Australian Study Council

Australia is widely recognised for the delivery of high quality, internationally recognised qualifications by a diverse range of international education providers. Australia’s international education sector has undergone rapid growth over the past decade, with the number of Student Visas more than doubling from 108 000 in 1997-98 to 269 828 in 2009-10.

 

Education in Australia is primarily the responsibility of the states and territories. Each state or territory government provides funding and regulates the public and private schools within its governing area. The federal government helps fund the public universities, but was not involved in setting university curriculum.[8] As of 2012, the Australian National Curriculum,[9] under development and trial for several years, has already been adopted by some schools and will become mandatory soon. Generally, education in Australia follows the three-tier model which includes primary education (primary schools), followed by secondary education (secondary schools/high schools) and tertiary education (universities and/or TAFE colleges).

 

The Australian education system provides primary, secondary and tertiary education.

 

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:

 

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

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

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

4. 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). 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.