Primary School Overview

Our schools are equipped with modern educational facilities and staffed by qualified educators dedicated to supporting diverse your child’s needs. Student welfare is fundamental to learning. We want our students to be safe, happy, and healthy while studying in our schools.

The curriculum is designed to prepare your child for further education, with an emphasis on foundational academic skills and personal development. Victorian primary schools also cater to international students, providing additional support to help your child integrate and succeed in a new educational environment.

Primary school years

Primary schools provide a foundation of academic, English language and social learning for your child. Our Victorian government primary schools offer a:

• high-quality, supportive learning environment
• warm and inclusive community
• tailored support for international students
• comprehensive academic and extra-curricular programs such as sports, dance and theatre.

To find out more about finding a primary school and living requirements, see: Standard Student - Primary school

Preparatory (Prep) and Years 1 to 6 (with a total duration of up to 7 years) form primary school classes in Victorian government schools. Primary school students typically start at age 5 or 6 and complete their schooling by 12 or 13 years of age. International students must be at least 6 years of age at the time of application when applying for a 500 student - schools visa (subclass 500), see: Department of Home Affairs.

School timetable

Primary school takes place five days per week (Monday to Friday), from around 8:50am to 3:30pm. On a typical school day, students tend to move from classroom to classroom rather than staying in one room, and even moving outside the classroom with our interactive teaching methods.

Term dates

There are 2 semesters broken up into 4 terms in the Victorian school year. School will start in late January or early February and ends mid-December. There are short holidays between terms and a long summer holiday in December and January.

Term dates​ for most international students in the upcoming Victorian school years are: