Types of schools in Queensland
There are schools in three different sectors in Queensland:
- government schools — visit the Department of Education website for further information
- independent schools — visit the Independent Schools Queensland website for further information
- Catholic schools — visit the Queensland Catholic Education Commission website for further information.
Secondary school structure in Queensland
Students usually begin their secondary education in Year 7 (average age 11–12 years) and can continue until Year 12 (average age 17–18 years).
In Queensland, it is compulsory for students to stay at school until they finish Year 10 or turn 16, whichever comes first.
Then young people must be ‘learning or earning’ for another two years or until they:
- gain a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) or Certificate III or above vocational qualification
- turn 17.
Transfer to a school in Queensland
Information for students transferring to Queensland for their secondary school studies can be found on the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority website.
