Australia’s WACE becomes first foreign government-backed school board in India after 25 years

Australia’s Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) has become the first foreign government-supported school board to begin operations in India in over two decades. The development marks a new phase in Australia’s growing education footprint in India, following the entry of Deakin University and University of Wollongong as the first foreign universities to establish campuses in the country, according to a report by the Times of India.

WACE received formal equivalence for its Class X and XII qualifications from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), enabling its credentials to be recognised across India. This approval paves the way for Australian-style school education to be delivered through international partner schools under the Western Australian International School System (WAIS).

Ange Smith, principal consultant for international education at the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA), said the board has been offering international programmes since 1987 and started expanding globally in 2019. “Since then, we've worked with govt bodies in several countries to secure foreign board equivalence. India has been one of the most rigorous but rewarding. After AIU approval, we focused on identifying partner schools in India,” she said to TOI. WACE is now present in 16 countries.

Smith noted that India's National Education Policy 2020 played a central role in shaping the board’s entry strategy. “We undertook curriculum mapping and found alignment with NEP priorities, especially around holistic development, skill integration and nurturing students beyond academics,” she added.

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WACE students study five subjects in Classes XI and XII, with the option of a sixth. English is mandatory, but only the top four ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) courses are counted for university entry. “ATAR is based 50% on final exams and 50% on school-assessed coursework. This reduces pressure and supports consistent performance over two years,” Smith added.

In response to local requirements, WACE is developing a 10th board examination for Indian students. “Some Indian states may require a 10th board certificate for transitions, so we are developing one specifically for this context,” she confirmed.

Syed Sultan Ahmed, chairperson of the Association of International Schools of India, described WAIS as a cost-effective model that bridges Indian and global education systems. “It sits between CBSE and Cambridge. A CBSE school charging Rs 1 - 1.2 lakh annually can adopt WAIS with a 15-20% fee increase. It opens up global pathways without requiring Rs 45 lakh fees like IB,” he said. The first WAIS-affiliated schools have started operations in Bengaluru and Bidar, Karnataka.

Ahmed also highlighted the ATAR system’s benefit for students applying to universities abroad. “The ATAR consolidates certification and university eligibility. It's one system for both. Students also become eligible for a Premier's Bursary of AUD 20,000 if they choose to study in Western Australia,” he said.

The WAIS curriculum is built around seven general capabilities: literacy, numeracy, ICT, ethical understanding, civic and social responsibility, critical and creative thinking, and intercultural understanding.

(With inputs from TOI)