Gifted students are those whose potential is distinctly above average in one or more of the following domains : intellectual, creative, social and physical. Talented students are those whose skills are distinctly above average in one or more areas of human performance.^[1] These are linked to Gagne’s earlier work as in this document and demonstrated in his Differentiated Model of Giftedness and Talent in diagrammatic form. Other models also exist.

Within the Australian system, gifted education can be found with individual students on special programs, within individual classrooms, in specialist classrooms such as OC Classes in NSW, in selective high schools, in specialist high schools, curriculum differentiation, through early entry to schooling and through accelerated progression once within the system.

No individual method is best for all students. Gifted children are individuals and learn best in different ways and situations. They should be matched with the best system possible for them. If this can be done, then there should be maximum achievement and pleasure with their learning.

This page looks at Gifted programs, system support, associations, support groups and other information for all Australian states & Territories plus general Australian information.

The Second Page looks at information that includes documents, conferences, media, related programs and other sources of information about the gifted.

If you are aware of any worthwhile information which is not included, suggestions or additions are welcome and will be given due consideration.

States & Territories

Australian Capital Territory

• Enrolment in Government Primary and High Schools
  Section on Early Entry and on movement between school levels for gifted and talented students.
  Policy presently being changed and is in transition between old and new.
• Gifted and Talented Students
  Policy document for ACT schools.

New South Wales

• Gifted & Talented Education [NSW]
• Guidelines for The Use Of Strategies to Support Gifted and Talented Students
• New South Wales Opportunity C Classes
  Classes for Gifted and Talented students in Years 5 and 6 in some government schools in NSW. A full listing of schools is provided.
• Policy & Implementation Strategies [2004]
• Selective High Schools
  ‘Provide an educationally enriched environment for highly achieving, academically gifted students.’
• Gifted & Talented Education Home
  Curriculum Support. Multiple sections from Policy to FAQs. Documents include identification, Acceleration, Curriculum differentiation and Parent Information plus an Options Discussion Paper. All in PDF.
• NSW Association for Gifted and Talented Children
  Also check their Gifted Links Library page, to access information and resources.
• Gifted and Talented Secondary Teachers’
  Yahoo! Group site designed to assist the network of these.

Northern Territory

• Gifted Education [NT]
  Information about School Psychologists as well as Gifted Education. Contact details - use Student Services link. There is also an Information Sheet available from this page.
• Gifted Education Guidelines
  [Presently under review]
• Gifted Education Policy
  [Presently under review]
• NT Association for the Gifted and Talented
  Their section on Education, covering FAQs. Primary Schools, Middle Schools and Secondary Schools is particularly worth visiting.

Queensland

• Framework for Gifted Education
  Education Queensland.
• Gifted Education [Qld]
  Done through The Learning Place.
• Queensland Academies
  ‘Will accelerate learning opportunities for Queensland’s best and brightest students and provide a pathway for their future careers. Enrolment in the Academies is based on academic merit and will be conducted via a selective entry process, with a maximum enrolment of up to 450 students at each academy.’ Senior Secondary.
• Variation to School Age Entry Enrolment
  ‘This procedure outlines practices associated with approval of variations to school age entry when a child or a student’s ability, aptitude and developmental capabilities suggest that an alternative placement to regular age-based enrolment is required to maximise their learning’.
• Qld Association for Gifted and Talented Children
  Check Links to Other Sites of Interest for articles, parenting, associations, references, resources, projects, competitions.

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South Australia

• Gifted Education Policy
• Negotiated Education Plan
  A framework that can be used for all learners. Select Disabilities & Learning Difficulties then the title above.
• SHIP
  Contact page. Select from menu on the left.
• What is Giftedness ?
  Information, links to related areas.
• Gifted & Talented Children’s Association of SA

Tasmania

• CELO Online
  ‘CELO Online supports schools, teachers and parents in improving the engagement and motivation of students who are highly able / gifted from Prep to year 10 through the provision of a range of online extension and challenge programs across a number of curriculum areas’.
  You now need to be able to log in to access this site.
• Centre for Extended Learning Opportunities
  You now have to log-in to access this site.
• Early Entry into Kindergarten
  This link provides Information for Parents, while Guidelines can be found here, as can a Nomination Form.
• Gifted Education Policy & Guidelines
  Includes parent information. Also available as a MS Word Document.
• Guidelines for Accelerated Progression for Gifted Students
• Tasmanian Association for the Gifted Inc.
  Contact details, information.

Victoria

• Gifted Education [Vic]
  Students, learning & teaching, identification, acceleration, resources, contacts.
• Selective Entry High Schools
  About the Schools, How to Apply, Practice Tests, Sitting the Examination, Outcome of the Application.
• Select Entry Accelerated Learning Program
  ‘Aims to address the learning needs of gifted and high potential students who are capable of working at a significantly faster pace and in greater depth than their age peers. There are currently thirty-four Victorian secondary schools delivering the program.’
• Support Groups Victoria
  Listing of groups in Victoria plus several from NSW.
• Vic. Association for Gifted & Talented Children

Western Australia

• Gifted and Talented
  Portal entry which covers all aspects of this area.
• Gifted and Talented Education Programs
• Gifted Education Resources & Links
• Parents & Students
  Information on the roles of both.
• PEAC
  ‘Primary Extension and Challenge [PEAC] is a part-time program for public school children in Years 5, 6 and 7. Children are tested in Year 4 and are selected to participate in a range of innovative and challenging programs offered in a variety of ways. Children are withdrawn from regular class to attend PEAC programs’.
• Programs & Schools
  Selective Schools, academic programs, Arts programs, Sports programs. Also check the Your Role page for parents.
• Scholarships
• Supplementary Provision
  For students in all years.
• WA Gifted & Talented Children’s Association
  ‘Serves gifted and talented children, their parents and their teachers.’

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Australian Information

• Envisioning the 2020 School
  ‘Austega explores the impact of technology on school education over the next two decades. By direct work and by reflective and collaborative research in this area, Austega seeks to encourage strategic management of this technological change process.’
• Fun and Challenging Activities
  For Gifted Children. As stated, this is a work in progress. There are activities, an archive, links to other gifted sites and the option to purchase a book.
• Gifted and Talented Links
  Created by a secondary school in Victoria. Links under headings, Australia and International.
• Gifted & Talented Education Links
  Education Queensland, The Learning Place.
• Gifted-Children.com.au
  ‘Providing support to parents of gifted children and their families, gathering and disseminating information about raising and educating gifted children, and promoting the needs of these families within the community.’
• Gifted Education
  Links. Check the Thinking Skills section.
• Gifted Education - Austega
  Australian site providing resources for parents and those interested in gifted children and their education.
• Gifted Education : GERRIC
  Gifted and talented education from a group at the University of New South Wales. News, resources, information for parents, teachers and students.
• Gifted Resources
  Multiple directories. Especially good for listings on gifted/talented ability in students and adults, links and more. Also check their Website Lists.
• Gifted Services
  Annotated links to other sites, particularly in Australia.
• Gifted Students, Thinking Skills and ICT !
• Home Schooling Gifted Children
  Internet resources for home schooling [or NOT] gifted children.
• How To Spot A Gifted Child
  Article listing characteristics.
• REACH Education Consultancy
  Yes we do know it is based in New Zealand !. ‘REACH Education Consultancy is an agency created specifically to support schools in working successfully with gifted learners.’ Of most interest might be their Online Course, Certificate in Effective Practice in Gifted Education, already used by some Australian teachers as a professional development course.
• The Gifted Education Specialist
  Consultancy in Perth that works with schools and families. Links listing of resources and information.
• Virtual School for the Gifted
  Interesting concept by an Australian group. Courses are Fee-based and vary depending on group activity. Start from about Year 4 level.
• Websites for Parents [& Students]

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References

• 1. What do we mean by the terms giftedness and talent ? NSW Department of Education and Training, 03 July 2006. Web. 20 Jan. 2010.
  http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/policies/gats/programs/organisation/definitions.htm.

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