AUSTRALIA EDUCATION SYSTEM
The education system in Australia is governed by each state. Australia consists of 6 states and 2 territories (www.mystudyoverseas.com/australia). For international students, there are 2 broad categories of schools, both public and private owned, to choose from as both accept international students.
In general, the system of education in Australia is divided into 3 categories consists of primary education (Primary schools), secondary education (Secondary schools) and tertiary education (Universities, VETs or RTOs and TAFEs).
Primary Education
Australian education starts with primary education which is the preparatory years (Year 1 to Year 6).
Secondary Education
This is followed by Year 7 to Year 12. Education is compulsory until the age of 16 or the completion of Year 10.
Tertiary Education
The tertiary education system is further divided into three sub categories:
Also known as Vocational Education and Training colleges (VETs) or Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). These self-accredited higher education institutions are usually privately operated and include a number of commercial training providers, group training companies and community learning centers.
Colleges usually provide training for students who are interested in gaining qualifications for a career that does not require any university degree. These institutions award different levels of Certificates (ranging from I to IV) to the students.
Also known as Technical and Further Education colleges (TAFEs). These institutions form an integral part of the Australian higher education system and provide a wide range of predominantly vocational tertiary education courses in Australia. The courses covered include subjects such as business, marketing, tourism, health science, construction, etc.
TAFEs provide Certificate, Diploma and Associate Degrees which usually take about 1 to 2 years to complete. After this, a student can pursue further qualifications at the university level.
The Australian University System consists of both public and private universities. University studies are undertaken both at the undergraduate and postgraduate leading to a degree qualification or doctorate.
There are 39 public, government funded universities and 2 private universities. Add to this is 1 online, Open University for students to choose from. Both types offer specialist and general courses.
Note:
The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) regulates the education levels and qualifications from the Secondary education level onwards. Thus, there is a unified system of qualifications in schools, Vocational Education and Training colleges (VETs), Technical and Further Education colleges (TAFEs) and the universities.
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