At School 5-18
Victoria’s government schools are there for all children. They offer opportunity, choice, cultural diversity, life skills and a great education.
These schools are supported by a strong and solid system, so you can be confident that statewide standards in education are maintained. At the same time, each school has the flexibility to tailor its programs to meet the individual needs of students and the local community.
Find out about school in Victoria, including:
- Pre-School
- Choosing & Enrolling in School - primary and secondary school, changing schools
- Life at School - homework, travelling to & from school, care outside of school hours, students with disabilities, financial assistance, voluntary contributions & charges, attendance, uniforms, communication between school and community
- Your Child's Health & Wellbeing - immunisation, healthy eating, head lice, bullying, dealing with problems at school
- Parent Participation at School
- Student Reports
- Curriculum - Victorian Essential Learning Standards, information & communication technology, languages at school
- Stages at School - Prep to Year 4, Years 5 to 8, Years 9 to 10, Years 10 to 12, VCAL - Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning, and VCE - Victorian Certificate of Education
- Careers & Planning for the Future
- Leaving School Before End of Year 12
Quick facts about school in Victoria
Most children attend primary school from Prep to Year 6 and secondary school from Year 7 to 12.
Starting school
- Victorian children usually start their education by attending kindergarten prior to starting school; this is not compulsory
- Children start primary school in Prep. Children must be five years of age or older by 30 April of the year they start school
- Children between the age of six and 16 years must attend school
Secondary school
- In Year 6, parents decide which secondary school they will send their child to the following year
- In Year 10, students and their parents decide which studies or career paths they will take for the future
- After completing Year 12, students have the option of studying at university or TAFE (Technical and Further Education) institute, doing a traineeship or an apprenticeship, or being employed in the workforce
Other types of school
There are different types of schools available including special schools, English language schools and centres, distance education, and home schooling. There are government schools, as well as non-government schools.
More information
For more information, you can contact the school directly, see: Schools Online (http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/schoolsonline) or visit the web page about Departmental Regions.