Education and Schools in Brisbane

Education and schooling in Brisbane consist of government and non-government schools. Government schools are, in most cases, free, while non-government schools are fee-paying.

Expat families moving to Brisbane will find that international schooling options are limited, but since English is generally the medium of instruction in both public and private schools, English-speaking children should adjust relatively easily. Those with limited English proficiency should consider one of Brisbane’s language immersion schools if they offer the child’s home language.

Government schools in Brisbane

Brisbane’s public schools are funded by the government and teach the Australian curriculum. For permanent residents and Australian citizens, government schools can be attended without paying tuition. Some schools do charge fees for certain resources, such as technology. These are known as non-tuition fees.

On the other hand, expat families on temporary visas will be required to pay both tuition and non-tuition fees to attend school in Brisbane. This can add up to a fair amount but is still far more affordable than the cost of attending private school.

Around a dozen government schools in the state of Queensland offer language immersion programmes, where a significant portion of the curriculum is taught in a language other than English. The particular language available varies from school to school, but options include French, German, Spanish, Japanese and Mandarin.

It’s important to note that Brisbane’s government schools require a certain standard of English to be met in order for students to be admitted. This is based on international language testing, such as ISLPR or IELTS. Prospective students who don’t meet the standard will need to undertake the High School Preparation (HSP) programme before they can be admitted to the school.

Public schools are assigned according to catchment areas, so parents should keep this in mind when deciding which neighbourhood to settle in.

Government schools are reviewed at least once every four years by the Queensland Department of Education (QDE). Results are available on school websites. Self-assessments between QDE reviews are also mandatory.

Useful links

• Queensland Government Department of Education

Non-government schools in Brisbane

In Australia, non-government schools are fee-paying institutions that can be divided into two broad categories: private and independent. The term ‘private schools’ refers solely to fee-paying Catholic schools, while all other fee-paying schools are known as ‘independent schools’.

Independent schools have the freedom to take a more tailored approach to education than public ones. Some are based on religions such as Judaism, Islam and non-Catholic denominations of Christianity. Others employ alternative education philosophies, such as Waldorf or Montessori.

Useful links

• Private Schools Guide – Brisbane Private Schools

International schools in Brisbane

The only real option parents will have when it comes to international education in Queensland will be the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme. There are a few government and non-government schools in Queensland that offer this as an option to their students. Note that, unlike most government schools, those offering the IB do charge fees in order to cover the cost of the programme.

Expat parents moving to Brisbane may find it useful to make themselves familiar with the QDE’s international branch, known as Education Queensland International (EQI). EQI provides extra support for international students, particularly those who come from non-English-speaking backgrounds.

Useful links

• Education Queensland International

Special-needs education in Brisbane

The Queensland Department of Education operates on the principle of inclusivity. Their ultimate aim is to ensure that those with special needs can comfortably attend their local school, have access to the same education as their peers, learn in a safe environment, and make good academic and social progress.

Every school in Queensland receives core funding for students with special needs, as well as extra funding known as a Reasonable Adjustments Resourcing (RAR) allocation. Children with a wide range of needs are accommodated under these funds, including (but not limited to) those with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities, sensory and physical impairments, dyslexia, and mental health conditions.

For more information, consult with the Queensland Department of Education (QDE).

Useful links

• QDE – Students with disability

Tutors in Brisbane

Tutors are widely used in Brisbane, particularly for complex subjects such as maths and science, to assist non-English students with English proficiency, help new arrivals catch up to the local curriculum, and prepare for university.

For expats, hiring a tutor is a great way to ease their children’s transition to a new education system. Expat children from a non-English-speaking background can also benefit from tutoring with a native speaker of their home language to ensure continued proficiency.

There’s a variety of online tutoring companies with excellent reputations. Another way to find tutors in your local area is to ask your child’s school for recommendations.

Useful links

• Superprof
• Alchemy Tuition