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The Education Act 1875 (the Act) established the basis for Queensland’s system of free primary secular education that remained in effect for almost 100 years. This milestone was due to the sustained efforts of influential Queenslanders such as Sir Arthur Palmer and Sir Samuel Griffith, although it was Sir Charles Lilley who made the most significant contribution.
The Act was built on recommendations by Lilley to introduce free education at primary, secondary and tertiary level, creating a single authority to combine primary and secondary school systems. When the Act was instated in 1875, children over the age of six years were required to attend school for at least 60 days per half year. No fees were charged by the State for their education.
Consideration was also given to the difficulties faced in catering to the needs of a growing population spread across a wide geographical area. Under the Act, provision was made for teachers to travel around the country teaching on alternate days of the week at ‘half-time’ schools.
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 | The Normal School on the corner of Edward and Adelaide Streets in Brisbane was noted as a leader in primary education, c 1896
Queensland State Archives Item ID 1140010, Digital Image ID 2969 |
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 | | Education Act 1875, Part III: Compulsory Education, published in the Queensland Government Gazette, 11 Sept 1875, p 1837 |
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 | 1875 Kwang-su became Emperor of China | |
1875 Matthew Webb became first person to swim the English Channel |
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