Although the basic education of the students is free, fees may be levied for extra goods and services such as text books, school photos and magazines.
In cases of financial hardship, it is often possible to have additional fees waived or subsidised by the government or by community donations.
[4] In April 2013, Queensland education minister John-Paul Langbroek announced that school principals will be given the right to send unruly students to Saturday detention, in a bid to reduce bad behaviour across Queensland's state schools.
Primary schools rely strongly on the support and fundraising of their Parents and Citizens (P&C) Associations.
Under the previous system, apprenticeships and other post (junior) secondary employment and training options, coupled with compulsory attendance only until age 15 saw many students leave to enter the workforce before completing the Junior Certificate.
Changes to employment conditions, compulsory education requirements and other factors have seen most students now completing junior and attending through to senior certificate level.
This system has only recently been applied and so the last group of Year 12s to receive the traditional Senior Certificate were those who graduated at the end of 2007.