Education and Schools in Australia

The education and schools in Australia are exceptional, and many expats migrate to the country’s sunny shores specifically for its renowned education. The national government strongly emphasises diversity and is committed to excellence in research, teaching, and student support.

If you’re moving to Australia with school-age children, you will have plenty of options and can choose between public, private, and international schools. Each has its pros and cons, and factors influencing decisions revolve around curriculum and cost.

Public schools in Australia

In Australia, the school system can broadly be divided into government (public) and non-government (private) schools.

The mandatory age for full-time school attendance varies from state to state but is generally from age 5 or 6 to age 15 or 17. After this, students can leave academic schooling for a professional apprenticeship, attend a vocational course or start working full-time.

Australia’s education system follows the below structure:

• Primary school: seven or eight years, starting at Foundation (also called kindergarten/preparatory/pre-school) to Year 6 or 7
• Secondary school: four years from Years 7 or 8 to 10
• Senior secondary school: two years from Years 11 to 12

The Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) monitors the performance of both public and private schools. This information can be viewed on the official My School website, along with other detailed data such as the school’s income and expenditures, attendance records, and details about the student body, including the percentage of English and non-English speakers.

Roughly two-thirds of the local population and many expats send their children to government schools in Australia.

Government schools are open and accessible to expats. Still, those living in Australia on a temporary residency visa will most likely need to pay the fixed tuition fee associated with their state or territory. Government schooling is free for anyone on a permanent residency permit, although ‘voluntary contributions’ may still be expected. The state does not fund additional expenses, such as school uniforms and stationery.

Children attend the public school that corresponds with their residential catchment zone, so if you’re looking to send your child to a stellar state school, you should move to that school’s zone to guarantee placement.

If you plan to return home later, you should carefully consider the curriculum offered by your government school of choice. While some offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme, most do not. Parents should be sure that credits and certificates earned from an Australian school will be accepted at tertiary institutions in their home country.

Useful links

• ACARA – MySchool
• Australian Government Department of Education

Non-government schools in Australia

There are plenty of non-government schools in Australia, and these institutions often have better infrastructure, a wider range of facilities, higher-paid teachers, and an elevated standard of education. That said, these schools are not state-financed, and the tuition fees can be costly.

Private schools

In Australia, the term ‘private school’ refers solely to private Catholic schools. While placing a high value on academics, these schools teach from a religious point of view. Still, the extent to which religious practice and teachings are incorporated into the curriculum varies from school to school. It would be best if you spoke to fellow expat families to find an institution that aligns with your priorities.

Independent schools

Non-Catholic schools run by non-government entities are known as independent schools. This includes schools that subscribe to other religions (such as Judaism or Islam) or educational ideologies (such as Montessori or Waldorf).

Useful links

• Independent Schools Australia

International schools in Australia

Although Australia doesn’t have as many international schools as other expat destinations, you can still find a selection of IB schools here. In major cities, there are also independent schools that follow foreign curricula, such as those from the US, UK, Germany, and France.

Keep in mind that international schools can be pricey, and popular ones often have long waiting lists. Admission is typically based on a child’s academic performance, and they might need to take an entrance exam.

Many parents temporarily enrol their child in a local school while waiting for a spot at an international school to open up.

Special-needs education in Australia

Australia has an inclusive approach to special-needs education. The government encourages mainstream schools to keep special-needs students in regular classes, providing additional student support. Some special-needs students with more advanced needs will be placed in separate, smaller classes to afford them more individual attention.

Australia also has special schools for students who require more support than a mainstream school can offer. Some independent and international schools may also have a dedicated special-needs education department, so we recommend contacting them directly to find out what services they offer.

Useful links

• Australian Government Department of Education – Students with disability

Homeschooling in Australia

There is a large and active homeschooling community in Australia. Homeschooling is legal and regulated, although regulations and requirements vary across states. Parents must register with the government as home educators to homeschool.

Each state’s homeschool registration authority inspects the child’s home study programme and monitors academic progress. If you’re seeking advice, support or resources, you can get involved with local homeschooling groups or larger country-wide homeschooling organisations.

Useful links

• My Homeschool
• Department of Education WA – Homeschooling
• Education Queensland – Homeschooling
• Victoria Government – Homeschooling

Tutors in Australia

Tutoring is a growing industry in Australia, with about a third of families opting to employ a tutor at some point. Tutors are frequently used to prepare for major exams or to assist with particular subjects. They may also help your children adjust to a new curriculum, brush up on English-speaking skills, or maintain fluency in their mother tongue.

There are several large tutoring companies in Australia with good reputations. Some of the most prominent tutoring companies include LearnMate and The Tutoring Company.

Parents should ensure local organisations, such as the Australian Tutoring Association, accredit their tutors.

Useful links

• Australian Tutoring Association
• LearnMate
• The Tutoring Company