Australian Education System | 6 Most Important Facts

Famous in the world for its advanced, modern, and international standard education, the Australian education system always receives special attention from international students. In this article, IDP will help you learn about this education system to make the most informed choice when studying in Australia!

1. Overview of Australian education

Australia's education is rated as the world's leading with long-established and well-known universities such as: the University of Adelaide, University of Western Australia, University of Melbourne, University of New South Wales, Macquarie University, Australian National University, Queensland University of Technology, University of Sydney, University of Queensland, etc Monash University...

According to statistics from April 1-5, 2024, the total number of international students studying in Australia is currently 717,587. students, including about 33,765 Vietnamese students.

Australia's education system already has 38 higher education institutions listed in the QS World University Rankings for 2025, and 37 institutions listed in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings in 2025. With a system of more than 1,100 educational institutions and 22,000 courses, Australia offers a wide variety of choices for students and students to study/work.

2. Advantages of the Australian education system

To compare the education between Vietnam and Australia, it is undeniable that Australia has an advanced and more developed education. In addition to the advantages, the Australian education system also has disadvantages worth mentioning. Let's take a closer look at the pros and cons of IDP.

1 - World-leading education quality: Australia is the country with the most advanced and developed education in Australia. With rich academic programs (vocational training, academics, social studies), and especially it only takes 3 years to complete social studies, and 4 years to get an engineering degree.

2 - Many remarkable achievements: There is always at least one Australian university in the top 50 world-class universities in the fields of Life Sciences, Agriculture, Natural Sciences, Clinical Medicine, Mathematics, Physics, etc.

3 - Many talents are "born" from Australian education: Australia trains the world's best intellectuals, improving the lives of more than 1 billion people in the world every day. The Australian Government also has maximum support for students studying abroad in this country.

4 - Modern learning equipment: To serve the learning of students, the education system in Australia has invested in the most modern equipment. Australia has established 63 collaborative research centers to promote collaborative research between universities and private industry, 35 special research centers, and key centers for research and teaching. Starting with $140 million to recruit world-class researchers to Australia through federal scholarships. Raising research funds, stimulating scientific and economic innovation in the next 5 years with an amount of up to 2.9 billion dollars, a not small number.

5 - Qualifications are highly appreciated in many countries: The Australian education system has qualifications that are recognized and appreciated in many countries around the world, helping students after graduation have many career opportunities. For students, the Australian government also allows them to work overtime for up to 48 hours/week during the semester and work full-time during the holidays.

6 - Livable environment: Australia is considered the most livable country in the world with a high standard of living, safety, friendliness, and harmony. The people are friendly and open. The climate is mild and adaptable.

7 - Convenient transportation for studying: In addition, Australia has a diverse system of public transportation: Taxis, Bus, Ferries, Monorail Light Rail, Train... to help students easily move around in cities in Australia.

3. 6 Levels of Education in Australia

3.1. Primary school

Duration: Primary education in the Australian education system lasts from 7 to 8 years depending on the state, including Preschool and Early Childhood, grades 1 to 6 for Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, New South Wales, grades 1 to 7 for states: Western Australia, Northern Territory, South Australia, Queensland.

Tuition: The 1-year tuition fee for elementary school ranges from $10,800 - $15,000.

The semester will start in January, April, July, and October.

The primary education program in Australia consists of 8 areas:

• English/Literature

• Mathematics / Arithmetic

• Science

• Technology and Enterprise

• Art

• Society and Environment

• Health and Physical Education

• Languages other than English (LOTE)

Each class will have a homeroom teacher and a private teacher for each subject such as music, art, drama, and religious subjects. For mathematics, teachers will prepare their own curriculum according to the framework of the State education department prescribed for subjects in Australia. The lessons are always very practical, with the criterion of learning by playing, learning by playing.

High Light:

• No need for workbooks with textbooks: Here, teachers will distribute lessons to students every day through photocopies. The lessons will be logical in nature to stimulate children's intelligence and thinking.

• Children can practice public speaking: This helps students to be more confident in front of a crowd. In addition, there are seasonal outdoor sports activities, which both help students exercise their health and strengthen team spirit.

3.2. Middle school

Duration: The Australian education system's lower secondary education program lasts 3 to 4 years from grade 7 or grade 8 to grade 10.

Tuition Fees: Australian lower secondary school tuition costs range from $13,000-$17,286

Curriculum: At this level, students will have to complete 6 subjects per semester including English, Environment, Technology, Math, Sociology, Physics, Foreign Languages, and Creative Subjects.

3.3. High school

Training time: For the high school level, the time will last 2 years, which is grade 11 and grade 12. This is a very important time to decide a student's chances of admission to university.

Public school tuition in each specific state is as follows:

• Queensland: $18,160 -IB: $20,754 AUD/year

• New South Wales: $18,400AUD/year

• Victoria: $19,760AUD/year

• South Australia: $15,000 AUD/year

• Western Australia: $18,980 AUD/year

• Tasmania: 14,400 USD

• ACT School of Government: $16,200

The cost of accommodation is around AUD29,710/year.

Admission time is in January, April, May, and Saturday

3.4 Foundation and Diploma

Pre-med and Transfer College Entry Requirements

• The average subject is good or good

• IELTS average 5.0-5.5

• You are supported with additional academic English, so if you do not have enough entry points or are weak in some skills, you will still be admitted

Training program:

• The program teaches university study skills, skills to succeed in the future career path (e.g. presentation skills, reading skills, teamwork with friends from different cultures, in-depth research skills, etc.), and also lessons to learn about the host culture and people.

• Classes are small, so you'll always receive attention and daily support, unlike large lecture halls with many students

• In addition, the university has support and activities for students who have never lived abroad. Programs on tutoring, health, psychological counseling, art clubs, career guidance, etc.

Training Period:

• Pre-university program (then in year 1 bachelor's) – The total duration of the bachelor's degree is 4 years

• Associate program (equivalent to 1 bachelor's year) – The total duration of bachelor's study is only 3 years,

Related article:

Conditions and scholarships to study in Australia at level 3

Victorian Public Secondary School System

New South Wales Public Secondary School System

3.4. Universities

Training time: The time to complete the undergraduate training program is different for different types of degrees.

• Bachelor's Degree is 3 years

• The Bachelor Honours Degree is 4 years. Here, students will be trained and practice skills suitable for their chosen major.

In most schools, the year will consist of 2 semesters, but some schools will have a 3rd semester called Trimester, at the end of each semester students will have final exams. These exams are usually held at the end of June for the 1st term, and the end of November for the 2nd term.

Start time: End of February, beginning of March every year. A school year lasts for about 9 months.

Tuition fees: Tuition fees for undergraduate education in the Australian education system range from A$16,160 - $56,500

With a total of 41 universities, including 38 public schools and 3 private schools, Australian universities offer a wide range of courses in a variety of fields.

3.6. Postgraduate

Types of Degrees for Graduate Programs

1. Master by coursework

2. Master by research

3. Ctr Postgraduate Post Graduate Certificate/Diploma

4. Doctor (PhD)

Training Period:

The training time of the master's program will depend on each major and science, the master's study abroad program will last from 1 to 3 years

The Australian master's program is trained in the following 3 forms:

• Master's degree - credit: This is a course for students who have graduated from popular majors in Australia or have a bachelor's degree. In this program, students will learn in the form of discussions at class sessions, group study, and practical internships...

• Master's Degree (Research): This program is for those who are passionate about research. You have to spend 2/3 of your research time and you have to have 1 research topic.

• Post Graduate Certificate/Diploma: The Graduate Certificate/Diploma program is a type of intensive postgraduate degree, which usually has a shorter study period than a Master's program. This study program helps students improve their level, and delve into practical specialized knowledge to help students after graduation more easily access work. Students will receive a certificate upon completion of this course

Doctoral programs: doctoral programs in Australia will usually last between 3-4 years depending on the field of study. Doctoral dissertations in Australia are usually more detail-focused and also short-term than those of the UK and the US

As required by the Australian government, students must complete a course lasting 2 years or more to apply for employment after graduation.

Cost:

• Tuition fees for postgraduate programs range from AUD 16,000 to AUD 38,000 per year.

• Australian consular standard living expenses/year 29,710 AUD/year

• English Tuition Fee: $350 - $530/week

• Insurance Cost:$650 - 700/year

4. Australian National Qualifications Framework (AQF)

The national qualifications framework in the Australian education system is the national policy that controls higher education qualifications, in addition to high school certificates and graduation certificates. The degree system in the Australian national qualification framework is completely a real degree.

Established in 1995, Australia's National Qualifications Framework consists of 10 levels, which aim to connect secondary, tertiary, and vocational qualifications into a national system. The advantage of the Australian national qualification framework is that it helps students easily transfer from one school to another, from one level of study to another.

5. Admission periods in Australia

(*): varies depending on the school and course

(**): Some cases have an October semester

Admission time in Australia by level of study

IDP understands the difficulties you face in your quest for knowledge for the future. We always listen and accompany you, helping you find and determine the most right direction. If you need more information about the Australian education system or information about studying abroad in this country, please contact us!

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