Compare public, Catholic, and independent school types across Australia
NAPLAN Testing
NAPLAN (National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy) is a yearly test for all students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 across Australia. It tests reading, writing, language conventions, and numeracy.
My School website: You can see every school's NAPLAN results, student numbers, and financial data on myschool.edu.au. This is the best way to compare specific schools near you.
Public School Zoning
Public schools have catchment zones (also called "school zones"). Your child is guaranteed a place at the school in your zone based on your home address. You can apply to schools outside your zone, but places are not guaranteed.
If you hold a temporary visa (e.g. 482, 500, 600, 417), your children may need to pay fees to attend public school. Fees vary significantly by state:
Exemptions: Some visa holders are exempt from temporary visa school fees, including holders of subclass 309/820 (partner), some bridging visas, and humanitarian visas. Contact your state's Department of Education to confirm your fee status.
Permanent residents and citizens: Public school is free for Australian citizens and permanent residents. Catholic and independent school fees apply regardless of visa status.
Estimate childcare costs
Calculate your Child Care Subsidy and out-of-pocket childcare costs.
Disclaimer: School fees and policies vary by individual school and change over time. Fees shown are general guides only. Contact specific schools or your state's Department of Education for current information. This is not educational advice.