Moving to Australia? How to Choose the Best School for Your Child

How Does the Australian Education System Work?

Education in Australia is overseen at state level but upheld by a consistent national framework. Children typically start school at the age of five and progress through primary education, followed by secondary school until around 18.

The school system consists of four cycles:

1. Preschool/Kindergarten (Ages 3-5): not compulsory, focuses on early development.
2. Primary School (Ages 5/6 to 11/12): first compulsory years.
3. Secondary School (Ages 12-16): compulsory phase.
4. Senior Secondary School (Ages 16-18): leads to final qualifications (Senior Secondary Certificate).

Senior students (in both public and private schools) work towards a state-based qualification, such as the Higher School Certificate (HSC) in New South Wales or the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) in Victoria. These qualifications are well understood internationally and do not generally limit access to universities abroad.

It’s worth noting that a minority of private schools also offer the IB as well, although take up is much smaller.

What Types of Schools Are Available in Australia?

There are four types of schools: state schools, private fee-paying schools, Catholic schools and a small number of international schools.

State schools are free for permanent residents and citizens, but temporary visa holders usually pay annual fees. These schools are allocated by catchment area, meaning families must live within a designated zone to secure a place.

Private and Catholic schools charge fees but often offer broader facilities and, in some cases, smaller class sizes.

International schools cater to a more mobile population and generally follow overseas curricula.

Education is managed by the country’s six separate states which oversee curriculum in all types of schools. The latest statistics from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) show Australian students generally perform at or above OECD averages in reading, mathematics and science, with the country placed around the top 10 among OECD nations.

What Expat Families Need to Know About Schools in Australia

1. The Typical School Day in Australia

The Australian school day is generally shorter and more relaxed than many expat families expect. Most schools begin between 8.30am and 9.00am and finish around 3.00pm to 3.30pm, with a short mid-morning break (recess) and a longer lunch break.

Primary schools focus on core subjects earlier in the day, while secondary schools run on subject-based timetables with lessons of around 45 to 60 minutes. Many expat parents describe the structure as organised but less pressured than in their home countries.

2. After-School Care in Australia

After-school care is widely available at primary level, usually through Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) programmes based on the school site. These typically run until around 6.00pm and include supervised play, quiet activities, homework time and a snack.

At secondary level, formal after-school care is less common. Instead, students often stay on campus for sport, music, clubs or supervised study, particularly in private schools. Boarding schools naturally provide structured supervision beyond the academic day.

3. Lunchtime Is a Bit Different

Lunchtime routines are one of the biggest surprises for many expat families.

The vast majority of students bring lunch from home, with 10% of children eating food bought from a school canteen (often called tuckshops). Hot school meals as standard are far less common than in the UK or US. In addition, in many schools children eat outside, sitting in shaded playground areas or under covered verandas.

4. Outdoor Activity Is a Major Part of Australian School Culture

Recess and lunch are almost always spent outside, and sport plays a major role in both state and private education. Swimming, athletics and team sports are common, and outdoor learning is frequently incorporated into the school day.

Sun safety is taken seriously, particularly in primary schools, with policies such as ‘no hat, no play’ widely enforced.

5. Formal Exams and Homework

Compared with the UK and US, Australian schools generally place less emphasis on formal exams in the early years. Assessment tends to be ongoing rather than exam-led, with pressure increasing gradually as students approach senior secondary school.

Homework expectations are typically light in primary school and become more demanding in secondary years, particularly in Years 11 and 12, when students work towards state-based school-leaving qualifications.

What are Primary Schools like in Australia

Australian state primary schools generally enjoy a strong reputation and are a popular choice for expat families, particularly in well-established suburbs of Sydney and Melbourne.

In Sydney, most expats chose to live on the North Shore or in the eastern suburbs and the state primary schools in these areas are generally good. It’s a similar story in Melbourne’s affluent eastern and bayside suburbs, such as Kew, Hawthorn and Brighton.

Teaching standards are consistent and pastoral care is typically good.

Because places are allocated by catchment, families often need to secure accommodation before applying, and schools usually require evidence of a long-term lease before confirming enrolment.

 

Should Expats choose PRIVATE OR PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN AUSTRALIA?

State primary schools generally have a good reputation but state secondary education in Australia is considered less reliable than primary and many parents (40%) educate their children privately at this stage.

Private education varies from Catholic schools (which tend to charge lower fees) to top-tier Sydney and Melbourne private schools where fees can be up to A$52,000. To attend state schools, expats on temporary resident visas can pay around A$5,000 per year, per student, or more, depending on the state and the school level. However, policies vary significantly by state and visa type, with some regions offering exemptions or no fees at all for certain visa holders.

“Around half of expats look for private education but we have recently seen more enter the state system, especially at primary level,” says Traci Crampton of Australian relocation consultancy Elite Woodhams.

State school places are determined by catchment areas so new arrivals need to find the school before looking for housing. Incoming temporary residence visa holders have to show a 12-month lease to prove they are in the catchment before being able to enrol in a school.

Private secondary schools are a big deal in Sydney and Melbourne, and the subject of endless discussion. The most elite schools have long waiting lists and it’s no urban myth that children are regularly registered from the maternity ward. Fees vary between around A$25,000 and A$50,000 and some offer boarding. Most are single sex with a few going co-ed for the senior years.

“Private schools in Sydney have the same long waiting lists as schools in the UK and, as a generalisation, it is hard to get a place, although things have eased in the last few years” says Julieanne McCartney, director of Sydney based Exec-Relocations.

“The hardest age group to place is 5-7,” says Elite Woodhams’ Crampton. “It’s easier to get high school students in who are strong academically.”

The traditional, long-established private schools in the more affluent suburbs favoured by expats are the most difficult to get into. Many of these are run along English public school lines with a strong sense of tradition, solid academic results and fantastic facilities. These include Melbourne Grammar, (boys) Scotch College (boys), Ruyton (girls), PLC (girls) and Melbourne Girls Grammar in Melbourne and SCEGGS (girls), Sydney Grammar (boys) and the Scots College (boys) in Sydney.

Although most students are locals, expats usually fit in well. “Most private schools have solid expat communities and are used to families coming and going. If the school has places they welcome ex-pats for two or three years,” says Exec-Relocations McCartney.

In Melbourne, the co-ed Wesley College is one of the best respected IB schools where around 45 per cent of students follow the programme. Carey Baptist Grammar, Caulfield Grammar, Geelong Grammar, MLC and St Leonards are also well known for their IB programmes, offered alongside the traditional VCE.

“Families arrive thinking they need an IB school to get into university overseas but, after discussion with the school, they realise the VCE is easily transferable if their children take the more academic subjects,” says Elite Woodhams’ Traci Crampton.

When it comes to international schools, Australia is a relatively small market. “The demand for international schools is not high because Australia offers a national curriculum and an approach to learning that many parents consider is reputable,” says ISC Research communications director Anne Keeling.

There are 147 schools in Australia that fall into criteria of an international school, according to ISC, mostly because they offer international curricula. This predominantly includes one or more of the International Baccalaureate programmes (Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, DP or CP) or Cambridge Secondary and/or Cambridge Advanced. Most international schools deliver the IB programme and are based in Sydney.

Do Families Need an IB School in Australia?

A common concern among relocating families is whether their child needs to attend an International Baccalaureate (IB) school to keep university options open overseas.

In reality, Australia’s local qualifications are highly transferable, and most universities abroad readily accept students completing the HSC or VCE, provided they study suitably academic subjects.

While Australia does have a growing number of IB World Schools, take-up remains relatively modest compared to national curricula, and many schools offer the IB alongside local qualifications rather than as a standalone pathway.

Bilingual Schools

Some international schools operate bilingual systems such as the German International School in Terrey Hills in Sydney, which opened in 1989 providing English or bi-lingual education and leading to the IB Diploma. Half the students come from Australia with the rest from Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

The Lycee Condorcet de Sydney, the French international school, provides a bilingual education leading to the French Baccalaureate and, unlike other schools in Australia, operates on European term dates. The International Grammar School in Ultimo is a secular co-ed through-train school with full language immersion programmes in French, German, Italian, Spanish and Chinese from aged 3 upwards.

Sydney’s Chinese International K-6 school has a dual language programme where 50 per cent of the curriculum is delivered in Mandarin and the Japanese School runs a dual curriculum – the international division follows the NSW curriculum with daily Japanese lessons up to year 6 and the Japanese curriculum is delivered up to year 9 with daily English lessons.

Expats looking for Muslim education are well catered for at the Australian International Academy of Education, set up in 1999, with four campuses in Melbourne, Sydney, and Abu Dhabi. All are World IB schools with Arabic or Turkish language programmes.

“These international schools tend to attract the nationality of the school as they have immersive language programs,” says Exec-Relocations McCartney.

Finding Good Schools In Australia – Top Tips for Parents

1. Plan Ahead

Common chat in expat groups revolves around how competitive school places are and the need to research early, especially for popular private or international schools.

“Places can be difficult to obtain without advance planning… if you are able to secure one, grab it.” See: Expat living in Adelaide, Australia.

2. Check Fees!

School fees can be more for state schools than private education, depending on your visa status.

“Be aware that fees for non-residents in private schools can be high, but sometimes cheaper than paying full fees for temporary residents in certain states.” See: Forum User – Brits Moving To Australia.

3. Plan Your Move Timing

Moving at the end of the Australian school year (December) can ease academic disruption.

“The Australian new school year starts at the end of Jan/start of Feb. Consider that in your planning… and it will be hot… so prepare for that!” See: Ask an Australian / Reddit

4. Connect with other Expat parents

Making friends with other expat parents can help your children make friends more easily. It’s also a great way to find out about the area you have moved to.

“My advice would be to get involved with the other international school parents immediately. It really eases the transition. You can vent your frustrations without insulting locals and can find out about all of the things Sydney has to offer that would take years to find.” See: Parent at American International School in Sydney, Australia

5. Understand Catchment Areas Before Choosing Where to Live

For families considering state schools, catchment areas are critical. Many public schools only accept students who live within a defined zone, a proof of address and often a long-term lease is required before enrollment is confirmed.

“If the school you want your child to go to is full or has a wait list and you are not in the catchment area you will not be able to send them there. You will have to go to your local school. The school we wanted to send our daughter to is in the next suburb over, but had a wait list so we had to send her to the high school in our catchment area. It’s a good idea to contact the school to find out whether or not there is any sort of waiting list.” See: Forum User, British Expats
 

Are Boarding Schools Common in Australia?

Boarding is less common in Australia than in the UK, but it is still an option, particularly for families living remotely or for older secondary pupils. Several leading private schools offer weekly or full boarding, usually from Year 7 onwards.

For international families, boarding can provide stability if parents are travelling frequently or based in regional areas.

Is the Australian Curriculum Recognised Overseas?

Yes. Australian school qualifications are widely accepted by universities in the UK, Europe, the US and Asia. This reassures many families that their children will not be disadvantaged by attending a local school rather than an international one.

For this reason, many expat families initially arrive expecting to choose an international or IB school, but ultimately opt for a state or private Australian school once they understand how transferable the system is.

Choosing the Right School When Moving to Australia

Selecting a school in Australia is often closely linked to housing, visa status and long-term plans. Your children’s ages will also influence the your choices, depending how close they are to exam age, or whether they speak English, for example. 

When you know a move to Australia is on the card, families are advised to research early, ask the questions we’ve outlined, about catchment areas, fees and curricula. Then speak directly with schools to find out about waiting lists and any support specifically given to expat children. We recommend you seek professional relocation advice where possible.

With a well-respected education system, strong academic outcomes and a broad range of schooling options, Australia remains one of the most attractive destinations globally for families moving overseas where your children are likely to flourish.