❓ Mr. Staltari inquires about the average time to appoint permanent principals in WA public schools from 2021-2024. The Department of Education provides data showing appointment times ranging from 15-19 weeks.
AnsweredQoN 220Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to WA public schools, and I ask: (a) What was the average number of weeks that it took to appoint a new permanent principal following a vacancy at a WA public primary school in the 2024 school year; (b) What was the average number of weeks that it took to appoint a new permanent principal following a vacancy at a WA public secondary school in the 2024 school year; and (c) What are the equivalent answers for (a) and (b) for the following school years: (i) 2023; (ii) 2022; and (iii) 2021?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 August 2025
Responded by
Minister for Education
Response time
8 days
The Department of Education advises:
Average number of weeks
(a)
(b)
(a) 2024
18
19
(c)(i) 2023
16
18
(c)(ii) 2022
17
18
(c)(iii) 2021
15
16
Notes:
· Time in weeks is the average number of weeks between the date the recruitment process commenced and the date the new substantive principal commenced in the position.
· Principals typically commence at the start of a term although the recruitment process may be completed earlier.
Average number of weeks
(a)
(b)
(a) 2024
18
19
(c)(i) 2023
16
18
(c)(ii) 2022
17
18
(c)(iii) 2021
15
16
Notes:
· Time in weeks is the average number of weeks between the date the recruitment process commenced and the date the new substantive principal commenced in the position.
· Principals typically commence at the start of a term although the recruitment process may be completed earlier.
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