Education System
The Australian education system offers primary, secondary and tertiary education linked across the country and across the world
Australia offers a diverse range of study options for international students, with more than 1,100 institutions and over 22,000 courses.
You can study at all levels of education from primary and secondary school, to vocational education and training (VET), from English language courses to higher education (including universities).
Regardless of what you are studying or how long you are studying for, Australia’s laws promote quality education and protection for international students.
Regardless of what you are studying or how long you are studying for, Australia’s laws promote quality education and protection for international students.
The Australian education system is distinguished from many other countries by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
The AQF has 10 levels and links school, vocational and university education qualifications into one national system. This allows to move easily from one level of study to the next, and from one institution to another, as long as you satisfy student visa requirements. It allows for choice and flexibility in career planning. All qualifications in the AQF help prepare you for both further study and your working life.
If you are studying an AQF qualification, you can be sure that your institution is Government-authorised and nationally accredited, and that your degree or other AQF qualification will be genuine.
The AQF has 10 levels and links school, vocational and university education qualifications into one national system. This allows to move easily from one level of study to the next, and from one institution to another, as long as you satisfy student visa requirements. It allows for choice and flexibility in career planning. All qualifications in the AQF help prepare you for both further study and your working life.
If you are studying an AQF qualification, you can be sure that your institution is Government-authorised and nationally accredited, and that your degree or other AQF qualification will be genuine.
School education
School education is 13 years
(Primary and Secondary)
Primary school – Runs for seven or eight years, starting at Kindergarten/Preparatory through to Year 6 or 7.
Secondary school – Runs for three or four years, from Years 7 to 10 or 8 to 10.
Senior secondary school – Runs for two years, Years 11 and 12.
Primary school – Runs for seven or eight years, starting at Kindergarten/Preparatory through to Year 6 or 7.
Secondary school – Runs for three or four years, from Years 7 to 10 or 8 to 10.
Senior secondary school – Runs for two years, Years 11 and 12.
Tertiary education
Vocational Education and Training
VET are skill-based courses which are linked to given industries and provide students with practical skills and industry experience. Allow students to gain qualifications for various types of employment, and also to acquire specific skills to help them in the future workplace.
Tertiary education
Higher education (including universities)
University is the highest level of study in Australia. There are two levels: 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.
English Language Courses
General English
English for Academic Purposes
English for Specific Purposes
Examination Preparation
Australia offers a range of English courses to suit a range of study needs. There are a range of English language testing organizations whose results are recognized in Australia and around the world.
English for Academic Purposes
English for Specific Purposes
Examination Preparation
Australia offers a range of English courses to suit a range of study needs. There are a range of English language testing organizations whose results are recognized in Australia and around the world.
Study in Australia Website
Study in Australia is the Australian Government’s official resource for international students — www.studyinaustralia.gov.au
This site is managed by Austrade – the Australian Trade and Investment Commission – and contains links to other official Federal and State Government departments and authorities. You can be confident that the information presented on these pages comes from certified, impartial and reliable sources.
The Study in Australia website – trusted source of information for prospective international students, their families and agents to learn more about Australia as a place to study.
Study in Australia website contains carefully curated, practical and reliable information to help students make informed decisions about where they’d like to study in Australia, which course and institution best suits their needs, and what the experience can be like when they live and study here.
It also sets out to reassure prospective students about the laws, legislations and specialist services in place in Australia, which ensure every individual feels safe, welcomed, supported and protected for the entire time they’re in Australia.
All Australian state and territory study destinations work in partnership with Austrade and other Australian government agencies to deliver information and services to international students.
Study in Australia website contains carefully curated, practical and reliable information to help students make informed decisions about where they’d like to study in Australia, which course and institution best suits their needs, and what the experience can be like when they live and study here.
It also sets out to reassure prospective students about the laws, legislations and specialist services in place in Australia, which ensure every individual feels safe, welcomed, supported and protected for the entire time they’re in Australia.
All Australian state and territory study destinations work in partnership with Austrade and other Australian government agencies to deliver information and services to international students.
State and Territory agencies and Study Australia partners
- Study Brisbane (QLD)
- Australian Capital Territory Government (ACT) – Study Canberra
- Study Gold Coast (QLD)
- New South Wales Government (NSW) – Study Sydney
- Northern Territory Government (NT) – Study NT
- Queensland Government (QLD – Study Queensland
- South Australian Government (SA) – Study Adelaide
- Tasmanian Government (TAS) – Study Tasmania
- Victorian Government (VIC) – Study Melbourne
- Study Perth (WA)
