Education is compulsory for children from age 5 in Australia. Each state or territory has its own legislation about when children should start and end schooling. In Tasmania, every child must be either enrolled at and attending school or an approved home education program from the year after they turn 5. So if a child has turned 5 by the 1^st of January in any year, they must start Prep in that year or be provided with approved home education. If a child is 4 years old by 1^st of January in any year, they can go to Kindergarten that year.

All young people must stay in education or training until they finish Year 12, attain a Certificate 3, or turn 18 years of age. After Year 10, young people can choose to continue to Year 11 or 12 at school, college or a tertiary provider. They can also undertake Vocational Education and Training (V.E.T.) through any registered training organisation. They can seek an apprenticeship with an employer. Young people with full-time employment or other special circumstances may seek an exemption to allow them to leave education and training.

The Australian Government provides funding per student to all schools. Affordable education for children is provided through funding to government (or public) schools. Private and Independent schools attract government funding but also additional fees to be paid by the parent or guardian.

The government also provides some funding for alternative schooling such as e-school (online /digital education), special (or special developmental) schools, and home schooling.

In Tasmania, Government schools are administered by the State Department of Education. Private and Independent Schools may be self-managed, most are overseen by their registered authority or association. The Archdiocese of Hobart oversees Catholic schools in Tasmania.

To home school your child, you will need to register as a home educator, and this is managed by the Office of the Education Registrar. Phone 6 1 6 5 6 1 3 5 if you are in southern Tasmania, or 6 7 7 7 2 5 4 5 or if you are in northern Tasmania. You can also email registrar@oer.tas.gov.au.

Enrolment in government schools is managed and guaranteed according to intake (also known as catchment or home) areas.  The State Department of Education have a map of the Intake areas for local schools.  Your child/ren will be guaranteed a place in the Primary and Secondary school in your intake area. See Get Started for more information about intake areas and to view the interactive map.

You can apply to enrol your child in a government school out of your intake area, but preference is always given to children within the intake area. The process for enrolling in an out of area school involves making an expression of interest. If the school has capacity to take an out of area enrolment you will be informed by post within 14 days.

The process of choosing a school for your child and then enrolling your child in school is usually straightforward. Your experience will depend on your requirements and preferences, and whether there is a school available to match. The first thing to do is to think about your priorities and preferences.

The following questions may help you decide on your requirements:

– why are you looking for schools?

– what kind of school are you interested in?

– what are your child/ren’s needs?

– what year/grade will your child/ren enter?

– where do you need the school to be?

– what can you afford to pay?

– how involved in the schooling of your child can you be?

– do you need care facilities for before and after school and for vacation periods?

Government schools are secular (not religion based) and inclusive of students with diverse needs. Your local area will have at least one government primary school and one secondary school. They may be combined in more rural or remote areas. Most states and territories also offer College (year/grade 11 and 12) facilities with some secondary schools including years 11 and 12.

Private schools may be secular, religion- based (e.g. Catholic schools) or based on a particular educational philosophy (e.g. Steiner, Montessori, Reggio Emilia).  Some private schools align with home schooling families to offer a venue for learning to take place.

You may be looking for a school that is inclusive of students with diverse needs. There are signs or indicators of inclusive schools that you can look for:

– everyone is welcomed;

– staff and parents/carers collaborate;

– inclusion is seen as increasing participation for all;

– the school believes that all children can learn, and expectations are high for all children;

– the school counters all forms of discrimination;

– there is a transition plan for settling new students into the school, for example visits, or buddying the new student with a current student;

– the school is physically accessible to all and the school grounds support all students in participation;

– school policies and practices support inclusion, and support for students with additional needs is coordinated by someone with appropriate knowledge and skills.

A good way to find out about a school is to visit. You can enquire about visitation, open days, and whether you can observe any lessons. Schools are usually willing take you around the school grounds and to have a quick look at classrooms and facilities.

You may require care for your child before and after school, and during vacation periods.  Many schools offer Outside School Hours Care on the school premises. When inquiring about enrolment, ask the school office if Outside School Hours Care is available.

Your reason for looking for a school may be that you have moved to a different area, or you are looking to provide a different option for your child.  The process is the same, and if you remain in the government system your enrolment information can just be transferred to the new school.

When you have an idea of your requirements you can start looking at different schools and education options. A good place to start is the Department of Education for your state or territory. The Department of Education, school authorities and the schools will be willing to assist you through finding a school and the process of enrolment.