Editing Education in Australia (section)

== Primary and secondary education ==
[[File:Australian Census 2011 demographic map - Australia by SLA - BCP field 2817 Infants Primary Total Persons.svg|thumb|right|upright=1.5|People attending a primary school as a percentage of the local population at the 2011 census, geographically subdivided by statistical local area]]
[[File:Australian Census 2011 demographic map - Australia by SLA - BCP field 2829 Secondary Total Persons.svg|thumb|right|upright=1.5|People attending secondary school as a percentage of the local population at the 2011 census, geographically subdivided by statistical local area]]

In 2023, 4,086,998 students were enrolled in 9,629 primary, secondary and special schools in Australia.<ref name="abs2023edu"/> As of 2023, [[State school#Australia|government schools]] educated 64% of all students, while Catholic schools (19.7%) and independent schools (16.3%) educated the rest.<ref name="abs2023edu"/><ref name="DoE funding 2019">{{cite web|title=How Are Schools Funded in Australia?|url=https://www.education.gov.au/how-are-schools-funded-australia|publisher=Commonwealth of Australia|work=[[Department of Education (Australia, 2019–2020)|Department of Education]]|access-date=6 April 2019}}</ref> In 2023, there were just under 311,655 full-time equivalent (FTE) teaching staff in Australian primary and secondary schools.<ref name="abs2023edu"/> The major part of government-run schools' costs is met by the relevant state or territory government.<ref name="immedu">{{citation|url=http://www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/settle-in-australia/everyday-life/education/whatis.htm|title=What is the Australian education system?|work=[[Department of Immigration and Citizenship]]|publisher=Commonwealth of Australia|access-date=2010-02-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120816081219/http://www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/settle-in-australia/everyday-life/education/whatis.htm|archive-date=16 August 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>  The Australian Government provides the majority of public funding for non-government schools, which is supplemented by states and territories.<ref>{{citation|title=School Funding|url=https://www.education.gov.au/funding-schools|publisher=Commonwealth of Australia|work=[[Department of Education (Australia, 2019–2020)|Department of Education]]|access-date=6 April 2019}}</ref>

Non-government schools, both religious or secular typically charge compulsory tuition and other fees. Government schools provide education without compulsory tuition fees, although many government schools ask for payment of 'voluntary' fees to defray particular expenses.<ref name=aph>{{citation|title=Private Funding of Schools|url=https://www.aph.gov.au/binaries/library/pubs/bn/sp/schoolsfunding.pdf|pages=22–24|publisher=[[Parliament of Australia]]|access-date=6 April 2019}}</ref>

Regardless of whether a school is government or non-government, it is regulated by the same curriculum standards framework. The framework is administered by the [[Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority]].<ref>{{citation|title=Australian Curriculum|url=https://www.education.gov.au/australian-curriculum-0|publisher=Commonwealth of Australia|work=[[Department of Education (Australia, 2019–2020)|Department of Education]]|access-date=6 April 2019}}</ref> Most schools require students to wear prescribed [[school uniform]]s.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/settle-in-australia/everyday-life/education/whatforme.htm|title=What schooling and training is there for my family and me?|work=[[Department of Immigration and Citizenship]]|publisher=Commonwealth of Australia|access-date=16 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130415213947/http://www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/settle-in-australia/everyday-life/education/whatforme.htm|archive-date=15 April 2013}}</ref> A school year in Australia typically starts in January/February and finishes in December.<ref name=":2" />

=== Compulsory attendance requirements ===
School education in Australia is compulsory between certain ages as specified by state or territory legislation. Depending on the state or territory, and date of birth of the child, school is compulsory from the age of five to six to the age of fifteen to seventeen.<ref name="ied" />

In the ACT,<ref>{{Citation|url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/act/consol_act/ea2004104/s10.html|title=EDUCATION ACT 2004 – SECT 10 Child of compulsory education age—enrolment and registration|website=austlii.edu.au|access-date=19 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131190501/http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/act/consol_act/ea2004104/s10.html|archive-date=31 January 2017}}</ref> NSW,<ref>{{Citation|url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/ea1990104/s21b.html|title=EDUCATION ACT 1990 – SECT 21B Compulsory school-age|website=austlii.edu.au|access-date=19 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170114053718/http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/ea1990104/s21b.html|archive-date=14 January 2017}}</ref> the Northern Territory,<ref>{{Citation|url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nt/consol_act/ea104/s38.html|title=EDUCATION ACT – SECT 38 Compulsory school age|website=austlii.edu.au|access-date=19 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131185845/http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nt/consol_act/ea104/s38.html|archive-date=31 January 2017}}</ref> Queensland,<ref>{{Citation|url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/qld/consol_act/epa2006305/s176.html|title=EDUCATION (GENERAL PROVISIONS) ACT 2006 – SECT 176 176 Obligation of each parent|website=austlii.edu.au|access-date=19 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131190449/http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/qld/consol_act/epa2006305/s176.html|archive-date=31 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/qld/consol_act/epa2006305/s9.html|title=EDUCATION (GENERAL PROVISIONS) ACT 2006 – SECT 9 9 Meaning of compulsory school age|website=austlii.edu.au|access-date=19 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131190818/http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/qld/consol_act/epa2006305/s9.html|archive-date=31 January 2017}}</ref> South Australia,<ref>{{Citation|url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/sa/consol_act/ea1972104/s5.html#child_of_compulsory_school_age|title=EDUCATION ACT 1972 – SECT 5|website=austlii.edu.au|access-date=19 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131185834/http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/sa/consol_act/ea1972104/s5.html#child_of_compulsory_school_age|archive-date=31 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/sa/consol_act/ea1972104/s75.html|title=EDUCATION ACT 1972 – SECT 75|website=austlii.edu.au|access-date=19 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131190808/http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/sa/consol_act/ea1972104/s75.html|archive-date=31 January 2017}}</ref> Victoria,<ref>{{Citation|url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/consol_act/eatra2006273/s2.1.1.html|title=EDUCATION AND TRAINING REFORM ACT 2006 – SECT 2.1.1 Attendance at school|website=austlii.edu.au|access-date=19 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408182359/http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/consol_act/eatra2006273/s2.1.1.html|archive-date=8 April 2016}}</ref> and Western Australia,<ref>{{Citation|url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/wa/consol_act/sea1999170/s9.html|title=SCHOOL EDUCATION ACT 1999 – SECT 9|website=austlii.edu.au|access-date=19 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131190527/http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/wa/consol_act/sea1999170/s9.html|archive-date=31 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/wa/consol_act/sea1999170/s6.html|title=SCHOOL EDUCATION ACT 1999 – SECT 6|website=austlii.edu.au|access-date=19 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170110075754/http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/wa/consol_act/sea1999170/s6.html|archive-date=10 January 2017}}</ref> children are legally required to attend school from the age of six years old, until the minimum leaving age. In Tasmania, the compulsory school starting age is 5 years old.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/tas/consol_act/ea1994104/s4.html|title=EDUCATION ACT 1994 – SECT 4 4. Enrolment|website=austlii.edu.au|access-date=19 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131190516/http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/tas/consol_act/ea1994104/s4.html|archive-date=31 January 2017}}</ref> However, most children commence the preliminary year of formal schooling, in [[Kindergarten|Pre-Year 1]], between four and a half and five and a half years of age,<ref name="absyear2012"/> variously called kindergarten (sometimes called Year K),<ref>{{citation|url=https://www.education.act.gov.au/public-school-life/enrolling-in-a-public-school/enrolling-in-kindergarten-to-year-12|title=Enrolling in Kindergarten To Year 12|work=Education Directorate|publisher=Government of the Australian Capital Territory|date=n.d.|access-date=18 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/going-to-a-public-school/primary-schools/starting-school|title=Starting school|work=[[Department of Education (New South Wales)|NSW Department of Education]]|publisher=Government of New South Wales|date=14 August 2019|access-date=18 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{citation|url=https://www.education.wa.edu.au/enrolling-in-school|title=Enrolling in school|work=[[Department of Education (Western Australia)|WA Department of Education]]|publisher=Government of Western Australia|date=n.d.|access-date=18 August 2019}}</ref> reception,<ref>{{cite web|date=27 Jan 2021|title=Starting preschool or school|url=https://www.education.sa.gov.au/parents-and-families/enrol-school-or-preschool/school-enrolment/starting-preschool-or-school|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207014622/https://www.education.sa.gov.au/parents-and-families/enrol-school-or-preschool/school-enrolment/starting-preschool-or-school|archive-date=7 February 2021|access-date=7 February 2021|work=SA Department of Education|publisher=[[Government of South Australia]]}}</ref> preparation (also abbreviated as "prep"),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.qld.gov.au/education/schools/find/enrolment/age|title=Enrolment age requirements|work=[[Department of Education (Queensland)|QLD Department of Education]]|publisher=Queensland Government|date=26 September 2017|access-date=18 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Jarvis, Caitlin|url=https://www.examiner.com.au/story/4745082/how-does-tasmanias-school-starting-age-compare/|title=School starting age changes in Tasmania versus Australia|work=The Examiner|location=Tasmania|date=21 June 2017|access-date=18 August 2019}}</ref><ref name="VIC types"/> transition,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nt.gov.au/learning/primary-and-secondary-students/stages-of-schooling|title=Stages of schooling|work=Education and learning|publisher=[[Northern Territory Government]] of Australia|date=4 February 2019|access-date=18 August 2019}}</ref> or foundation.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2024-03-18|title=Enrolling in Foundation (Prep)|url=https://www.vic.gov.au/enrolling-foundation-prep|access-date=2024-11-05|website=vic.gov.au|language=en-AU}}</ref>

{{As of|2024}}, the national year 10 to year 12 apparent retention rate (ARR), a measure of student engagement that provides an indicator of the success of education systems in keeping students in school beyond the minimum leaving age, was 79.9 per cent for all full-time students in [[Year Twelve|Year 12]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2025-02-17|title=Schools, 2024 {{!}} Australian Bureau of Statistics|url=https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/education/schools/latest-release#retention-rates|access-date=2025-02-18|website=abs.gov.au|language=en}}</ref>

=== Australian Curriculum ===
{{main|Australian Curriculum|Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority}}
While state and territory governments are responsible for the regulation and delivery of school-based education within their jurisdiction, through the [[Council of Australian Governments]], the Commonwealth Government has, since 2014, played an increasing role in the establishment of the [[Australian Curriculum]] that sets the expectations for what all young Australians should be taught, regardless of where they live in Australia or their background. The development of the Australian Curriculum is based on the principles of improving the quality, equity and transparency of Australia's education system.<ref name="Australian Curriculum">{{citation|url=https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/about-the-australian-curriculum/|title=About the Australian Curriculum|publisher=[[Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority]]|date=n.d.|access-date=27 August 2019}}</ref> The Australian Curriculum, for [[Kindergarten|pre-Year 1]] to [[Year Nine|Year 9]], is made up of the following eight learning areas: English; Mathematics; Science; Humanities and Social Sciences; The Arts; Technologies; Health and Physical Education as well as Languages.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/learning-areas/|title=Learning areas|work=F-10 curriculum|publisher=[[Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority]]|date=n.d.|access-date=27 August 2019}}</ref> In the senior secondary Australian Curriculum, for [[Year Ten|Year 10]], [[Year Eleven|Year 11]] and [[Year Twelve|Year 12]], fifteen senior secondary subjects across English, Mathematics, Science, History and Geography were endorsed between 2012 and 2013. The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority has mandated the achievement standards that describe the quality of learning (including the depth of understanding, the extent of knowledge, and the sophistication of skill) expected of students who have studied the content for each subject.<ref>{{citation|url=https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/senior-secondary-curriculum/|title=Senior secondary curriculum|publisher=[[Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority]]|date=n.d.|access-date=27 August 2019}}</ref>

=== Types of schools ===
The types of schools in Australia fall broadly into two categories: [[State school#Australia|government schools]], being those schools operated by state or territory [[Government department|department]]s or [[Government agency|agencies]]; and non-government schools, being those schools that are not operated by government departments or agencies.<ref name="absyear2012"/> Non-government schools can be further classified, based on self-identification of the school's affiliation. Non-government schools are grouped for reporting as [[Roman Catholic Church in Australia|Catholic]] schools (including Catholic-affiliated private schools)<ref name="NCEC facts">{{citation|url=https://www.ncec.catholic.edu.au/resources/facts-about-catholic-education|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227011729/https://ncec.catholic.edu.au/resources/facts-about-catholic-education|url-status=dead|archive-date=2020-02-27|title=The facts about Catholic education|publisher=National Catholic Education Commission|date=2018|access-date=8 August 2019}}</ref><ref name="NCEC-schools-review-2011">{{citation|url=https://www.ncec.catholic.edu.au/resources/publications/70-ncec-submission-to-the-review-of-funding-for-schooling-31-march-2011/file|title=Submission to the Review of Funding for Schooling|publisher=National Catholic Education Commission|date=31 March 2011|access-date=12 August 2019|page=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306040314/https://www.ncec.catholic.edu.au/resources/publications/70-ncec-submission-to-the-review-of-funding-for-schooling-31-march-2011/file|archive-date=6 March 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> or private (other non-government schools).<ref name="absyear2012"/><ref name="VIC types">{{citation|url=https://www.education.vic.gov.au/parents/going-to-school/Pages/school-types.aspx|title=Types of school|work=[[Department of Education and Training (Victoria)|Education and Training]]|publisher=[[State Government of Victoria]]|date=2019|access-date=18 August 2019|archive-date=19 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190319140032/https://www.education.vic.gov.au/parents/going-to-school/Pages/school-types.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Government schools receive funding from the relevant state or territory government. Non-government schools receive funding from the Australian Government and relevant state or territory government;<ref name="absyear2012"/> and in most cases, parents are required to make a co-payment for their child's education.<ref name=aph/>

{{As of|2019}} across primary and secondary education, approximately two-thirds of all school students attended government schools; with the remaining one-third of students educated in non-government schools.<ref name="DoE funding 2019"/><ref name="absyear2012">{{citation|url=https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/1301.0~2012~Main%20Features~Primary%20and%20secondary%20education~105|title=Schooling structures|work=1301.0 – Year Book Australia, 2012|publisher=[[Australian Bureau of Statistics]]. Commonwealth of Australia|date=24 May 2012|access-date=18 August 2019}}</ref>

A small portion of students are legally [[home-school]]ed, particularly in rural areas.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.hea.edu.au/faqs.asp#23|title=How many home educators are there in Australia?|work=FAQs|publisher=Home Education Association Inc (Australia)|access-date=9 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502134742/http://www.hea.edu.au/get-started/faqs.html#23|archive-date=2 May 2013}}</ref> Part of these students supplement their education with the [[School of the Air]], an Australian government education programme to provide access to primary and secondary education for children in remote areas. Beginning in 1951 this programme initially operated through radio broadcasts, however telephone classes teaching replaced these broadcasts in 2005. From 2007 to 2009, online classes and resources were rolled out and became the primary method of learning<ref>{{citation|url=http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/school-of-the-air|title=The School of the Air and remote learning|website=Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809132551/http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/school-of-the-air|archive-date=9 August 2011|access-date=8 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-04-06|title=Distance education history|url=https://education.qld.gov.au/schools-educators/distance-education/history|access-date=2025-02-18|website=Education|language=en}}</ref>

=== Scholar performance ===
According to the 2022 PISA evaluations, Australian 15-year-olds ranked ninth in the OECD for reading and science and tenth for maths. However, less than 60% of Australian students achieved the National Proficiency Standard – 51% in maths, 58% in science and 57% in reading.<ref>{{Cite web|date=4 December 2023|title=PISA 2022 Results (Volume I and II) – Country Notes: Australia|url=https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/2023/11/pisa-2022-results-volume-i-and-ii-country-notes_2fca04b9/australia_aa76963a.html|access-date=31 July 2024|publisher=OECD|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Long|first=Claudia|date=6 December 2023|title=Australia is now in the world's top 10 academic performers – but the data paints a complex picture|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-05/pisa-international-school-rankings-in-maths-science-reading/103185468|access-date=31 July 2024|work=ABC News Australia}}</ref>