Schools

There are government and private primary and secondary schools in Western Australia. Some schools are co-educational, and others are single sex. There is also a number of boarding schools and some specialty schools, for example in the arts or science.

Primary school takes seven years to complete and children start their education at the age of six.

Lower Secondary Education takes students through Years 8 to 10, with classes focused on eight major areas, although students can choose their areas of interest from a wide variety of subjects.

In Upper Secondary School (Years 11 and 12), students choose specialised areas of study, which will help them in their future careers or further education.

At the end of Year 12 students can choose to sit a Tertiary Entrance Examination (TEE). The TER score (Tertiary Entrance Ranking) is based on a combination of school assessment and the examinations, and a student's TER score will determine their eligibility to a university or college in Australia and internationally. Students not wishing to continue with higher education, and instead choosing to pursue a trade or other opportunities, do not have to sit the Tertiary Entrance Examination. Instead they will receive a High School Certificate as proof of their completed high school education.