Update on state services transition

The Australian Government continues to work closely with the Queensland Government to finalise transitional arrangements for the Norfolk Island Central School (NICS) and the Norfolk Island Health and Residential Aged Care Service (NIHRACS).

Last week, we welcomed a delegation of officials from the Queensland Department of Education (DoE), Queensland Health (QH) and the Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC) on island for a series of face-to-face meetings to discuss service delivery arrangements. These discussions went extremely well.

On the education front, the signing of the contract with the New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) last week will ensure current Year 10 and 11 students are able to complete their Higher School Certificate under the New South Wales curriculum.

The new school term is scheduled to commence for students on 3 February 2022.

Queensland DoE officials continue to engage with school staff to ensure delivery of a quality education at NICS in 2022. DoE officials are back on island this week to progress necessary IT transition activities.

Preparations are continuing for Queensland to commence health support services to NIHRACS from 1 January 2022.

The Commonwealth and Queensland are committed to ensuring continuity of patient care throughout the transition. We expect to be able to share more detail about the health transition in the coming weeks.

From a legislative perspective, the Australian Government is working with Queensland to ensure relevant legislation is in place from 1 January 2022 to support delivery of health and education services.

Further information and FAQs are regularly updated at https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/territories-regions-cities/territories/norfolk_island/norfolk-island-state-services-transition

Eric Hutchinson

Administrator of Norfolk Island

9 December 2021