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For most parents that want to move to Australia with a young family finding employment in your new country, followed closely by finding the best schools.
If you currently find yourself in this situation, then this Estate Living guide on how the Aussie school system is structured and the differences between public schooling and private schooling will help you decide which option is going to be best for your family.
The Australian school system
According to Study Australia, schooling is divided into three distinct divisions – Primary School, which starts in Kindergarten, Secondary School and Senior Secondary School. The official language of instruction across all schools is English and upon completion of the final year of school, a Higher School Certificate is awarded. This certificate is much like South Africa’s National Senior Certificate.
Catchment areas and enrolment criteria
Schooling is compulsory from the age of five or six to 15 and 17. The age your child will be required to start school and the public schools available to them are dependent on which territory and catchment zone you live in, so this is a very important consideration when you are choosing where you want to live, unless you are considering private schooling.
The Australian school system guarantees a place for every school-going child at their local public school, while in private schools, there are often enrolment criteria that need to be met. These criteria may include being on a waiting list and entrance exams.
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The school year starts in January and ends in December and is divided into four terms, like South Africa, but the school days are a little different, starting around 9am and ending after 3pm. Most schools wear school uniforms and hats are generally compulsory due to the high temperatures.
School fees
If you have a permanent residency visa when you arrive in the country, then public schools will be free. If you only have a temporary visa then you will have to pay a fixed school fee, which is determined by the territory in which you live. Other costs will include school textbooks, uniforms, and any extra-curricular activities.
Private schools in Australia, like in South Africa, have more flexibility and choice in terms of the curriculum they offer and much like in South Africa, they may have better school facilities, and a wider choice of sporting or cultural activities and facilities, since they are better funded. Some also offer boarding facilities. These benefits do not come without a price though and private schooling can cost between $20 000 (R250,094) and $45 000 Australian dollars (R562,711) per year*.
Resources
The quality of schooling across Australia is excellent and the choice of public versus private will be a personal one for every family. Many Australian public schools are on par with their private counterparts and studies have also shown that a child’s school performance is linked more to socio-economic factors than the type of school attended.
Either way, when making your decision our best advice is to involve the children and to do as much research as you can, so that you all feel prepared and comfortable when you arrive in Australia. There are many resources available online and we have compiled this list of available websites as a starting point for you.
The Australian Schools Directory – a complete list of all public and private schools in Australia
My School – comprehensive government-produced resource providing information about Australia’s schools
Private Schools Guide – a guide to Australia’s private (non-government schools)
School Catchment Zone Maps – a compilation of all the school zones across Australia
State Education Department Websites:
Education Queensland
New South Wales Department of Education
ACT Education Directorate
Department of Education and Training Victoria
Department of Education Tasmania
Department for Education (South Australia)
Department of Education WA
Northern Territory Department of Education
Independent (Private) Education Websites:
Independent Schools Queensland
Association of Independent Schools of the ACT
Association of Independent Schools of NSW
Independent Schools Victoria
Independent Schools Tasmania
Association of Independent Schools of SA
Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia
Association of Independent Schools of the Northern Territory
Catholic Education Websites:
Queensland Catholic Education Commission
Catholic Schools NSW/ACT
Catholic Education Melbourne
Tasmanian Catholic Education Office
Catholic Education South Australia
Catholic Education Western Australia
Catholic Education Office Northern Territory
*Prices correct as of 20 February 2023
