Education in Western Australia is a cornerstone of the state’s development, with schooling compulsory for children aged six to seventeen. Perth, as the capital, plays a leading role in delivering high-quality education across all levels—primary, secondary, and tertiary.

At the school level, students can attend public institutions run by the state’s Department of Education, private and faith-based schools, or choose home schooling. The culmination of secondary education is the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE), awarded to students who successfully complete Years 11 and 12.

Perth boasts a strong higher education network, featuring four public universities—the University of Western Australia (UWA), Curtin University, Murdoch University, and Edith Cowan University (ECU)—as well as two private institutions, Notre Dame University and the University of Divinity.

The University of Western Australia, established in 1911, remains one of the nation’s premier research universities and is the only Western Australian member of the Group of Eight. UWA’s stunning limestone campus is a city landmark and has produced world-renowned scholars, including Nobel Laureate Barry Marshall.

Curtin University, Western Australia’s largest university by enrolment, leads in innovation and applied research. Murdoch University, founded in 1973, is home to the state’s only veterinary school, while Edith Cowan University, formed in 1991, incorporates the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), producing many of Australia’s most notable performers.

The University of Notre Dame Australia, with its picturesque Fremantle campus, provides a unique blend of Catholic tradition and academic excellence, while the University of Divinity, through Wollaston College, strengthens Perth’s theological education landscape.

Complementing the university system, TAFE colleges—including North Metropolitan and South Metropolitan TAFE—deliver essential vocational and technical training across diverse industries. These institutions help bridge education and employment, ensuring Perth continues to cultivate a skilled and future-ready workforce.