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Sydney

Australia

Sydney is outdoor life in its purest form: beaches, bays, barbecues and children growing up in swimsuits. The Lycée Condorcet keeps the French curriculum thread going on the other side of the world, with a year running August to June.

Currency
Australian dollar (A$)
Language
English
Time vs Paris
8 to 10h ahead
Emergencies
000

FIAFE network

The Accueil for French-speaking families

In each city, a volunteer-run association from the FIAFE network welcomes, informs and helps French-speaking families settling in.

Sydney Accueil

Since 1990

Since 1990, Sydney Accueil has set the community's rhythm: coastal walks, jacaranda outings, the Biennale, a giant Christmas BBQ and a much-awaited yearly gala.

Where to meet them

No fixed drop-in; reference address at the Lycée Condorcet (Maroubra), contact by email.

Visit the association's website Email the association See the FIAFE page

What they offer

  • Yearly community gala
  • Coastal walks and jacaranda-blossom outings
  • Giant Christmas BBQ and family Halloween party
  • Cultural outings (Sydney Biennale)

Other support networks

Two large national networks also support the French abroad, each with its local chapter.

  • UFE

    UFE Sydney

    The Sydney chapter of the Union des Français de l'Étranger: welcome and mutual aid for the French in New South Wales.

    Visit the website
  • Français du monde – ADFE

    Français du monde – ADFE Australie

    The Australian section of Français du monde - ADFE supports French residents of the country with their paperwork.

    Email the chapter

The French business network

The local French chamber of commerce (CCI France International network) is a real asset for work: networking, job offers and help to restart a career or start a business locally.

CCI France International

French-Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FACCI)

The French-Australian chamber, headquartered in Sydney, has over 430 members, with a job board, directory and networking events that support a spouse's job search and the family's move.

Visit the website CCI country page

AEFE network

Accredited French schools

Schools accredited by the French Ministry of Education follow the French curriculum: your child can continue their schooling seamlessly, abroad and back in France.

💰 Compare school fees

Source: official AEFE directory, verified June 2026. aefe.gouv.fr

Tutoring and private lessons

To support your children's schooling across two systems, two solutions designed for expat families.

  • Axiom Academic

    Private lessons and tutoring for expat families: French curriculum, IB and British curriculum, at home or online, with teachers who know the schools in your city.

    Discover Axiom Academic

  • IB Tutor

    Tutors specialised in the International Baccalaureate: online lessons in every IB subject, to aim for top grades from MYP to the diploma.

    Discover IB Tutor

Schools and education

The Lycée Condorcet, AEFE-affiliated in Maroubra, teaches 1,200 pupils from nursery to the baccalaureate. Precious detail: it follows the French calendar (September start), while Australian schools run January to December.

Good to know

  • Condorcet follows a northern-style year (starts 19 August, ends in June): no lost year when arriving from France.
  • Australian public schools, local and good, run January to December: factor it in if you switch systems.
  • Many French families settle east (Maroubra, Coogee, Randwick) near the lycée.
  • Plan ahead: one French school for the whole city, lists fill early.

Children's healthcare

France has no reciprocal agreement with Medicare: most visas require private health insurance. Once covered, the Australian system is excellent, with the local GP as the first line.

Good to know

  • Take out the insurance your visa requires (OVHC) before departure: no Medicare for French expats, except permanent residents.
  • The GP (family doctor) is the first stop; paediatricians are seen on referral.
  • The Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick is the paediatric reference, close to the French neighbourhoods.
  • 000 is the single emergency number; the Australian sun imposes the slip-slop-slap routine (cream, hat, rash vest).

French-speaking community

The French community of Sydney lives mostly in the Eastern Suburbs, between the lycée, the beaches and the cafés. Sydney Accueil and the Alliance française are its pillars.

Good to know

  • Sydney Accueil (FIAFE network) has animated the community since 1990.
  • Maroubra, Coogee, Randwick and Bondi concentrate the francophone families.
  • The Alliance française de Sydney offers classes, a film club and a children's library.
  • The 8 to 10h time difference with France is manageable: family calls happen early morning or evening.

Family outings and events

Here the weekend is an institution: pram-friendly coastal walks, lifeguarded beaches, ferries to Manly and barbecues in national parks. Kids become Nippers before they can read.

Good to know

  • Nippers clubs (surf life saving for kids) are the Sunday morning ritual on the beaches.
  • The Bondi to Coogee walk and the Manly ferry are the family classics.
  • Taronga Zoo, facing the harbour, and the Royal National Park fill the finest weekends.
  • Vivid Sydney (light festival, May-June) and the New Year fireworks on the Harbour amaze young and old.

These landmarks change fast: the MumExpat community will keep them up to date.

Coming soon: the full Sydney guide.

Verified addresses, paediatricians recommended by mums, a family agenda updated every week. Join the waitlist to discover the Sydney page first.

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