Education Index

Education Tax Refund

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Each of the Australian States set their own school terms and holiday dates, and they are often at slightly different times in the different States. An example of this is the 2008/2009 Summer Holiday starts on Dec 13 in QLD, SA & NT, Dec 19 in Tasmania & WA, and Dec 20 in ACT, NSW & VIC.

The actual State School Term and Holiday dates for each State can be found at:
http://www.dest.gov.au/.../ school_term_dates_2008.htm

Private and Independent schools often have slightly different dates, normally starting a bit earlier or ending a bit later. An example of this is in Queensland, where the summer holiday starts on Dec 13th in the State schools, some Private schools start on Dec 6th.

A common comment is that the primary education is different here in Australia when compared to the UK.
A number of people have said that children here are allowed to be children for longer, no real pressure on direct learning, but lots of encouragement in learning to learn and enjoying school.
More involvement in school and class dramas, plays etc. Learning to be social etc.
As a direct age comparison, I have read that UK children are further ahead academically, but that Australian children are more ahead in being a person.
This can change when they move to High School, and by the end of their schooling, it seems to even itself out.
One thing I do know, is that the majority of primary school kids here just love to go to school, which is very different to my school days

The following are quotes from a retired Teacher at various Australian State Schools:

• All State schools in Australia are free.
• State schools (primary and secondary) seek a voluntary contribution from parents, voluntary being the operative word, parents do NOT have to pay it; but most do.
• There are nominal fees for 'excursions' but it is not compulsory for children to attend excursions.
• The wearing of uniforms in state schools is not compulsory, but some schools insist, it is easier to comply.
• If parents elect to send their children to private schools for religious or other reasons; such as keeping them away from the sort of people who attend State schools, that is up to them.
• The quality and culture of State schools varies enormously, to say the least.
  The best of them are just as good as private schools, and are better at preparing students for tertiary studies.
• What happens at home is far more important than what happens at school.

An article in the Daily Telegraph in December 2007 showed the rankings of 57 countries in the subjects of Reading, Maths & Science.

• In Reading, the UK was position 17, with Australia at position 7
• In Maths, the UK was position 24, and Australia at position 13
• In Science, the UK was position 14, and Australia at position 8.

The data comes from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). There is another article also at the Daily Telegraph with more information.

Education in Australia is administered by the State Governments, NOT by the Federal Government, therefore you will find that each State may have different Holidays and other rules etc etc.

(Even different styles of Handwriting to be learnt in Junior School)

eg: NSW and Queensland

Visit http://www.schoolfonts.com.au for further details.

School opening hours during the school holidays.

Just because the children are not at school does not mean the school is closed. This may be useful to you if you arrive during school holidays, but want to check out schools for enrolling the next year etc.

An example for my school (2005 In QLD) is:

Last day of school for Children is Dec 2nd, but the office is open until Dec 16th.

The Office opens again on Jan 9th, but the children do not go back until Jan 23rd

The New South Wales and Australian Capital Territories education authorities have stated that temporary 457 visa holders, and other temporary residents, are not eligible for subsidised education in Government schools.

Consequently, fees in NSW can vary between $4,000 and $6,000.
In the ACT, it is even higher at between $9,000 and $14,000.

Details of Visa numbers and related conditions applying to enrolment in a NSW Government school can be found at www.schools.nsw.edu.au
The other States: Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia and The Northern Territory do allow temporary 457 visa holders the same subsidised education that Citizens and Permanent Residents receive.
 

• State School Term Dates Note: Private schools often have different dates.
• Australian Capital Territory Education and Community Serviceshttp://www.decs.act.gov.au
• Education Queensland http://education.qld.gov.au
• New South Wales Department of Education and Training http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au
• Northern Territory Department of Education http://www.education.nt.gov.au
• South Australia Department of Education and Children's Services http://www.dete.sa.gov.au/decs_home.asp
• Tasmania Department of Education http://www.doe.tased.edu.au
• Victoria Department of Education, Employment and Training http://www.deet.vic.gov.au
• Western Australia Education Department of Western Australia http://www.eddept.wa.edu.au
• TAFE Queensland (Technical & Further Education)
• University of Queensland
• Queensland University of Technology
• QLD Studies Authority - Year 11 & 12 Overview

• Guide to every Non-Government School in Australia
• Independent Schools in Brisbane
• Independent Schools in Queensland
• Lutheran Schools
• The Australian Associations of Christian Schools
• Christian Schools Australia Limited
• National Catholic Education Commission
• Catholic School (Systemic) Fees Sydney
• The Independent Schools Council of Australia A website about Independent Schooling
• EdNA Education Network Australia Online
• The Association of Independent Schools of Queensland Inc
• Griffith University
• Brisbane Montessori School

Australian Full-Time Student Enrolments in 2003:

• Government Schools - 2,254,632 - 68% of total
• Independent & Catholic Schools - 1,063,988 - 32% of total (Independent -
  403,397, Catholic - 660,591)

Since the 1960's both the State & Federal governments have each provided funding to both State & Non-State schools across Australia.

These funding figures for 2001-2002 are about:

• Federal Government provided about $ 5.4 billion
• State Governments provided about $19.9 billion
• Totalling $25.3 Billion, or about $7,623 per Australian student.

The State schools received $20.3 billion (79%) of this figure, an average of about $9,000 per student

The Independent/Catholic schools received $5 billion (21%), an average of about $4,700 per student

Individual Independent school funding is calculated based on the economics of the area. ie: Better off areas will receive less, per student, than deprived areas, and funding can vary immensely. Hence, school fees can vary between $600 per year, to $25/30,000 per year.

In 2005-06, government schools in Victoria received combined Australian and Victorian Government funding of $10,352 a student, while non-government schools received $5,613 a student. Source

Equivalent Qualifications

A Statement of Equivalent Qualification can be issued to people who have educational qualifications from overseas that are judged by the Authority to be equivalent to Year 11 or Year 12 level.

• NSW - http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/ .../...equivalence.html
• WA - http://www.curriculum.wa.edu.au/pages/ faq00.htm#9
• VIC - http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/.../ equivalentquals.html

• School Term and Holiday dates for each State can be found at: http://www.dest.gov.au/.../ school_term_dates