| Australia has a well-developed education system, with | | | | compared to some other countries. Parents who have |
| very high rates of secondary and tertiary school | | | | migrated here often find that there is more of an |
| participation, and some of the best private schools in | | | | emphasis on encouraging a child's interest and |
| the world. The responsibility for schools are divided | | | | enthusiasm in learning and also in teaching them |
| between state/ territory and federal governments. The | | | | self-discipline, research and learning by discovery. |
| education system is divided broadly into five areas,o | | | | When enrolling your children in a school, you will have |
| preschool /kindergarteno primary schoolo high school | | | | the choice between public (state government) or |
| secondary collegeo public or private career / | | | | private (independent) schools. Education at public |
| vocational trainingo public or private university | | | | schools is inexpensive. The costs will include a small |
| In Australia, you usually get what you pay for in | | | | annual school fee to cover extra activities for example |
| schools. However, unlike other countries, there are | | | | school building funds (tax deductible) or library costs |
| some excellent public (state run) schools. So have a | | | | and also extras for their children such as books, |
| good look around and do your homework. Attendance | | | | uniforms and excursions. Private or independent |
| is compulsory in most states and territories until the | | | | schools set their own fee structure and receive a |
| age of fifteen, but most students stay on to complete | | | | subsidy from both Federal and State governments. |
| their high school education; year 12 being the final year. | | | | If your children are younger than school age (5) there |
| In Australia, the system of teaching and school | | | | are many full-time and part-time childcare services, |
| discipline is often viewed as quite different when | | | | although availability can be an issue. |