Compare Japanese Curriculum International Schools in Australia

Located at 6 Ellington St, Caulfield South VIC 3162, Australia.

Prep to Year 9; Primary and Middle School divisions.

Independent school.

EAL program and English education provided by both Japanese teachers and native-English teachers; language of instruction is Japanese; individualized support is provided to meet students' needs.

Japan

There is no boarding; drop-off and pick-up are arranged by parents.

There is no uniform; wear comfortable clothing to school.

Lunch is not provided; students should bring a packed lunch.

The school is a full-time overseas educational facility under the jurisdiction of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).

The Japanese School of Melbourne delivers education from Prep to Year 9 following the Japanese national curriculum. Classes for all grades are taught by teachers dispatched from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), using Japanese textbooks to align with the 学習指導要領 (the Course of Study). English education is provided by both Japanese teachers and native English-speaking teachers, with after-school English clubs: New Comer Club for recent arrivals and English Club for more proficient students. Prep education forms the foundation of the elementary program, introducing literacy (hiragana, katakana, and the alphabet) and numeracy through play and guided activities.

NAPLAN results indicate that students perform on a par with or higher than local Australian school students, with particularly strong performance in mathematics.

The school has a Support Room established in 2023 to assist students who require special support. The Support Room provides Social Skills Training (SST) to help students reflect on their feelings and develop appropriate behaviors in various settings. It also offers learning-method guidance tailored to individual students. The environment aims to create a safe and supportive space for students who need additional support.

The school has a Support Room for students needing special support. The Support Room provides SST, individualized instruction for limited hours when needed, and guidance on learning methods tailored to each student. Admissions decisions for Support Room use are made by a Special Support Committee and the principal, based on the student's needs, the school's capacity, and input from parents and professionals. The school notes that not all cases can be accommodated due to the realities of being an overseas private school.

The school has English education consisting of English lessons taught by Japanese teachers and EAL (English as an Additional Language) lessons taught by native-speaking teachers. The EAL curriculum is designed to raise English proficiency during life in Australia and to enable use of English after returning to Japan. EAL lessons run for 3 hours per week across all year levels and include practical conversation practice, social-skills/dialogue practice, vocabulary, basic grammar, reading, writing, and speaking.

The school has a Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy and a Child Safety Code of Conduct, available in Japanese and English PDFs. It also lists related safeguarding policies such as Attendance, Bullying Prevention, and Duty of Care, among others.

1. The Japanese School of Melbourne is officially recognized by the Victorian Department of Education and is formally recognized by the Government of Japan as a primary and secondary school. It is operated by the Melbourne Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry's school management board. Admission is open to people coming from Japan as well as permanent residents. If there are special circumstances such as difficulty communicating in Japanese, please inquire in advance; some visa subclasses may affect transfer admission.

2. Trial enrollment is available at any time. A one-day trial is free; from the second day onward, trials are paid, with a maximum of ten days available. A one-day trial can be followed by a paid trial if desired. To request a trial, submit the trial enrollment form.

3. Enrollment and transfer applications are submitted through the enrollment application form. The enrollment guide provides details on procedures.

4. Tuition information is provided on the regular tuition page and the international student tuition page. Policies are available in Japanese and English. These documents define the terms of enrollment and are available in both languages.

112 Booralie Road, Terrey Hills, NSW 2084, Australia. Terrey Hills is on Sydney's Northern Beaches. The campus sits on beautifully maintained 5.7-hectare grounds and offers comprehensive bus services.

Kindergarten to Year 6 (NSW curriculum) and Year 1 to Year 9 (Japanese curriculum).

The school is non-denominational independent co-educational private school.

Learning Support.

Australia and Japan.

Non-denominational.

Comprehensive bus services.

SJIS uniforms are red and navy blue. In 2017, the girls' primary and high school uniforms were redesigned and a new PE uniform was introduced. All uniform items (excluding shoes and socks) can be purchased at the uniform shop located in the school reception during term hours (approximately 8:30 am to 4:00 pm). Primary Summer, Primary Winter, High School Summer, High School Winter, and PE Uniforms are available with price lists downloadable from the shop.

SJIS operates a Tuck Shop lunch program featuring Japanese classics and local favourites, including sushi, Japanese curry, healthy sandwiches, hamburgers, pizza and pasta. Lunch orders are placed via the Flexischools app to avoid cash on campus. During lunch, students eat with classmates and teachers in the first half, then participate in activities in the second half, with the library open for reading.

SJIS is an independent school. The senior leadership team comprises the School Board, School Principal, Deputy Principal of the International Division, Deputy Principal of the Japanese Division, and the General Manager.

Two divisions share a single campus. The International Division offers the New South Wales curriculum for Kindergarten to Year 6, with daily Japanese language lessons. The Japanese Division offers the Japanese curriculum from Year 1 to Year 9, complemented by daily English language lessons. The NSW and Japanese divisions collaborate on lessons in visual arts, physical education, music and ICT to support bilingual learning. Language programs include five 45-minute language classes per week taught by native speakers, focusing on both Japanese and English. The school emphasizes immersion and cross-cultural language development across both divisions.

There were 222 students across both divisions and 21 teachers (excluding the Japanese Division). This yields an approximate student-to-teacher ratio of 10.6:1.

NAPLAN results for Years 3 and 5 in 2023 show strong performance across domains: Reading Exceeding 15.5%, Strong 69%, Developing 15.5%, and no students requiring additional support; Numeracy Exceeding 45%, Strong 41%, Developing 14%, no students requiring additional support; Writing Exceeding 13%, Strong 82%, Developing 5%, no students requiring additional support; Conventions of Language Exceeding 24%, Strong 69%, Developing 7%, no students requiring additional support; Spelling Exceeding 22%, Strong 73%, Developing 5%, no students requiring additional support. Japanese Division join the International Division cohort to complete NAPLAN. The report notes zero students require additional support.

High school destinations include NBSC Manly Campus, Killara High School, Chatswood High School, Riverside Girls' High School, Barrenjoey High School, Ku-ringai High School, All Saints Grammar School, Davidson High School and Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School.

The Strategic Plan 2023–2027 includes staff training in gifted education (Mini COGE) and enrichment lessons for the International Division.

Wellbeing programs place student welfare at the forefront, fostering a supportive and nurturing environment that enhances achievement, happiness, and belonging. Mindfulness and resilience are prioritised, and school values such as Respect, Courtesy and Honesty are embedded across wellbeing initiatives. The Resilience Project teaches gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness to build students' mental and emotional resilience.

The school has a comprehensive Learning Support program with targeted, personalised support delivered by a qualified specialist to help all students reach their full potential. A fully qualified learning support teacher uses evidence‑based programs such as MultiLit, with teacher aides assisting in the classroom.

A dedicated EAL/D program supports students arriving from non‑English‑speaking backgrounds, delivered by a specialist. Students undergo initial assessment and participate in small‑group lessons in an EAL/D classroom with a bilingual support assistant, with additional English language learning integrated as needed.

Wellbeing includes The Resilience Project (embedded in the International Division curriculum), focusing on gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness to develop mental and emotional resilience. A school counsellor provides emotional support, available in English and Japanese.

SJIS has a Student Welfare and Child Protection policy setting out staff duties for the care and protection of children, including mandatory reporting of concerns to the Principal or Head of Division. The policy references three NSW child protection Acts and requires Working With Children Checks (WWCC) and staff training; procedures cover on‑ and off‑site activities and reporting pathways.

1. Book a tour or information session to learn about SJIS. Tours and information sessions are available to prospective families. A member of the admissions team can assist with questions during the visit. The visit provides insight into SJIS's programs, campus life and the enrolment process.
2. SJIS welcomes students of any language background and does not require prior English or Japanese proficiency for admission. Language foundations are taught from Kindergarten, and there is dedicated EAL/D support for students who need English development. English and Japanese language classes are set up in a three-tiered structure, streamed by language ability.
3. SJIS is co-educational, non-denominational, and multicultural; it welcomes all nationalities and religions. The school serves local families as well as from various backgrounds and aims to support students from diverse communities.
4. Experience Days allow families to experience a day at SJIS before enrolling, priced at $150 per day. This provides a firsthand look at daily school life and routines.
5. SJIS does not accept enrolments from international students on student visas. Parents must have Australian citizenship or permanent residency, or hold an Australian business, researcher or student visa. Tourist visas are not eligible.
6. Private tours are available if Open Days or online information sessions are not possible; interested families should contact the school.
7. For Kindergarten, apply online before June in the year prior to entry; enrolments are accepted throughout the year, subject to availability.
8. Submitting the application and paying the application fee does not guarantee placement. Applicants must undergo an assessment or interview with the Head for International Division and with the Deputy Principal/School Principal for entry into the Japanese Division, and a parent/guardian must accompany the child during the assessment.
9. SJIS offers a 10% reduction when two or more children from the same family enrol at SJIS. (See Fees for details.)
10. Contact: Email [email protected], Tel +61 2 9450 1833; Address 112 Booralie Road, Terrey Hills, NSW 2084, Australia.

30 Marapana Rd, City Beach, WA 6015, Australia

Elementary and Middle School

Full-time Japanese school; private; recognized by the Japanese government (Ministry of Education) and authorized by the Australian federal government and Western Australian government

Japan

The school is a full-time Japanese school recognized by the Japanese Ministry of Education (MEXT) and privately licensed by the Australian federal government and Western Australian government. Education follows MEXT's guidelines and provides elementary and middle school curricula. Graduates receive recognition equivalent to those in Japan. The School Management Council under the Western Australian Japanese Association operates the school; funding comes from entrance fees and tuition, subsidies from the Japanese government, subsidies from the Australian Government and Western Australian Government, and donations.

The Japanese School in Perth is a full-time school accredited by the Government of Japan and MEXT and is officially recognized as an independent school by the Western Australia Department of Education and the Australian Department of Education. The curriculum is based on the Course of Study prescribed by MEXT and the school runs primary and junior high school programs. The school shares its campus with City Beach Primary School, and some classes and events are conducted jointly with the local school. English education is provided by native English-speaking teachers across all year levels, with classes divided into three ability groups. Enrollment as of June 2024 was 33 students (26 primary, 7 junior high); the teaching staff comprised 14 teachers (9 full-time) and total staff was 17.

Approximately 2.4 students per teaching staff based on 33 students and 14 teachers as of June 2024.

Student outcomes are monitored using the National Curriculum Guidelines, with a sample of subject-level goals and achievement for Years 5 and 6; the Annual Report includes Naplan-like literacy and numeracy evaluations (NAPLAN National Assessment Program – Literacy) to indicate progress and whether goals are achieved.

The Japanese School in Perth provides a caring, supportive and safe learning environment for all students. It implements the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and adheres to the framework of a Child Safe Organisation. The school maintains an environment where children's safety and wellbeing are at the centre of thought, values and actions. It places emphasis on genuine engagement with and valuing of children and young people, and creates conditions to reduce the likelihood of harm. It responds to concerns, disclosures, allegations or suspicions of harm and expects all members of the school community to share this commitment.

English education is provided with instruction led by native English-speaking teachers. English proficiency varies by student and is addressed with level-appropriate classes. Primary 1–2 have three hours of English (ELS) per week; Primary 3–6 have four hours of English (ELS) plus one hour of Australian Learning (ACL) taught in English. Middle School combines four hours of the Japanese curriculum with three hours of English (ELS) plus one hour of ACL. ELS covers reading, writing, speaking and phonics, with three proficiency groups and lessons aligned with the local City Beach Primary School curriculum, on the same site for practical application. ACL adapts Humanities and Social Sciences for Japanese learners and is taught in English by native teachers, covering Australian history, geography, politics and economics. English proficiency tests are offered optionally; 2025 results included Level 2 (two students), Level 3 (four students) and Level 4 (two students).

The school provides a caring, supportive and safe learning environment focused on student wellbeing. It maintains safety and wellbeing at the centre of thought, values and actions and emphasizes genuine engagement with children and young people. It creates conditions to reduce harm and increases the likelihood of identifying harm, and it responds to concerns, disclosures or suspicions of harm. It follows policies related to student safety and wellbeing as core to the school's operations.

The Japanese School in Perth is a Child Safe Organisation, implementing the National Principles and adhering to child safety frameworks. It follows policies including the Child Protection Policy, Staff Code of Conduct, Student Code of Conduct, Complaints Policy, Anti-Bullying Policy and Online Safety Policy. It includes Keeping Safe Curriculum integrated into its curriculum, taught within Japanese subjects, Health & PE and English. A formal concerns and complaints process exists with a child-friendly approach and staff are trained to respond promptly in line with policy. The school enforces a Working With Children Check for all staff, and teachers are registered with the WA Teachers Registration Board; staff from Japan are recruited by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology with oversight. Online safety and ongoing professional development support staff in safeguarding and wellbeing.

1. Enrollment is generally approved after the Principal interviews and screens the applicant, and the decision is reported to the School Governing Board. The admission review is conducted primarily through an on-site interview. Enrollment cannot proceed on a tourist visa. Short-term entry of up to three months may be possible, but dual enrollment at another school is not allowed, so students must withdraw from their current school before enrolling in JSP.
2. On the day of the visit, submit the Enrollment Application and Family Environment Survey (both on the school's designated forms) and participate in the interview and any required assessments. After the Principal approves admission, pay the enrollment fee and tuition.
3. Prepare the documents as specified for admission. For transfers from Japan, provide the Enrollment Application, Family Environment Survey, passport (photo page), visa copy, and a certificate of enrollment from the previous school; for transfers from a local school, provide the Enrollment Application, Family Environment Survey, all passports, visa copy, and the local enrollment certificate or an equivalent document; for new-year primary 1 admissions, provide the Enrollment Application and Family Environment Survey, and the admission guidelines will be announced on this site when recruitment begins. Transfer-related forms can be downloaded here: Enrollment Intent, Family Environment Survey, Enrollment Application.

There is currently no waitlist as enrollment per grade is kept at about 15 students to maintain class size. If enrollment exceeds capacity in a given year, a waitlist may be implemented.