In Australia education is a priority and all states provide children with an excellent education.
In Australia primary school and the early years of secondary school are compulsory. Education is provided to children aged from approximately four to eighteen years. The exact age varies from state to state, but generally school is compulsory for children aged approximately six to fifteen years and many stay on at school until they have finished year 12 at 17 or 18 years old.
There are different types of schools depending on how old your children are and what type of schooling you want for them. As well as the free state schools there are independent or private schools.
Most children attend the school closest to where they live in Australia. All States, except for Tasmania who have three, have a four term school year with holidays in between.
Your children will attend school from about 9.00am to about 3.00pm Monday to Friday and, as many public schools and most private schools have a uniform policy, your children may be expected to wear a school uniform.
Find Teaching Jobs in Australia
Early Childhood Education In Australia
Early childhood education in Australia is not compulsory but your children may attend a formal preschool, day care centre or playgroup between three and five years old.
Places at formal preschools in Australia are often limited, so it pays to enrol or register your children early. When your children attend preschool they will take part in activities that develop their abilities, skills and knowledge of the world.
Compulsory Education in Australia
Compulsory education in Australia is divided into primary and secondary schooling. You can choose to have your children educated at a public (state government) or private (independent) school. Education at public schools is free in most states.
Primary school in Australia
Primary school education begins for most children at the age of five. The core subjects in all primary schools are based on the eight key learning areas:
- English
- Health and Physical Education
- Language other than English
- Maths
- Science
- Society and Environment
- Technology; and
- The Arts.
Secondary school in Australia
Most children start secondary or high school at around twelve or thirteen. During the first four years of secondary study, core subjects such as English, Mathematics and Science are compulsory.
A broad range of elective subjects is also offered, including computing studies, languages, art, music, drama, commerce, history, geography, and technical subjects.
Education in the Australian Outback
Australian children who live in the remote areas of the Australian outback get their primary and secondary education at home by means of correspondence schools and schools of the air.
Each state operates a correspondence school for children in isolated areas and the students receive and turn in their assignments by mail.
Non-Government Schools in Australia
The non-government school sector comprises Catholic schools (two thirds) and independent schools (one third).
There are over 960 independent schools in Australia. Many of these schools have strong links with a church and others have a pedagogical base such as Montessori or Rudolph Steiner. Independent schools include small and large day schools, boarding schools, co-educational, and single-sex schools.
Home Schooling in Australia
Home education is a legal option for the schooling of children in all states of Australia and the number of home educated children has more than trebled over the past five years. As a parent you take responsibility for guiding your children through a course of study at home.
The legal requirements for educating your children at home varies between different Australian states and territories, so if you want to home school your children you need to find out what the regulations are for the state in which you will live.