Education in Perth

If you’re moving to Perth with school-aged children, there are many reputable schools and educational institutions in the area. By Australian law, all children aged six to 17 must attend school full-time, with pre-school available for children from age four. The school year starts in late January and consists of four terms (10 weeks’ long on average).

Minimum hours for learning in Perth are as follows:

  • Kindergarten: minimum 15 hours each week
  • Pre-primary to Year 10: minimum 25 hours and 50 minutes each week
  • Years 11 and 12: hours are flexible and determined by the principal to meet student needs

There are three main types of primary and secondary school you could send your children to in Perth:

Public or state schools

Public and state schools in Australia are high-quality educational institutions where most of the costs are paid by the government. You may be asked to pay voluntary fees, however, and you’ll also need to pay for school uniforms (which are usually compulsory in Perth), as well as school supplies and extracurricular activities.

Enrolment in Perth public schools is based on location, meaning each school has a local ‘catchment’ area for students based on their address. If you’re on a temporary visa, you may be offered a different fee structure or receive grants, so check your documentation to see what applies to you.

Find out more about applying for public schools in Perth as an international student.

Independent or private schools

Private schools in Perth typically charge much higher fees than public schools (up to $25,000/year). Most private and independent schools have a religious affiliation, but there are also non-religious or non-denominational schools in the area. Some private schools also offer boarding options, as well as the International Baccalaureate.

The school year runs from January to December, with four school terms. School holidays are two to three weeks long and take place in April, July, and September. The end of year summer holidays is usually around six weeks long, although private schools generally have longer holidays than public schools. In Western Australia, school is in session Monday to Friday, generally from 9am to 3pm, although these times can vary for each school.

Catholic schools

There are many small Catholic schools in Perth known as ‘systemic’ schools. They are mainly subsidised by the government, but levy a small fee and are open to Catholic students.

Take a look at the following resources to help choose a school:

To enrol your child in a school, contact the school by telephone or in person. You will need to take your visa and entry to Australia documents, proof of their date of birth, and any papers relating to their previous education.

Universities in Perth

Western Australia has five internationally competitive universities:

School-leavers wishing to enter university in Perth will require an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) from an Australian high school or an equivalent such as the International Baccalaureate. University tuition fees range from $15,000 to $30,000.