The Parents Council has been representing parents of children at non-government schools since 1962 and has been constantly evolving. It has progressed from its small beginnings in Goulburn into one that effectively advocates the needs of parents of non-government school children in the State and Federal arenas. It essentially exists to:

• Support and inform non-government school parents and Parents Associations through the facilitation of Parent Forums and the provision of communication via NSWPC newsletters, website and email as well as the APC review.


• Advocate on behalf of parents in the Federal (through our parent body, APC) and State political arenas. Where the comments of our parents are taken seriously. We also advocate to relevant bureaucrats. We can act as a counter to the anti-non-government school groups. Issues that we are currently advocating for include:

-    Funding for non-government schools
-    Resources and funding for students with special needs.
-    Extending the regulation of Coaching Colleges and tutors.
-    Support for Rural students and their families.
-    Unjust cost differentials for TAFE courses for non-government students
-    Parents rights to have the choice in schooling for their children.
-    Improving safety on school buses.

• Represent non-government school parents. We are ‘parents representing parents’.  There are numerous committees and advisory boards that Parents Council Executives take part in, for example:

-    NSW Board of Studies. We offer a parents view of issues surrounding curriculum.
-    Joint Parents Forum with State, Catholic and the Isolated Children’s Parents Association.
-    Rural Education Forum Australia (REFA)
-    Student Transport Appeals Committee
-    National Literacy and Numeracy week advisory committee
-    Non Government Advisory Committee (with NSW govt.)
-    Association of Independent Schools Consultative Committee (NSW)