ACARA’s reference and advisory groups

National Assessment, Data, Analysis and Reporting Reference Group

The National Assessment, Data, Analysis and Reporting Reference Group (NADAR) provides ACARA’s executive with high-level advice on the appropriateness of, and opportunities and potential risks associated with, the work proposed and undertaken by ACARA within the scope of its remit. The group ensures that jurisdictions or organisations have regular and meaningful opportunities to provide advice and feedback to ACARA on its assessment and reporting work program. The group has representatives from all departments of education, test administration authorities (where these are separate from the department), the Catholic and independent school sectors, and other relevant stakeholders. 

  • Alan Dodson, Government of Western Australia Department of Education
  • Jonathan Moritz, Tasmanian Government Department of Education
  • Taylor Ashton, Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
  • Andrew Kyngdon, NSW Education Standards Authority
  • Brian Nott, Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority
  • James Cousin, Queensland Government Department of Education
  • Russell Dyer, Government of Western Australia School Curriculum and Standards Authority
  • Jonathen Garde, Australian Government Productivity Commission
  • Simon George, Northern Territory Government Department of Education
  • Robert Gotts, ACT Education Directorate
  • Jessica Bice, Independent Schools Australia
  • Lucy Lu, NSW Government Department of Education
  • Peter Ntafillis, Government of South Australia Department for Education
  • Phil Pettit PhD, Catholic Education Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn
  • Maryann Quagliata, Australian Government Department of Education Skills and Employment
  • Connie Spinoso, State Government Victoria Education and Training
  • Steven Nicholas, Australian Bureau of Statistics
  • Simon Tiller, ACT Education Directorate

F–12 Curriculum Reference Group

The F–12 Curriculum Reference Group gives high-level expert advice to the ACARA executive in support of strategic initiatives that enhance the development, implementation and improvement of the Australian Curriculum. Members of this group bring a range of jurisdictional perspectives that reflect national, state and territory priorities. The group has representatives from each state and territory, and federal government, nominated by the relevant member of the Australian Education Senior Officials Committee (AESOC), and one nominee from the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC), and one nominee from Independent Schools Australia.

  • Paul Cahill, NSW Education Standards Authority
  • Susan Chandler, Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
  • Helen Stitt, Australian Government Department of Education Skills and Employment
  • Sally Hodgson, Northern Territory Government Department of Education
  • Juanita Healy, Government of Western Australia School Curriculum and Standards Authority
  • Kay Coombs, NSW Government Department of Education
  • Denise Neal, Tasmanian Government Department of Education
  • Mandy Kalyvas, ACT Education Directorate
  • Mary Oski, Catholic Education Melbourne
  • Robyn Rosengrave, Queensland Government Department of Education
  • Jenene Rosser, Independent Schools Queensland
  • Deonne Smith, Government of South Australia Department for Education
  • Jacqui Wilton, Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority

National Testing Working Group

The National Testing Working Group is a forum for information-sharing and collaboration about NAPLAN between ACARA, testing authorities and stakeholders. The group provides advice on operational processes and products of NAPLAN, test development and national operational policy, and administration and reporting activities, and provides quality assurance to achieve high-quality tests in a nationally consistent framework. The group has representatives from all test administration authorities, and the Catholic and independent school sectors. 

  • Ken Gordon, ACT Education Directorate
  • Paul Becker, Tasmanian Government Department of Education
  • Gabrielle Bastow, Government of Western Australia School Curriculum and Standards Authority
  • Sarah Belsham, Northern Territory Government Department of Education
  • Breona Humphry, Australian Government Department of Education Skills and Employment
  • Terry Carter, National Catholic Education Commission
  • Sharon Chapman, Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority
  • Lindsay Clarke, NSW Education Standards Authority
  • Alessandra Guidi, Government of South Australia Department for Education
  • Liz Stojanova, Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
  • Ruth Mahon, NSW Education Standards Authority
  • Douglas Melrose-Rae, The Association of Independent Schools of NSW

Measurement Advisory Group

The Measurement Advisory Group provides ACARA’s executive with expert, independent educational measurement and assessment advice, and input for the National Assessment Program (NAP) and the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). It also provides input into all other assessment and educational measurement activities defined by ACARA's Charter, work plan and priorities. The group comprises nationally and/or internationally recognised independent experts in the field of educational measurement. 

  • Prof. Ray Adams, Director, Centre for Global Education Monitoring, ACER (also Chair MAG), Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER)
  • Prof. David Andrich, Chapple Chair in Education, University of Western Australia
  • Prof. Barry McGaw, Emeritus Professor, University of Melbourne
  • Dr Gage Kingsbury, Doctor, Senior Research Fellow and founder, Kingsbury Center at NWEA
  • Dr Catherine McClellan, Director, Assessment & Psychometric Research, Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER)
  • Prof. Mark Wilson, University of California, Berkeley
  • Dr Siek Toon Khoo, former (retired) Research Director, Psychometrics and Methodology, Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group provides ACARA with expert guidance and advice about the representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures in the Australian Curriculum. It also advises ACARA on the protocols and cultural sensitivities that need to be considered by ACARA business units as ACARA proceeds with its curriculum, assessment and reporting programs. The group comprises individuals with demonstrated expertise in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education and community engagement. 

  • Gail Barrow
  • Cindy Berwick
  • Peter Buckskin
  • Will Davis
  • Isabelle Adams
  • Jesse King
  • Chris Matthews
  • Paulina Motlop
  • Kaye Price
  • Mark Rose
  • Theresa Sainty
  • Myra Singh
  • Stephanie Savage

Students with Disability Advisory Group

The Students with Disability Advisory Group provides ACARA with high-level advice and expertise regarding the needs of students with disability in relation to ACARA’s curriculum, assessment and reporting programs. The group has representatives from each state, territory and federal government education department or curriculum authority, the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC), Independent Schools Australia, the Australian Association of Special Education, Children and Young People with Disability Australia, and peak national principals’ associations. It also includes two individuals with relevant research expertise in the area of students with disability.

  • Elle Angwin, Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority
  • Michael Arthur-Kelly, The University of Newcastle
  • Chantal Mcallister, Northern Territory Government Department of Education
  • Malcolm Elliott, Australian Primary Principals’ Association
  • Louise Farrell, NSW Government Department of Education
  • Samantha Giles, Catholic Schools NSW
  • Karen Underwood, State Government Victoria Education and Training
  • Lynne McDougall, Tasmanian Government Department of Education
  • Rachel O’Connor, Australian Government Department of Education Skills and Employment
  • Pennie Moffat, Australian Special Education Principals’ Association
  • Kerry Parker, Government of South Australia Department for Education
  • David Paterson, University of Canberra
  • Lisa Ridings, Independent Schools Australia
  • Esta Ryan, Australian Secondary Principals’ Association
  • Mary Sayers, Children and Young People with Disability Australia
  • Sam Seton, ACT Education Directorate
  • Peter Walker, Australian Association of Special Education