Australian Education System
Structure of the Australian education
system:
University
University is
the highest level of study in Australia. Study can be undertaken at
an undergraduate level (Bachelor Degree) and/or a postgraduate
level (Graduate Certificate, Diploma, Masters, PhD). Australia has
41 universities, 38 of which are government funded and three
privately funded.
Vocational
Vocational institutions include skill-based courses which are
closely linked to selected industries and give students practical
skills and industry experience. Courses are provided at both
government-funded Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutes
and private institutions. Many vocational institutes have links and
agreements with universities. Through these links, universities may
offer up to one year of advanced standing into a Bachelor degree as
well as guaranteed entry into your course when you achieve the
required grades at your vocational institution. Many of the courses
provide advanced standing into university degrees.
School
Australian schools are either government or privately funded. The
schooling system is separated into two levels: primary and
secondary. Primary school is undertaken by students between the
ages of 6 and 12 years and secondary school is undertaken by
students between the ages of 13 and 18 years. School is compulsory
for children between the ages of 6 to 15 after which students may
choose to continue their secondary study (up until the age of 18),
leave secondary school to enter the workforce or enrol in
vocational courses.
English Language
There are approximately 100 private English language centres in
Australia. Courses in English can be taken for a variety of reasons
including study, travel, immigration or business purposes. English
courses can also be undertaken at some universities and TAFE
institutions.
Australian Academic
Year
The Australian academic year begins in early February for school
students and late February/early March for vocational and
university students. Most schools have three or four terms a year.
Unlike the school system, universities and vocational institutes
have two semesters with exams held at the end of each semester in
June and November, followed by a two-to-four-week break. The long
summer holiday break is from November to March.
