Schools (listed alphabetically)
- De Duyfkenschool (Brisbane)
- Dutch School De Kangoeroe (Sydney)
- Dutch School Abeltje (Canberra)
- Language One (Perth & online)
- Nederlandse school De Leesplank (Melbourne)
- De Pelikaan (Melbourne)
- Wereldschool (Netherlands, online)
Dutch Courses (listed alphabetically by provider)
- Access Art Academy (online)
- Centre for Adult Education (Melbourne)
- Dutch Language Institute (Sydney)
- Dutch with Joyce (Melbourne, online)
- Listen and Learn Australia (Melbourne & online)
- University of Queensland, Institute of Modern Languages (Brisbane)
Books
Dutch education abroad (NOB)
An important role in supporting Dutch-language education outside the Netherlands is played by the Foundation for Dutch Education Worldwide (Nederlands Onderwijs in het Buitenland – NOB). This organisation acts as a coordinating body and knowledge centre for Dutch language and cultural education across the globe.
NOB was established in the early 1980s, when the Dutch government shifted from directly organising education for children abroad to supporting it through a specialised foundation. Since then, NOB has operated with support from the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) and has developed into a global network organisation.
On 2026, the NOB supports approximately 180 schools in more than 80 countries, serving over 13,000 students. Most of these schools provide Dutch Language and Culture (NTC) education, typically as a supplementary programme alongside local or international schooling.
The core function of NOB is to ensure the quality and continuity of this education. It does so by:
- supporting school boards and teaching staff
- developing curricula and quality frameworks
- advising parents
- conducting periodic school visits, generally every four to six years
A key objective is to maintain alignment with the education systems in the Netherlands and Flanders. This is particularly important as many children from expatriate or migrant families return after several years abroad and need to reintegrate into the Dutch or Flemish education system without disadvantage.
Beyond its educational role, NOB also has a broader cultural function. It supports language retention, identity formation, and ongoing connections with the Netherlands and Flanders. For many families, these schools provide not only education but also a sense of community and continuity.
In Australia, several Dutch schools and language programmes are part of this global network. They form an important element of the Dutch community, often operating in conjunction with local or international schools and contributing to the preservation of Dutch language and culture across generations.
