About Primary School education in Tasmania
Australia’s education system has a great reputation and the foundation for this is laid in Primary School. Tasmania’s Government education system aims to provide rich learning experiences for all students. Primary School provides a strong emphasis on basic skills in literacy, numeracy and IT, but teachers also seek to work with children and their families to develop a student’s sense of self-worth and the values they need for life in a global society.
Primary Schools also have a focus on health and physical education, with regular sports including learning to swim. Excursions, extra tuition and out of school activities are all made available.
International students in Primary School must be living in Tasmania with a relative or legal guardian, although study tours are also available. All learning is in English and international students are completely integrated with local students, with English and an Additional Language (EAL) and academic support provided on campus.
With all Australian schools progressively implementing the national Australian Curriculum, you can be confident that children in Tasmania will be given the same learning opportunities as any other child in the country.
More information
Tasmanian students must complete 12 years of school to achieve a nationally recognised secondary school certificate, just like the rest of Australia. The Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE) begins with 6 years of Primary School (also known as elementary school in some countries), which usually starts from age 5. After Primary School, students continue to High School.
International students are welcome to enroll in Tasmanian Primary Schools, but homestay is not available. It is a visa requirement that all students must be living with a legal guardian at all times (study tours are exempt from this rule). Typically, students will study at the Primary School that is closest to their home.
Students normally attend the school that is closest to their residential address. If a different school is required, the guardian must contact that school directly to see whether or not they can be accepted.
Most schools require students to wear a uniform. •Teaching is secular, but religious education is available on a voluntary basis.
There is no formal English language requirement for enrolling in a Tasmanian Primary School, but all students will go straight into English-speaking classrooms, mixing with Australian students. So as a part of their application, all students will need to demonstrate that they can speak some English. All schools offer EAL support on campus, so there are no separate English language centres that segregate the international students. Instead, everyone learns through immersion in English.
There are also visa restrictions on Primary School students from some countries. •Dependent children of international visitors who are in Tasmania for work or study can be enrolled in Tasmanian Primary Schools.
For details see the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s website.