Big Picture Learning Australia

What Big Picture Learning Australia does

Big Picture Learning Australia (BPLA) is a non-profit education organisation, structured as a company limited by guarantee and registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, founded in 2006 and headquartered in Sydney. The organisation licenses and supports implementation of the Big Picture Learning Design — a personalised, interest-led pedagogy built on six elements (Passions, Community, Advisory, Exhibition, Projects, and the IBPLC) — across a network of 48-60 predominantly public secondary schools in urban, regional and remote Australia serving ~3,680 students.

BPLA's core product is the International Big Picture Learning Credential (IBPLC), a non-ATAR portfolio-based assessment system hosted on the Universities Admissions Centre platform Credfolio. The IBPLC evaluates students against six assessment frames (Knowing How to Learn, Empirical Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Social Reasoning, Communication, Personal Qualities) and is warranted by the University of Melbourne in collaboration with Melbourne Metrics. It is accepted by 17-20 Australian universities as an alternative admission pathway. Supporting products include 5-day Foundation and Senior Years training programs, online professional development courses, BPLA School Coach services, publications, and learning space design and school review services delivered through partner firms.

BPLA's revenue model combines recurring fee-for-service contracts (Service Agreements) with member schools, annual membership fees, per-attendee training program pricing ($1,500 for 5-day programs, $500 for planning days, $150 for network days), one-off publication sales, philanthropic donations, and government support (NSW Department of Education covers IBPLC fees for NSW schools). Go-to-market is enterprise field sales through principal-led adoption and a community-led referral model driven by the existing member network. Distribution extends internationally via the Big Picture Learning International Network (BPLIN) spanning nine-plus countries.

Name

Big Picture Learning Australia

Legal name

Big Picture Learning Australia

Website

https://bigpicture.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Big Picture Learning Australia is a non-profit education organisation that licenses and supports implementation of an interest-led, portfolio-based secondary school design and the IBPLC university admission credential across ~48-60 predominantly public schools in Australia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Secondary Education Design and Professional Development Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Services (611)

akta.pro primary industry

Project-Based/Inquiry-Based Learning (School-Delivered) (EDAJAFAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Curriculum Design & Scope/Sequence (School-Led) (EDAJAFAA)

Keywords

• Personalised secondary education
• Portfolio-based assessment
• School network programs
• Interest-led learning design
• Professional development training

Headquarters

HQ city

Sydney

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Fee-for-Service with Schools: BPLA operates largely on a fee-for-service basis through Service Agreements with schools. Service Agreements cover ongoing professional learning support from a BPL School Coach each term, along with membership, access to online staff training, classroom resources, promotional materials, and an IBPLC processing fee for senior students.
2. Membership Fees: Schools and other agencies that participate in Big Picture's change programs and fulfil agreed criteria become members of the Big Picture Learning Australia Network, paying membership fees that provide access to resources, training, and network benefits.
3. Publications and Resources: Sale of educational publications including books, guides, and planning materials. Publications include 'Parenting From The Passenger Seat' ($44), 'Learning to Leave' ($22), 'The Big Picture: Education is Everyone's Business' ($29.70), and various guides and reference books.
4. Training Programs: Revenue from 5-day Foundation Training programs, Senior Years training, and other professional development workshops offered to member schools. Pricing includes $150 for network days, $1,500 for 5-day training, and $500 for planning days.
5. Philanthropy and Donations: BPLA is supported by philanthropy and donations. They are a registered charity and accept tax-deductible donations. The BPLA Scholarship Fund supports young people from regional and remote areas to access internship opportunities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Big Picture Learning Australia delivers the Big Picture Learning Design — an innovative, personalised, interest-led model for secondary education implemented within existing schools. The core offering combines advisory groups of 17 students, community internships with expert mentors, project-based learning, exhibition-based portfolio assessment, and the IBPLC, a non-ATAR senior credential warranted by the University of Melbourne. BPLA sells this design to public secondary schools and education departments via Service Agreements, supported by training, ongoing school coaching, and network membership.

Product overview

Big Picture Learning Australia is a non-profit education organization that offers a comprehensive educational ecosystem centered on the Big Picture Learning Design. The core offering consists of an innovative learning design for schools featuring six key elements: Passions (personalised learning), Community (internships), Advisory (small learning groups of 17), Exhibition (portfolio-based assessment), Projects (interest-driven projects), and the International Big Picture Learning Credential (IBPLC). The IBPLC is a non-ATAR credential warranted by the University of Melbourne and accepted by 18+ Australian universities, hosted on the Credfolio platform. Supporting the core design are online courses (Advisory, Project-Based Learning, Assessment by Exhibition), professional development programs (5-Day Foundation Program, Senior Years Training), coaching services, school review services, learning space design, media production services, and publications (books and guides). Digital tools include Online Portfolio Building Tools on Google Sites. The organization also offers a Scholarship Fund for regional/remote students. All products and services are offered through a network of approximately 60 predominantly public schools implementing the Big Picture design across Australia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Big Picture Learning Design An innovative, internationally recognised design for personalised, student-driven secondary learning built on six elements (Passions, Community, Advisory, Exhibition, Projects, IBPLC). Implemented within existing public high schools across Australia.
• International Big Picture Learning Credential (IBPLC) A non-ATAR senior secondary credential that measures and captures a broader range of student capacities, experiences and qualities than traditional exam-based certification, using six assessment frames and a personalised Learner Profile. Warranted by the University of Melbourne and accepted by 17–20 Australian universities.
• BPLA Network Membership Annual subscription offering for individual educators and schools/organisations providing access to resources, training discounts, and the Big Picture Learning Australia Network community benefits.
• BPLA School Service Agreement (School Coaching) Annual Service Agreement covering an accredited BPL School Coach delivering ongoing professional learning each term, online staff training, classroom resources, promotional materials, and IBPLC processing fees for senior students.
• Big Picture 5-Day Foundation Training Program Intensive 5-day training program for schools and participants planning to implement the Big Picture design. Covers key elements, distinguishers, and induction requirements. Delivered in multiple Australian locations including Sydney, Bunbury WA, and others.
• Senior Years 5-Day Training Program Advanced 5-day workshop for senior advisory teachers covering Senior Project, Autobiography, Post-School Project, Social Action Project, Digital Portfolio, and Video Profile elements.
• Big Picture Planning Days Planning Days for teachers and leaders of schools implementing or preparing to implement Big Picture Learning, supporting readiness for the following school year.
• Network Days (e.g., WA Network Day - Term 3 2026) State-level network days for BPLA member schools to gather, network, and share ideas about the Big Picture Learning design implementation.
• Advisory Online Course Online course on building a culture of belonging, support and respect in schools (the advisory component of the Big Picture design). Available free to Big Picture members and for purchase by non-members.
• Project-Based Learning Online Course Online course focused on project-based learning methodologies for schools implementing the Big Picture design. Available free to Big Picture members and for purchase by non-members.
• Assessment by Exhibition Online Course Online course introducing schools to using exhibitions as the basis for student assessment. Available free to Big Picture members and for purchase by non-members.
• Online Portfolio Building Tools Digital tools hosted on Google Sites for students to build and curate their portfolios and evidence of learning as part of the Big Picture design.
• BPLA Scholarship Fund Scholarship fund partnered with the Public Education Foundation to support Big Picture students from regional and remote areas to access internship opportunities, accepting tax-deductible donations.
• School Review Services School review services offered in partnership with Valad Consulting, including one-off Foundation reviews and ongoing regular reviews of Big Picture Design implementation.
• Learning Space Design Services Consultations, staff workshops, and planning/design services offered in partnership with Places Created for Learning (PCL) for personalised learning spaces in schools.
• Media Production Services Media production services for member schools including promotional videos, explainer videos, case studies, and customised brochures.
• Parenting From The Passenger Seat (book) Educational book on parenting approaches for developing capabilities, connections, and meaningful lives in children. Priced at $44.00.
• The Big Picture: Education is Everyone's Business (book) Book on Big Picture education philosophy and the case for personalised, interest-led learning. Priced at $29.70.
• Learning to Leave (publication) Publication focused on educational approaches and student transitions from school. Priced at $22.00.
• Learning Cycle Reference Book Reference book on the BPLA Learning Cycle methodology used in the Big Picture design. Priced at $38.50.
• The Advisory Guide Comprehensive guide on establishing and running advisory groups in schools. Priced at $14.85.
• Social Action Projects Guide Guide for implementing social action projects in schools as part of the Big Picture design. Priced at $16.50.
• A Guide to Exhibitions Guide for implementing exhibition-based assessment in schools as part of the Big Picture design. Priced at $18.00.

Quantifiable outcome

• 406 IBPLC credentials issued in 2025
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• Public Education FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026BPLA partnered with the Public Education Foundation to launch the BPLA Scholarship Fund, which supports Big Picture students from regional and remote areas to access life-changing internship opportunities in the nearest city or interstate. Donations can be made via Givenow platform.
• Melbourne Metrics at University of MelbournecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Collaboration on the 'Matching for Success' research project pioneering the design of a new, valid and efficient national model to select school leavers for admission to tertiary courses. The IBPLC was developed in collaboration with Melbourne Metrics and is warranted by the University of Melbourne.
• Origin FoundationsupportingOthersOrigin Foundation is listed as a key partner supporting BPLA's work and commitment to furthering quality, innovative education for young Australians.
• Dusseldorp ForumsupportingOthersDusseldorp Forum is listed as a key partner supporting BPLA's work and commitment to furthering quality, innovative education for young Australians.
• The Funding NetworksupportingOthersThe Funding Network (tfff) is listed as a key partner supporting BPLA's work and commitment to furthering quality, innovative education for young Australians.
• Valad ConsultingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBPLA partnered with Valad Consulting to offer school review services, primarily to help schools review their implementation of the Big Picture Design for Learning. Reviews include one-off Foundation reviews and ongoing regular reviews.
• Summer Hill MediasupportingTechnology or IntegrationSummer Hill Media (led by Joe Wickert, BPLA Communications and Resources team member) handles communications, media and publications for BPLA, offering media production services including promotional videos, case studies, and customised brochures for member schools.
• NSW Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBPLA offers the Big Picture Learning design at over 20 public high schools in NSW with the full support of the NSW Department of Education. The DOE covers IBPLC fees on behalf of NSW schools.
• University of MelbournecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe IBPLC was developed in collaboration with Melbourne Metrics at the University of Melbourne and is warranted by the university. The credential is hosted on the Universities Admissions Centre platform Credfolio.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Big Picture Learning: US-based founding organization of the Big Picture Learning design. Operates the international network that BPLA is part of; implements the same school design, IBPLC credential, and project-based learning model across US schools. The closest direct peer given shared methodology and IP lineage.
• High Tech High: US network of project-based schools focused on personalized, real-world learning with portfolio assessment. Operates a similar school design philosophy to BPLA with student-driven projects, internships, and exhibitions, and serves as a comparable alternative education model internationally.
• New Tech Network: US-based school network implementing project-based learning in member schools. Provides design, coaching, and assessment frameworks for schools, similar to BPLA's service model. Direct comparable in the school-transformation space with overlapping target market of secondary schools seeking alternative pedagogy.
• Beacon Foundation: Australian charity focused on youth education and employment outcomes through school partnerships. Implements workplace learning and mentoring programs in Australian secondary schools, overlapping with BPLA's internship-based learning model and disadvantaged-student mission.
• Schools Plus: Australian charity connecting philanthropists with disadvantaged public schools to improve educational outcomes. Similar non-profit structure and equity-focused mission, serving the same public school segment as BPLA. Comparable on funding model and Australian education philanthropy ecosystem.
• AIME (Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience): Australian non-profit delivering mentoring programs to Indigenous students in schools. Shares BPLA's equity mission and Aboriginal student focus (BPLA serves 17.71% Indigenous students vs 6.6% national). Comparable on outcome measurement and Australian education equity funding streams.

Emerging players

• Teach For Australia: Australian non-profit addressing educational inequity through leadership development in low-SES schools. Mission-aligned with BPLA's focus on disadvantaged schools and student outcomes, though operating via teacher placement rather than curriculum redesign.
• Envision Schools: US network of college-prep, project-based secondary schools serving urban, low-income students. Direct methodological comparable to BPLA in portfolio assessment, exhibitions, and personalized learning, though smaller in scale and US-only operation.

Broad incumbents

• Asia Society Education: Global non-profit with extensive school network programs focused on international-minded, project-based learning. Operates broader global education initiatives but overlaps with BPLA in promoting personalized, real-world learning frameworks for secondary schools.

Regional players

• Edstart: Australian education services company offering fee management and payment plans for schools and families. Operates in Australian K-12 education services market with school partnerships; comparable as a scaling Australian education services business, though focused on financial administration rather than pedagogy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BigPictureEducation
• Instagraminstagram.com/bigpicture.edu.au

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Big Picture Learning Australia