PRIMARY & SECONDARY SCHOOLS
AUSTRALIA YOUNGER STUDENT PROGRAMS
More and more parents choose to send their children abroad for education during their primary and secondary school stages.
Australia, with its pleasant natural environment, rich educational resources, and relaxed parent-accompanying policies, has become the top destination for young students studying abroad. As a member of the Commonwealth, Australia boasts excellent quality of primary and secondary education.
Below is information and the application process for primary and secondary school study abroad programs.
Australian Education System
Primary
Year 1 - 6
Secondary
Year 7 - 10
Senior
Yaer 11 - 12
ADMISSION AGE
| Stage | Age |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age |
> 6 Yrs Old |
| Year 9 |
< 17 Yrs Old |
| Year 10 | < 18 Yrs Old |
| Year 11 | < 19 Yrs Old |
| Year 12 | < 20 Yrs Old |
PUBLIC SCHOOL vs. PRIVATE SCHOOL
In Australia, primary and secondary education is primarily divided into public (Public School) and private (Private School) schools. Both types play a crucial role in the Australian education system, making the choice of the right school a significant concern for parents. Although these two types of schools each have their own style and characteristics, in terms of teaching content, they both follow the unified curriculum outlined by the Australian Department of Education, ensuring the coherence and completeness of education. The specific differences between public and private schools will be analyzed in detail in the following sections.
| Public | Private | |
|---|---|---|
| Establishment | Funded and established by the government, with unified management by the state education departments. |
|
| Tuition Fee |
Primary: $12,628 Secondary: $16,768 Senior: $18,819 |
Primary: $28,009 - $37,193 Secondary: $40,822 - $43,770 Senior: $44,460 |
| Equipment | Basic equipment | Multimedia classrooms, laboratories, libraries, and sports facilities are more comprehensive and well-equipped. |
| Class Size |
19 - 23 Students | 20 Students |
| Teacher | A teacher might teach multiple subjects | Teachers are highly specialized, including professional music teachers, football coaches, programming instructors, etc. |
| Educational Philosophy | Emphasises foundational academic education. | British traditional education, focusing on music, sports, traditional values, social skills, leadership abilities, and breadth of knowledge. |
| Educational Quality (Numbers of Top 150 VCE Schools) | 34 Schools | 116 Schools |
ADMISSION ENGLISH REQUIRMENT
| Public | Private | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | No language proficiency score is required | Below Year 3: None Year 3 and Above: AEAS * The specific AEAS score requirement depends on the school, usually above 60 points. |
| Secondary | Studied at a school where English is the primary language of instruction for the past 2 years; or Year 10: IELTS 5.5; or Year 11: IELTS 6.0; or AEAS 66 points; or Participate in additional government school language classes (20 weeks); or Complete a language course at an Australian local ELICOS institution (20 weeks). |
AEAS; or Complete a language course at an Australian local ELICOS institution *The specific AEAS score requirement depends on the school, usually above 70 points. |
ADMISSION PROCEDURES
IMPORTANT!
Application time: Both public and public schools have a limited number of places for international students each year, so if you are planning to apply to study in primary or secondary schools, it is best to start preparing 2 years in advance and submit your student application at least 1 year in advance!
PRE CONSULTATION
SELECT CITY AND SCHOOL
APPLY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT
（PUBLIC SCHOOL）
APPLY FOR THE SCHOOL
OBTAIN OFFER AND CoE
VISA APPLICATION
FAQs
1. What is the school time schedule like in Australia?
Primary and secondary schools in Australia have four terms in a year, in January, April, July and October.
Schools will have a 2-week holiday in April, June and September and a 1-month holiday in December.
2. How is progression to university in Australia?
Australian high schools adopt a system of continuous assessment, and there is no "one exam for life". Taking VCE as an example, generally speaking, students will choose five to six VCE subjects in Year 11 (VCE currently has 129 subjects for students to choose from), with English as compulsory and all other subjects as electives, and the choices and scores of the first four subjects will determine the final VCE score to a large extent. The percentage will vary depending on the subjects chosen.
3. What are the accommodation arrangements for students?
There are three types of accommodation for primary and secondary school students:
1. If parents choose to come to Australia with their student and accompany them, they can rent their own accommodation in the city where they are studying. Parents must accompany the student, i.e. they must travel in and out of Australia with the student.
2. Homestay: This is the most common type of accommodation. Homestay families are assessed by the relevant government agencies, and students will live with family members and other host family members in the homestay, and students will have their own independent room, and daily meals will be provided by the homestay family.
3. School dormitories: Only a small number of private schools provide dormitories for students, usually 2-4 students in a room in the lower grades, and the upper grades have their own independent rooms.
4. Can accompanying parents work in Australia?
No. According to the requirements of the companion visa, the visa holder does not have the right to work.
5. What is the cost of living in Australia?
Apart from tuition fees, if you choose to stay with a homestay family, your monthly expenses (including accommodation) will be around AUD$2500 - AUD$3000.