Schools

Our school students rate amongst the best educated in Australia. You can give your children the best start in life in Canberra.

Schooling in Canberra

We have a very strong and successful education system. Our children go through 5 stages in their schooling:

preschool
preparatory (or kindergarten)
primary school
secondary school (or high school)
senior secondary school (or college)

Students can attend either Government or non-Government schools. We have a diverse community and our non-Government schools cater for this well. All schools follow the Australian curriculum, but their educational approaches can vary. Parents often select a school based on:

the needs of their child
the style of education a school offers
particular strengths or specialities in a school
the family’s religious beliefs
finances

English as a Second Language (ESL)

All Government and some non‑Government schools provide English as a Second Language (ESL) and other tailored programs. Students may also attend smaller classes, particularly in areas of science, mathematics and languages.

Canberra students get great results

It’s compulsory for children to be enrolled in school from age 6. They must be in full-time education until they complete Year 10 or turn 17, whichever comes first.

Our students perform very highly. More than 80% of students in Canberra stay at school until they complete Year 12. Tertiary institutions have noted that Canberra’s international students score an average of 15–20 points higher on their Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) than in other states and territories.

Find out more about Canberra’s: