The Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) has released its 2025 annual report, revealing growing uptake of its evidence-based guidance and resources by educators.
AERO CEO Dr Jenny Donovan credited the essential role of partnerships — with ministers, education departments, school systems, early childhood sector, educators and university researchers — for creating tangible improvements in policy, practice and learning that are shaping Australia’s education landscape and creating impact in the classroom.
“Five years after AERO was established, our work is now embedded in guidance across multiple Australian jurisdictions, demonstrating confidence in the quality and relevance of what we produce,” she said.
“Our flagship model of learning and teaching, published more than two years ago, has been shared with more than 118,000 teachers and school leaders, and continues to be widely accessed, featured in presentations and implemented in schools.”
“Even more gratifyingly, it has been widely adapted by jurisdictions in their own teaching and learning models.”
“In the early childhood education and care space, we’re soon to release an intentional teaching model, based on what we know about the importance of play-based learning for our youngest learners, to help educators and teachers maximise children’s learning and development.”
Dr Donovan said that AERO was also proud to be leading the way in embedding First Nations perspectives across all aspects of its work, thanks to the establishment of a First Nations Expert Reference Group (ERG) — a first of its kind in Australian education.
“The significant efforts of our First Nations team culminated in 2025 with the launch of our First Nations Charter and establishment of our First Nations ERG, which comprises approximately 250 members from urban, regional and remote communities,” she said.
“This group brings expertise and experience across teaching, curriculum, research and more and now plays a central role in ensuring all AERO projects are informed by First Nations knowledge, lived experience and priorities.”
Established in 2021, AERO works with schools and early childhood education and care services to bridge the gap between evidence and practice, demonstrating how rigorous evidence can drive practical change
AERO partners with governments, delivering high-quality research about the priorities Ministers agree are shared challenges. That research is then translated into guidance, resources, professional learning, and advice that help sectors take action.
AERO Board chair Dr Lisa O’Brien said the Board was encouraged by emerging signs of impact.
“AERO has developed strong partnerships with education systems and the ECEC sector, resulting in the widespread use of our research and insights in government initiatives,” she said.
“Similarly, widespread engagement with key AERO resources, in both ECEC and schools, reflects AERO’s commitment to work that is not only rigorous, but genuinely practical and relevant for educators.”
“These achievements underscore how AERO has become an important part of Australia’s education landscape, a reliable partner to governments, and a respected contributor to system improvement.”
“The Board is proud of the role we play in advancing excellence and equity through evidence.”
Dr O’Brien acknowledged ministers and system and sector partners for their contributions to establishing a robust foundation for AERO’s next chapter.
“The Board looks forward to supporting continued growth and impact in the years ahead,” she said.
AERO’s 2025 annual report is available on AERO’s website at Annual report 2025 | Australian Education Research Organisation.
For AERO media enquiries, please contact:
Rebecca Urban
M: 0411 790 304
E: media@edresearch.edu.au
About us
AERO is Australia’s independent education evidence body, established in 2021 and funded by Commonwealth, state, and territory governments.
Our vision is to achieve excellence and equity in education outcomes for all children and young people through effective use of evidence. AERO’s role is to generate high-quality evidence, make it accessible and encourage adoption and effective implementation of evidence into practice and policy.