Australian Migration Visa Lawyers - About Australia

About Australia Education

The standard of Education in Australia is particularly high. In recent years, Australian education has set the benchmark for other countries in a number of areas, which include Curriculum and Assessment.

Migrants to Australia must enrol their children in School. You can choose to have your children educated in public (state government) or private (independent) schools throughout the country. Education at public schools is free* in most states, although most schools do have a small voluntary annual fee to cover extra activities. Private or independent schools have their own fee structure. *Depending on the type of visa you have been granted, you may be required to pay full school fees, which includes public schools. Check with individual schools for details.

To enrol your children at school you will need to have report cards or statements from previous schools and possibly some samples of their work.

Children generally begin formal schooling in the year they turn 5 or 6 dependent on the state, with a variety of pre-school options being available, including kindergarten/prep (age 3-4 years) and preschool (age 5 years). Under Australian law, children must attend school until they are 15 years old, however most Students generally complete their schooling at 17 years (year 12) when they are able to move to tertiary study at the various universities and Technical & Further Education Colleges (TAFE), or private provider institutions.

Questions that need consideration when selecting a school:

Do you wish your child/children to be educated at a State or Independent school?
The estimated annual costs of education at a State or Independent school?
What are the class sizes?
What is the access to Information Technology?
What support is available for each child'? What opportunity will they have to be involved in the wider life of the school?
What sport is each school involved in? Is participation by all students valued? Will your child have an opportunity to be included in a team?
What variety of extra activities does the school offer for your children? Are they well balanced?

The best tips for migrants remain the same as for everyone:

Talk to people - friends, colleagues, and migration agents.
Contact schools in your preferred destination personally.
Review the school's literature/website and the manner, in which they deal with your enquiry, it will probably replicate the manner in which they will treat your child.
Visit a number of schools; meet the Principal and students from the school.

Useful Links:
Department of Education and Training
Study in Australia
A Directory to all Australian School
Discuss Student Visa Options through us