The Department of Education (the Department) supports high quality, ethical research where the findings have the potential to inform decision making and contribute to improvements in school education policy, staff competency, operational practices, student and staff wellbeing or student achievement and progress.
In accordance with the Research Conducted by External Parties procedures:
Low sensitivity research does not investigate sensitive research topics, adopt research methodologies that are sensitive in context or target participants who may be vulnerable. A comprehensive explanation of sensitive research is available in the Research Conducted by External Parties procedures Appendix B: Sensitive research.
Principals or site managers may decline to participate in proposed research and are not required to give researchers reasons for their decision.
Principals, site managers and directors are responsible for implementing the policy.
Line managers are responsible for compliance monitoring.
This policy applies to all Department employees.
Research Conducted by External Parties includes research commissioned by Department schools or business areas and research initiated by external parties which involves:
Individuals not directly employed by the Department, organisations, agencies, corporations, incorporated bodies and government departments that are sponsoring or undertaking research on or through Department of Education sites.
For the purposes of this policy, external parties include employees of the Department who undertake research for a tertiary qualification or for an external party.
A process of systematic inquiry that collects, documents, analyses and interprets data and other information. Research can include evaluations, reviews or trials that assess the effectiveness of specific programs or can be more general in nature.
For the purposes of this policy, the following are excluded:
For the purposes of this policy schools/sites is taken to include, in addition to public schools, all Department facilities, including central services, regional offices, Intensive English Centres, Instrumental Music School Services, Schools of Special Education Needs, Swimming and Water Safety programs, Language Development Centres, Camp Schools, Community Kindergartens, Child and Parent Centres and all off-site facilities.
Research is sensitive when it investigates sensitive topics, adopts research methodologies that are sensitive to the context or targets participants who may be vulnerable.
A comprehensive explanation of sensitive research is available in the Research Conducted by External Parties procedures Appendix B: Sensitive research.
School principals and officers who have executive responsibility for overall management of any Department site.
Freedom of Information Act 1992 (WA)
Privacy and Responsible Information Sharing Act 2024 (WA)
Public Sector Management Act 1994 (WA)
School Education Act 1999 (WA)
Vocational Education and Training Act 1996 (WA)
Volunteers and Food and Other Donors (Protection from Liability) Act 2002 (WA)
2024 WA Government Cyber Security policy
Public Sector Code of Ethics (WA)
Child Protection in Department of Education Sites policy
Criminal History Screening for Department of Education Sites policy
Duty of Care for Public School Students policy
Privacy and Responsible Information Sharing policy
Risk and Business Continuity Management policy
Students Online in Public Schools policy
Visitors and Dignitaries at Public Schools and Residential Facilities policy
Working with Children Checks in Department of Education Sites policy
Policy manager:
Manager, System Performance
Policy contact officer:
System Performance
Department of Education
151 Royal Street
EAST PERTH WA 6004
T: (08) 9264 5512
E: researchandpolicy@education.wa.edu.au
| Effective date | Last update date | Policy version no. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 August 2025 | 30 August 2025 | 1.3 | |
| Updated policy | |||
| 19 August 2025 | 19 August 2025 | 2.0 | |
| Updated policy approved by the Director General on 1 November 2024 | |||
| 19 August 2025 | 19 August 2025 | 2.1 | |
| Minor changes to update ‘Related documents’ and ‘Related Department policies’ - approved Director, System and School Performance D25/0682237 | |||
This policy:
Research Conducted by External Parties policy v2.1
Supporting procedures:
Research Conducted by External Parties procedures
Policy and all supporting documents:
Research Conducted by External Parties policy Bundle
Guideline
Guidelines for external researchers
19 August 2028
19 August 2025