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Education Committee hearing on Asia capability

House of Representatives

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education will hear from the Department of Education on Wednesday 29 October 2025 as part of its inquiry into building Asia capability in Australia through the education system and beyond.

Committee Chair, Hon Tim Watts MP, said ‘for our first public hearing for the inquiry, the Committee is looking forward to speaking with the Department of Education to identify practical steps to reverse declining Asia capability in schools and universities. To ensure Australia’s future prosperity and security in our region, it is vital that we continue to strengthen our cultural understanding, language skills, and regional expertise—all of which begin with Australia’s education system.’

Mr Watts added that the Committee has a particular focus on identifying the structural enablers and barriers to building Asia capability in schools and universities and the strategies to increase both demand for and access to Asian languages and cultural studies.

‘By making Asia capability a national priority, we can strengthen language learning, cultural understanding, and regional expertise to ensure Australians are prepared to succeed in an increasingly dynamic and complex region,’ Mr Watts said.

Submissions to the inquiry remain open until 7 November and the Committee will schedule further public hearings soon.

Public hearing

Date: Wednesday, 29 October 2025
Time: 10.45 am – 11.45 am
Location: Parliament House

A program for the public hearing is available on the inquiry website. A live audio stream of the hearings will also be available on the APH website.

Media inquiries

Hon Tim Watts MP, Chair
[email protected]
(03) 9687 7661

For background information

Committee Secretariat
02 6277 4573
[email protected]