational education and training programs that link secondary schooling with industry pathways and offers specialist services for students with disabilities or additional learning needs. Child protection and family support functions sit within the department, linking education outcomes with welfare interventions. The agency develops and implements the Tasmanian curriculum, aligning it with the national Australian Curriculum while addressing local priorities.

As a statutory authority, the department exercises regulatory oversight over all government educational institutions in the state, setting standards for teaching practice, school governance and student safety. It employs a workforce of teachers, administrators and support staff who are part of the Tasmanian State Public Service and report to the Minister for Education. The department’s organisational structure places it directly under the Tasmanian Government, with no parent or private‑sector owner, and it is not subdivided into separate subsidiaries. Notable attributes include its dual focus on education and child wellbeing, which enables coordinated responses to issues such as attendance, behaviour and family vulnerability. In March 2023 the department experienced a cyber security incident when a vulnerability in the third‑party file transfer service GoAnywhere MFT was exploited by the ransomware group Cl0p, resulting in the exposure of at least 16,000 documents containing personal information of parents and students; a helpline was established for affected parties and the breach is under investigation by the Australian Cyber Security Centre. These functions and responsibilities define the department’s role as the central provider of public education and child services in Tasmania.