The first schools in Australia were all Christian schools. By 1797, there were three schools in the Sydney area. Many of the students were children of convicts. The schools taught the children how to read and write and do basic maths. Most important of all, they were taught moral behaviour based on the Bible.

During the 1800s, the number of schools continued to grow. They were operated by different Christian denominations. The government of the day helped Churches fund the schools. The first schools to be funded and operated by the state alone opened in the 1830s. The education in these schools was also mostly based on the Bible.

Until the late 1800's (around 100 years after Australia was settled) all schools in Australia were Christian schools.