Australia Sees Surge in EdTech Procurement
The Australian education sector is experiencing a surge in procurement for online courses, ICT training, and platforms that support inclusive learning. The trend reflects a national priority on fostering inclusive environments and providing professional development for educators. Institutions are seeking platforms that can be adopted quickly and support diverse learning needs.
- The Australian EdTech market was valued at USD 3.9 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 7.4 billion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.3%. - A key driver for this growth is the Australian government's $1.2 billion Digital Economy Strategy, which supports the development of digital infrastructure and technological innovation in schools and universities. - In 2023, the government also implemented a National Digital Learning Strategy, which included AUD 200 million in funding to help educational institutions adopt digital tools and platforms. - A survey of Australian schools revealed that the most used technologies are PDF textbooks (96.2%) and Learning Management Systems (LMS) (95.5%). - When choosing a digital strategy, 90.8% of school leaders cited accessibility for varying learning styles and capabilities as an "extremely important or somewhat important" factor. - The Queensland Government is investing $152 million through June 2028 in its Student Technology Equity Partnership (STEP) initiative, which will fund up to 140,000 digital devices for students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. - Despite investments, schools report that cost, time for implementation, and staff digital literacy are the primary barriers to increasing the use of digital tools. - To address inclusion in early childhood education, the NSW Government's 2026 Inclusive Environments Funding Program offers grants of up to $5,000 for community preschools to improve access for children with disabilities and additional needs.
