Australia offers a diverse range of study options for international students, with more than 1,200 institutions and over 22,000 courses to choose from. You can study at all levels of education from primary and secondary school, to vocational education and training (VET), from English language courses to higher education (including universities). And regardless of what you are studying or how long you are studying for, Australia’s laws promote quality education and protection for international students. This includes the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 (opens in a new window) and the National Code of Practice (opens in a new window) for Registration Authorities and Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2007 (National Code). These provide nationally consistent standards for providers of education and training for international students.
As an international student on a student visa, you must study with an institution and in a course that is registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). CRICOS registration guarantees that the course and the institution at which you study meet the high standards expected by international students. You can search for courses and institutions here on the Study in Australia website.
Along with the ESOS Act and National Code, there are also regulatory and quality assurance organisations for higher education and VET institutions. These government organisations are responsible for registration/re-registration of institutions and accreditation/re-accreditation of courses. These organisations are:
- Higher education – Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) (opens in a new window)
- VET – Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) (opens in a new window)
So no matter the type of course you want to study, how long you want to study for or where you want to study, you can be assured that in Australia you will have a high quality and rewarding study experience.
The Australian education system provides primary, secondary and tertiary education.
School education (Primary and Secondary)
School education is similar across all of Australia with only minor variations between states and territories. School education (primary and secondary) is compulsory between the ages of six and sixteen (Year 1 to Year 9 or 10). School education is 13 years and divided into:
- Primary school – Runs for seven or eight years, starting at Kindergarten/Preparatory through to Year 6 or 7.
- Secondary school – Runs for three or four years, from Years 7 to 10 or 8 to 10.
- Senior secondary school – Runs for two years, Years 11 and 12.
Tertiary education
Tertiary education includes both higher education (including universities) and vocational education and training (VET).
Language of instruction
English is the official language of Australia and the main language of instruction in the education system. Many schools offer bilingual programs or programs in other languages.
Australian Qualifications Framework
The Australian education system is distinguished from many other countries by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). (opens in a new window) The AQF was established in 1995 and is a national policy that covers qualifications from the tertiary education sector (higher education and vocational education and training) in addition to the school-leaving certificate; the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education.
The AQF has 10 levels and links school, vocational and university education qualifications into one national system. This allows you to move easily from one level of study to the next, and from one institution to another, as long as you satisfy student visa requirements. It allows for choice and flexibility in career planning. All qualifications in the AQF help prepare you for both further study and your working life.
If you are studying an AQF qualification, you can be sure that your institution is Government-authorised and nationally accredited, and that your degree or other AQF qualification will be genuine.
Our institutions are linked across the country and across the world, which makes it easy to move throughout the education system between courses or institutions and formal agreement and recognition frameworks mean every step of the path will contribute to your future no matter what your study or career goals.
Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act
The Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) framework protects the rights of international students studying in Australia, including:
- Your right to receive, before enrolling, current and accurate information about the courses, fees, modes of study, and other information from your institution and your institution’s agent.
- Your right to sign a written agreement with your institution before paying fees, setting out the services to be provided, fees payable, and information about refunds of course money. Make sure to keep a copy of your written agreement.
- The Tuition Protection Service (TPS) is a placement and refund service for international students, which is activated in the event that your institution is unable to teach your course. Read more about this service on the Tuition Protection Service website.
The institutions’ responsibilities
The ESOS framework sets out the standards that Australian institutions must meet in offering education and training services to international students. These standards cover a range of information you have a right to know and services that must be offered to you, including:
- Orientation and access to support services to help you study and adjust to life in Australia.
- Contact details of officers available to help international students.
- If you can apply for course credit.
- When your enrolment can be deferred, suspended or cancelled.
- What your institution’s requirements are for satisfactory progress in the courses you study and what support is available if you are not progressing well.
- If attendance will be monitored for your course.
- A complaints and appeals process.
Your responsibilities
As an overseas student on a student visa, you have responsibilities to:
- Satisfy your student visa conditions.
- Maintain your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the period of your stay.
- Meet the terms of the written agreement with your institution.
- Inform your institution if you change your address.
- Maintain satisfactory course progress.
- If attendance is recorded for your course, follow your institution’s attendance policy.
- If you are under 18, maintain your approved accommodation, support and general welfare arrangements.
Academic year dates in Australia
The academic year in Australia varies depending on the type of study you are undertaking.
Many institutions also offer a mid-year, or second semester start. Start dates and the number of semesters vary by course and institution, so please check directly on your institution’s website for details.
Below is a general guide on the academic year for the different levels of study in Australia:
Schools
- Length – 13 years in total (Kindergarten/Preparatory to Year 12)
- Semesters – 4 (usually called terms’)
- Starts – Late January/early February
English
- Length – From 5 weeks to 1 year
- Semesters – The year is split into weeks
- Starts – Throughout the year
Foundation
- Length – 1 year
- Semesters – The semester breaks will depend on your course
- Starts – February but can vary by course and institutions
Vocational Education and Training
- Length – 1 to 4 years
- Semesters – Two
- Starts – February, but can vary by course and institutions
Undergraduate
- Length – Typically 3 years (4 years for honours degree)
- Semesters – Two, although some institutions offer three semesters (trimesters)
- Starts – Typically March, but can vary by course and institution
Postgraduate
- Length – 1 to 2 years
- Semesters – Two, although some institutions offer three semesters (trimesters)
- Starts – Typically March, but can vary by course and institution
Doctoral
- Length – 3 years
- Semesters – As most doctoral candidates do not attend class, there are usually no formal semester
- Starts – Your start date will be negotiated with your supervisor
Information sourced from: http://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au
© Commonwealth of Australia 2013.