The Australian education system

The schools in Australia are broadly divided into two categories, government schools and non-government schools (private schools). Non-government schools are classified as either Catholic schools or independent schools. Most independent schools have a religious affiliation, but some are non-denominational. All government schools are non-denominational.

Schools in Australia are also classified on the basis of whether they are single gender or co-educational. Although the majority of the school are co-educational, some Catholic and independent schools are single gender, generally at the secondary level.

Australian kids start preparatory school at an age of four or five in order to start primary school by age six. This is followed by secondary school (often called high school). Students generally spend 13 years at school in Australia (including prep school). Further studies can be continued at Universities or TAFE (Technical and Further Education).

Choosing the right school is very important and if you are new at it you will need some professional advice. Regent Consulting specialises in advising parents about school choice. Their unique, independent service will provide peace of mind, save you time and money and make sense of all the marketing material that you have collected. They will demystify the whole process and provide you with the ability to make an informed decision.

They help a wide range of individuals and families, ranging from Melbourne based families requiring guidance, to those newly arrived from overseas and interstate and have been able to successfully help many families clarify exactly what they want in a school and point them in the right direction. Apart from helping parents choose the right school, Regent consulting also conducts culture audits for organisations as well as health and wellbeing assessments.