The Australian education system: Must Know for a student
Australia has been a popular destination for students from all over the world. In case you have an interest in studying here, it’s super important to understand how the education system operates.
You are at the right time and place, as this blog has all the information about the history, structure and opportunities available in the Australian education system.
Origin and evolution of the Australian education system
The roots of the Australian education system dates back to the early 19th century. The Britishers were the main authority and they opened the schools under their influence.
Over time, Australia continued to develop its independent education system by adding significant reforms. Let’s have a look at the timeline of the Australian education system.
Key milestones
- 1872: Education was made compulsory in Victoria, which was later adopted by other states.
- 1988: The Higher Education Funding Act was introduced, to create a structured university funding model.
- 2000s: Introduction of the Australian qualifications framework, standardised qualifications across different levels of education.
These reforms made the Australian education system more structured and adaptive to International educational trends.
Stages of education in Australia
The Australian education system is divided into different stages, with personalised focus and requirements.
1. Primary and secondary education
Education begins with primary school, running from Kindergarten to Year 6.
Secondary Education involves Year 7 to Year 12. NAPLAN (National Assessment Program- Literacy and Numeracy) has to be attended by students in Year 10. This examination assesses their skills in reading, writing and mathematics.
The last 2 years, i.e., Year 11 and Year 12 lead to the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education, which is mandatory for getting into Australian Universities.
2. Vocational education and training ( VET)
The VET system is popular in Australia. It provides practical and industry-specific training to students. This is popular among international students, as it offers courses in domains like IT, engineering and hospitality.
These qualifications range from Certificates 1-4, establishing the level of diploma and advanced diploma. These are on-demand courses, providing a most structured pathway for university education or employment.
3. Higher Education
Australia has a total of 43 universities that offer qualifications from Bachelors to Doctoral degrees.
As per the Australian qualification frameworks ( AQF), all these qualifications across the education institutions are standardised. It’s easy to transfer credits and continue education at different levels.
Opportunities for international students
Australia is a land of opportunity when it comes to education for international students. It offers high-quality education, and support for cultural diversity and empowers support systems.
Why choose Australia?
- Currently, Australia ranks 8th in the Global rankings of higher education systems.
- More than 500,000 international students are currently pursuing different courses in Australia.
- Apart from educational programs, universities provide extensive support services like language assistance, career guidance and counselling.
Admission criteria
- For undergraduate programs, a senior secondary certificate with good grades is preferred. For example, the ATAR score needs to be 70, to get the opportunity of studying in reputed Australian universities.
- Proficiency in English is crucial. Australian universities prefer an IELTS score of 6.5 or more.
- For postgraduate programs, you need to have a relevant Bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 5.0 or higher on a 7.0 scale.
Scholarships and financial support
Australia awards is a government-funded scholarship available for students belonging to countries in Asia, the Pacific, Africa and the Middle East.
Universities also offer scholarships like the University of Melbourne’s International Undergraduate scholarship which covers up to 100% tuition fees.
Exploring Australia’s top universities
Australia is the home to leading Global universities, renowned for their Research and academic excellence.
Group of Eight Universities
University of Melbourne ( established 1853)
Located in Victoria, it is the second oldest university in Australia. It has always been one of the top institutions in the country. The University of Melbourne has been successful in delivering courses in law, medicine, business and arts.
Australian National University ( established 1946)
Another top institute is based in Canberra. Mainly popular as a research university, it has earned excellence in fields like Social sciences, environmental research and international relations.
University of Sydney ( established 1850)
The oldest university in Australia, renowned for strong programs in humanities, sciences, engineering and law. With a rich history in academic excellence, it is highly reputed for its research contributions.
University of Queensland ( established 1909)
Based in Brisbane, UQ is a premier institute in biological sciences, engineering and Social sciences. It has contributed to research in domains like tropical health, climate change and nanotechnology.
University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) ( established 1949)
UNSW is a global leader in engineering, business and law. With its emphasis on innovation, entrepreneurship and research it has delivered excellent results in Quantum computing and renewable energy.
Monash University ( established 1958)
Located in Melbourne, Monash is renowned for its extensive research facilities in medicine, pharmacology and engineering. It has the richest campuses and boasts of a strong International presence with subsidiaries abroad.
University of Western Australia ( established 1911)
It is based in Perth and is popular for its contributions to domains like earth and Marine sciences, environmental science and Agriculture. It has delivered excellent results for its research in energy and mineral resources.
University of Adelaide ( established 1874)
A top institute located in South Australia. It has earned its reputation for contributions to agriculture, Health sciences and being one of the oldest universities in Australia it has delivered excellent results in scientific research and innovation.
Cultural and Extracurricular Involvement
Australia has not only a great educational system but also an opportunity to plunge into a new culture and become a new person.
Student Life
Many universities provide numerous clubs and societies, that are divided into sports and academic ones, so you can enhance your experience and make new friends.
Getting involved in any school activity is advised because it complements your student growth and maybe leaves a positive impression on your resume.
Work-Study Balance
An international student is allowed to work up to 20 hours a week during the semester, and full-time during the break.
Such employment may be hospitality, retail, and tutoring to allow one to have work experience while practising.
Career Opportunities Post-Graduation
Australia boasts a relatively sound economy and has a large number of sectors where graduates have promising jobs.
The Job Market
Graduates are much sought after in such areas as health, engineering, technology, and education.
With the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485), you can lawfully reside and work in Australia for up to 4 years after the education completion.
Long-Term Benefits
A degree completed in Australia is acknowledged all over the world hence improving one’s chances of employment all over the world.
A large number of international students leverage their education attained in Australia as a ticket to gaining permanent resident status.
Conclusion
This flagship is offered in the Australian education system, as it is a comprehensive method that fits students in terms of academic, personal and professional development. It is rather important to understand how this system operates to take the best out of your educational process.
So, if you are currently planning on pursuing an education in Australia, Scribble Masters LLP will be able to provide you with the information and support you need about the application, the academic demands and how to achieve your goals. Get in touch with us now and find out how we can help you with your travel.
