School Uniform - By Country - Australia

Australia

Almost all private and all Catholic schools, in all Australian states, have a compulsory uniform policy. Most government high schools have compulsory policies, although it is sometimes less enforced in primary schools that have uniforms. Uniform and appearance is generally strictly enforced in Private and Catholic schools whilst to a lesser degree in the Public system.

For boys, the uniforms generally include a button-up shirt and together with either short trousers (especially for summer wear) or long trousers, usually in grey. Most schools will only allow boys to wear shorts in younger years, and wear pants around the age of puberty (13–14 years). However at some schools boys wear shorts in summer due to the heat. Where short trousers are to be worn, long (knee-length) socks in school colors are often required.

In government schools, the uniform is usually a dark-colored polo/shirt for juniors and a white one for seniors and dark-colored trousers or a skirt. This may be followed by a school tie for boys, a jumper or a blazer in the case that it is a shirt or blouse. In the summer, boys do not wear ties, pullovers to blazers. Instead, they just wear a short-sleeved version of the shirt and short trousers. Girls wear a dress in the school colors along with not wearing a pullover or blazer.

A Necktie is also usually compulsory for boys and for girls in private schools. Blazers are also common in Catholic and Private schools. Girls' uniforms generally include a checkered or striped dress for summer and in most secondary schools, girls wear a skirt as well as a button-up in winter with a blazer and tie. Students often wear a sports uniform for physical education including a sports top and shorts for summer and in winter they have tracksuit jackets and pants. Most private schools have a strict policy about this and even have school socks with white shoes while Government schools do not have a specific sport uniform except for a sports shirt.

In private schools a phsyical education uniform is the norm. It usually consists of shorts and a polo, as well as a spray jacket and long sports pants for winter and wet weather and sometimes netball skirt for girls. It is common for students in their final year of primary school or secondary school to have their own hoodie/jumper to denote their final-year status. It is also becoming increasingly common for students in their final year of secondary school to have a slightly distinctive uniform to the other students such as a different tie, or different colored ribbon in girls hair.