Life In Australia

Source: Teacher Files

In Australia, school is compulsory between the ages of 6 and 15. This contrasts with compulsory schooling between the ages of 5 and 16 in the UK, meaning that children in the UK have to attend school for two extra years! I read that there are plans to extend the school leaving age in Australia to 17 from 2010, so that would mean that Australian children also had 11 years of education, as in the UK.

There are both public and private schools in Australia. The public schools are government-funded and are free for Australian citizens and permanent residents. However, if you are on a temporary visa (as we are), you have to pay for your child to attend a public school. The amount payable varies from state to state. In New South Wales, it is A$4,500 per child per year. I have heard that it is less in the other states.

Children attend primary school for 7 years, starting in the Kindergarten class and continuing to the end of year 6. They then attend high school. Within the state system, there are some selective high schools which provide education for students who are high achievers academically.

I would be interested to hear how the Australian system compares to the system in other countries, especially the USA, as I have heard that it is quite similar to the US system.