Education in Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Education in Australia

Australian Government
Minister for Education	Jason Clare
National education budget (2015)
Budget	A$111.8 billion 5.9 percent of GDP
General details
Primary languages	English
System type	State
Established compulsory education	1830s 1870s
Literacy (2003)
Total	99%
Male	99%
Female	99%
Enrollment (2008)
Total	20.4% of population
Primary	1.9 million
Secondary	1.4 million
Post secondary	1 million

Education in Australia covers everything from early learning (preschool) to primary school, high school, and then higher education like universities or vocational training. While Australian states and territories are mostly in charge of schools and funding, the Australian Government also helps out with money.

School is compulsory in Australia, meaning you have to go, from around age five or six until you are fifteen, sixteen, or seventeen. The exact ages depend on where you live in Australia and your birthday.

Most students (about 65%) go to government-run schools for primary and secondary education. The other 35% attend non-government schools. For university, most are public, and the government helps students pay fees through a special loan program. You only start paying back these loans when you earn a certain amount of money.

Australia has a national system for all its qualifications, called the Australian Qualifications Framework, which started in 1995. This system connects school, vocational training, and university qualifications. Since 2010, there's also a national Australian Curriculum that schools follow.

Australia is a popular place for students from other countries to study. In 2012, it was the third most popular choice after the United States and the United Kingdom. In fact, Australia has the most international students per person in the world! In 2019, about 812,000 international students were studying at Australian universities and training places.

However, in a 2018 study called PISA, Australian students ranked 16th in reading, 29th in maths, and 17th in science. This shows that educational standards have been declining.

The Education Index, which is part of the UN's Human Development Index, ranked Australia's education system as the second best in the world in 2018, based on data from 2017.

How Australian Education is Managed

The different states and territories in Australia are mainly responsible for running and funding education. This is because the Australian Government doesn't have a specific power in the Constitution to make laws about education. However, the federal government does help fund non-government schools and public universities. It also helps students pay for higher education through a national loan scheme and oversees vocational training providers.

After you finish compulsory schooling, your education is guided by the Australian Qualifications Framework. This is a single system that covers qualifications from schools, vocational training, and universities.

The Australian Government's role in education has changed over time, with different departments in charge. Currently, the Department of Education, Skills and Employment was formed in 2020.

The school year in Australia usually starts in late January or early February and finishes in early or mid-December for primary and secondary schools. Universities and TAFE colleges have slightly different dates, usually running from late February to mid-November.

Early Learning: What is Preschool?

Preschool programs in Australia used to be less regulated and not compulsory. While it's still not mandatory for children to attend, the Australian Government has been encouraging families since 2009 to enroll their four-year-olds in quality preschool or kindergarten programs. Now, preschools must follow the national Early Years Learning Framework.

Many Australian children first learn with others outside their family at daycare or a parent-run playgroup. These are generally not considered formal schooling. Preschool education is usually separate from primary school in most states, except for Western Australia. In Queensland, preschools are often called Kindergarten or Pre-Prep.

Preschools are mostly run by state and territory governments, but in Victoria, South Australia, and New South Wales, they are often run by local councils, community groups, or private groups. Preschool is for three- to five-year-olds. Most children (85.7%) attend preschool the year before they start primary school. This year is the most common for preschool education and usually involves a few hours of activities during weekdays. Most states now fund government preschools to offer 15 hours per week of education for children in the year before formal schooling.

Primary and Secondary Schooling

Map showing people attending primary school in Australia (2011)

Map showing people attending secondary school in Australia (2011)

In 2019, there were 10,584 registered schools in Australia. About 7,092 of these were government schools, which taught 65.4% of all students. In 2017, there were nearly 282,000 teachers in Australian primary and secondary schools. Of the non-government schools, almost two-thirds were Catholic schools. State and territory governments pay most of the costs for government schools. The Australian Government provides most of the public funding for non-government schools, which is topped up by states and territories.

Non-government schools, whether religious or not, usually charge fees. Government schools generally don't charge compulsory tuition fees, though many ask for "voluntary" payments to help with certain costs.

All schools, whether government or non-government, follow the same curriculum standards set by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. Most schools also require students to wear school uniforms. The school year in Australia runs from January to December.

A Brief History of Australian Schools

Formal education in Australia started in the 19th century when European settlers began building public facilities. The first schools were often built by former convicts or church members. From about 1905, many Stolen Generations children were educated like non-Aboriginal children, aiming to make them fit into the non-Aboriginal community. This practice was made illegal in 1969.

How Long Do You Have to Go to School?

School attendance is compulsory in Australia between certain ages, which vary slightly by state or territory. Generally, you must attend school from age five or six until you are fifteen to seventeen.

In most states and territories, children must legally attend school from age six until the minimum leaving age. In Tasmania, it's age five. However, most children start a preliminary year of formal schooling, often called kindergarten, reception, preparation (prep), or transition, when they are between four and a half and five and a half years old.

In 2010, about 78% of students stayed in school until Year 12, which is beyond the minimum leaving age. This shows how many students continue their education.

What is the Australian Curriculum?

While states and territories manage their own schools, the Australian Government has played a bigger role since 2014 in creating the Australian Curriculum. This curriculum sets out what all young Australians should learn, no matter where they live or their background. The goal is to improve the quality and fairness of Australia's education system.

The Australian Curriculum for pre-Year 1 to Year 10 includes eight main learning areas: English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, The Arts, Technologies, Health and Physical Education, and Languages. For senior secondary school (Years 11 and 12), there are fifteen subjects across English, Mathematics, Science, History, and Geography. The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority also sets "achievement standards" that describe what students should know and be able to do in each subject.

Different Kinds of Schools

Schools in Australia are generally divided into two main types: government schools (run by state or territory governments) and non-government schools. Non-government schools can be further split into Catholic schools and other private schools.

Government schools get their money from the state or territory government. Non-government schools receive funding from both the Australian Government and the relevant state or territory government. In most cases, parents also pay fees for their child's education at non-government schools.

In 2019, about two-thirds of all primary and secondary students attended government schools, while the other third went to non-government schools. A small number of students are also legally home-schooled, especially in rural areas.

School Years and Levels

Primary Schools

St Patricks Primary in Murrumbeena, a Catholic primary school in Australia

Primary schools in Australia usually cover a child's education from pre-Year 1 up to Year 6. The number of primary school years can vary slightly between states and territories, but most have seven years. In South Australia, until 2022, students finished primary school with Year 7. Children usually finish primary school when they are 11, 12, or 13 years old. Primary schools focus on teaching important reading, writing, and maths skills, and giving children basic knowledge about the world.

Secondary Schools

Secondary schools in Australia are also known as high schools or colleges. They vary across states and territories but generally cover Year 7 to Year 10 (the compulsory period of education). Senior secondary schools then continue to Year 12.

Middle Schools

Middle schools are not very common in most parts of Australia. Students usually move directly from primary school to secondary school. Some secondary schools divide their grades into "junior high school" (Years 7, 8, 9, and 10) and "senior high school" (Years 11 and 12). Some even have three levels: "junior" (Years 7 and 8), "intermediate" (Years 9 and 10), and "senior" (Years 11 and 12).

In June 2006, the Northern Territory Government introduced a system with middle schools for Year 7 to Year 9 (ages 12–15) and high schools for Year 10 to Year 12 (ages 15–18).

Combined and Central Schools

Combined schools in Australia have both primary and secondary year levels. These schools can be in cities, regional areas, or rural areas, and can be government or non-government. In 2019, there were about 500 combined government schools and 850 combined non-government schools.

Central schools are mostly government schools in rural areas that provide both primary and lower secondary education, usually up to Year 10. In 2019, there were 62 Australian central schools, with almost all of them in rural New South Wales. In Western Australia, these are called district high schools.

Different School Structures

Schools are broadly divided into government and non-government schools. Non-government schools are further split into Catholic schools and private schools. In 2018, 65.7% of students were in government schools, 19.7% in Catholic schools, and 14.6% in private schools.

Specialised Schools

Special Schools

A special school is for students who have special educational needs. This could be due to learning difficulties, physical disabilities, developmental disabilities, or social/emotional challenges. These schools are designed with special staff and resources to help children with extra needs. Students in special schools usually don't attend regular mainstream classes. They cater to students with different levels of intellectual disabilities, deaf students, students with Autism, and those with physical disabilities. Class sizes are smaller than in regular schools, and there are more teachers and support staff per student. Some special schools also have therapists on staff.

Selective Schools

A selective school is a government school that chooses its students based on certain criteria, usually academic ability. This is different from an open or comprehensive school, which accepts all students regardless of their academic skills.

In New South Wales, getting into a selective high school is very competitive. About 3,600 places are offered to 15,000 students who take the Selective High School Test. In 2019, there were 47 fully or partially selective government high schools. Many of these are in greater metropolitan Sydney. James Ruse Agricultural High School is well-known for its high academic achievements.

In Victoria, selective government high schools choose all their students based on an entrance exam. As of 2011, there were four such schools: Melbourne High School, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School, Nossal High School, and Suzanne Cory High School. There are also special schools like the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School and John Monash Science School for students interested in arts and science.

Queensland has four selective entry high schools. Brisbane State High School is partially selective. The three Queensland Academies are fully selective. All require students to pass academic tests, show good NAPLAN results, and may include interviews.

In Western Australia, selective education is called Gifted and Talented Education (GATE). Students apply for Year 7 and up to Year 11. Applicants must take the Academic Selective Entrance Test and might have interviews or workshops. Programs focus on academics, languages, or arts. Eighteen government schools participate, each specializing in one area. Most are partially selective, except for Perth Modern School, which is fully selective.

Specialist Schools

Specialist schools offer special education programs and are found in all Australian states and territories. These schools often focus on the arts or elite sports. In South Australia, specialist schools cover arts, gifted and talented programs, languages, agricultural schools, STEM, and sports schools. In Victoria, examples include schools for science and maths (John Monash Science School), performing arts (Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School), and sports (Maribyrnong Secondary College).

International Schools

International schools in Australia promote international education. They might be run by a foreign government, the local state or territory government, or as a private school. These schools often have international accreditation, like from the International Baccalaureate Organization. In 2019, about 80 Australian schools fit this description, with most offering International Baccalaureate programs. Other schools are linked to specific cultures or languages, such as French, German, or Japanese schools.

Day and Boarding Schools

Both government and non-government schools in Australia offer day and boarding options. In 2019, out of 10,584 registered schools, about 250 (less than 2.5%) were boarding schools. Boarding schools can help students achieve their academic potential and support their personal growth. Some Australian boarding schools are for boys only (about 21%) or for girls only (about 28%), while others are co-educational (51%). Some schools offer flexible options, like full-time or part-time boarding. In 2017, over 22,815 students were in boarding schools.

What Qualifications Can You Get?

Each state and territory in Australia is responsible for giving out certificates and qualifications to high school students. These are generally known as the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. Here's a summary of the main qualifications:

Students can also choose to get an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme certificate, either instead of or in addition to their state certificate.

Basic Skills Tests: NAPLAN

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a set of tests for basic skills given every year to Australian students. These tests check students' reading, writing, language (spelling, grammar, and punctuation), and maths. NAPLAN started in 2008 and is managed by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). The tests help see if students are meeting learning goals. They are usually taken on the same days across Australia. Parents can decide if their children take the test. Most students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 participate. One goal of NAPLAN is to help prepare students for future competitive exams.

International Students in Australian Schools

In Australia, an international student is someone who studies at an approved school but is not an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or New Zealand citizen. The Australian Government regulates education for international students who come to Australia on a student visa. In 2018, there were 396 school providers approved to teach international students. While Australia has seen a lot of growth in international education, school-based international student numbers dropped slightly in 2019. Most international students are in university, vocational training, or English language courses.

International education is one of Australia's biggest exports and has a big impact on the country's population, as many international students stay in Australia after graduating. The number of international students in Australia is expected to grow to 940,000 by 2025. The largest groups of international students are expected to come from China, India, Vietnam, Thailand, Nepal, Malaysia, Brazil, and South Korea.

Challenges in Australian School Education

Education for Indigenous Children

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children often face more challenges in school compared to non-Indigenous Australians. In 2008, the Council of Australian Governments set seven "closing the gap" goals, with four related to education:

1. To have 95% of all Indigenous four-year-olds in early childhood education by 2025.
2. To halve the gap in reading, writing, and maths for Indigenous students within ten years (by 2018).
3. To halve the gap for Indigenous 20–24 year olds finishing Year 12 or an equivalent qualification (by 2020).
4. To close the gap in school attendance between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students within five years (by 2018).

As of 2018, here's how these goals were progressing:

Bilingual Education in Schools

Bilingual education in Australia means teaching in two languages. It has different purposes: helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples keep their languages alive, supporting immigrant groups, and allowing English speakers to learn another language.

The first government support for bilingual education for Aboriginal students came in 1950 in the Northern Territory (NT). Policies changed over the years, but in 1973, five pilot programs were introduced. Yirrkala Community School was one of the first, and its bilingual students performed well.

However, there have been debates and changes in policy. In 2008, the NT Government said English should be the main language for the first four hours of the school day. After protests, this policy changed. In 2012, a report recommended that Indigenous language education should be offered in all schools with Aboriginal students.

Prominent schools like Yirrkala Community Education Centre and Shepherdson College continue to teach using a "both-ways" method, where students' first language, Yolngu Matha, is taught alongside English. This method has helped reduce dropout rates, and in 2020, eight students from Yirrkala were the first in their community to graduate Year 12 and go to university. These schools are now seen as models for learning in remote traditional communities.

Tertiary Education: Beyond High School

Map showing people attending a tertiary institution in Australia (2011)

Tertiary education in Australia means studying after high school, usually at a university or a registered training organisation (RTO) to get a diploma or higher qualification. These institutions help you gain more skills and training. Universities are either established or recognized by Australian laws. Vocational education providers, both public and private, are registered by state and territory governments.

Australia has 42 universities: 37 are public, 3 are private, and 2 are international private universities. In 2015, Monash University in Melbourne was the largest, with five campuses and 75,000 students.

All students doing nationally recognized training need a Unique Student Identifier (USI).

International University Students

Australia has the highest number of international students per person in the world. In 2019, 812,000 international students were enrolled in Australian universities and vocational institutions. This means international students made up about 26.7% of university students in Australia. International education is a huge export for Australia and influences the country's population, as many international students stay after graduating. The number of international students is expected to reach 940,000 by 2025.

University Rankings

Many Australian universities are highly ranked globally. In 2021, 36 Australian universities were listed in the QS World University Rankings, and 37 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. In 2020, 34 Australian universities were in China's Academic Ranking of World Universities, with The University of Melbourne ranking highest at 35th globally. The U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Rankings also listed 38 Australian universities in 2020.

The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) in 2009 ranked the Australian education system 6th for reading, 7th for science, and 9th for mathematics among 56 countries. In 2012, an education firm called Pearson ranked Australian education 13th in the world.

The Education Index, part of the UN's Human Development Index, listed Australia as 0.929 in 2018 (based on 2017 data), making it the second-highest in the world.