Australian Education System

If you've got it up top, you'll make it big down under - find out how the Australian Education System works

Learn how to be a good mate - your Australian education

The education system in Australia consists of a 12-year education period. Each class has students of the same age with rare cases where students retake classes. Students with unique study needs or problems are placed in special needs classes where teachers can assist them with their academic needs and teach them at a pace with which they can cope.

The years and grades are based on the student's age with most of the children being at primary school level from about 5 to 12 years. Childcare regulated centres, also known as family day cares, are a part of the education system available for children under 5 years.

Most students join secondary schools when they are about 12 or 13 years. It is compulsory for the student to complete a 2-year period to receive a junior high certificate. In order to attain a diploma in high school, students are required to proceed during their 11th and 12th years. This is however not compulsory according to the education system in Australia.

On completion of the 10th year, students have an option of joining a training or apprenticeship programme, studying vocational courses and/or getting a job. Students are admitted to university based on the results of the last two years of high school. Students are ranked depending on the results they achieved in each subject, which are compared to the overall results. At this point students choose courses depending on their career preference. For instance, students looking to pursue an engineering degree in the university should choose physics and mathematics instead of biology or history subjects

The school timetable and lesson schedule is from Monday to Friday. The hours of learning are from 8.30am to 3pm. Breaks for snack and lunch are available. Activities such as dance classes, soccer practice etc are done on Saturdays or when school hours are over. Most of the students enrolled in government schools live within close proximity to the school. Some of the students therefore walk or ride by bicycle to school.

Government schools also offer public transport at subsidized cost to those that are not in a position to cycle or walk. Australia's school calendar starts in January, towards the end of the month and ends in December. Throughout the year, there are school breaks with the summer break being the longest. It is about 6 or 7 weeks while the smaller breaks are about 10 to 14 days though individual states go on holiday at different times. School vacations generally take place in April, July and September.

Public schools do not start their holiday at the same time as private schools but differ by a week. Public schools are different from private ones in Australia because most private schools are generally related to one religion or another and offer more sports or music options. In both private and public schools, students don school uniforms though private schools strictly expect their student to be in complete uniform. Educational standards and courses are similar in various high schools and prepare students for national qualifications, which are the same. Australia has private and government universities that offer undergraduate, graduate and finally postgraduate courses are part of the current education system in Australia.