Education in
Perth and Western Australia

Cost of State School in W.A.

Although classed as free education, Voluntary Contributions of about $60-$100 per child per year are normally expected, and asked for, by every school.

Each child has to supply their own stationery, for which a list is provided detailing exactly what is required each year.

The cost of this can be between $100 and $200 each year. School uniforms can be from around $200 upwards.

School Performance Tables

• www.curriculum.wa.edu.au/internet/.../School_Comparison_Statistics

Starting School

Starting school in WA - www.det.wa.edu.au

Kindergarten and pre-Primary Schooling

Although not compulsory, most Western Australian children do attend both Kindergarten and pre-primary schools>

Kindergarten

To be eligible to attend kindergarten, children must turn four years of age by 30 June in the year they they are attending. ie: they must be at least 3 years and 6 months old at the beginning of that year. Kindergarten totals 11 hours a week and may be offered as two full days, or one full day and two half days.

Pre-Primary

To be eligible to attend pre-primary, children must turn five years of age old by 30 June in the year that they are attending. ie: they must be at least 4 years and 6 months old at the beginning of that year. Pre-Primary programs run for five full days.

Compulsory Schooling

To be eligible to attend school from year one, children must turn six years of age old by 30 June in the year that they are attending. ie: they must be at least 5 years and 6 months old at the beginning of that year.

They must turn 6 years of age or older by 30 June of the year they start Year 1.
They must turn 7 years of age by 30 June of the year they start Year 2
They must turn 8 years of age by 30 June of the year they start Year 3
They must turn 9 years of age by 30 June of the year they start Year 4
They must turn 10 years of age by 30 June of the year they start Year 5
They must turn 11 years of age by 30 June of the year they start Year 6
They must turn 12 years of age by 30 June of the year they start Year 7

• www.det.wa.edu.au/schoolsandyou/.../schooling/

Temporary Visa Holders

School Fees on a 457 Visa, Long Stay

• In WA people on temporary resident visas (and their dependant family members) generally pay the same fees as Australian students for government-funded schooling.
• Holders of the 457 Visa (Business [long stay] up to 4 years) are entitled to be enrolled in a government school under normal enrolment conditions.
  

  A full list of Visa classes that this applies to can be found on page 17 of the following PDF Document:

  • Enrolment__FINAL_18_September_06.pdf
• Holders of the 456 business (short stay) do pay school fees, as do others on this list of Visa Holders for WA:
  
  • www.eti.wa.edu.au

Useful Websites

• www.det.wa.edu.au - Department of Education & Training WA
• www.eti.wa.edu.au - Department of Education & Training WA International
• The Bubhub - Forum for Education in WA
• Woolridges Education Supplies - WA's Leading Educational Supplier for school reference books etc
  
• Schoolgauge - an independent organisation helping parents choose the school that's best for their children.

Education Comparison between UK and Australia

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

Enrolling your child for School

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 (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.
  

Overseas Education

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.

• http://www.curriculum.wa.edu.au/pages/faq00.htm#9

Costs as at June 2008 were $25.00