Australian education system is based on British one. However, it is different and even has different variations within the country.

Schools

Schools in Australia are run from Year 1 to Year 12 and include 1 additional year for preschool (also known as preparatory or kindergarten). The school education is divided into three parts:

• Primary: Year 1 to 6 or 7 depending on the state;
• Secondary: Year 7 or 8 to Year 10;
• Senior Secondary: Years 11 and 12.

Australian school students start preschool at the age of 5. The compulsory education is until Year 10.

Tertiary Education

All education programmes after school are called Tertiary Education in Australia. It includes Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses and Higher Education (universities and colleges).

VET

VET programmes are designed for those students who would like to enter workforce as quickly as possible after completing school education and have all necessary skills to do so. The programmes are taught in many different subject areas such as business, hospitality and tourism, retail, fashion, technology, health and many more. Students are awarded the following qualifications at the end of their studies:

• Certificate I
• Certificate II
• Certificate III
• Certificate IV
• Diploma
• Advanced Diploma

These qualifications can be provided by government Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions as well as private institutions. Depending on qualification it takes from 4 months to 3 years to complete the programme.

After graduating with one of the above mentioned VET qualifications students can either enter the workforce or continue their education in one of the universities with extra credits (or recognition of prior learning). This potentially can shorten their studies in university.

Higher Education

There are 43 universities in Australia (40 Australian universities, two international universities, and one private specialty university). In addition there are other institutions that offer higher education courses on both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

There are three main types of degrees in Australian higher education: Bachelor, Master and Doctoral degrees. Most universities in Australia offer double degrees in two subject areas, for example, Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Information Technology. However, there are additional qualifications that exist in higher education sector:

1. Associate Degree. Duration is 2 years. This programme is for those who do not have time to complete full Bachelor degree and already entered workforce. Associate degree offers more practical knowledge of the industry.
2. Bachelor Degree. Duration is usually 3 years. Unless it is a double degree or some science/engineering/medicine related programmes.
3. Bachelor Degree (Honours). Students can enrol into this qualification only during completing their usual Bachelor degree. Those who are doing exceptionally well may be granted permission to enter this programme and receive Honours. This would require 1 year of additional studying.
4. Graduate Certificate. Duration is 6 months. This course is mainly for those who would like to broaden their knowledge in the field or get information within new area. This course is for Bachelor degree holders.
5. Graduate Diploma. Duration is 1 year. This course is mainly for those who would like to broaden their knowledge in the field or get information within new area and potentially get a pathway into postgraduate studies. This course is for Bachelor degree holders and highly skilled professionals.
6. Master Degree. Duration usually varies from 1 to 2 years depending on programme subject area and university. There are two ways how this degree can be obtained: by coursework and by research.
7. Doctoral Degree. Duration is typically 3 years. This is purely research programme and students would be required to complete their own original research in the chosen field of study.