Australian Handwriting Styles Guide
Many parents are surprised to learn that Australian schools use different handwriting styles depending on the state.
If your child is learning handwriting at school, using the correct style at home is important for consistency and confidence.
Why Handwriting Styles Are Different
Each state has its own approach to teaching handwriting, which affects letter shapes and joining styles.
While they are similar, small differences can confuse children if they practise the wrong style at home.
NSW & ACT – NSW Foundation
- Used in NSW and ACT schools
- Focus on clear foundation letter formation
QLD – QLD Beginner & Modern Cursive
- QLD Beginner used in early years
- QLD Modern Cursive used for fluent writing
SA – SA Modern Cursive
- Used across South Australian schools
- Teaches consistent cursive formation
TAS – TAS Modern Cursive
- Used in Tasmanian schools
- Supports smooth handwriting progression
VIC, WA & NT – VIC Modern Cursive
- Used in Victoria, Western Australia and Northern Territory
- One of the most widely used handwriting styles in Australia
Note: Since the introduction of the National Curriculum, schools and teachers have the flexibility to choose from any of the five Australian fonts. However, Writeboards has observed that about 98% of schools are sticking with their original state font.
If you're unsure which font your child's school uses, we recommend contacting the school directly to confirm.
Why It Matters
Using the correct handwriting style helps children avoid confusion between home and school learning and improves handwriting fluency faster.
If you want to match your child’s handwriting style at home, explore our Australian handwriting resources here:
View Australian Handwriting Worksheets
If you're unsure which style your child uses, contact us here.
