Ruqayyah Snyder
In Australia, a state school, also known as a public or government school, is a primary or secondary school that provides free education to students. State schools are funded by the government of the state, in whole or in part, through taxation, and are managed by state and territory governments. In 2023, government schools in Australia educated 64% of all students, with the remaining students attending Catholic or independent schools.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A state school, also known as a public or government school, is a primary or secondary school that educates all students without charge. |
| Ownership | State schools are owned by the state or territory governments. |
| Funding | State schools are funded through taxation and, in some cases, private income from fees and other charges. The Australian government also provides significant funding for schools, with the Commonwealth providing at least 20% of each government school's Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) as of 2023. |
| Fees | State schools are free to attend for Australian citizens and permanent residents, while private schools typically charge attendance fees. |
| Curriculum | State schools follow the curriculum frameworks of their respective states or territories, with some flexibility to include subjects such as religious education. |
| Categories | State schools can be divided into open and selective schools. Open schools accept all students from their catchment areas, while selective schools admit students based on specific criteria, such as academic merit. |
| Uniform | Most students in state schools wear uniforms. |
| Alternatives | Alternatives to state schools include homeschooling, private schools, charter schools, and other educational options. |
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What You'll Learn
State school funding
The Australian Government (the Commonwealth) provides recurrent funding for every enrolled student. In 2025, recurrent funding for schools is estimated to total $31.1 billion, with $11.9 billion going to government schools, $10.4 billion to Catholic schools, and $8.7 billion to independent schools. The Commonwealth has been providing recurrent funding for non-government schools since 1970 and government schools since 1974. The Australian Education Act of 2013 outlines the Commonwealth's recurrent funding model, which allows for more targeted allocation of funds.
The amount of funding provided to each school is based on the "schooling resource standard," which establishes a baseline amount that schools should receive based on enrolment numbers. This standard was introduced in the 2011 school funding review by David Gonski. According to Gonski's reforms, extra loadings are provided for schools and students with special needs, including students with disabilities, from low socioeconomic backgrounds, or in remote areas. The estimated baseline schooling resource standard for 2025 is A$17,565 per secondary student and $13,977 per primary student.
Despite these measures, there are still concerns about underfunding in public schools and overfunding in non-government schools. State and territory governments, except for the ACT, have not contributed their full share, resulting in the majority of public schools being underfunded. On the other hand, many non-government schools receive more than the amount specified by the schooling resource standard. The most recent national school funding agreement has set a timeline to ensure all schools are eventually fully funded, with a deadline of 2028.
State governments also provide public funding to non-government schools, as required by school funding agreements. However, the contribution to non-government schools varies, and the distribution of funds is managed by organisations like the Catholic education system, which distributes money based on its own formulas. Private schools in Australia have a higher proportion of government funding compared to countries like Canada and New Zealand. This can be attributed to historical reasons, such as the post-war baby boom that strained the Catholic school system.
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State school categories
State schools in Australia, also known as public schools or government schools, are free to attend for Australian citizens and permanent residents. They are funded in whole or in part by taxation and operated by the government of the state. State schools can be divided into two categories: open and selective schools. Open schools accept all students from their government-defined catchment areas, while selective schools admit students based on specific criteria, such as academic merit.
Open schools are the more common type of state school in Australia. They are usually found in urban areas, where they serve the local community by providing a free and accessible education to all students residing within their designated catchment areas. These catchment areas are determined by the government and are based on factors such as geographical proximity and population density. Open schools are typically large institutions with a diverse student body, reflecting the demographics of their surrounding communities.
Selective schools, on the other hand, are state schools that admit students based on specific criteria. The most common criterion is academic merit, where students are selected based on their past academic achievements or their performance in entrance examinations. Selective schools often focus on providing a specialised education in a particular field, such as science, mathematics, or the arts. These schools aim to nurture talented students and provide them with a more tailored learning environment.
It is worth noting that, in addition to open and selective schools, there are also special schools in Australia. Special schools are government-funded institutions that cater specifically to students with special educational needs. These schools provide specialised resources, facilities, and curricula designed to support the unique learning requirements of their student cohort.
Furthermore, state schools in Australia can also be categorised based on their governing structure and funding arrangements. While all state schools are owned and managed by the state or territory governments, there are variations in their levels of autonomy and funding sources. For example, section 21 schools, also known as "model C" or semi-private schools, have a governing body and a degree of budget autonomy while remaining fully owned and accountable to the state. Additionally, independent schools with low tuition fees may receive state subsidies on a sliding scale, while traditional private schools with high fees typically receive no state subsidy.
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State school curriculum
The Australian Curriculum, for pre-Year 1 to Year 10, consists of eight learning areas: English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, The Arts, Technologies, Health and Physical Education, and Languages. The curriculum is designed to provide schools, teachers, parents, and students with a clear understanding of what students should learn, regardless of their location or background. It is the responsibility of individual state and territory government authorities to implement the curriculum, which may be done differently across states.
The Australian Curriculum is progressively developed and implemented, with updates being made over time. Version 9.0, released in May 2022, will be implemented by jurisdictions from 2023. This version includes changes such as the addition of statistics in mathematics and a new specialist maths course. The English courses will focus more on language and literacy, and less on literature.
In addition to the core curriculum, the Australian Curriculum: Work Studies is an optional subject for students in Years 9 and 10. This elective curriculum provides opportunities for vocational learning and the development of work-readiness skills.
At the state level, there may be variations and additions to the national curriculum. For example, in South Australia, students work towards the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) and can choose to incorporate SACE studies with vocational education and training (VET) courses. In Queensland, religious organisations may deliver approved religious instruction programs in government schools, while in Victoria, government schools must not promote any particular religious practice.
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State school alternatives
State schools in Australia are known as government schools. These schools are public and differ from non-government schools, which include faith-based schools (such as Catholic or Islamic schools) and independent schools.
Independent schools
The independent sector includes some of Australia's largest schools, as well as a significant number of smaller schools. The independent sector differs from Catholic and government schools in the number of combined schools offering both primary and secondary education. Around 64% of independent schools are combined schools, and several offer middle school programs designed for early adolescence. The largest systems within the independent school sector are Lutheran, Anglican, and Seventh Day Adventist schools. Many independent schools provide a religious or values-based education, while others promote a particular educational philosophy, such as Montessori or Steiner schools.
Faith-based schools
Faith-based schools include Catholic and Islamic schools, but also schools affiliated with Christian denominations such as Anglican, Greek Orthodox, Lutheran, and Presbyterian.
Specialist schools
Specialist schools cater specifically to children with learning differences or special needs. These schools provide tailored support and resources to help children overcome challenges and reach their full potential.
Home education
Parents in Australia can choose to educate their children at home, following either a structured curriculum or an unschooling approach where learning is child-led and interest-driven.
Virtual schools
Virtual or online schools have become increasingly popular with advancements in technology. They offer flexibility in scheduling and curriculum, allowing students to learn from anywhere with an internet connection.
Community learning centres
Community learning centres provide a supportive environment for children to learn and grow outside of traditional school settings. They may offer classes, workshops, and enrichment activities to meet diverse learner needs.
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State school attendance
State schools in Australia, also known as public or government schools, are free to attend for Australian citizens and permanent residents. They are funded in whole or in part by taxation and operated by the government of the state. State schools are required to adhere to the curriculum frameworks of their state or territory. The curriculum framework provides for some flexibility in the syllabus, allowing for subjects such as religious education to be taught.
State schools can be divided into two categories: open and selective. Open schools accept all students from their government-defined catchment areas, while selective schools admit students based on specific criteria, such as academic merit.
The Australian school system varies across states and territories, including Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, and Northern Territory. The academic year also varies, but it generally runs from late January or early February to early or mid-December for primary and secondary schools.
Preschools, also known as kindergartens, are usually run by state and territory governments, except in Victoria, South Australia, and New South Wales, where they are often managed by local councils or private organisations. Preschool education is separate from primary school in all states except Western Australia and Victoria.
Primary school (grades 1-6) and secondary school (grades 7-10) are compulsory in Australia. In 2023, government schools educated about 64% of all students, while Catholic and independent schools made up the rest.
Senior secondary school (grades 11-12) is not compulsory, but students who complete it receive an official certificate and an ATAR score, which is used for university entrance.
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Frequently asked questions
A state school in Australia is a government-owned and managed primary or secondary school that is free for Australian citizens and permanent residents to attend. They are funded by the state and territory governments and taxation.
Private schools in Australia charge attendance fees, whereas state schools are free for Australian citizens and permanent residents. Private schools are run by local councils, community groups, or private organisations, whereas state schools are run by the state and territory governments.
State schools in Australia can be divided into two categories: open and selective. Open state schools accept all students from their government-defined catchment areas, whereas selective schools admit students based on specific criteria, such as academic merit.
