A recent report by the government’s Productivity Commission, published last night, proposed that educators across the country could use AI technology to reduce the “administrative burden” that many teachers experience.

It looked at how to best introduce a national approach for AI in Australia’s school system to cut out hours of busy work.

South Australia, NSW and Queensland have been testing a chatbot tool for teachers and students in public schools.

WA is still developing a tool, while Victoria only provides guidance to teachers about AI.

Tasmania and the territories do not allow AI in schools yet.

“The commonalities in each jurisdiction’s progress with GenAI highlights the need for more coordination,” the report added.

“Not all are progressing at the same rate. 

“Access to tools that prove effective for teachers and students should not be defined by what state or territory a school is in.”

In response, the Australian Education Union said the industry needed a significant cut to teacher workload instead of offloading it to AI.

The union called for “real action to end the teacher shortages”.