COVID-19: State-by-state guide to Australian schools in term two

Schools across Australia will move to online learning in term two, but the arrangements differ in each state and territory.

What will term two look like for school students across Australia? Picture: Getty Images

Schools in most states and territories across Australia will move to online learning in term two.

While some have not yet announced their plans, here is a summary of school programs confirmed so far.

New South Wales
Term 2: April 27 – July 3
While public schools remained open, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian encouraged parents to keep their children home if they could in term one.
The Premier said she would have more to say about whether schools would operate in term two “in the next little while” at a press conference last Wednesday, and that she did not want to pre-empt future arrangements.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Picture: AAP

Victoria
Term 2: April 14 – June 26
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced on April 7 that all schools would continue to operate remotely, with free internet access and laptops provided to students in need.
The premier confirmed that on-site learning would be available only to children whose parents could not work from home.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews. Picture: Nicole Cleary

Queensland
Term 2: April 20 – June 26
On April 13 the Queensland government announced students will move to a “home based” learning model for the first five weeks of term.
A decision about the model for the remainder of term two will be confirmed in mid-May.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: Steve Pohlner

South Australia
Term 2: April 27 – July 3
Schools will remain open in South Australia, although parents are able to keep their children home and participate in online learning.

South Australian Premier Steven Marshall. Picture: AAP

Australian Capital Territory
Term 2: April 28 – July 3
All schools will be moved to remote learning from term two in the ACT. A small number of schools will remain open for children who can’t stay home.

Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory Andrew Barr. Picture: AAP

Western Australia
Term 2: April 28 – July 3
Children are encouraged to stay home, with class offered online. A “longer term” education model will be developed in the school holidays for terms two and three, with an announcement yet to be made.

WA Premier Mark McGowan. Picture: AAP

Tasmania
Term 2: April 28 – July 3
All schools are offering remote learning, but schools will be open for those parents who have no other option.

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein. Picture: Chris Kidd

Northern Territory
Term 2: April 20 – June 26
Schools were preparing to move to “flexible learning” in term two. Students were expected to continue to attend until April 6 when teachers began “professional development”.

NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner. Picture: Che Chorley