Educational System in Australia

Like many countries, Australia's education system is broadly divided into three broad
areas: primary school, secondary school and tertiary education. Each of these areas
features both public (government-funded) and private (independently funded)
institutions, although the majority of private institutions also receive some government
funding.

Primary School / Secondary School

This is for students who wish to study at primary or high school and approved secondary
school exchange programs. The students can be enrolled at Private or Public schools
starting from year 1 to year 12. One parent or guardian can accompany the student or a
guardian will be assigned to them by the school.

Tertiary Education

Tertiary education in Australia is different to many other countries in that it is divided

into two sectors; Vocational Education and Training (VET) and Higher Education.

Vocational Education and Training

All countries have a higher education sector which people usually associate with
universities, but Australia is one of just a few countries that have a vocational education
sector where a trainee is assessed by his or her acquisition of competencies, and
focuses on the development of skills relevant to a trade or field of skilled specialization.
In fact, Australia's VET sector is internationally recognized as providing world's best
practice in vocational training, and qualifications from Australian VET institutions are
recognized worldwide. The VET sector is comprised of public and private training
institutions, referred to collectively as Registered Training Organizations (RTOs).
Government-funded or public training institutions are known as colleges or institutes of
Technical and Further Education, or TAFE for short. All TAFE institutes offer a range of
training courses from Certificate level through to Advanced Diploma, and an increasing
number now also offer undergraduate degree (Bachelor) courses. While all TAFEs offer a
fairly standard range of core training subjects, many also provide training in more
specialized fields, often relative to the particular skills requirements of the workforce in
their surrounding area.Australia's VET sector is characterized by a large number and
variety of private training organizations. Like TAFE, most private colleges offer standard
core subjects such as Business and Information Technology, but many also offer
specializations both in specific areas of the core subjects and in a wide variety of other
courses. Students wishing to do training in areas such as audio engineering for the
music industry or computer graphics for digital animation and gaming, and many of the
natural or alternative therapies and even pilot training, are well served by private
colleges specializing in these fields. Independent education providers also offer courses
from Certificate through to Advanced Diploma levels, and an increasing number also
offer undergraduate degree (Bachelor) programs. A very small number are even
accredited to offer Masters programs.

Higher Education

Australia's higher education sector is world class and all Australia's universities have
highly active and comprehensive international programs. Universities in Australia have
been welcoming international students for more than a century, and today most
campuses boast an ethnic mix in the student body of 50 or more nationalities. Cultural
sensitivity, tolerance of religious observance and freedom of expression are proudly
promoted and encouraged by all Australian universities.Although every Australian
university is autonomous and sets its own standards and course offerings, each belongs
to a unified national system which ensures that at undergraduate level, all Australian
university degrees are nominally of equal quality.Australian universities are not officially
ranked, as in some countries, but instead are characterized by the types of courses they
offer. While some are more traditional and place great emphasis on research, others are
more actively engaged in practical teaching, producing workforce-ready, skilled
graduates. Some universities also specialize in course and research programs according
to their location. For example, regional or country universities might offer programs in
Agriculture, Ecology and Animal Husbandry, while universities with campuses in tropical
regions might have developed courses in Tropical Medicine, Marine Biology and the like.
Taken collectively, the variety of programs available at Australian universities is as
comprehensive as anywhere in the world.The structure of Australian higher education
follows a common 3+2+3 international model. That is to say, the first (undergraduate)
degree - usually Bachelor - is normally of 3 years duration. This might be followed by a
Masters degree, usually 2 years, and finally candidates may aspire to a doctoral
qualification, (e.g. PhD), usually 3 years in duration. There are variations, with some
professional undergraduate degrees requiring 4 or more years and some Masters
degrees, (by course work), available in a single year of study. "Honours" years are
available as extensions to some Bachelor degrees, and a student with "First Class
Honours", i.e. very good grades, may fast-track to a doctoral degree.

Educational Pathways to Higher Education

Australia's education system provides for flexible access to higher education. Some VET
institutions already offer undergraduate (Bachelor degrees), but students completing a
Diploma or Advanced Diploma at a TAFE or private training organization may obtain
academic credit for entry into the second year of university. The amount of academic
credit a university will grant may depend on a number of things, such as the nature and
content of the vocational training course, the entry level or number of places available
for the degree course and other factors. Some universities have explicit agreements
with vocational training colleges, guaranteeing a place subject to successful completion
of certain prerequisite subjects.The benefit of this arrangement for international (and
domestic) students is that they are able to enter the Australian tertiary education
system at a lower, or academically less demanding, level than might otherwise be
required for direct entry to university. Also, entry into the tertiary system through
vocational training normally requires a lower level of English language proficiency, so
international students whose first language is not English, have the opportunity to build
their language skills as they study and live among English-speaking Australians.

Foundation Studies

Another option for international students wishing to attend an Australian university is

through a Foundation Studies program. These programs are designed specifically for
overseas students and aim to ease the transition from a student's school education in
their home country to university study in Australia. Most Foundation Studies programs
last 1 year, but may be fast-tracked to 9 months for high-ability students, or those who
already satisfy other requirements for their chosen university course. Most Foundation
Studies programs feature subject specialization or streaming where, in addition to core
subjects, the program provides an introduction to the subjects a student will take as
part of their degree course.

English Language Teaching

The language of instruction in Australia is, of course, English. Students wishing to study
vocational or degree courses in Australia will need to demonstrate proficiency in English
as prescribed by the entry criteria for the chosen course. Most Registered Training
Organizations will accept students with an IELTS score of 5 or 5.5. Direct entry to
university normally requires an IELTS score of 6, sometimes higher.Virtually all English
colleges offer programs in General English, some with specializations such as "Business
English' or 'English for Tourism'. Most colleges also offer English for Academic Purposes
(EAP) - courses designed especially to prepare students for further study. Many English
colleges also offer preparation for one or more of the international English proficiency
exams such as IELTS (International English Language Testing System), FCE (First
Certificate in English), CAE (Certificate in Advanced English) and TOEFL (Test of English
as a Foreign Language). IELTS is by far the most widely recognized English test in
Australia and some education providers will only accept an IELTS test score. Some
English colleges are also IELTS testing centres.There are a large number of English
language colleges throughout Australia, although the capital cities offer the greatest
choice. Most universities have their own English language centre, but by far the majority
of English colleges are private, or independently funded. English language teaching in
Australia is closely regulated by government for the quality assurance of teaching
standards, facilities available to students, and business soundness.English language
teaching in Australia is a highly competitive business and students can often find "'good
deals". Because most colleges offer essentially the same courses, they differentiate
themselves by the range of extra-curricular activities they provide. These might include
day trips to places of interest in and around the local region such as museums and
galleries, or even overnight excursions to more distant destinations for things such as
skiing trips or surfing weekends; perhaps visiting a national park, learning to scuba dive
or just lazing on the beach. Language learning should be fun, and Australian English
colleges make sure of it!

Government Independent Catholic

Each Australian State and Territory oversees its own education system, and there are small variations
between the education systems of each State and Territory.

There are two main education sectors within each State Government schools and Non-Government
schools. Non-Government schools are classified as either Catholic schools or Independent schools.
Most Independent schools have a religious affiliation, but some are non-denominational. All
Government schools are non-denominational.

Types of schools

Most Australian schools use modern education methods within a traditional education framework.
Children wear a school uniform, which is individual to their school. There are also a few schools which
follow a particular educational philosophy, such as Steiner or Montessori.

There are Special Needs schools and special education programs within mainstream schools for
disabled children, or children with other specific needs.

Schools often use remedial and extension classes or other approaches to meet the needs of students
with differing levels of abilities. Some schools offer specialised programs in areas such as sport, the
arts, or academia, for children who are gifted or talented.

There is a range of Boarding schools at Primary and Secondary level in the Private school sector
throughout Australia. There are a few Secondary boarding schools, or accommodation, in the
Government sector, in some States - mainly for students from remote rural areas. International
students can study in schools in Australia.
Boys Girls Co-educational

Most Australian schools are co-educational - for boys and girls. Some Catholic and Independent
schools are single-gender, mainly at Secondary level, but sometimes in the Primary years as well.
Some Independent single-gender schools offer co-educational classes in the early years.

Nearly all Government schools are co-educational. There are a few single-gender Government
Secondary schools in some States in Australia.

Prep Primary and Secondary

Australia children usually attend a Preparatory year of school (often called Prep or Kindergarten),
followed by Primary school and then Secondary school (often called High School). Schools go to Year
12. Including the Pre-School year, most students are at school for 13 years.

Students usually start in Preparatory school around the ages of four or five. Entry age requirements
can vary by more than six months between schools and States.

Primary and Secondary schools are mostly in separate locations, but some Catholic schools and many
Independent schools have Primary and Secondary schools on the same campus.

Curriculum

At Primary school level there is an emphasis on English reading and writing, mathematics and the
Study of Society and the Environment (SOSE). Students usually also have music, sport, drama,
computer studies, science, art, and learn a language (LOTE). Often there are many extra curricular
activities offered outside of class time, such as choir, orchestra, chess or sport.

In the early Secondary years students continue to study English and Mathematics and other core
subjects. As they progress through their Secondary years, students must study English, but can start
to select which other subjects they study and they begin to specialise in certain areas of learning.
Again there are many extra curricular activities on offer, such as debating, school musicals or sports
competitions.

Australian education system

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The Australian education system provides primary, secondary and tertiary education.
School education (Primary and Secondary)

School education is similar across all of Australia with only minor variations between states and territories. School
education (primary and secondary) is compulsory between the ages of six and sixteen (Year 1 to Year 9 or 10).
School education is 13 years and divided into:

Primary school - Runs for seven or eight years, starting at Kindergarten/Preparatory through to Year 6 or 7.

Secondary school - Runs for three or four years, from Years 7 to 10 or 8 to 10.

Senior secondary school - Runs for two years, Years 11 and 12.

Tertiary education

Tertiary education includes both higher education (including universities) and vocational education and training (VET).

Language of instruction

English is the official language of Australia and the main language of instruction in the education system. Many
schools offer bilingual programs or programs in other languages.

Australian Qualifications Framework

The Australian education system is distinguished from many other countries by the Australian Qualifications
Framework (AQF).(opens in a new window) The AQF was established in 1995 and is a national policy that covers
qualifications from the tertiary education sector (higher education and vocational education and training) in addition to
the school-leaving certificate; the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education.

The AQF has 10 levels and links school, vocational and university education qualifications into one national system.
This allows you to move easily from one level of study to the next, and from one institution to another, as long as you
satisfy student visa requirements. It allows for choice and flexibility in career planning. All qualifications in the AQF
help prepare you for both further study and your working life.

If you are studying an AQF qualification, you can be sure that your institution is Government-authorised and nationally
accredited, and that your degree or other AQF qualification will be genuine.

Our institutions are linked across the country and across the world, which makes it easy to move throughout the
education system between courses or institutions and formal agreement and recognition frameworks mean every
step of the path will contribute to your future no matter what your study or career goals.