150 years of public education in Victoria

As Victorians, there is a long-held belief that every child deserves a high-quality education, regardless of their background. It is a belief worth acknowledging and celebrating, so come and celebrate with us.

• The Education Act of 1872 was the first of its kind in the world.
• The first in the Australian colonies.
• Education was free and compulsory, so the whole community would benefit.
• All children aged 6-15 years had to attend school unless they had a reasonable excuse.
• Education was secular. That meant there was no control by any church.
• Since 1872, a lot has changed. But public education remains a vital part of the Victorian community. This includes our schools, TAFES, kindergartens, libraries and archives.
• Victoria's oldest school - which is still in operation today - is Bacchus Marsh Primary School. It was built in the traditional Country of the Wada Wurrung people and opened in 1850. Europeans first arrived in the Country of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong peoples 15 years earlier in 1835. This area is now known as greater Melbourne.

Education Week 2022

In 2022, Education Week focused on 150 years of public education. It was an opportunity for all schools to commemorate the past, celebrate the present and imagine the future of education. Resources were available to help schools and local history organisations record or update their own histories.

How you could get involved

Throughout 2022, many stories were told of Victoria's history of great education over the last 150 years. We shared stories, videos and artefacts e on our website and our social media. For example, you were able to learn more about Koorie education and the Koorie education workforce who have led the way. You could also discover how the role of women in education has changed over the last 150 years.

Wehave also digitally preserved the historical records of the 483 Victorian schools that have been in existence since 1872. Each of these schools has a school profile with a short history and a selection of their archived records available to view.