New South Wales Department of Education and Communities

New South Wales Department of Education

NSW Department of Education Logo
Government Department overview
Formed	1880
Preceding agencies	New South Wales Department of Education and Communities New South Wales Department of Education and Training
Jurisdiction	New South Wales
Headquarters	35 Bridge Street, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Ministers responsible	Hon. Rob Stokes MP, Minister for Education Hon. Sarah Mitchell MLC, Minister for Early Childhood Education, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Assistant Minister for Education
Government Department executive	Mark Scott AO, Secretary
Key document	Education Act, 1990 (NSW)
Website	http://www.dec.nsw.gov.au

The New South Wales Department of Education, a department of the Government of New South Wales, is responsible for the delivery and co-ordination of early childhood, primary school, secondary school, adult, migrant and higher education in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Prior to 1 July 2015 vocational education via Technical and Further Education (TAFE) colleges were administered by the department, with the Department of Industry, Skills and Regional Development assuming responsibility from this date.

The Department's powers are principally drawn from the Education Act, 1990 (NSW).

The head of the Department is its Secretary, presently Mark Scott. The Department reports to the Minister for Education, currently the Hon. Rob Stokes MP; supported by the Minister for Early Childhood Education, the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and the Assistant Minister for Education, currently the Hon. Sarah Mitchell MLC. Ultimately the ministers are responsible to the Parliament of New South Wales.