Principals Australia is the peak body set up at the first National Conference of Australian Principals Associations held in Sydney in May 1993. The conference focus was the enhancement of the planning, quality and accessibility of professional development for principals to help them meet new challenges and improve the learning outcomes of all Australian school students. At the conference the participants agreed to form a national body (Principals Australia) to support the principals' role in their own professional development.

Principals Australia brings together the government and non-government sectors and the primary and secondary principals' associations. Membership includes the

• Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA) 4 nominees;
• Australian Secondary Principals Association (ASPA) 2 nominees;
• Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA) 1 nominee; and
• Catholic Secondary Principals Australia (CaSPA) 1 nominee.

Principals Australia's role

• to advise on the provision and further development of professional development for principals;
  
• to perform a brokering role in relation to the design, implementation and evaluation of certain projects
  
• to provide advice on the quality of the proposed programs
• to ensure equity of provision of the proposed programs; and
  
• to sponsor programs where appropriate.

Principals Australia activities 1993-1994

Principals Australia was supported by funding of $750,000 in 1993-4 from the Commonwealth Quality Schooling Program (which was managed by the Department of Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs) , and through its constituent members undertook three projects.

1. The identification and development of a core of best practice for principals' professional development.
   
2. The establishment of a national program of professional visits for principals.
   
3. The conduct of workshops for principals on national priorities in education.

Principals Australia activities 1994-1995

In the 1994-5 budget, APAPDC was funded with $770,000 to develop these three projects.

1. Best Practice Professional Development Activities included:
• establishment of a fully integrated database
  
• extension of initial Pilot Projects (linked to professional development workshops program for rural and isolated principals)
  
• watching brief on technological developments
  
• new research into the Induction of Principals


2. Professional Development Workshop Program:
• emerging national priorities to principals in rural and isolated areas
  
• managing national education initiatives in the school setting
  
• mentoring - developing the skills
  
• principal induction program
  
• the establishment of APAPDC Branches in each State and Territory


3. Communication and Promotion Strategy:
• Principal Directions Newsletters
  
• Professional Visits Program - reprint of booklet
  
• Personal Development Plan Package developed
  
• brochure on establishing a network
  
• reprint of Leaders and Their Learning

The APAPDC is a significant new development in Australian education and its activities should lead to an ongoing, higher profile for principals' associations. This includes a more important role for them as professionals in quality control of principals' professional development programs and in the development of leadership in Australian schools.
APAPDC activities 1996
In 1996, APAPDC received further funding of $650 000 from the Commonwealth. The actual Project Plan 1996 may be viewed in full.


APAPDC activities 1997-1998
See Project 1997-8 APAPDC activities.


APAPDC activities 1999-2000
See Principals for the Third Millennium