Australia has a world-class education system spanning from Early Childhood to Year 12, delivered across Government, Catholic, and Independent schools.
Funded and operated by state/territory governments. Free to attend for Australian residents. The largest sector, educating ~65% of students.
Catholic education systems operating in every state. Low to moderate fees. Values-based curriculum with strong community focus. ~20% of students.
Privately operated schools with varying fees. Wide variety including Montessori, Steiner, faith-based, and elite academies. ~15% of students.
Four terms, runs January to December (Southern Hemisphere summer holidays in Dec–Jan)
National assessments in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 for Literacy and Numeracy
Australian schools consistently rank in the global top 10 for educational outcomes
Education is compulsory from age 6 to 17 across all states and territories
Pioneering programmes for remote students via Schools of the Air and online platforms
Dedicated support programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students nationwide
Expert articles to help Australian families navigate schools, exams, and education choices.
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Understanding the System
Understanding the System
Understanding the System
Each state and territory has its own education department and curriculum adaptations. Explore schools by region.
New South Wales is home to Australia's largest city, Sydney, and has one of the most comprehensive education systems in the country.
Victoria is Australia's most densely populated state and prides itself on an excellent and diverse public education system centred around Melbourne.
Queensland is Australia's second-largest state with a decentralised population and strong focus on connecting regional and remote communities through education.
Western Australia is the largest state in Australia by area. Its vast distances make education particularly important, with innovative distance learning programmes.
South Australia is known for innovation in education, being the first state to offer free, secular, and compulsory education in Australia.
Tasmania, Australia's island state, has a small but tightly-knit education community with strong connections between schools and the natural environment.
The ACT is home to Australia's capital, Canberra, and is renowned for having one of the best-performing school systems in the country.
The Northern Territory is one of Australia's most unique regions with a rich Indigenous culture. Its education system serves incredibly diverse remote communities.
Visually browse all 8,879+ Australian schools plotted on an interactive map. Filter by state, type, and sector.
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