There are currently very few brass bands in schools in Australia, however they were the predominant music ensemble in Australian schools up to the 1970s. The aim of this research is to examine the history and current existence of British-style brass bands in schools in Australia, as well as to consider what the future looks like for Australian brass band musicians. The history of the brass band in Australia and its decline is explored, drawing on historical and scholarly research, and examining various primary sources, such as newspaper articles and photographs, and personal accounts recovered through qualitative interviews. British immigration to Australia played a significant role in shaping the brass band movement, which was distinctly male-dominated and had strong links to the military culture of the first half of the twentieth century. These societal trends followed into the school brass band setting. From the 1970s there were a variety of factors that influenced the gradual change from brass band to concert band in schools in Australia. The current situation for students playing brass band instruments in Australia is examined, with a particular focus on the Salvation Army Just Brass program that has been running brass bands in primary schools for over a decade. The dissertation concludes with an examination of what a career looks like in the 21st century for a musician, with a focus on the availability of higher education courses for players of brass band instruments in Australia, as well as other parts of the world. This research provides a better understanding of the brass band tradition within the context of the school environment in Australia and calls for further research and scholarly inclusion in the literature of music education.