Australian schools

1. General information 

The Australian school system consists of 12 years of study, divided into:

• Primary School: Years 1–6
• Junior Secondary (Lower Secondary): Years 7–10
• Senior Secondary (Upper Secondary): Years 11–12

Annual tuition ranges from AUD 10,000 – 47,000, depending on the state and school.

Primary School: Students study a common curriculum. No formal graduation certificate is issued upon completion of primary school. Tuition ranges from AUD 14,000–15,000 per year.

Junior Secondary (Years 7–10): Students take a combination of compulsory and elective subjects. Upon completing Year 10, students receive a Year 10 Certificate. Tuition ranges from AUD 15,000–16,000 per year.

Senior Secondary (Years 11–12): Students choose subjects based on their graduation exam goals and future study plans. This streamed curriculum equips students with essential academic foundations for vocational education or university.

Graduates receive the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education, with different names depending on the state or territory:

Pathways After Year 10–12

From Year 10 onward, students may study both the school curriculum and vocational subjects. After completing Year 12, students may:

• Enter the workforce
• Enroll in Certificate/Diploma programs
• Go directly to university (depending on their Year 12 results)

Some high schools offer university foundation programs linked to specific university degrees.

2. Important notes for students  

Although Australia does not fully recognize high school curriculum of many countries, students can still progress to the next upper grades when relevanty. Important notes include:

• Academic progression: Students may progress directly to the next grade if they meet academic, conduct, and English requirements (e.g., finish Grade 9 → enter Year 10).
• Minimum study duration for graduation: Most schools require students to study at least four terms in Australia to obtain a valid Year 12 result for university or vocational admission.Very few schools accept only three terms, therefore, the latest entry point for students is typically after Grade 10 → enter Year 11 in Australia.
• English entry requirements: Required English level: PTE Academic 38–46 or IELTS 5.0–5.5. Students without an English test must take at least 20 weeks of ELICOS as required by each state’s Department of Education.
• Accommodation requirements: International students must stay in:
  • Homestay
  • School boarding (boarding house)
  • With an approved relative (if meeting requirements).
  • Relatives hosting students must provide:
    • Police Clearance
    • Working With Children Check (WWCC)
    • All household members aged 18+ must also provide these documents
    • Must pass a school homestay inspection
    • Processing takes at least 4 weeks, so families should prepare early.
• Guardian requirements: All students under 18 must have a legal guardian until they turn 18. Guardianship may be provided by the school or guardian companies, costing AUD 1,500 – 2,000/year.
  • Relatives acting as guardians must:
    • Provide Police Clearance
    • Provide Working With Children Check
    • Be 21+ years old
    • Hold a visa valid until the student turns 18
    • Pass a school interview
    • Processing time: minimum 4 weeks.
  • Parent accompaniment: Parents may accompany their child if they demonstrate strong financial capability.
• Intakes: The school year starts in late January. Schools may also admit students in January, April, July, and sometimes October.
• Application & visa processing time:
  • School admission: 2–6 weeks
  • Student visa processing: 4–8 weeks

Find a school in Australia? Check the below information 

1. Public Schools

1. In New South Wales
2. In Victoria
3. In Queensland
4. In Western Australia
5. In South Australia
6. In Canberra
7. In Tasmania
8. In Northern Australia 

2. Private Schools

1. Macquarie Grammar School (MGS)/ Day school
2. Presbyterian Ladies’ College Sydney (PLC Sydney)/ Boaring school
3. Knox Grammar School/ Boarding
4. Presbyterian Ladies’ College Armidale (PLC Armidale)/ Boarding school
5. Saint Maroun’s College
6. St Catherine’s School/ Boarding
7. Stotts College (Acknowledge Edu)/ Day school
8. Trinity Grammar School/ Boarding school
9. Ivanhoe Grammar School/ Day school
10. Kardinia International College / Day school
11. The Knox School/ Day school
12. Caufield Grammar School/ Boarding and day
13. Billanook College / day school
14. Presbyterian Ladies’ College Melbourne (PLC Melbourne)/ Boarding school
15. Wesley College
16. Westbourne Grammar Schoool
17. Toorak College/ Boarding
18. Camberwell Girls Grammar School (CGGS)
19. Aranmore Catholic College
20. Eynesbury College/ Day school
21. The Hutchins School
22. Whitefriars Catholic College for Boys
23. St Paul’s International College/ Boarding
24. Strathcona Girls Grammar
25. The Cathedral School
26. Ravenswood School For Girl
27. Mentone Girls’ Grammar
28. Pulteney Grammar School
29. Esperance Anglican Community School (ASC Intl)
30. Frederick Irwin Anglican School (ASC Intl)
31. Georgiana Molloy Anglican School (ASC Intl)
32. John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School (ASC Intl)
33. John Wollaston Anglican Community School (ASC Intl)
34. Peter Carnley Anglican Community School (ASC Intl)
35. Peter Moyes Anglican Community School (ASC Intl)
36. St George’s Anglican Grammar School (ASC Intl)
37. St James’ Anglican School (ASC Intl)
38. St Mark’s Anglican Community School (ASC Intl)
39. Swan Valley Anglican Community School (ASC Intl)
40. Trinity Anglican College (ASC Intl)// day school
41. Cathedral College Wangaratta (ASC Intl)
42. Cobram Anglican Grammar School (ASC Intl)
43. Phoenix – Link2Uni – Independent Schools
44. Aquinas College
45. Scotch College
46. Christ Church Grammar School
47. Hale School
48. Methodist Ladies’ College (MLC)
49. Guildford Grammar School
50. Presbyterian Ladies’ College (PLC Perth)
51. Perth College
52. St Hilda’s Anglican School
53. St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School
54. Penrhos College
55. St George’s Anglican Grammar School
56. St Mark’s Anglican Community School
57. Kennedy Baptist College
58. Kingsway Christian College
59. John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School
60. Quinns Baptist College
61. Swan Christian College
62. St. Andrew’s Grammar School
63. Adelaide Independent School Alliance (AISA)
64. Adelaide International School
65. Blackfriars Priory
66. Concordia College
67. Loreto College
68. Mercedes College
69. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College (OLSH College)
70. Pulteney Grammar School
71. Scotch College Adelaide
72. St George College
73. St Peters Girls School
74. St Peter’s College
75. Trinity College
76. University Senior College (belongs to Adelaide University)
77. Walford Anglican School For Girls
78. Wilderness School

More information on: 

• Australian High School System
• Education Information by State

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