EDUCATION IN AUSTRALIA

Australia follows the three tier education system which includes Primary Education, Secondary Education and Tertiary Education. Education is compulsory up to the age of 15-17 which varies from state to state. Education is regulated by the individual state government. The academic year begins runs from late January until mid-December for primary and secondary schools and TAFE colleges, and from late February to mid-November for universities. This also varies between states and institutions.

Before a child can attend primary school they need to attend pre-school education, which is separate from primary school in all states and territories except Western Australia, where pre-school education is taught as part of primary school system. This is mainly for three to five year olds.

Between the age of six and sixteen school is compulsory. There are Government and Independent schools, and both are required to stick to the same curriculum. Government schools are generally free while the independent schools, both religious and secular charge fees. Government schools are divided into two categories: Open and Selective. The Open schools all students from their defined government areas, while Selective government schools cater for academically gifted students. Entrance is highly competitive and they cater to a large area.

The Independent schools are operated by religious denominations, private religious schools and secular educational philosophies. They receive funding from the government in addition to their fees.

Universities in Australia regulate their own courses. Certificate, Diploma and Associate Degrees takes 1-2 years to complete, and consists of coursework.
Bachelor degrees take 3-4 years to complete and are sometimes awarded with honors to the best performing students.
Masters degree are undertaken after the completion of one or more Bachelors degree and deal with a subject of more advanced level and consists either of research, coursework or mixture of the two.
Doctrates, most famously Doctorate of Philosophy requires either a Bachelor degree with good honors, or a Masters degree with research component.
Medical degrees commence immediately after secondary education, however, some universities have introduced graduate entry only degrees in medicine.
Law is commonly studied as a combined degree, such as with Arts or Science. Few graduates go on to become practicing solicitors, instead many take work in private industry or government sectors.

Australian Universities tend to award more named degrees than institutions in some other countries.