Education in Australia - system

Preschool and school education has a similar structure across Australia with only slight variations amongst the States and Territories. School education is thirteen years with some variations in Queensland and Western Australia. It is divided into a preparatory year, primary schooling and secondary schooling.

Preschool education starts at age 5 and is not compulsory. Primary schooling runs between age 6 and 12 or 13. Students enter secondary education in Year 7 or 8. School education is compulsory until students reach school leaving age which varies across states, between 15 and 17. Students have to sit a Year 12 exam to assess their eligibility to proceed with higher education. Around 68% of Australian children attend free, government-funded schools which are mostly co-educational and nonreligious. A parallel fee-paying sector also exists, including independent schools and schools run by various religious institutions. Children who need to attend boarding school in their secondary school years because of rural isolation will usually attend schools of this type, and their boarding costs are subsidised by the Government. Tertiary education programmes are divided into 2 main types, vocational ones offered by institutions and industry, and higher education courses offered by universities and colleges. There are approximately 4,000 registered training organisations, including TAFE institutes, private training and assessment organisations, enterprises, universities, schools and adult education providers throughout Australia.

More information, you find here