Education

If you've decided to move to South Australia from overseas, organising the move may appear to be a daunting task.

There are lots of immigration details to sort through, items to pack and decisions on what to leave behind and what to take. Advising people and/organisations of your move and managing the paperwork will take an organised approach.

We've included some general information below as well as in the links to the left. However, for the most up-to-date information it is suggested that you use the site Services SA at which contains a ton of information to help you make the move.

Levels of Education

In South Australia, children start their schooling between the ages of 4 and 5. There are 4 different levels of schooling:

Pre-school:

Pre-schooling provides a solid introduction to schooling and social interaction for children aged between 4 and 5 years. Pre-schooling lasts for just 12 months before school and is not compulsory. Many pre-schools also invite parent participation which provides an excellent opportunity for new students and their parents to develop social contacts and friendships.

Primary School:

In South Australia, it is compulsory for children to be enrolled in primary school by their 6th birthday. Enrolments can be made at age 5. Primary schools cover the 8 year period from Kindergarten to Year 7.

The early years of primary education aim to develop particular skills by emphasising active exploration, questioning, talking, listening, reading, numeracy and expressive activity. Studies in languages, health, physical education, science, mathematics, English, society, the arts and technology are designed to extend students' learning experiences.

Secondary Schooling:

Secondary schooling covers the 5 year period from year 8 to year 12. Parents and prospective students are advised to conduct their own research to identify the school or college that best meets their needs.

Please note, there are 'zones of entitlement' for each public school. Only students living in a particular zone are considered eligible to attend a particular public school. Information about school zones can be found by typing 'school zones' into the search facility at www.decs.sa.gov.au.

If you wish to enrol your child in a private school, there are no zone restrictions.

Tertiary Education:

South Australia has 8 Institutes of Technical and Further Education (TAFE) and three Universities.

TAFE

The TAFE Colleges provide more than 300 vocational education and training courses designed to meet the demands of the workforce. More than 600 Registered Training Organisations also offer accredited training programs in a wide range of subjects.

TAFE Colleges offer intensive and part-time 'English as a Second Language' programs for adult migrants. The Adelaide Institute of TAFE delivers the Adult Migrant English Program for newly arrived migrants throughout the State.

Some courses require the completion of 12 years of schooling with studies at senior secondary level. Relevant work experience or post secondary vocational studies are also taken into consideration.

Students without the required level of English may have to complete an intensive English course before commencing studies.

To find out more, contact:

TAFE Education
Shop 4, Da Costa Arcade
68 Grenfell Street
ADELAIDE SA 5000

Telephone: +61 8 8463 6300
Facsimile: +61 8 8463 6319

Email: tafeinfo@saugov.sa.gov.au
Website: www.tafe.sa.edu.au

UNIVERSITY

Study in Adelaide - Australia's Best Learning Environment - http://www.studyadelaide.com

There are three well regarded Universities in Adelaide:

University of Adelaide
SA 5005 AUSTRALIA

Telephone: +61 8 8303 4455

Website: www.adelaide.edu.au

Flinders University
GPO Box 2100
ADELAIDE SA 5001

Telephone: +61 8 8201 3911
Facsimile: +61 8 8201 3027

Website: www.flinders.edu.au

University of South Australia
GPO Box 2471
ADELAIDE SA 5001

Telephone: +61 8 8302 6611
Facsimile: +61 8 8302 2466

Website: www.unisa.edu.au

There are 4 terms in the school year with a holiday period in between each term. Term dates can differ between public and private schools.

Educational Institutions

There are 3 main types of education in South Australia:

Public Schooling:

Public education is funded by the Australian Government and provides free tuition for all students. A compulsory school fee of up to AU$161 is charged each year – but only to cover the cost of necessities such as libraries, sporting fees and books. Public schools offer innovative, advanced and diverse curricula – and most are co-educational.

Catholic Schooling:

South Australia also has a number of schools that are privately run and subsidised by the Catholic Education Office.

To find out more, contact:

SA Commission for Catholic Schools
116 George Street
THEBARTON SA 5031

Telephone: +61 8 8301 6600
Facsimile: +61 8 8301 6611

Website: www.ceo.adl.catholic.edu.au

Private Schooling

South Australia also boasts a number of independent, privately owned schools for which tuition is charged. To find out more, contact:

Association of Independent Schools of SA
301 Unley Road
MALVERN SA 5061

Telephone: +61 8 8179 1400
Facsimile: +61 8 8373 1116

Website: www.ais.sa.edu.au

English as a Second Language (ESL) Intensive English Language Programs for newly arrived students from non-English speaking backgrounds are available in various schools.

To find out more, contact:

ESL Program - (Languages and Multicultural Education Portfolio Group)
31 Flinders Street
ADELAIDE SA 5000

Telephone: +61 8 8226 3492

OR

Languages and Multicultural Resource Centre
Robson Road
HECTORVILLE SA 5073
Telephone: +61 8 8366 8532