This is an article focussed on co-operative learning as it exists in Australia. Hill gives examples of schools in Australia in which co-operative learning exists. She also goes into the benefits of co-operative learning, such as; improved learning - arguing that people learn better in co-operative groups rather than in competition with people; improved relationships as competitive learning perpetuates low self esteem because of its necessity for winners and losers; and equity because it can be used to encourage student talk amongst a diverse group of students and because it has improved benefits for girls. She also provides a brief history of co-operative learning (including a rather strange account of how 2 formative academics in the USA got interested in it). The article provides an interesting background to some of the more specific information we have on co-operative learning strategies for teachers. Keyword: Education, School age