Before you send your children to school, you should decide whether to send him or her to a private school or a public school. It is then recommended that you visit the school, to talk to the teachers and other parents.

Public schools receive funding from the government; however, in the last few years, they are suffering from cut backs in classes and other accessories. Most of the modern schools don’t fall behind the private schools in the level of learning. For a majority of the schools you will have to pay additional expenses for textbooks and uniforms (which even includes a coat, tie, and sacks). The price for annual tuition fluctuates between 200 dollars for primary school and 1000 dollars for high school.

The learning curriculum usually includes the subjects of mathematics, English, science and technology, social science, art, and foreign language, and different schools tend to excel in one subject more than others.

The primary schools are attended from ages 6- 12, and high schools (Secondary School) up to age 18.

More than a quarter of Australian students are enrolled at private schools, and the percentage is even higher for the later school years. They include schools that teach with an alternative method, such as Rudolf Steiner Montessori, schools with a religious orientation, and schools for the gifted. Most of the schools use the same method and have the same learning hours as the public schools, but the teachers and the tools are considered better. The tuition cost can reach to 12,000 dollars per year for primary schools or even 20,000 dollar per year for secondary school. You can add to that the costs that are subject to changes, such as text books and uniforms. It is worth noting that the country subsidizes the private schools according to the level of “richness,” and schools grant scholarship to attract bright students.

Matriculation scores: Students who are interested in leaving school at the age of 16 to join a professional college (called TAFE) are tested and receive a SC diploma (School Certificate). The exams are issued by the school, except in the case of mathematics and English, which are national.

Those who chose to do so at the age of 18 receive a Higher School Certificate (HSC) and are tested outside of the school. It is worth noting that most of the universities require HSC in order to continue with higher education, like the matriculation exam (Bagrut) in Israel.

Hours of operation: generally, there are five school days per week, from 9 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon with a midday break in between. Throughout the year there are 4 school holidays, besides for the regular holidays. In New South Wales, for example, the long summer holiday is from 21 December to 27 January, and the rest of the holidays are of a two week period.

Kindergarten and Day care centers: There is no obligation in Australia to send your children under 5 years old to day care centers; however many parents choose to do so, mainly those who work full time. The cost is not cheap, especially for private care centers, and they fluctuate around 200 dollars per week. The required kindergartens that are for ages 5-6 (called Pre School in Australia) generally operate for 5 days per week, and the children are sent home after a half a day. Be aware that there is a long waiting list for the expensive schools, or even for the preschools; oftentimes you may have to sign up a year or even two in advance for acceptance.

Pre-school Pre-schools are partly subsidised and operated by local government and community groups. While it is available all over the country, the administration, organisation and regulation varies between the different states and territories, such as the children’s starting age.

Primary Education Primary education lasts for six (NSW, VIC, TAS, ACT) or seven years (SA, NT, QLD, WA) and is free of charge in all government schools.
Emphasis is predominantly on the development of basic language and literacy skills such as simple arithmetic, social education, health training and some creative activities. In later years, these are developed further as students undertake core subjects such as English, mathematics, social studies, science, music, art and craft, and health and physical education.

Secondary Education Secondary education lasts for five or six years depending on the number of primary school years in the state or territory. It consists of a general program, with more electives offered at senior levels and a five-and-a-half hour of tuition at 200 days per school year.
Government schools being free of charge, are coeducational, whereas a significant number of private schools are gender exclusive.

Number of schools There are more than 10,000 schools in Australia, 70% of which were government schools and the rest were non-government schools.

Teaching staff There are more than 250,000 full-time and part-time teaching staff at government and non-government schools. Around 75% of primary schools teaching staff are females.