Education System in WA
Western Australia follows the Australian Curriculum with schooling from Kindergarten (age 4) to Year 12. The school year runs from late January to mid-December, divided into four terms. Literacy and numeracy are assessed through NAPLAN in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9. The WA Certificate of Education (WACE) is awarded at the end of Year 12.
Public Schools (Government)
WA public schools are managed by the Department of Education. Enrolment is based on a catchment zone: you must live within the school's boundary to guarantee a place. Popular schools have strict zone enforcement.
Top-Rated Public Primary Schools
- Mount Lawley Primary School: Excellent reputation, strong music program.
- Wembley Primary School: High academic standards, active parents association.
- Carine Primary School: Top performer in the northern suburbs.
- Rossmoyne Primary School: Highly sought-after in the south.
- Oberthür Primary School: German bilingual program.
Top-Rated Public Secondary Schools
- Rossmoyne Senior High School: Consistently ranked #1 public school in WA.
- Willetton Senior High School: Excellent academic and gifted programs.
- Shenton College: Modern campus, strong STEM and performing arts.
- Churchlands Senior High School: Strong music and academic programs.
- John Curtin College of the Arts: The state's specialist arts high school.
- Perth Modern School: WA's only fully selective academic school (entry by exam).
Selective Schools
Perth Modern School is fully selective (Year 7 — 12, entry by Academic Selective Entrance Test). Seven other schools offer Gifted and Talented programs in specific subjects (academic, arts, languages). Testing is in Year 6 for entry into Year 7.
Private Schools (Independent)
Private schools charge fees from $5,000 — $25,000+/year. Many are religious-affiliated (Anglican, Catholic, Christian) but welcome all families.
Leading Private Schools
- Christ Church Grammar School: Boys' school, Claremont. Prestigious, strong academics and rowing.
- Methodist Ladies' College (MLC): Girls' school, Claremont. Top-tier academics.
- Hale School: Boys' school, Wembley Downs. Oldest private school in WA.
- St Mary's Anglican Girls' School: Karrinyup. Excellent all-round education.
- Scotch College: Boys' school, Swanbourne. Strong academics and outdoor education.
- Presbyterian Ladies' College (PLC): Girls' school, Peppermint Grove.
- All Saints' College: Co-educational, Bull Creek. Progressive curriculum.
- Corpus Christi College: Catholic co-educational, Bateman.
International Schools
For expat families, the International School of Western Australia (City Beach) offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) from Pre-K to Year 12. German International School Perth offers bilingual German-English education.
Universities
Perth has five major universities:
- University of Western Australia (UWA): Group of Eight, ranked in the world's top 100. Strong in engineering, medicine, law, and sciences.
- Curtin University: Largest university in WA. Known for engineering, mining, business, and health sciences. Bentley campus.
- Murdoch University: Strong in veterinary science, environmental science, and law. South Street campus.
- Edith Cowan University (ECU): Known for teaching, nursing, performing arts, and cybersecurity. Joondalup, Mount Lawley, and Bunbury campuses.
- University of Notre Dame Australia: Fremantle campus. Private Catholic university strong in law, medicine, and arts.
School Enrolment Tips
- Check catchment zones on the Department of Education website.
- Apply to private schools 12 — 18 months in advance: waitlists are common.
- Homeschooling is legal with registration through the WA Curriculum Council.
- School bus services are available for students living > 2 km from their local school.
Enrolment Practicalities for 2026
WA public schools are zoned by catchment: your residential address — not your preference — determines your local primary and secondary school. This mechanism matters enormously for newcomers because it means you choose your school when you choose your suburb. Before signing a lease, confirm the property's catchment on the WA Department of Education's school search tool, because the most popular public schools (like Churchlands Senior High, Rossmoyne, Willetton and Shenton College) are frequently at capacity and refuse out-of-catchment enrolments. Enrolment for the school year runs from mid-year for the following January start, and you will need proof of address (lease or rates notice), proof of identity, and immunisation records.
For private schooling, the market splits into two tiers: the elite independent schools (roughly $15,000–$30,000 per year at schools like Scotch College, Christ Church Grammar and Perth College) and the 'cheap privates' and Catholic systemic schools ($3,000–$8,000 per year) that offer most of the structure at a fraction of the price. Scholarships and sibling discounts exist but are competitive — apply 12–18 months ahead. Whatever path you choose, budget for the extras: uniforms ($300–$800), excursions, and laptops at most secondary schools.
Key Questions to Ask Before Enrolling
- Is the school at capacity? Popular catchments turn away out-of-area enrolments — ask the school directly, not the agent.
- What is the ATAR/NAPLAN picture? The Department publishes school-level data; it is a blunt tool but useful for comparing like suburbs.
- What support exists for new arrivals? Many schools run English-as-an-additional-language support and buddy programs — ask about EAL/D staffing.
- What is the before/after-school care? Most schools partner with providers; places book out early, so register in term 4 for the next year.