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Children aged between 6 and 18 are required to attend school in Western Australia. Here are some other important facts you should know.
  • The school year runs from late January to mid-December.
  • The year is divided into 4 terms with a 2 week break between each and a longer break at the end of the school year.
  • Classes have from 20 to 32 students, depending on the year level and course.
  • Schools range in size from 100 to more than 2,000 students.
  • Most schools have school uniforms.
Caring for students

The teachers and staff at our schools are trained to support the personal and academic needs of every student. They make sure students feel understood and cared for, so they can enjoy their time at school and achieve their best.

Monitoring progress

The achievements and progress of students is monitored during the school year. Twice a year, parents receive formal reports about their child’s performance. Parents can also stay up to date with progress and news using the school’s online system.

Primary education Kindergarten – Year 6

Mandatory primary school is from Pre-Primary to Year 6. Kindergarten is not mandatory. International students on a student visa (subclass 500) can only apply from Year 1. Students in primary school are inspired to learn, grow, and thrive. They are taught by experienced teachers who specialise in the learning and development of younger children. Our primary schools focus on developing essential literacy, numeracy and social skills, and provide foundational knowledge to children about the world around them.

Kindergarten and Pre-Primary education are not available to international students.

Secondary education Years 7 – 10

Children from Year 7 to Year 10 attend lower secondary school. Students build on the skills they learned in primary school and study a range of subjects. Students study subjects from 8 different learning areas, the subjects are:

  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Humanities
  • Social science
  • The Arts
  • Languages
  • Health and Physical Education
  • Technologies
Senior secondary certificate of education Years 11 – 12

Senior secondary school includes Year 11 and Year 12. This is when students complete their Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE). Students choose subjects that reflect their strengths, interests, and future career goals. Chosen subjects or courses lead to university, training, or employment.

Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) course codes
Year level Course code
Pre-Primary Education 065529G
Primary Education Years 1–6  044283J
Secondary Education Years 7–10 052150M
Senior Secondary Certificate of Education Years 11–12 025727K

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We acknowledge and respect the traditional custodians of the lands and waters on which our students live and are educated throughout Western Australia.

We acknowledge and understand that Elders, parents, families and communities are the first educators of their children and we recognise and value the cultures and strengths that Aboriginal children bring to the classroom. Aboriginal people have a long tradition of teaching and learning through sharing their connections with country, community, language and culture, and through their oral histories, stories and lived experiences that are passed from generation to generation. We recognise and value the learning that Aboriginal children bring with them from their homes and communities into the classroom.

CRICOS Provider code: 01723A

All contents copyright Government of Western Australia, unless otherwise stated.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this site may contain images of people who are deceased.
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