Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Tasmania has quietly established itself as one of Australia’s most interesting territories for families seeking a high-level international education. On this island with a preserved environment, the educational offering combines a robust public system, some highly performing private institutions, and several schools offering the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB). All within a setting where safety, cost of living, and city size remain reasonable, far from the frenzy of Sydney or Melbourne.
This article compares Tasmania’s best international schools by analyzing rankings, TCE and ATAR results, International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, and support conditions for foreign students. It serves as a resource for expatriate parents, local families, and international high school students looking to navigate this educational landscape.
How are schools in Tasmania evaluated?
Before examining specific names, it is crucial to understand the indicators used to qualify a “good” school in Tasmania. Several systems coexist and complement each other.
This is the number of students among the top TCE results that some high school rankings highlight.
Specialized websites like Better Education publish ranking tables, sometimes cross-referenced with other indicators like ICSEA (Index of Community Socio‑Educational Advantage), which reflects the socio-educational profile of families in a school district. Other platforms, like SchoolMyKids or Edarabia, aggregate information on fees, programs (Australian Curriculum, IB, Cambridge, etc.), admission conditions, and facilities.
In this context, international or globally-oriented schools in Tasmania stand out either by offering IB programs, by very strong academic results coupled with a clear commitment to welcoming foreign students, or by both.
The Pillars of International Education in Tasmania
The Tasmanian landscape is built on three main groups: public schools in the International Student Program, a few large private schools that serve as academic powerhouses, and a core of IB World Schools run by independent institutions.
The decisive role of Tasmanian public schools
Tasmanian public schools have been welcoming international students since the 1980s. The government has structured a genuine “international offering” around its International Student Program, managed by Tasmanian Government Education International and the Department for Education, Children and Young People.
Over 120 primary schools and 18 public high schools are accredited for this program, located in the island’s main cities: Hobart, Launceston, and Devonport. All follow the Australian Curriculum, with a characteristic division: Primary School from Prep to Year 6, Junior High School (Years 7–10), then Senior High School/College (Years 11–12).
For a foreign student, the public network in Tasmania offers strong linguistic immersion with over 97% local students, and access to academic excellence, with six of the state’s ten best high schools. Furthermore, over 98% of international high school graduates from these schools who apply to an Australian university receive an admission offer.
Specialized public high schools (Hobart College, Launceston College, Elizabeth College, Rosny College, Don College, Newstead College, Hellyer College, etc.) offer over one hundred subjects at the Senior High level, with the possibility of aiming for the ATAR via a set of Level 3 “pre-tertiary” courses. For students whose English is still developing, an intensive English Preparation Program is available at Kingston High School (Hobart) and Prospect High School (Launceston), combining 60% language classes and 40% general subjects.
While these are not “international” schools in the IB sense, these institutions form the backbone for welcoming students from around the world to Tasmania.
Top private schools: Friends’, Hutchins, Collegiate, Grammar…
Alongside the public sector, certain independent or Catholic private schools play a key role in high-end academics and often in welcoming foreign students. Among them, several names consistently appear in rankings and analyses: The Friends’ School, The Hutchins School, St Michael’s Collegiate School, Launceston Church Grammar School, Scotch Oakburn College, Fahan School.
The Friends’ School in Tasmania is often ranked as the state’s best high school, with remarkable results such as a median ATAR of 92.20 and over 13% of its students achieving an ATAR above 99. This excellence is explained by the quality of its teaching staff, the flexibility of its curriculum, and an environment strongly focused on success, while placing equal importance on student well-being and extracurricular activities.
Other private institutions achieve excellent results in lists of the best high schools based on NAPLAN scores and ICSEA. Fahan School, for example, tops one ranking based on average NAPLAN (504.8) and a high ICSEA (1149), ahead of St Michael’s Collegiate School, The Hutchins School, and Friends’. Another list for Hobart also ranks Fahan School as the best secondary school in the city.
Fees reflect this positioning. Launceston Church Grammar School charges, for senior secondary, over 30,000 AUD per year in tuition, plus compulsory fees (levies), potential boarding (approximately 25,000 AUD), a capital contribution, and a not insignificant uniform budget. Hutchins and St Michael’s Collegiate are around 38,000 AUD in annual tuition fees for secondary, with boarding costs close to 26,000 AUD.
The high tuition fees, comparable to those of major private schools in Sydney or Melbourne, are explained by several factors: smaller class sizes, high-end facilities, varied enrichment programs (music, sports, arts, leadership programs) and, for some institutions, the offering of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.
IB schools: The heart of the truly “international” offering
From the perspective of families explicitly seeking a homogeneous international curriculum, recognized worldwide, it is the IB World Schools that draw attention. In Tasmania, there are three: Southern Christian College, The Friends’ School, and Launceston Church Grammar School, with different authorization levels.
The International Baccalaureate Organization, based in Geneva, authorizes schools to offer four distinct programs: Primary Years Programme (PYP, ages 3–12), Middle Years Programme (MYP, ages 11–16), Diploma Programme (DP, ages 16–19) and Career‑related Programme (CP, ages 16–19). These programs are designed to develop curious, knowledgeable, sensitive students capable of understanding different viewpoints while working to demanding assessment standards. They are recognized for university entrance in many countries, including Australia where the IB score is converted to an equivalent ATAR.
The table below summarizes the main IB schools in Tasmania and the programs they offer.
| School | Location | Type of Institution | IB Programs Offered | Other Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Christian College | Kingston (Kingborough) | Co-educational Christian school, day | PYP, MYP, DP | Australian Curriculum |
| The Friends’ School | North Hobart | Co-educational school, day & boarding | PYP, DP (and MYP mentioned elsewhere) | Australian Curriculum |
| Launceston Church Grammar School | Launceston / Newstead | Co-educational school, day & boarding | DP | Australian Curriculum |
Families considering an international trajectory (return to another country, frequent mobility, entry into a university in Europe or North America) will find familiar curricular benchmarks in these IB schools, while benefiting from the Tasmanian setting.
Focus on the main international schools
In a landscape where dozens of institutions display excellent results, certain schools stand out more clearly by their “international” profile – either through a IB curriculum, or through their academic performance and structured welcome for foreign students.
The Friends’ School: The academic and international heavyweight
Located in North Hobart, The Friends’ School is a co-educational school offering programs from kindergarten to the end of secondary school, with four sections (pre-preparatory, preparatory, senior, “sixth form”). It welcomes day and boarding students, placing it at the forefront of possible choices for expatriate families or those living in more remote regions of the island.
Academically, Friends’ consistently occupies the top positions in Tasmanian rankings. A specialized guide designated it as the state’s best high school for a recent year, with a median ATAR of 92.20 and a very high proportion of students in the ATAR 99+ bracket. The school also appears in rankings based on top TCE scores as well as those based on overall quality (NAPLAN, ICSEA).
The institution offers the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for all primary years and the Diploma Programme (DP) at the end of secondary school. The DP, consisting of six subject groups and a core (Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, Creativity/Activity/Service), can be taken alongside the Australian TCE and provides access to international universities.
The combination of an excellent ATAR success rate, a solid IB, and a boarding offering makes Friends’ an almost essential choice for those seeking the “best of both worlds”: national and international recognition.
Launceston Church Grammar School: Tradition, IB, and boarding in the North
In Launceston, Tasmania’s second city, Launceston Church Grammar School occupies a position comparable to Friends’ in the South. A co-educational school offering day school and boarding, it is authorized to offer the IB Diploma Programme, in addition to the Australian Curriculum. The IB here is set within a very structured framework, with fees and services at the level of major Australian private schools.
Detailed data on 2025 fees provide a glimpse of the positioning:
| Level | Annual Tuition (AUD) | Annual Levy (AUD) | Annual Boarding (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary (Years 5–6) | 25,704 | 6,426 | 25,463 |
| Junior Secondary (Years 7–8) | 28,351 | 7,088 | 25,463 |
| Junior Secondary (Years 9–10) | 28,476 | 7,119 | 25,463 |
| Senior Secondary (Years 11–12) | 30,450 | 7,613 | 25,463 |
To these amounts are added application fees, a capital fee of 2,000 AUD, and an estimated uniform budget of about 1,800 AUD. The school does offer sibling discounts (10% for the second child, more for subsequent ones), which can make the option more affordable for some families.
Launceston Grammar School distinguishes itself through its academic performance and unique educational offering in northern Tasmania.
The school regularly ranks among the high schools with the best TCE (Tasmanian Certificate of Education) results and in rankings of Tasmania’s best private schools.
The institution offers the International Baccalaureate (IB DP), providing a globally recognized curriculum.
A well-organized boarding program is offered, providing comprehensive support for students.
Located in northern Tasmania, it represents an interesting alternative to Friends’ School for families in Launceston and the North and North-West regions.
Southern Christian College: A complete IB pathway in a more accessible setting
In Kingston, south of Hobart, Southern Christian College offers a different but equally interesting profile for families prioritizing the complete IB curriculum (PYP, MYP, DP) in a more intimate setting. A co-educational day school, it is an IB World School that combines IB programs with the Australian Curriculum.
One of Southern Christian’s strengths lies in the educational continuity from PYP to DP, allowing a child to progress through their entire schooling within the same IB conceptual framework. Internationally mobile families often appreciate this consistency, especially when comparing very different systems (European national baccalaureate, American AP, Cambridge IGCSE, etc.).
Even if Southern Christian does not rank as high as Friends’ or Fahan in rankings focused on ATAR or NAPLAN results, its niche positioning – full IB, Christian environment, modest scale – can be decisive for certain profiles: families seeking a tighter-knit community, students needing a more personalized setting.
Fahan, Hutchins, Collegiate: Excellence without IB, but with a strong international dimension
Three other names deserve particular attention from an international perspective, even if they don’t all offer IB programs: Fahan School, The Hutchins School, and St Michael’s Collegiate School.
Fahan School, located in Lower Sandy Bay, is regularly ranked first by combining NAPLAN scores (average of 504.8) and ICSEA (1149). It also tops rankings of Hobart’s best high schools. Despite the absence of the IB program, its academic excellence, reputation, and attentive environment (a small, high-end school) make it an attractive choice for families aiming for Australian or English-speaking universities, where the ATAR remains the benchmark.
The Hutchins School, a boys’ school in Sandy Bay, is often described as prestigious, but with slightly more reasonable fees than some private competitors in other Australian states. Rankings regularly place it among Tasmania’s best institutions, especially in approaches mixing NAPLAN, ICSEA, and TCE performance. Hutchins also offers boarding, broadening its appeal to distant or foreign families.
St Michael’s Collegiate School, a girls’ school in Hobart, combining day school and boarding, also ranks well in listings. It appears notably in lists of best private schools and in some analyses of “top international schools” in Tasmania, due to its openness to foreign students and its links with major Australian universities.
Even if these schools do not all offer an IB curriculum, their TCE results, the high proportion of students achieving high ATARs, and the welcome of many international students make them central players in “de facto international” education in Tasmania.
The best high schools according to TCE and ATAR results
Beyond the IB universe alone, it is useful to examine the overall performance of high schools based on TCE results. A recent ranking lists schools based on the number of students in the “Top 100” of the best TCE results. It includes both public and private institutions.
| Rank (by number of top ~100 TCE) | School | Number of students in the top ~100 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hobart College | 21 |
| 2 | Launceston College | 11 |
| 3 | The Friends’ School | 11 |
| 4 | The Hutchins School | 11 |
| 5 | St Michael’s Collegiate School | 6 |
| 6 | Elizabeth College | 6 |
| 7 | Marist Regional College | 5 |
| 8 | Scotch Oakburn College | 5 |
| 9 | Rosny College | 4 |
| 10 | St Patrick’s College | 3 |
| 11 | Launceston Church Grammar School | 3 |
| 12 | Leighland Christian School | 2 |
| 13 | Fahan School | 2 |
| 14 | Newstead College | 2 |
| 15–21 | Various institutions (1 each) | 1 |
The massive presence of Hobart College and Launceston College at the top reminds us of the weight of public high schools in Tasmanian academic performance. The Friends’ School, The Hutchins School, St Michael’s Collegiate, Fahan, and Launceston Church Grammar confirm their status as very high-level private schools.
For a family seeking a broad-sense “international” education – that is, a high probability of university access, strong English skills, and a school environment open to students from around the world – these institutions represent the cream of the crop.
The Tasmanian government’s international program
Beyond private schools, the other key component of Tasmania’s international offering is the public program for welcoming foreign students. These are not IB programs, but highly structured pathways allowing students to follow the Australian Curriculum, from primary school through to Senior High School, with a multitude of support services.
A clear and legible school structure
The Tasmanian education system is divided into three main stages: Primary School (Prep–Year 6), Junior High School (Years 7–10), and Senior High School/College (Years 11–12). International students can enroll in:
– a Primary School Program (Prep to Year 6),
– a Junior High School Program (Years 7–10),
– a Senior High School Program (Years 11–12),
– a Study Abroad Program from 3 to 12 months,
– or short-term group Study Tours.
Percentage of international high school graduates from Tasmanian public schools who receive a university admission offer in Australia.
Flexible admission and language criteria
To enter public programs, academic requirements remain reasonable. For primary school, there is no minimum level in English or core subjects. For secondary school, an average of 60% in core subjects (English, Mathematics, Science) over the previous two years is required.
Regarding language, entry into Junior High School does not require a minimum English level, which is rare at this level in many countries. For Senior High School, an IELTS score of 5.0 or equivalent is required, knowing this requirement can also be met by two years of study in an English-language school.
For students not meeting language criteria, a 20-week English Preparation Program is available at Kingston High and Prospect High schools. Several English tests are accepted for admission, including IELTS, the Duolingo English Test, Oxford Placement Test, TOEFL iBT, and AEAS. This flexible system facilitates the gradual integration of students from diverse educational systems into the Tasmanian school system.
Highly supervised welcome and support
One of the major strengths of the Tasmanian public network is the level of supervision for international students. Each institution has an International Student Advisor (ISA), the first point of contact for academic difficulties, daily life questions, or administrative procedures. A 24/7 emergency number is available, and a “buddy” system often allows a new arrival to be mentored by a local student.
Homestay accommodation is organized directly by the government for students in Years 9 to 12, sometimes from Year 7. Families are selected and inspected. They provide a furnished private room, a workspace, all meals, and internet access. The program also includes airport pickup service, help opening a bank account and phone line, and legal guardianship for minor students.
Cost-wise, tuition fees in public schools remain significantly lower than in private ones. For 2025, a primary student pays about 14,200 AUD per year, a Junior High School student 13,800 AUD, and a Senior High School student about 14,900 AUD. Homestay accommodation is around 340 AUD per week (Years 9–12), in addition to mandatory Overseas Student Health Cover (about 730 AUD per year) and administrative fees.
For families coming from countries where private international school is very expensive, this Tasmanian public option can represent an interesting compromise: quality education, safe environment, costs significantly lower than private IB, while offering full Australian academic recognition.
Choosing between IB, ATAR, and public pathways: Decision factors
Faced with this multiple offering, how can a family find their way? Several criteria can guide the choice, depending on the situation and objectives.
If the priority is to ensure maximum international recognition, via a unique diploma valid in Europe, North America, and Asia, IB schools (Friends’, Southern Christian, Launceston Grammar) are logically at the top of the list. The Diploma Programme indeed allows entry into most universities worldwide, sometimes with advanced credits for top results.
This is the exceptionally high ATAR score achieved by some Hobart College students in Tasmania.
The table below illustrates the diversity of these profiles.
| School / Type | Main Specificity | “International” Orientation |
|---|---|---|
| The Friends’ School (private, IB) | Median ATAR > 90, IB PYP/DP, boarding | Strong: IB + high ATAR + welcoming foreign students |
| Launceston Church Grammar (private, IB) | IB DP, boarding, very good TCE results | Strong: IB + boarding + TCE results |
| Southern Christian College (private, IB) | Full PYP/MYP/DP, Christian setting | Medium to strong: Full IB + Australian Curriculum |
| Hobart College (public) | Largest number of top TCE students, STEM excellence | Strong: TCE results, strong openness to internationals |
| Launceston College (public) | Very many subjects, advanced STEAM | Strong: large student body, welcoming internationals |
| Fahan School (private) | Top NAPLAN/ICSEA, small structure | Medium: high academic performance |
| The Hutchins School (private) | Prestigious, boarding, good rankings | Medium: strong openness, no IB |
| St Michael’s Collegiate (private) | Very good results, girls, boarding | Medium: good international reputation |
To these elements are added more practical considerations: location (Hobart vs Launceston), possibility of boarding or not, type of institution (co-educational, girls, boys), class size, discipline and uniform policy, extracurricular offerings (sports, music, arts, clubs).
An attractive living environment for international students
Beyond the numbers, Tasmania also sells a lifestyle. The island is often presented as safe, with one of the lowest crime rates among Australian capital cities (Hobart). The air is reputed to be particularly pure, the drinking water clean, and almost half the territory is protected as national parks or reserves.
Tasmania enjoys a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, with mild summers (about 24°C) and cool winters (average maximum 14°C). Its medium-sized cities avoid the overcrowding of major metropolises while offering complete infrastructure: public transport (buses with discounted student fares), cultural centers, and sports clubs.
For international students, the opportunity to work part-time (generally recommended at less than 10 hours per week during school terms) in sectors like hospitality, tourism, or retail allows them to gain autonomy and practice English in varied contexts.
Student feedback shows a high degree of satisfaction: a 2024 survey of international high school students indicates that 95% find their school “supportive,” 93% declare themselves satisfied with their host families, 91% believe their English has improved, and 95% feel more confident and independent.
Conclusion: A small territory, a surprising international offering
For a modestly sized state, Tasmania offers a surprisingly rich range of options for those seeking the best international schools in Tasmania. Between the three IB World Schools, the high-performing major private schools, and the public network structured around the International Student Program, families have a complete spectrum, from the most selective high-end options to more affordable yet academically solid public alternatives.
For parents and students, the crucial step is to clarify their main objectives: seeking an IB DP to target European universities, aiming for a very high ATAR to enter a medical field in Australia, opting for boarding in a protected setting, or prioritizing immersion in an Australian public school to manage costs. Once these priorities are established, using available data – ATAR rankings, lists of top TCE students, official tuition fees, and information on IB programs – allows for precise identification of institutions matching each family’s plan.
In this equation, Tasmania has an additional argument: a quality of life hard to match, between mountains, forests, sea, and human-scale cities. For many international students, it is often this mix of academic rigor, serenity, and nature that ultimately tips the scales.
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Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
