School

School education in Australia includes preschool, preparatory (or kindergarten), primary school, secondary school (or high school), and senior secondary school (or college). Schooling lasts for 13 years, from preparatory to senior secondary. Types of schools include government schools, non-government schools (including faith-based schools such as Catholic or Islamic schools), and schools based on educational philosophies such as Montessori and Steiner.

Australian schools do more than just educate students. They prepare them for life − developing communication skills, self-discipline, and respect for themselves, their peers, and their world. Schools offer a broad curriculum in the key learning areas – English, mathematics, studies of society and the environment, science, arts, Languages Other Than English (LOTE), technology, health, and physical education. They also believe strongly in the benefits of a rounded education – including teamwork, self-expression, and personal development that happens outside the classroom.

A higher standard of living

In Australia, students will enjoy a diverse learning environment that is as personally enriching as it is educational, and develop the skills and qualities needed in a changing world. See for yourself what makes an Australian education so valuable:

Small class sizes (a maximum of 30 students in a class).
University-trained and qualified teachers and specialist teachers in subject areas.
Facilities of a high standard – including a high level of technology, with all schools having computers and internet access.
‘Gifted and talented’ programs to extend students who are high achievers.
‘High Achievement’ programs, which see the top students studying university-level subjects for advance credit.
Individual learning programs for students who require additional learning support.
Quality assurance frameworks where schools must meet required standards.

School qualifications

After completion of senior secondary school (Years 11 and 12) students sit for exams and receive an official certificate of qualification. The name of this certificate varies within Australia's state-based education systems but regardless of what the certificate is called, it is recognized by all Australian universities, higher education and vocational education and training institutions, as well as useful website.

Best to Live & Study

Australia ranks as the second best country to live in the United Nations Development Program. This ranking is based on such criteria as like life expectancy, school enrollment, income etc. The US ranks at 13th and the UK ranks 21st. Australia also has 8 of the top 100 ranking universities in the world according to THES World University Rankings.