If you’re an Australian family thinking about moving to Bali, one of the first things most Aussie parents want to know is whether their kids can keep following the Australian Curriculum while in Bali, and what happens when it’s time to go home.
The short answer is yes, it’s possible. There is a school in Bali that offers the Australian Curriculum. And for families who plan to return to Australia eventually, this can make a real difference.
This guide walks you through what the Australian Curriculum actually is, why it matters for expat families, and which school in Bali follows it.
What Is the Australian Curriculum?
The Australian Curriculum is the national framework developed by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA).
It sets out what all Australian students are expected to learn from Foundation (the first year of formal schooling, equivalent to Kindy or Prep, depending on the state) through to Year 10, with senior secondary pathways typically handled at the state level through individual state frameworks, resulting in the issuance of an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank).
The curriculum is built around eight learning areas:
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS)
- The Arts
- Technologies
- Health and Physical Education
- Languages
Alongside these, the curriculum weaves in what ACARA calls ‘General Capabilities’ (things like critical thinking, personal and social capability, and intercultural understanding) and cross-curriculum priorities, including ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories’, ‘Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia’, and ‘Sustainability’. It’s a curriculum that balances academic rigour with broader personal development.
It’s not purely exam-driven like Cambridge, nor as child-led as Montessori. It sits somewhere in the middle, with clear national standards and real flexibility in how schools deliver the content.
Why Australian Families in Bali Choose This Curriculum
For most Aussie families relocating to Bali, the plan isn’t always to stay forever. Many are here for a year or two, or indefinitely, but with the knowledge they’ll eventually head home. That reality shapes everything when it comes to schooling.
The Australian Curriculum gives families peace of mind because:
- Seamless reintegration. When your child comes back to Australia, they slot back in at the right year level without missing a beat. Teachers at Australian schools will immediately understand what your child has been learning, because the framework is the same.
- ATAR pathways. For older students heading toward Year 11 and 12, staying within an Australian-aligned framework keeps options open for university entry in Australia and New Zealand.
- Familiar reporting. Australian-style school reports, parent-teacher communication, and assessment practices are what Aussie parents know. Schools following this curriculum typically report in ways that feel familiar rather than foreign.
- It matches home values. The Australian Curriculum places strong emphasis on wellbeing, critical thinking, and a balanced education. Many Australian families moving to Bali are drawn to a lifestyle that reflects similar values, and this curriculum tends to align well with that.
How the Australian Curriculum Works Across Year Levels
The curriculum runs from Foundation (the first year of formal schooling, equivalent to Kindy or Prep, depending on the state) through to Year 12.
- Foundation to Year 2: These early years focus heavily on foundational literacy and numeracy, play-based and inquiry-based learning, and social skill development. The emphasis is on developing a love of reading and a genuine understanding of number, rather than drilling rote knowledge.
- Years 3 to 6: Content becomes more subject-specific, with stronger academic expectations in English, Maths, and Science. HASS (Humanities and Social Sciences) also expands to include geography, history, civics, and economics in age-appropriate ways.
- Years 7 to 12: Learning is increasingly disciplinary. Students study distinct subjects, often with specialist teachers, and build toward the more independent study required in senior years. Assessment becomes more formal, though the style differs from the high-stakes exam culture of Cambridge IGCSE.
Australian Independent School: The Only Accredited School in Bali offering the Australian Curriculum
The Australian Independent School (AIS) Bali is currently the only school on the island that formally delivers the Australian Curriculum, making it the most direct option for families seeking full continuity with the Australian education system. AIS Bali is an accredited International school that meets the Council of International Schools’ extensive accreditation process.
AIS is part of a wider network of Australian International Schools across Indonesia, with another campus established in Jakarta, and follows the ACARA framework from the early years through secondary school. Teaching is delivered in English, with a strong emphasis on literacy, numeracy, and inquiry-based learning, consistent with what most Australian families would expect back home.
One of the key strengths of AIS is its structured academic pathway, particularly for older students. The school supports progression toward senior secondary outcomes aligned with Australian standards, which is important for families thinking ahead to university pathways.
Class sizes tend to be relatively small, and the school places a clear focus on pastoral care and student wellbeing, alongside academics. There’s also an international element to the student body, which gives children exposure to a broader cultural environment while still learning within a familiar curriculum framework.
AIS Bali is located in Denpasar, offering easy access to key residential areas across the island. As Bali’s capital, Denpasar is well-connected and close to family-friendly hubs like Sanur, making it a practical choice for many families.
For Australian families in particular, the combination of a familiar curriculum and convenient location makes AIS a reassuring option.
That said, like any school, it’s important to look beyond the curriculum label. Visiting the campus, speaking with current parents, and understanding how the curriculum is delivered day to day will give you a much clearer sense of whether it’s the right fit for your child.
The Other Path: Following the Australian Curriculum Remotely from Bali
For families who want to keep full alignment with the Australian system but don’t necessarily want (or need) to enrol in a physical school, distance education is a very real and increasingly popular option.
It gives you flexibility, while still keeping your child on track academically—particularly important if returning to Australia or working toward an ATAR is part of the long-term plan.
Here are the main ways families are doing this from Bali:
1. Enrol in an Australian Online School
These schools are specifically set up for students living overseas or outside traditional schooling environments:
How it works:
- Fully aligned with the Australian Curriculum
- Teacher-led lessons, assessments, and reporting
- Structured schedules with varying degrees of flexibility
- Can lead to recognised senior secondary outcomes (e.g. QCE through Queensland)
Best for: Families who want structure, accountability, and a clear academic pathway—without being tied to a physical campus.
2. Homeschool Using the Australian Curriculum
This is the most flexible route, but also the most hands-on.
Families can follow the official framework from the
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) and build their own program around it.
You can also combine this with structured providers (like the online schools above) for specific subjects or assessments.
Important to know:
- You’ll typically need to remain registered for homeschooling in an Australian state (requirements vary, e.g. Queensland)
- Parents take on the primary teaching role
- More time commitment and planning required
Best for: Families who want full flexibility, travel freedom, or a more personalised learning pace.
So, Which Option Is Right?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here.
- If you want maximum continuity and minimal risk when returning to Australia, online schooling or AIS Bali are the safest bets.
- If you want flexibility and lifestyle freedom, homeschooling models can work beautifully.
- If your child is heading toward Years 11–12, it’s worth thinking carefully about how your chosen pathway connects to ATAR or equivalent outcomes.
The key is being intentional. Distance education can work incredibly well in Bali—but it works best when it’s chosen deliberately, not as a last-minute fallback.
The Australian Curriculum vs. Other Options in Bali
Here’s a practical comparison to help you think through what matters most for your family:
| Feature | Australian Curriculum | Cambridge Curriculum | Montessori | IB |
| Focus | Literacy, numeracy, inquiry, critical thinking & wellbeing | Academic mastery & exams | Child-led independence | Inquiry & critical thinking |
| Ages Covered | Foundation to Year 12 | 5–19 | 2–12 (mainly) | 3–19 |
| Key Assessments | NAPLAN, ATAR | IGCSE, A Levels | Observation-based | PYP, MYP, IB Diploma |
| University Pathways | Australia, NZ (direct),
and Global |
UK, Asia, Europe | Varies by school | Global |
| Best For | Aussie families returning home
Inquiry-based learners All learners |
Structured academic learners | Creative, independent kids | Inquiry-based learners |
A few things worth flagging that the table doesn’t fully capture. The Australian Curriculum is genuinely the best option if returning to Australia is even a possibility. The friction of moving a child from Cambridge or IB back into the Australian system can be manageable, but it adds stress, particularly for older kids. If you know you’re heading home, staying on-curriculum from the start just makes life easier.
What About ATAR and University Entry?
For families with teenagers, this is often the most pressing question. The ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) is the primary pathway for entry into Australian universities, and it’s calculated based on senior secondary results (Years 11 and 12).
This is a decision that really benefits from speaking with the schools directly, and ideally with families who’ve already navigated it. If you book a School Deep Dive with us, this is exactly the kind of nuanced territory we help you work through.
AIS Bali offers the IB Diploma Program, a School-Based Program, a Hybrid Program and a Vocational Education and Training program for its senior school students. The full diploma pathway awards an IB Diploma score to successful candidates. This score is easily converted to an ATAR ranking for access to Australian and Global Universities.
Is the Australian Curriculum Right for Your Family?
It’s a good fit if:
- You plan to return to Australia at some point, even if the timing is unclear
- Your children are in primary school, and you want them to slot back in without drama
- You want familiar reporting, familiar teaching methods, and familiar benchmarks
- Your kids are already in the Australian system, and you don’t want to disrupt continuity
- You value a balanced approach to education that isn’t purely exam-focused but still holds clear academic standards
It’s worth thinking carefully if:
- Your child is very young, and the specific curriculum matters less than the school environment and teaching quality
- You’re looking for a deeply alternative or child-led approach, in which case Montessori or Reggio-inspired schools might be worth exploring alongside
The Real Talk: What Australian Parents in Bali Actually Say
Having worked with hundreds of families making the move to Bali, we hear a few things come up again and again from Australian parents on the school question.
The first is the relief they feel when they find a school that truly understands the Australian system. It’s not just about the curriculum content; it’s about the culture of learning. The way literacy is taught, the approach to maths, the pastoral care model, and the way parents are communicated with. These things feel familiar, and that familiarity matters a lot when everything else about your life has changed.
The second thing we hear is regret from families who didn’t think hard enough about the school question before they moved. They found a school that seemed fine, only to realise that a year in that it wasn’t actually aligned with the Australian Curriculum in any meaningful way. That can mean disruption and catch-up when they return to Australia, which is stressful for both kids and parents.
The third thing is how surprised families are by how good the Australian school in Bali actually is. Smaller class sizes, teachers who genuinely know each student, outdoor learning environments, the best facilities on the island and a pace of life that isn’t frantic. For many kids, Bali turns out to be one of the best educational experiences of their life.
FAQs About the Australian Curriculum in Bali
- Will my child be behind when we return to Australia?
Not if they’re enrolled in a school that genuinely follows the Australian Curriculum (like AIS Bali) and keeps pace with year-level expectations. The key is choosing a school that’s actually delivering the curriculum, not just labelling itself as Australian-aligned. Ask about teacher qualifications, curriculum documentation, and how they assess against Australian standards.
- How much do Australian Curriculum schools in Bali cost?
Fees vary significantly. Expect to pay roughly IDR 120 million to IDR 240 million per year, depending on the school, year level, and what’s included. Some schools charge additional fees for activities, uniforms, and registration. Our Bali School and Education Guide has detailed fee breakdowns for the schools we’ve researched.
- Do Australian universities recognise qualifications from Bali-based schools?
Yes, as long as the school is accredited. If your child completes senior secondary education through an Australian Curriculum framework (including via distance education while in Bali) and receives an ATAR, Australian universities will accept it as they would any Australian senior secondary qualification. If they complete an IB Diploma, most Australian universities also accept that as an entry pathway.
The Only 2026/27 Bali Schools Guide You’ll Need
Choosing the right school in Bali is a big decision, and it’s one that deserves more than a quick Google search. Our Year in Bali has spent years working with families relocating to the island, and the school question is almost always at the top of the list. Our Bali School and Education Guide is the most comprehensive resource for expat families on the island. Inside you’ll find:
- A searchable database and map of 80+ schools across Bali
- Curriculum comparisons with honest pros and cons for each
- Detailed fee structures and enrolment policies
- Insights from expat parents who’ve already done the school search
Download your copy today for $29.95 and start your school search with confidence.
Or, book a 1-hour School Deep Dive session with Our Year in Bali. We’ll walk you
through the full landscape of Bali’s school options, help you match your family’s needs to the right schools, and if you’d like, introduce you to principals and parents already in the community.
Up Next in Our Bali School Curriculum Series
We’ve now covered Cambridge, Montessori, and Australian curriculum options in Bali. Next up in the series, we’re diving into the British curriculum in Bali, including what makes it different from other curricula, who it suits, and which schools on the island offer it.
