Education
Primary & Secondary Education
Western Australia's education system comprises government and private schools. There are approximately 300 private schools and 800 government schools ranging from kindergarten and small community schools to high private schools. Approximately 70% of students attend government schools and 30% attend private schools.
Education is compulsory from the year in which children turn 6 to the end of the school year in which they are 17 years of age. Primary school commences at year 1 and concludes in year 7. Secondary school begins at year 8 and runs through to year 12. At senior secondary school level, students intending to enter university select at least four Tertiary Entrance Examination (TEE) subjects. These subjects contribute to a student's Tertiary Entrance Rank (TER). University places are usually offered on the basis of a students TER.
The school year commences in February each year and is divided into four terms. There is usually a two-week break at the end of the first three terms and a seven-week break over Christmas at the end of the school year.
Universities & Further Education
Perth has five world-class universities: Curtin University of Technology, Edith Cowan University (ECU), Murdoch University, University of Western Australia (UWA) and University of Notre Dame (UNDA). Generally all courses are covered from Engineering, Science, Accounting to Medicine. There are many other further education institutions such as TAFE and private colleges.
Costs
The cost of attending a government school is around $250 per year while cost of attending a private school can be as low as $1,350 rising to around $16,000 per year. Further education and tertiary course prices vary.
