Education
A wide range of educational facilities is available in Canberra. State/Territory Governments are responsible for education in Australia and are financially supported by the national government.
Government schools are financed and conducted by the ACT Government in Canberra. Fees are charged for overseas students. However, accredited children of diplomats are not treated as overseas students in Government owned primary schools, high schools and colleges.
Non-Government schools (often called "private schools") are conducted by a range of organisations. These include schools that are associated with a particular religion and non-religious schools. Non-Government schools also receive some financial assistance from Government. Most non-government schools charge fees and the fees are set by individual schools.
Pre-School
If your child turns 4 years of age on or before the 30th April, your child can attend preschool in that calendar year.
More information from:
Canberra Preschool Society Incorporated
http://canberrapreschools.org/
Primary School
Students aged between 5 and 11 years attend primary school from Kindergarten through Years 1 to 6.
High schools
High schools cater for students aged from 12 to 16 in Years 7 to 10. Successful students receive a Year 10 Certificate on completion of their studies.
College
Students complete Years 11 and 12 of their schooling at a secondary college.
Post Secondary School
Universities and Technical Colleges provide excellent post-secondary school education.
See below for further details.
School Term Dates
www.det.act.gov.au/school_education/term_dates_and_public_holidays
Schools
EXCELLENT CURRICULUM
Canberra’s innovative education system is recognised as being the best in Australia. The Third International Mathematics and Science study ranked Canberra’s students amongst the best in the world.
Schooling in Canberra provides a balanced education with opportunities for intellectual, sporting and cultural development. Schools cater for the diverse needs of a multicultural student population.
Canberra schools adhere to the nationally agreed curriculum frameworks which group subjects studies into eight key learning areas of knowledge and experience. These are English, Languages Other Than English, Mathematics, Science, Technology, The Arts, Health and Physical Education and Studies of Society and Environment.
Subjects in these key learning areas include Accounting, Art, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Chinese, Computing Studies, Design, Dance, Drama, Economics, Engineering, English, English As a Second Language, Flight, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Legal studies, Mathematics, Motor Technology, Music, Physical Education, Physics, Politics, Science, Spanish and Technical Graphics.
SCHOOL SYSTEM
Primary Schools
Students aged between 5 and 11 years attend primary school from kindergarten through Years 1 to 6.
High Schools
High schools cater for students aged from 12 to 16 in Years 7 to 10. Successful students receive a Year 10 Certificate on completion of their studies.
Colleges
Students complete Years 11 and 12 of their schooling at a secondary college.
The exciting learning environment, excellent facilities and wide range of subjects at Canberra’s
colleges equip students well for further studies and career opportunities.Students choose a pattern of study leading to the award of the ACT Year 12 Certificate. Together with the University Admission Index this is recognised in all Australian states and internationally as a major tertiary entrance qualification. Alternatively, the International Baccalaureate (IB) may be studied.
Whilst all Government schools adhere to the school system referred to above, private schools may modify the structure. For example, private schools usually combine High School and College years into a single campus.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
To make the transition into the ACT school system as smooth as possible for international students with little or no English, two options are available.
•
Introductory English Centres at both primary and secondary level prior to entry into mainstream schools.•
English language bridging programs where international students attend intensive English language classes as well as studying mainstream subjects with Australian students.For the inner-South of Canberra, schools delivering added support for English are:-
Primary school:
Southside Primary Introductory English Centre
Hughes Primary School
Kent Street
Hughes
Ph: (02) 6205 5664
Secondary School:
Secondary Introductory English Centre
Dickson College
Phillip Avenue
Dickson
Ph: (02) 6205 6334
School groupings
There are three main groupings in schools in the ACT.
(1) ACT Government Schools http://www.det.act.gov.au/school_education
(2) Catholic System Schools http://www.ceo.cg.catholic.edu.au
(3) Independent Schools www.ais.act.edu.au
Diplomatic families often require international schooling for their children. Some high schools and colleges offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) to cater for these needs.
Schools that are chosen by many diplomats include the following:-
Non-Government:
Canberra Grammar School
Co-ed from pre-school to year 2. Boys only from year 3 to year 12. IB course offered. Boarding accommodation also available.
Canberra Girls Grammar School
Co-ed from pre-school to year 2. Girls only from year 3 to year 12. IB course offered. Boarding accommodation also available.
Marist College Canberra
Boys only from year 4 to year 12. IB course offered.
Radford College
Co-ed PreKindergarten to year 12.
French-Australian Pre School
Offers French language pre-school education, age 3-5 years. Also provides before and after school care as well as school vacation programs. The Pre-School is accredited by the Agence pour l’Enseignement du Français à l’Etranger
www.frenchaustralianpreschool.com.au
Government:
Red Hill Primary School
Co-ed years Kindergarten to Year 6. IB course offered.
Erindale College
Co-ed years 11 and 12 only. IB course offered.
Copeland College
Co-ed years 11 and 12 only. IB course offered.
www.coplandc.act.edu.au
Telopea Park
Co-ed - kindergarten to year 10. IB course offered for years 7 - 10. Lycee Franco-Australian specialises in bi-lingual programs, offering French curriculum up to the Brevet Examiniation.
Narrabundah College
Co-ed years 11 and 12 only. IB course offered.
Universities
Canberra has an excellent group of Universities, with The Australian National University (ANU) having recently been named as one of the leading 20 universities in the world.
Universities based in Canberra:
The Australian National University (ANU) www.anu.edu.au
University of Canberra (UC) www.canberra.edu.au
Universities that have a campus in Canberra:
Australian Catholic University www.acu.edu.au
Charles
Sturt University - St Mark's National Theological Centre
www.stmarksntc.org.au
Other tertiary educational institutions based in Canberra:
Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) www.cit.act.edu.au
Australian International Hotel School www.aihs.edu.au
These institutions have an international reputation for providing quality educational outcomes for both local and international students.
Parenting and child care
ACT Government website on parenting and care for your children. The website has sections on emergency fact sheets, parenting, schools as communities, community services and events, and further information. For information:
Australian Government Information
Australia is proud of its high-quality and internationally recognised education system. The Australian Government maintains an extensive website on education in Australia at:
Click here to return to the Canberra page.