Education & Childcare
Public school in Australia means government school and is open to the general public. Non government schools are called private schools.
Government schools ask for a voluntary contibution of around AU$200 per year.
Private school fees vary from religious schools starting at between AU$3,000 and AU$6,000 compared to the leading private schools which charge fees of upto AU$20,000.
The school day in most places starts at 9am and finishes around 4pm and children attend school 5 days a week - Monday to Friday.
Pre -school and childcare
Even government run child care centres will charge fees of around AU$35- AU$50 per day though low income families may be exempt.
It can work out much cheaper to find an accredited private carer who looks after a small number of children in their own home.
People For People are an Australian owned and operated business, situated in Sydney's Northern Beaches. They work with families seeking Au Pairs and Nannies to help them in the care of their children.
Visit their website for more details http://www.peopleforpeople.com.au/
Primary School
In most states and territories schools will have a kindergarten year at the primary school, however it is not compulsory to send your child to school until they are 6 years old.
Secondary Schools
Secondary school starts when a pupil is aged 12. The general school leaving age is 15, however this is il advised since unemployment of Australian's aged 16 - 25 is very high.
Schooling in isolated areas
In isolated areas there are schools of the air which broadcast lessons to pupils who study at home. Pupils and teachers talk directly to each other or use computers. Each of the states and territories also operates a correspondence system to cater for children unable to attend a school due to location.
School term dates
If you will be enrolling children in school in Australia you may wish them to start at the beginning of a new term. The term dates vary in each region of Australia.
Below are the term dates for 2009 in each territory.
Western Australia
For more information visit -http://det.wa.edu.au/
Term 1 2 Feb - 9 Apr
Term 2 29 Apr - 3 Jul
Term 3 21 Jul - 25 Sep
Term 4 13 Oct - 17 Dec
South Australia
For more information visit - www.decs.sa.gov.au/
Term 1 27 Jan - 9 Apr
Term 2 27 Apr - 3 Jul
Term 3 20 Jul - 25 Sep
Term 4 12 Oct - 11 Dec
Victoria
For more information visit - http://www.education.vic.gov.au/
Term 1 28 Jan to 3 Apr
Term 2 20 Apr to 26 Jun
Term 3 13 Jul to 18 Sep
Term 4 5 Oct to 18 Dec
New South Wales
For more information visit - http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/
Term 1 27 Jan - 09 Apr
Term 2 28 Apr - 10 Jul
Term 3 27 Jul - 02 Oct
Term 4 19 Oct - 18 Dec
Queensland
For more information visit - http://education.qld.gov.au/
Term 1 27th Jan - 9th Apr
Term 2 20th Apr - 26th Jun
Term 3 13th Jul - 18th Sep
Term 4 5th Oct - 11th Dec
Northern Australia
For more information visit - http://www.det.nt.gov.au/
Term 1 28 Jan - 3 Apr
Term 2 14 Apr - 19 Jun
Term 3 21 Jul - 25 Sep
Term 4 5 Oct - 11 Dec
