Recent discussions between the countries highlight shared priorities and opportunities for collaboration.
In December 2025, the UK Secretary of State for Education met with Australia’s Minister for Education, Minister for Early Childhood Education, Minister for Skills and Training, and the Assistant Minister for International Education, to strengthen and agree a focus for the UK and Australia’s education partnership. The partnership aims to ‘drive innovation, economic resilience and global competitiveness.’
During their meetings, ministers agreed on three shared priorities:
- Early childhood education and care – The UK and Australia will share strategies to improve school readiness and family support services. They have highlighted a shared commitment to ‘advancing quality, inclusive, affordable, safe and accessible early childhood education and care systems.’
- Innovation in schools – The UK and Australia will collaborate on responsible innovation, safeguarding best practice, curriculum reform, safe and effective use of generative AI, and improving student outcomes and attendance.
- Future workforce and skills – The UK and Australia will ‘encourage education and skills sectors to collaborate in driving economic resilience and national capability’. They will also explore education pathways to ensure they have the flexibility to meet future workforce needs.
The ministers agreed to annual meetings to share knowledge and exchange policy as part of a re-establishment of the Australia-UK Education Dialogue (AUKED). Ministers were witness to the signing of a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ to establish a new UK-Australia Advanced Skill Alliance. This memorandum was signed between five UK and three Australian universities but the alliance will be open to all UK and Australian universities. The alliance will ‘advance defence related workforce and skills development’ and ‘establish a Joint UK Australia Centre for Doctoral Training’.
The Secretary of State for Education also spoke with representatives from schools, universities, early childhood education and care providers, and technical and further education institutions (TAFEs) during her visit.
“Grounded in shared values and interests, both countries will continue to work together to ensure learners have access to high quality education and skills development opportunities that prepare them for global challenges regardless of their background.”
Learn more about the UK and Australia’s education partnership.
References
- Australian Government, Department for Education (2026) ‘Australia and UK Strengthen Education Partnership’. Available at: https://www.education.gov.au/newsroom/articles/australia-and-uk-strengthen-education-partnership (Accessed: 30th January 2026)
- Australian Government, Department for Education (2025) ‘Joint Communique on Strengthening the Education Partnership between the Departments for Education of Australia and England’. Available at: https://www.education.gov.au/download/20029/aus-uk-joint-communique-strengthening-education/43622/document/pdf (Accessed: 30th January)
