OneSchool transformation begins
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 130 No 6, 5 September 2025, page no 6.
For more than a decade, QTU branches and area councils have reported frustrations with the usability of OneSchool, as well as its contribution to workload and red tape.
In Term 2, the department notified the QTU that it was preparing a OneSchool Transformation Program, which was later announced by the Director-General via Connect-Ed in Term 3.
The QTU welcomes the program, understanding that it will include phased upgrades over time. It aims to make student and school management faster and easier by improving OneSchool functionality, reducing workload, and modernising the user experience. The Director-General’s announcement stated that the first phase will be operational at the start of Term 4.
The first phase of the OneSchool Transformation Program addresses work health and safety concerns specific to eye strain. From Term 4, members will see improved spacing to make things easier on the eyes, as well as a cleaner look with updated colours and modern icons.
This first phase does not change functionality. Given the long list of QTU recommendations to the Red Tape Reduction Working Group, it is easy for employees to dismiss the changes. However, the QTU acknowledges this is a first step in a change program, and recognises it is not insignificant for the employer to address safety and remove barriers for employees with visual impairments.
The QTU understands that subsequent phases of the program will deliver benefits for users through simplification of existing processes, tools, and systems. This will include changes that have been recommended by members. These are often operational improvements that support usability and reduce workload.
The QTU believes that any ICT infrastructure needs to be designed with the end user in mind, and the context in which the end user performs their tasks needs to be at the forefront of ICT design.
This year, QTU Vice President Leah Olsson has advocated for improvements to OneSchool through the department’s Red Tape Reduction Working Group.
QTU officers also meet regularly with the Department of Education’s Information Technology Branch. These forums are consultative and an opportunity for the department to notify and consult on change and for the Union, as a registered trade union and key stakeholder in the Queensland’s education sector, to raise concerns on behalf of members.