Presented is an overview of the science education system in Australian schools at the start of the seventies. There are seven chapters, each dealing with a different aspect of science education. Chapter I, "A Swing from Science?," examines the enrollment trends as related to science subjects in each state of Australia. The author presents data indicating the swing from specialized science subjects to social sciences in Australia is considerable in number. Chapter II, "Changes in Outlook," points out that science educators have come to the realization regarding the interaction of subject matter and teaching methods. Chapters III, IV, and V, entitled "Newer Curriculum Projects," Teaching Science as Enquiry," and "Australian Science Courses," are devoted to recent efforts resulting in the preparation of new instructional materials. Various efforts supported by the government and professional agencies are underway in the country. These are directed to present science in the form of processes and a way of learning about natural phenomena. The author raises serious arguments about the term "enquiry" and its interpretation by many people. The last two chapters deal with science teacher preparation problems and programs. A selected bibliography is provided. (PS)