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Primary and Secondary School

Perth primary and secondary schools offer world-class education and excellence in teaching.

StudyPerth can help you find a place for your child to learn for their future, under the blue skies of Western Australia, while also providing a safe, encouraging environment and a sure starting point for success.

Explore your options below

Use the Department of Education's online schools directory to search all public schools in Western Australia and other information relating to:

  • School annual report
  • Student results
  • Details of local-intake areas for student enrolments

The Western Australian schooling system consists of:

  • Government primary and secondary schools
  • Private primary and secondary schools
  • Co-educational and boys-only/girls-only schools
  • Private schools with on-campus boarding facilities.

Primary education starts at six years of age. Students will usually have one teacher for most of the school day and specialist teachers for subjects such as music, art, drama and religious studies.

The primary school curriculum offers eight learning areas:

  • English/Literacy
  • Mathematics/Numeracy
  • Science
  • The arts
  • Languages
  • Health and physical education
  • Technologies
  • Humanities and social sciences.

Secondary education starts in Year 7 and runs through to Year 12. Students build on learning areas offered in primary school, and can elect to study subjects which will prepare them for future study or their chosen career.

Western Australia’s Year 12 qualification is known as the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE). 

Visit the WACE website for more information.