Tasmania’s public education system aims to provide a quality education and rich learning experiences for all students. We want every student to have the opportunity to achieve their potential by providing them with the skills they need for the future.

The Department of Education is responsible for education from Kindergarten to Year 12 and Vocational Education and Training (VET) delivered through schools, colleges and the Polytechnic.

There are 201 Tasmanian government schools (excluding colleges) grouped into four Learning Service areas: North, North-West, South and South-East, each managed by a General Manager. There are:

• 134 Primary schools - Kindergarten to Year 6
• 30 Secondary (or high) schools - Years 7 to 10
• 27 District high (or combined) schools - Kindergarten to Year 10
• 1 vocational school - provides students for a career in the trades
• 10 Special schools which provide education specifically for students with disabilities

There are also 8 senior secondary colleges for year 11 and 12 students. Some high and district high schools offer a limited range of senior secondary courses.

Principals and school communities use their resources to lead school improvement and work with teachers to focus on the individual needs of students. A board of principals coordinates learning support particularly for students with special and/or additional needs.

Teachers in Tasmanian government schools are required to be qualified, of good character, and registered with the Tasmanian Teachers Registration Board.

Contact details for Tasmanian government schools can be found at the government schools A-Z listing.

International programs provides information for young people who are planning to come to Tasmania from their home country to study at a government school.

School terms and professional learning days

In Tasmania, the school year is divided into three terms: see School term dates for 2011 or call the Recorded Info Line on (03) 6233 7536.

Term dates for colleges and the Tasmanian Polytechnic are different from K-10 school term dates and may vary between campuses. Please contact your child’s campus directly for more information.

Many schools have professional learning days planned for 2011. These may involve students not attending school while teachers undertake professional development.

There will also be one student-free day for moderation of student assessment in 2011. This day supports teachers to ensure that student assessments are comparable across schools. Please contact your school for details.

Starting age

School starting and leaving ages are set by law, and your child is required to attend school full-time from the age of five. This means that a child who has turned five on or by 1 January in any year must start school in that year, or be provided with approved home education.

If you feel that your child is not ready for school, you should discuss your options with your school principal. Most children, however, start school in Kindergarten when they are four (see below).

Young people are required to complete the school year during which they turn 16, and to continue participating in education or training until they turn 17.

Participation options include:

• undertaking study at a college or a district high school (Years 11 and 12)
• undertaking study at the Tasmanian Polytechnic
• undertaking an apprenticeship or traineeship
• undertaking a training course through a registered training organisation
• being home educated through registration with the Tasmanian Home Education Advisory Council.

Early years and Kindergarten

To start Kindergarten, your child must be four years of age on or by 1 January in the year in which they start. Most parents enrol their child in Kindergarten even though it is not compulsory.

Through supervised play and experiences planned by the teacher, your child will learn personal independence and confidence, and the skills for getting along with others. Children will also start to develop literacy, numeracy and problem solving skills.

Your child will attend Kindergarten for at least 10 hours a week. Because of federal funding, some schools are able to offer 15 hours per week. All schools will be funded to provide a 15 hour program by 2013. Sessions may be half day or full day. Kindergartens are part of a primary school, and are usually located at the same campus. (If child care is required to complement the school’s Kindergarten program, see more detailed information in the Child care section).

Many schools offer early years programs to support families and young children’s learning and the transition to school. These include the Birth to 4 initiative, Launching into Learning, and pre-Kindergarten sessions. Parents and children attend these sessions together.

Early entry

Children who are gifted may be eligible to start Kindergarten early. Your child must be at least three years and six months of age as of 1 January in the year they will start.

Early entry may also be permitted for a child who has previously been enrolled in a government school in another state or territory and who now resides in Tasmania.

For more information:

• contact and visit the school in your area to talk about Kindergarten and early years programs
• download the Starting Kindergarten brochure      
• see the Admissions Policy

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