How are secondary schools structured in each state?

Western Australian students commence secondary schooling in Year 8 (generally in the year they turn thirteen years of age); Year 10 currently marks the end of compulsory schooling, and students can go on to Years 11 and 12. Students are awarded the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) on completion of Year 12.

As a result of legislation passed by the Western Australian Parliament in November 2005, the school leaving age has now been raised to sixteen years of age, and will be further raised to seventeen years of age for 2008.

Most Western Australian secondary schools cater for Years 8–12; there are also district high schools (Years 8–10 i.e. lower school), particularly in rural and remote areas, and senior colleges (Years11–12 i.e. upper school). Some secondary schools have separate lower school and upper school campuses, and some schools cater for primary (Kindergarten–Year 7) as well as secondary students.