Education in Australia

Education in Australia
Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham
National education budget (2009)
Budget $489 million (5.10% of GDP)[1][2] – 56th ranking of government expenditure on education worldwide.[3]
General details
Primary languages English
System type Federal
Established compulsory education 1830s[4]
1870s[4]
Literacy (2003)
Total 99%[2]
Male 99%[2]
Female 99%[2]
Enrollment (2008)
Total 20.4% of population[5][6]
Primary 1.9 million[5]
Secondary 1.4 million[5]
Post secondary 1 million[7]
Attainment (2008)
Secondary diploma 75%[5]
Post-secondary diploma 34%
Adults employed in the education and training industry as a percentage of the adult population in Australia divided geographically by statistical local area, at the 2011 census

Education in Australia is primarily the responsibility of the states and territories. Each state or territory government provides funding and regulates the public and private schools within its governing area, although the Federal government also funds independent or private schools. The federal government helps fund the public universities, but was not involved in setting university curriculum.[8] As of 2012, the Australian National Curriculum,[9] under development and trial for several years, has already been adopted by some schools and will become mandatory soon. Generally, education in Australia follows the three-tier model which includes primary education (primary schools), followed by secondary education (secondary schools/high schools) and tertiary education (Universities, TAFE colleges and Vocation Education and Training providers/VET providers).

The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2006 evaluation ranked the Australian education system as sixth for reading, eighth for science and thirteenth for mathematics, on a worldwide scale including 56 countries.[10] The PISA 2009 evaluation ranked the Australian education system as sixth for reading, seventh for science and ninth for mathematics, an improvement relative to the 2006 rankings.[11]

In 2012, education firm Pearson ranked Australian education as thirteenth in the world [12]

The Education Index, published with the UN's Human Development Index in 2008, based on data from 2006, lists Australia as 0.993, the highest in the world.[13]

Education in Australia is compulsory between the ages of five and fifteen, sixteen or seventeen, depending on the state or territory, and date of birth.[14] Post-compulsory education is regulated within the Australian Qualifications Framework, a unified system of national qualifications in schools, vocational education and training (TAFE) and the higher education sector (university).

The academic year in Australia varies between states and institutions, but generally runs from late January/early February until early/mid-December for primary and secondary schools, with slight variations in the inter-term holidays[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] and TAFE colleges,[23][24][25] and from late February until mid-November for universities with seasonal holidays and breaks for each educational institute.[26]

In 2016, Australian tertiary education has 33 institutions in UK's QS World University Rankings,[27] 31 institutions in UK's Times Higher Education World University Rankings,[28] 29 institutions in China's Academic Ranking of World Universities ranking[29] and 26 institutions in U.S. News & World Report's Best Global Universities Rankings.[30]

Pre-school

Pre-school and pre-prep programmes in Australia are relatively unregulated, and are not compulsory.[31] The first exposure many Australian children have to learning with others outside of traditional parenting is day care or a parent-run playgroup.[32] This sort of activity is not generally considered schooling, as pre-school education is separate from primary school in all states and territories, except Western Australia where pre-school education is taught as part of the primary school system[33] and Victoria where the state framework, VEYLDF covers children from birth to 8 years old, is used by some schools over the federal framework. In Queensland, pre-school programmes are often called Kindergarten or Pre-Prep, and are usually privately run but attract state government funding if run for at least 600 hours a year and delivered by a registered teacher.[34]

Pre-schools are usually run by the state and territory governments, except in Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales where they are more often run by local councils, community groups or private organisations.[33] Pre-school is offered to three- to five-year-olds; attendance numbers vary widely between the states, but 85.7% of children attended pre-school the year before school.[35] The year before a child is due to attend primary school is the main year for pre-school education. This year is far more commonly attended, and may take the form of a few hours of activity during weekdays.[36]

Responsibility for pre-schools in New South Wales and Victoria, lies with the Department of Education and Communities and the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD), respectively.[37] In all other states and territories of Australia, responsibility for pre-schools lie with the relevant education department.[33]

The average net cost (taking into account the Child Care Benefit and Child Care Tax Rebate entitlements) for a long day care in Australia is $3.85 per hour,[38] or a net cost of around $46 a day for a long day care service offering 12-hour days.

School Education System

School education in Australia is compulsory between certain ages as specified by state or territory legislation. Depending on the state or territory, and date of birth of the child, school is compulsory from the age of five to six to the age of fifteen to seventeen.[14] In recent years, over three quarters of students stay at school until they are seventeen. Government schools educate approximately 60% of Australian students, with approximately 40% in Catholic and independent schools.[5] A small portion of students are legally home-schooled, particularly in rural areas.[39]

Government schools

Government schools (also known as public schools) are free to attend for Australian citizens and permanent residents, while Catholic and independent schools usually charge attendance fees.[40] However, in addition to attendance fees, stationery, textbooks, uniforms, school camps and other schooling costs are not covered under government funding. The additional cost for schooling has been estimated to be on average $316 per year per child.[41][42]

Regardless of whether a school is part of the Government, Catholic or independent systems, they are required to adhere to the same curriculum frameworks of their state or territory. The curriculum framework however provides for some flexibility in the syllabus, so that subjects such as religious education can be taught. Most school students wear uniforms,[43] although there are varying expectations and some Australian schools do not require uniforms. A common movement among secondary schools to support student voice has taken form as organisations such as VicSRC in Victoria bring together student leaders to promote school improvement.

Catholic and Independent schools

In 2010 66% of students in Australia attended government schools, 20% attended Catholic schools and 14% attended independent schools.[44] In 2000 these figures were 69%, 20% and 11% respectively.

Most Catholic schools are either run by their local parish, local diocese and their state's Catholic education department.[45][46] independent schools include schools operated by secular educational philosophies such as Montessori, however, the majority of independent schools are religious, being Protestant, Jewish, Islamic or non-denominational.[47]

Some Catholic and independent schools charge high fees, and because of this Government funding for these schools is often criticised by the Australian Education Union and the Greens.[48][49]

Common ages

Students may be slightly younger or older than stated below, due to variation between states and territories. The name for the first year of primary school varies considerably between states and territories, e.g. what is known as kindergarten in ACT and NSW may mean the year preceding the first year of primary school or preschool in other states and territories.[50][51][52][53][54] Some states vary in whether Year 7 is part of the primary or secondary years.[55] [56]

Primary

People attending an infants or primary school as a percentage of the local population at the 2011 census, geographically subdivided by statistical local area

Secondary

People attending secondary school as a percentage of the local population at the 2011 census, geographically subdivided by statistical local area

College

Comparison of ages and year levels across states and territories

Students can undertake senior school studies for up to three years. Students who complete year 12 under a reduced workload generally do this in two years, the latter being referred to as "year 13".[57][58][59]

Year(s) in school 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Australian Capital Territory[55] Primary school High school College
Kindergarten Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 Year 12
New South Wales[55] Primary school High school
Kindergarten Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 Year 12
Northern Territory[60] Primary school High school
Transition Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 Year 12
Queensland[61] Primary school High school
Prep Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 Year 12
South Australia[55] Primary school High school
Reception Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 Year 12
Tasmania[55] Primary school High school College
Prep Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 Year 12
Victoria[55] Primary school High school/Secondary College
Prep or Foundation Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 Year 12
Western Australia[55] Primary school High school
Pre-primary Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 Year 12
Age to be in school

Under the National Curriculum being developed, the first year of schooling will be known as "foundation".[62]

In the Northern Territory, primary schools often include a pre-school. In Western Australia, primary schools often include two pre-school years.

As of 2013, South Australia will have one reception intake at the beginning of term 1.[63]

In some states and territories, children that have been formally assessed and identified as gifted may begin school earlier than the stated minimum age. Additionally, gifted students may "skip" a subject or advance to a higher academic year level in schooling.[64]

State or

territory

 Age in the year

before year 1

 Compulsory age Nomenclature year

before school

 Nomenclature year

before year 1

ACT[50] Age 5 on 30 April Year in which

child turns 6

 Pre-school Kindergarten
NT[65] Age 5 on 30 June Year in which

child turns 6

 Pre-school Transition
NSW[51] Age 5 on 31 July Year in which

child turns 6

 Pre-school Kindergarten
QLD[52] Age 5 on 31 July From 2016 31 March Year in which

child turns 6

 Kindergarten Prep
SA [53] Age 5 By 31 May Year in which

child turns 6

 Kindergarten Reception
TAS[51] Age 5 By 30 April Year in which

child turns 6

 Kindergarten Prep
VIC[54] Age 5 on 30 April Year in which

child turns 6

 Pre-school Prep
WA[51] Age 5 on 31 July Year in which

child turns 6

 Kindergarten Pre Primary

Tertiary

People attending a tertiary institution as a percentage of the local population at the 2011 census, geographically subdivided by statistical local area
Total employment in tertiary education (thousands of people) since 1984

Tertiary education (or higher education) in Australia is primarily study at university or a technical college[66] studying Diploma or above in order to receive a qualification or further skills and training.[67] A higher education provider is a body that is established or recognised by or under the law of the Australian Government, a State, the Australian Capital Territory or the Northern Territory.[68] VET providers, both public and private are registered by State and Territory governments.

There are several prominent universities located in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. There are 43 universities in Australia: 40 public universities, two international universities, one private university.[69] The largest university in Australia is Monash University in Melbourne: it has five campuses and 75,000 students.[70]

There are non-self-accrediting higher education providers accredited by State and Territory authorities, numbering more than 150 as listed on State and Territory registers. These include several that are registered in more than one State and Territory.

Violence

The Education Minister of the State of Queensland said in July 2009 that the rising levels of violence in schools were "totally unacceptable" and admitted that not enough had been done to combat violent behaviour. 55,000 students had been suspended in the state's schools in 2008, nearly a third of which were for "physical misconduct".[71]

In South Australia, 175 violent attacks against students or staff were recorded in 2008.[72] Students were responsible for deliberately causing 3,000 injuries reported by teacher over two years from 2008 to 2009.[73]

46% of Principals in Western Australia have been either physically assaulted or witnessed physical violence in schools during 2012. 70% of school leaders had also been threatened with violence. Schools in Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory rated far higher than other states in terms of threats of violence.[74]

Federal departments

Education in Australia has been the responsibility of the following departments:

See also

Overview

Qualifications

Tests

Agencies

Lists of schools

References

  1. ↑ "Education, Employment and Workplace Relations" (PDF). Australian Government Portfolio Overview. 2010–11. Retrieved 29 June 2010. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Australia". The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. 27 May 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
  3. ↑ https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2206rank.html
  4. 1 2 Marion McCreadie. "The Evolution of Education in Australia". Internet Family History Association of Australia. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Primary and Secondary Education". Year Book Australia. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 2008. Archived from the original on 2 July 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  6. ↑ "December Key Figures". Australian Demographic Statistics. Australian Bureau of Statistics. December 2009. Archived from the original on 2 July 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  7. ↑ "Higher Education". Year Book Australia. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 2008. Archived from the original on 2 July 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  8. ↑ "What is the Australian education system?". Department of Immigration and Citizenship. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
  9. ↑ http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/
  10. ↑ "Key findings". Programme for International Student Assessment. Australian Council for Educational Research. Retrieved 2 August 2009.
  11. ↑ Shepherd, Jessica (7 December 2010). "World education rankings". The Guardian.
  12. ↑ "World education rankings". Pearson.
  13. ↑ "Human development indices" (PDF). Human Development Reports. 18 December 2008. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
  14. 1 2 "Education". Department of Immigration and Citizenship. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  15. ↑ "School Term Dates". Department of Education (Western Australia). Retrieved 2 April 2012.
  16. ↑ "School Calendar". Department of Education and Training (New South Wales). Retrieved 16 February 2010.
  17. ↑ "South Australian State Schools Term Dates". Department of Education and Children's Services. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
  18. ↑ "Term Dates". Department of Education and Training (Northern Territory). Retrieved 16 February 2010.
  19. ↑ "Term Dates – Key Dates". Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (Victoria). Retrieved 16 February 2010.
  20. ↑ "Term Dates and Public Holidays". Department of Education and Training (Australian Capital Territory). Archived from the original on 30 August 2010. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
  21. ↑ "State Schools Holidays and Qld Public Holidays". Department of Education and Training (Queensland). Retrieved 16 February 2010.
  22. ↑ "Term dates for Tasmanian Government school students". Department of Education (Tasmania). Retrieved 16 February 2010.
  23. ↑ "Term Dates". TAFE SA. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
  24. ↑ "TAFE Term Dates". Swinburne University of Technology. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
  25. ↑ "Student calendar". TAFE NSW. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
  26. ↑ "Summary of 2010 Principal Academic Dates for Australian Universities" (PDF). Universities Australia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 October 2009. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
  27. ↑ http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2015#sorting=rank+region=+country=319+faculty=+stars=false+search=
  28. ↑ https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2016/world-ranking#!/page/0/length/25
  29. ↑ http://www.shanghairanking.com/Search.html
  30. ↑ http://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/australia
  31. ↑ "Vision and Mission" (PDF). Playgroup Australia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 May 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
  32. ↑ "History" (PDF). Playgroup Australia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 August 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
  33. 1 2 3 "The Structures of Preschool Education in Australia". October 2007. Archived from the original on 30 August 2010. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
  34. ↑ Office for Early Childhood Education and Care. "Kindergarten programs". Archived from the original on 14 May 2013. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  35. ↑ "The Structures of Preschool Education in Australia". Australian Education Union. June 2007. Archived from the original on 30 August 2010. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
  36. ↑ Harrington, Marilyn (9 May 2008). "Enrolments, attendance and providers". Preschool education in Australia. Parliamentary Library. Archived from the original on 30 December 2011. Retrieved 1 July 2010.
  37. ↑ "Early Childhood Education". Australian Education Union. June 2007. Archived from the original on 30 August 2010. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
  38. ↑ Australian Bureau of Statistics. "CHILD CARE". Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  39. ↑ "How many home educators are there in Australia?". FAQs. Home Education Association Inc (Australia). Archived from the original on 2 May 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
  40. ↑ "School fees in Australia". Study in Australia. Archived from the original on 9 April 2011. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
  41. ↑ Lam, Miawling (17 January 2010). "Public school costs soar to $90k". The Sunday Telegraph. News Limited. Archived from the original on 22 September 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
  42. ↑ Ker, Peter (3 January 2008). "Voluntary school fees under the gun". The Age. Victoria: Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 5 November 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
  43. ↑ "What schooling and training is there for my family and me?". Department of Immigration and Citizenship. Archived from the original on 15 April 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
  44. ↑ "Schools, Australia, 2010". Australian Bureau of Statistics. 17 March 2011. Archived from the original on 28 April 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  45. ↑ "Catholic Education Office". Archived from the original on 18 January 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
  46. ↑ "About CEC". Catholic Education Commission of NSW. Archived from the original on 13 May 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
  47. ↑ "About Independent Schools". Independent Schools Council of Australia. Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
  48. ↑ "School Fees". Catholic Education – Diocese of Parramatta. Archived from the original on 31 October 2009. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
  49. ↑ Reid, Alan (May 1999). "The Redefinition of Public Education". The Australian Education Union. Archived from the original on 15 February 2008. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
  50. 1 2 "Starting School". Department of Education and Training. 17 July 2009. Archived from the original on 24 April 2013. Retrieved 6 January 2010.
  51. 1 2 3 4 Doherty, Linda (28 June 2004). "Too old, too young, or just right for kindy". Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. Archived from the original on 5 November 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2010.
  52. 1 2 3 "Enrolling your child". Department of Education and Training. Archived from the original on 14 November 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  53. 1 2 "Starting School". Department of Education and Children's Services. 15 January 2009. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
  54. 1 2 "At School 5–18". Department of Education and Early Department. 8 October 2009. Archived from the original on 12 October 2010. Retrieved 6 January 2010.
  55. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Australian School Systems". Australianexplorer. Archived from the original on 20 October 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
  56. ↑ "It's off to school for 42,000 Territorians". Department of Education and Training. 29 January 2008. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
  57. ↑ "NT Certificate of Education". Department of Education and Training. 20 November 2009. Archived from the original on 6 April 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
  58. ↑ "Schooling in Tasmania: Information for grandparents". Department of Education (Tasmania). Archived from the original on 20 February 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
  59. ↑ "Year 13 (YA)". Guide to Social Security Law. Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. 19 October 1998. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
  60. ↑ "Stages of Schooling", Department of Education (NT). 19 August 2014.
  61. ↑ Year 7 is moving to high school. Government of Queensland. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  62. ↑ "Australia curriculum". Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority.
  63. ↑ "Same first day - starting preschool and school". Government of South Australia. Archived from the original on 11 March 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
  64. ↑ "Websites specific to the needs of Gifted and Talented Children". Australian Association for the Education of the Gifted and Talented Ltd. Archived from the original on 24 October 2009. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
  65. ↑ "Stages of schooling: Early years", Department of Education (NT). 18 March 2010.
  66. ↑ "Overview". Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. Archived from the original on 6 September 2010. Retrieved 13 July 2010.
  67. ↑ "Higher education in Australia". Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. Archived from the original on 28 December 2010. Retrieved 13 July 2010.
  68. ↑ "Overview". Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. Retrieved 13 July 2010.
  69. ↑ "Universities and Higher Education - Study In Australia". Australian Government.
  70. ↑ "Monash returns to its inclusive roots". The Age. 16 March 2015.
  71. ↑ Chilcott, T., & Odgers, R. (2009, July 9). Government can do more on school violence.The Courier-Mail, Brisbane.
  72. ↑ School violence 'dealt with'. (2009, June 26). ABC News Online.
  73. ↑ Lucy Hood (27 February 2010). "Hatred, violence in our schools' classrooms". The Advertiser. News Limited. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  74. ↑ Bethany Hiatt (6 May 2012). "Violence rife in WA schools". The West Australian. Yahoo7. Retrieved 24 July 2012.

External links

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