Australian Council for Civics and Citizenship Education
ACCCE
A national body bringing together the non-government organisations and leaders who deliver civics and citizenship education across Australia.
CEFA Statement of Purpose
CEFA recognises that trust in Australian institutions of government and the people in them is diminishing and coincides with a rise in polarisation between different interest groups across society. That trend is corrosive of our democracy.
CEFA, with the support of our Patron-in-Chief, the Governor-General, is undertaking the formation of an Australian Council for Civics and Citizenship Education composed of non-government organisations and individual leaders in the field. The Council is intended to facilitate rationalisation in civil society efforts in civics and citizenship education generally.
By seeking agreement on shared pathways in education for modern Australian society and its challenges, it is hoped that the Council will complement and work in collaboration with government, including with respect to its social cohesion education initiatives of 2027.
About the Council
The Council is being established following a National Roundtable on Civics and Citizenship Education, convened by Constitution Education Fund Australia and hosted by Her Excellency the Governor-General on 10 July 2026.
Participants at the Roundtable resolved to form the Council as a company limited by guarantee. Its members are non-government organisations and individuals involved in delivering civics and citizenship education in many different ways across Australia. An Implementation Working Group, made up of representatives from the Roundtable and CEFA, is overseeing its establishment.
By seeking agreement on shared pathways in education for modern Australian society and its challenges, the Council aims to bring greater coordination to civil society's work in civics and citizenship education, and to work in collaboration with government.
Why a Council is needed
Trust in Australia's institutions of government, and in the people in them, is declining, while polarisation between different groups across society is rising. The Council responds to three challenges:
- Shortfalls in the standards achieved by civics and citizenship education in Australia. Declining civic knowledge is associated with declining trust in institutions, and leaves Australians more exposed to misinformation and disinformation about how their representative democracy works.
- A fragmented landscape, with many organisations creating and delivering civics and citizenship programs and resources for schools and the wider community.
- The need for organisations in the field to share information and explore opportunities for collaborative action and research.
Proposed purposes
The Council's Draft Constitution proposes that it will:
- propose measures for the advancement of citizenship education in Australia
- facilitate information exchange between non-government civics and citizenship education providers and stakeholders, and develop common public policy proposals for governments, public authorities and other parties on:
- the content of civics and citizenship education in Australia
- the parts of Australian society it should reach, and how it should be delivered
- areas of need in relation to social cohesion through participatory citizenship
- provide a way to identify and develop collective action in civics and citizenship education
- identify where research is needed, and advocate for government and philanthropic support for it
- give evidence and make submissions to public inquiries on civics and citizenship education
- identify specific research proposals that could involve its members
Proposed committees
The Draft Constitution establishes five standing committees, and a Federal Cooperation Committee for a special project with the States and Territories.
- Civics Education Advisory CommitteeTo advance public understanding of Australia's democratic institutions, constitutional system, government, law and civic processes, and to support initiatives that strengthen civic literacy and informed democratic participation in civil society.
- Citizenship Education Advisory CommitteeTo advance active citizenship, civic participation, inclusion and social cohesion by supporting initiatives that encourage individuals and communities to engage constructively in Australia's democratic and civic life.
- First Peoples Advisory CommitteeTo consider the inclusion in civics and citizenship education of the histories, stories and culture of Australia's First Peoples, their traditional laws and customs and their relationship to Australian society today, and to bring a First Peoples' perspective to the Council and its other committees.
- Research Projects Advisory CommitteeTo develop proposals for research projects directed to the advancement of civics and citizenship education in Australia, including collaborative projects between members and evaluation of the impact of civics and citizenship education.
- Media Advisory CommitteeTo advise the Council and its committees on media strategy and the role of the media in advancing civics and citizenship education.
Federal Cooperation Committee
States and Territories play a central role in education. The Federal Cooperation Committee will lead a special project inviting State and Territory education departments to share successful civics and citizenship initiatives, trial a proven program from another State or Territory, evaluate the results, and consider adopting programs that succeed in more than one jurisdiction.
Working with government
The Council's purpose is complementary to that of the Social Cohesion Education Advisory Council announced by Education Minister Jason Clare. That body of government agencies focuses on addressing discrimination and prejudice, and encouraging respectful relationships among students from different backgrounds.
The Council's remit is wider: the state of civics and citizenship education generally. It aims to complement and work with government, including on the social cohesion education initiatives planned for 2027.
Get involved
If your organisation delivers civics or citizenship education and would like to learn more about the Council, or be kept informed as it is established, please get in touch.