AUSTRALIAN EDUCATION SYSTEM
General Information
Under Australian law, it is compulsory for children between 6 and 15
years old to go to school. Children usually start school when they
are five and often continue until 17 or 18 years old in preparation
for university or other further education. Children under 12 or 13
years old attend primary school and older children go to high school
(or 'secondary school'). Some colleges (senior secondary schools)
take only the oldest students, who are generally preparing for final
examinations. You can send your children to either a government or
a non-government school in Australia. Government Schools are
non-religious and they provide free education though they might ask
for a voluntary contribution. Non-Government (Private) Schools charge
fees and they may have a religious affiliation or a particular
educational philosophy. Australian school education is approximately 13 years and divided
into a preparation year, primary schooling and secondary schooling.
The preparation year is not compulsory but is almost universally
undertaken. Children usually start in the preparation year at around
five years of age although in some States the starting age is closer
to four years. Primary schooling is six years, and secondary
schooling is six years. School education is compulsory until the age
of 15. Australian schools are mainly taught in English although a few
schools offer bi-lingual programmes or programmes in other languages.
The Australian Government gives priority to 10 languages: Aboriginal
languages, Arabic, French, German, Modern Greek, Italian, Spanish,
Russian, Thai and Vietnamese. The Federal Government also aims to
help school systems enhance and expand Asian languages and studies of
Asia with the four priority languages being Japanese, Indonesian,
Korean and Mandarin. Many Australian schools offer students a choice
of an Asian or European language. Japanese and French are the most
widely taught languages. All States and Territories offer a range of programmes to address the
special education needs of students. Programmes available include
those for students with intellectual and physical disabilities,
behaviour disorders; special learning needs, for gifted students, and
for migrant students, particularly those with low numeracy and
literacy skills. Some schools incorporate intensive English programs
designed especially for children whose English is not good. The Australian school year normally runs from late January or early
February until early December. Most States and Territories operate on
a four-term per year system. If you are intending to migrate to Australia then
please contact our
office for further detailed information on the Australian education
system, or Australian visas including the fees &
costs, timing, supporting documents and application forms - and other
requirements to make a valid Australian visa application.
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