Australia is home to some of the world’s top-ranked colleges and universities, which offer respected degrees in high-demand fields. Previously, we explored topics like student visas for Australia and how to apply for Australian undergraduate courses, as well as what it’s like living in Australia, and why you might want to study there.
Below, we’ll focus on Australia’s education system, including:
- How Australia’s education system works
- Academic qualifications you can get in Australia
- Types of foundation programs offered
Australia’s education system is supported by national standards which help to ensure that all students receive a high-quality education. The system includes primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of education.
In Australia, the term school is used for primary and secondary education, while tertiary education includes Vocational Education and Training (VET), and higher education.
School
School is similar across all of Australia’s states and territories. Attending primary and secondary education is mandatory for children aged six to sixteen (Year 1 to Year 9 or 10).
School has three standard study levels:
- Primary: Lasts seven or eight years, starting at kindergarten/preparatory through to Year 6 or 7.
- Secondary: Runs for three or four years, from Year 7 to 10 or from Year 8 to 10.
- Senior Secondary: Runs for two years (Years 11 and 12).
Prepare to study in Australia by making a budget. Use our guide for up-to-date cost of living numbers, from rent to average restaurant costs.
Tertiary Education
Tertiary education in Australia includes both Vocational Education and Training (VET) and degree courses at colleges and universities. International students may pursue both types of tertiary education, provided they meet the individual course requirements.
Vocational Education and Training
Vocational Education and Training (VET) focuses on career readiness and can be an excellent choice for students who want to enter the workforce quickly in skilled trades or technical roles.
VET certificate and diploma courses are more hands-on than theoretical, and often include work placements or workplace-based learning. After graduation, some VET students pursue semiskilled, skilled, trade, and paraprofessional careers. Meanwhile, others use their qualifications as a ‘ladder’ towards a degree or a specialized graduate certification.
Australia’s VET sector is based on a partnership between governments and industry, and is regulated nationally.
VET qualifications may be earned at:
- Government-owned colleges, called Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutes
- Independent registered training organisations (RTOs)
- Private colleges
- Dual sector universities that offer VET and higher education courses
- Some senior secondary schools
Let’s learn a bit more about each of these types of institution.
Technical and Further Education (TAFE) Institutes
Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutes are government-funded colleges for vocational learning. TAFEs can be very large institutions with a variety of course options.
Some TAFEs are affiliated with universities. This allows them to offer bachelor’s degrees through their partner university.
Independent Registered Training Organisations (RTOs)
RTOs teach accredited VET courses at campuses that are independently operated (i.e. without government funding). They offer training that’s aligned with current industry needs, and range in size from small, industry-specific organizations to national education providers.
Some RTOs offer online, self-paced, or part-time studies. While this flexibility can be attractive, ensure your target course’s format aligns with your student visa’s requirements.
Private Colleges
VET is also offered at private colleges in Australia. Unlike TAFEs, private colleges typically specialize in one to two different study areas within a specific industry. Larger colleges offer a breadth of courses, and often have a religious affiliation.
VET in Schools
Some senior secondary schools also offer VET programs. Where eligible, students can earn a VET Certificate I, II, III, or IV alongside their Senior Secondary Certificate of Education.
Higher Education
Higher education includes bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree courses. These courses are offered at all Australian universities, and at some VET institutions.
Universities are Australia’s primary Higher Education Institutes (HEIs). There are currently 42 universities in Australia. Universities offer undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses in all areas of study. Some universities are dual-status, which means they offer VET and higher education courses.
Universities have a more academic focus. Students develop a deeper knowledge of the field they’re specializing in (referred to as their “major” or “area of specialization”). They also develop professional, transferable skills along with industry-specific occupational skills.
Qualifications
Australian academic qualifications largely fit into three categories. Each qualification has its own level on the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF):
- Certificates: Certificates are offered in schools and VETs. They provide introductory skills and training from Levels 1 to 4 on the AQF. Graduate certificates provide higher-level skills (AQF Level 6) and are popular among students who are upskilling.
- Diplomas: Diplomas can be earned in VETs and in some HEIs. This qualification includes diplomas (AQF Level 5), advanced diplomas (Level 6), and graduate diplomas (Level 8).
- Degrees: Degrees are typically granted by HEIs after the completion of an academic course, and include associate (AQF Level 6) bachelor’s (Levels 7 and 8), master’s (Level 9) degrees, and doctoral degrees (Level 10).
Does Australia Offer Foundation Programs?
Pathway programs help international students to meet a VET or degree course’s entry requirements. This might include taking an English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS), or enrolling in foundation studies or a bridging course.
Here’s a quick look at what these options mean:
- English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS): Provides intensive, short-term English language training before formal studies.
- Bridging Course: A short course, often lasting a few weeks to a couple of months. It helps students meet subject-specific prerequisite requirements for admission into a higher education course (i.e.: math, physics).
- Foundation Studies: Usually a one-year preparatory course that gives students the overall academic skills they need to start a bachelor’s degree in Australia.
No matter the study level you decide to pursue in Australia, it’s guaranteed to be the first step in an exciting new chapter.
Ready to study Down Under? Explore your study options on the ApplyBoard platform. Don’t forget to tailor your search with our program match function, or scholarship tags.