Education

education - nsw
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education in new south wales
Children's education in New South Wales is currently organised as follows:

Pre-schoolages 3-4
Kindergartenages 4-5
Primary schoolages 6-11 Years 1-6
Secondary/High schoolages 12-16 Years 7-10
ages 16-18 Years 11-12

The school year runs from January to December.

School is compulsory, by law, between the ages of 5 and 16, ie from Years 1-10 (inclusive).
Pre-school, Kindergarten and the final two years of High School (Years 11-12) are optional.

Education in government (state) schools is free. Non-state schools and kindergartens are generally fee paying.

Your Blue Book or an Immunisation Certificate must be presented when enrolling your child from Kindergarten onwards. Children not fully immunised may be asked to stay at home in the event of an outbreak of a disease that is vaccine preventable. For information on immunisation can be found on the immunisation page of this website.
Further information on finding a suitable school in your area can be found in the sections below.

pre-school
Attendance in pre-school provides an educational environment for children one year prior to enrolment in Kindergarten. They are usually part of a primary school and offer children an insight and introduction to a school environment.

Options available:

Government pre-schools
Community run pre-schools
Privately-run pre-schools

All pre-schools are licensed and monitored by the Department of Community Services.

Most pre-schools operate in sessions of 2.5 hours each and children attend either for the morning or the afternoon session each day. Some pre-schools offer full day sessions for two or three days a week. The hours are usually between 9am and 3pm.

Pre-schools accept children from age 4 at the start of the school year, if they turn 4 before July 31 of that year. Pre-schools can get heavily booked and if you wish to enrol your child you should register your interest as early as possible (even from birth) by contacting your preferred facility directly.

Also, children in geographically isolated areas may be eligible for a pre-school program through the Dubbo School of Distance Education. Priority is usually given to those children who are likely to continue schooling via distance education.

More detailed information on facilities for children below pre-school age, such as child care, is contained within the child care page of this website and the nannies & babysitting services page.

kindergarten
Kindergarten is for children from ages 4-5 and the following options are available:

> government kindergartens
> independent kindergartens
> community kindergartens

Attendance at state kindergartens is free. Your child can be added to the enrolment list for a state kindergarten by calling your preferred school from May in the year that your child turns 3.

Independent kindergartens are usually attached to a main independent school. It is recommended that you contact the individual facilities directly to request details of the enrolment policy. Some will take names for the waiting list from birth. Some require a fee to be paid before your child is added to their waiting list.

Community kindergartens are not government controlled, but do receive some grants from the state. Fees are still payable but are generally lower than commercial and private facilities. Community kindergartens are non-profit organisations and all fees go towards the running of the centre and the facilities provided. Community kindergartens are very popular and you should put your child on a waiting list as early as possible after birth. For enrolment policy details, contact the individual facilities directly.

primary school
Primary schools provide the first six years of compulsory education. Your child can be enrolled at your local state school from late January in the year that they turn 5 by contacting the school directly. Children commence at primary school at the start of term of the year they turn 6.

For private or independent schools, it is recommended that you contact the individual facilities directly to request details of the enrolment policy and any fees payable.

secondary/high school
Secondary schools provide a further four years of compulsory education (Years 7-10) and two years of post-compulsory education (Years 11-12). Children start high school at the start of the term they turn 13.

special schools and/or special needs
If your child has special needs, contact the NSW Department of Education and Training for details of special education units in your area. Some students with disabilities, behaviour disorders and learning difficulties may also be eligible for transport arranged by the Department to and/or from school. More information is available from your Principal or local district Education Office.

home schooling
Under the Education Reform Act 1990 (Part 7, Division 9), a parent of a child aged 6 and above, and under the age of 15, may apply in writing to the Minister of Education to register the child for home schooling. Registration is effected through the Board of Studies. For more information, please contact the Open Training Education Network (OTEN) based in Strathfield on (02) 9715 8000 and ask for the Home Schooling Department.

finding a school
A full list of government schools is available via the 'Finding a Public School' section of the NSW Department of Education and Training website. The Department can also be contacted on (02) 9561 8000. Your local council should also be able to provide you with contact details for schools in your area.

Further information about independent, private schools is available from:

Association of Independent Schools New South Wales
website
ph: (02) 9299 2845
Catholic Education Commission NSW
website
Catholic Education Office, Sydney
website
ph: (02) 9569 6111

All the above organisations' websites have online directories of schools.

It is recommended that you contact any non-government facilities directly to request details of the enrolment policy. Some will take names for the waiting list from birth. Some require a fee to be paid before your child is added to their waiting list.

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