Lexi Webster
Australia is known for its high-quality education system, which includes highly qualified teachers and comprehensive curriculums. Australian high schools can be state-owned or private, with the majority of students (approximately 70%) attending state-owned schools. The country's education system is divided into primary and secondary education, with primary school covering pre-Year 1 to Year 6, and secondary education covering Years 7 to 12. Within secondary education, there are junior high schools (Years 7 to 9) and senior high schools (Years 10 to 12). Some Australian high schools offer single-sex education, while the majority are co-educational. The school year in Australia is also structured differently, with four ten-week terms throughout the year instead of a long summer break.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| School structure | Primary school (years 1-6) followed by high school (years 7-12) |
| Some schools have a middle school model with junior high school (years 7-9) and senior high school (years 10-12) | |
| Combined schools (K-12 schools) offer both primary and secondary education | |
| School types | Government schools (64% of students) and non-government schools (36% of students) |
| Non-government schools include Catholic schools (19.7% of students) and private schools (14.6% of students) | |
| Single-sex schools are mostly non-government and private schools | |
| Curriculum | English, mathematics, natural science, and physical education are compulsory |
| A wide range of optional subjects are available | |
| University-qualified teachers and subject specializations | |
| 'Early start' programs allow advanced students to study university-level subjects | |
| School culture | School holidays are divided into 4 ten-week terms throughout the year |
| Extra-curricular activities are common, with a focus on sports and music | |
| School mascots are not common | |
| Large crowds attend high school rugby and AFL games in some cities | |
| Qualifications | High school graduates receive a High School Certificate or "HSC" |
| ATAR score is used for university entrance |
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What You'll Learn
School structure and curriculum
The structure of the Australian school system varies across states and territories. Primary school generally covers a child's education from pre-Year 1 to Year 6, though in South Australia, students finish primary school at Year 7. The duration of primary school years varies, with most states adopting seven years, though some students may take eight years to complete primary school.
Secondary schools in Australia are also known as high schools, junior, intermediate, or senior colleges. These schools generally cover Year 7 to Year 9 (the compulsory period of education), and senior secondary schools continue to Year 12. In some states, there are three levels: junior (Years 7 and 8), intermediate (Years 9 and 10), and senior (Years 11 and 12).
In terms of curriculum, English is a compulsory subject in all Australian high schools. Mathematics, natural science, and physical education are also compulsory in most cases. There is a range of optional subjects offered, and certain countries have particular curriculum specifications. For example, students in the German state of Baden-Württemberg must study two foreign languages.
Some independent schools offer alternative qualifications, such as the International Baccalaureate (IB). The curriculum and qualifications vary slightly across states, with different names for the senior secondary school certificate, such as the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) in Victoria, the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) in Queensland, and the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) in South Australia.
Upon completion of Years 11 and 12, students receive an official certificate of senior secondary qualification, and an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) score, which ranks the student for admission to universities.
There are both government and non-government schools in Australia. Non-government schools are further categorized into Catholic and private schools. Government schools educate approximately 64% of Australian students, while around 36% attend non-government schools. Australian schools are known for their high standards, qualified teachers, and comprehensive curricula.
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Public vs private schools
In Australia, schools are categorised into government and non-government schools. The non-government schools are further categorised into Catholic schools and private schools. As of 2018, 65.7% of students were enrolled in government schools, 19.7% in Catholic schools, and 14.6% in private schools. However, the number of students attending private high schools is growing. In 2012, 63% of high school students attended public schools, while 34% attended private schools. Now, 57% of students attend government schools, compared to 41% who attend non-government schools.
There are several differences between public and private schools in Australia. Private schools are independently run and mostly funded through tuition fees, whereas public schools are run and funded entirely by the Australian government. Private schools can also be religious or non-religious, while government schools are secular, though they may offer some optional religious education. Private schools tend to be smaller and have smaller classes, allowing students to get more one-on-one attention from teachers. They also tend to have more funding for resources such as gymnasiums and libraries, and extracurricular activities. However, this is not always the case, as some public schools are so well-regarded that they drive up housing prices in their catchment areas.
There is a perception that private schools have a more conducive culture for learning due to better-behaved students and more involved parents. However, studies have shown that when socio-economic factors are accounted for, there is no significant difference in the academic performance of students from private and public schools. In fact, it is more likely that a student's postcode, rather than the type of school they attend, will determine their academic success.
When choosing between a public or private school for their child, parents should consider various factors such as the school's processes for dealing with bullying, whether the child has friends attending the school, and whether the school offers programs that interest the child. It is also important to consider the child's opinion and involve them in the decision-making process.
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School sports
Sports play a significant role in Australian life, with the warm climate and coastal location of most cities encouraging outdoor activities and water sports. Swimming is a key part of Australian culture, with most children receiving swimming lessons from a young age, and the country's success in the sport is well-known.
Some of the most popular team sports in Australia include soccer, basketball, cricket, rugby league, rugby union, hockey, netball, and tennis. Soccer, in particular, has seen tremendous growth due to the success of international teams like the Matildas and the Socceroos. Basketball is also widely played, with around 748,000 6-13-year-olds competing regularly.
In addition to school sports, many young athletes in Australia play with representative teams for their local areas, towns, or districts. This system provides a clear pathway for talented players to develop their skills and progress to state and national levels.
Overall, Australia's passion for sports is evident in its schools, communities, and culture, offering students numerous opportunities to get involved, stay active, and develop their athletic abilities.
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School holidays
In Australia, the school year typically runs from late January until mid-December and is divided into two semesters, with two terms each. Each term lasts approximately 10 weeks, and at the end of each term, there are school holidays. The exact dates of these holidays vary for each state and territory, but they generally fall in March-April (Easter), June-July (Winter break), September-October (Spring break), and December-January (Summer break). The summer holidays are the longest, usually lasting over 40 days.
The school calendar applies to state schools, and private schools may have slightly different dates. Students can only join at the start of a term, and school days are usually from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 3 pm. However, private schools may have different timings. Additionally, the end of the school year in December refers only to years 7-9, with years 10 and 11 ending earlier for final examinations. Year 12 students finish their lessons even earlier to accommodate their final exams.
During the school holidays, local families often go on vacations, so travelling within Australia during these periods can be busy. The winter break, for example, usually falls at the end of June or the beginning of July and lasts about two weeks. The summer break, on the other hand, starts in mid-December and ends in late January or early February, depending on the state.
In addition to the standard school holidays, Australian high schools may offer 'early start' programs that allow top students to study at a higher year level or even take some university-level courses for academic credit.
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Tertiary education entry requirements
The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national tertiary (post-secondary) education system that has 10 different levels. Each level refers to the complexity, breadth, and depth of learning outcomes. Tertiary education in Australia is divided into two sectors: Higher Education (provided by universities) and Vocational Education and Training (VET) provided by government-owned Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutes and private Registered Training Organisations (RTO).
To enter tertiary education, students must complete Year 12 of secondary school and receive their certificate. Domestic students must apply to the Tertiary Admission Centre (TAC) of the relevant state, which will calculate the student's Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) and their selection rank (SR) based on the ATAR and additional criteria assigned by the university. International students who have completed Year 12 in Australia will also receive an ATAR and are assessed for university entrance the same way as domestic students. Other international students must apply directly to the university, which will calculate their SR based on their high school qualifications.
There are no entrance exams for most universities and courses, but there may be exceptions for certain subjects such as law or medicine. The ATAR system is balanced with demand to determine the required score for entry into a specific degree. Students can also take foundation courses or pathway programs to transition into university, which can count towards a degree and better prepare students for the self-discipline of university studies.
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Frequently asked questions
Australian schools are among the finest in the world, with university-qualified teachers and subject specialisations. The school year is broken up into four ten-week-long terms, rather than having a long summer break. There are no school mascots in Australia, and extra-curricular activities are more likely to be played in clubs than for the school.
Australian high schools can be either state-owned (70% of students) or private (30%). Private schools are more academic and have more extra-curricular activities. State schools are not as formal as private schools when it comes to uniforms, for example.
English is a compulsory subject in all Australian high schools. In most cases, mathematics, natural science and physical education are also compulsory. There is a wide range of optional subjects, and some schools offer alternative qualifications like IB.
School hours vary depending on the school and region. Combined schools, also known as K-12 schools, offer classes from both primary and secondary year levels. In the Northern Territory, for example, middle schools cover Years 7 to 9, and high school is Years 10 to 12.
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