English as an additional language (EAL) support

• You make the decision about the type of education you want for your child. 
• Education in Tasmania is a partnership between parents, the school and the child. 
• The age when children can start and finish school is set by law. Children are required to attend school from the age of five years old until they are 18. 
• Parents are welcome in all schools. 
• Interpreters are available if parents and teachers wish to discuss a child’s progress. 

There are stages of compulsory education in Tasmania: 

• Primary Schools – Kindergarten to Year 6 (for students who are 4-12 years old). 
• Secondary (High) School – Years 7-10 (for students who are 12-16 years old). Some schools offer Years 11 and 12. 
• Senior Secondary Schools – Years 11 and 12 (for students aged from 16 years). 
• Combined (district) schools may combine all three stages of education. 

Students who receive support may be: 

• newly arrived in Australia from a refugee background or humanitarian entrant students, migrants, adopted children and students on Bridging Visas A-E (BVEs) 
• born in Australia but enter school with little or no English 
• children who speak at least one language other than English at home 
• children, whose parents speak some English at home, and whose first language skills are limited. 

An interpreter service is available at no cost to you if English is not your first language and you need help understanding the Tasmanian education system, or to find out how your child is progressing.

The cost of attending Tasmanian Government schools is kept at a minimum.  Concessions may be available if you hold one of the Services Australia Concession Cards. 

Talk to your school about costs and how we can help you. 

Wearing a school uniform from Kindergarten to Year 10 is strongly encouraged in Tasmanian Government schools. 

In Years 11 and 12 Colleges uniforms are generally not worn.

• getting your child to school on time in school hours and in school uniform
• letting the school know of any medical conditions 
• letting the school know if your child will be away from school because of sickness or appointments 
• providing food and drink for your child every day 
• taking a young child to school and picking them up from school every day 
• making sure your child does any homework if it is set. 

• keeping all children safe 
• providing education suitable to your child’s age and appropriate to their level of English 
• informing you of your child’s progress 
• welcoming you into the school community 
• providing English language support if this is needed.