# Education System of Australia

**Parent:** [Australia.md](../Australia.md)  
**Authoritative source:** [Australian Government — Department of Education](https://www.education.gov.au) · [Australian Qualifications Framework](https://www.aqf.edu.au)

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## Overview

Education in Australia is the joint responsibility of the federal government and state/territory governments. The federal government sets national policy and funding frameworks; states and territories administer public schools.

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## Structure

| Stage | Age (approx.) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood / Preschool | 3–5 years | 1–2 years |
| Primary School | 5–12 years | Years 1–6 or 1–7 |
| Secondary School | 12–18 years | Years 7–12 or 8–12 |
| Senior Secondary (Year 11–12) | 16–18 years | VCE / HSC / QCE / SACE etc. |
| VET (Vocational Education & Training) | Post-school | Certificates I–IV, Diploma, Adv. Diploma |
| Higher Education (University) | Post-school | Bachelor's, Graduate, Masters, Doctorate |

Compulsory schooling applies from approximately **age 5–6 to 16–17** (varies by state/territory).

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## Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)

The AQF is the national policy for regulated qualifications in Australian education and training. It encompasses 10 qualification types across school, VET, and higher education.

| AQF Level | Qualification |
|---|---|
| 1–2 | Certificate I–II |
| 3–4 | Certificate III–IV |
| 5 | Diploma |
| 6 | Advanced Diploma / Associate Degree |
| 7 | Bachelor Degree |
| 8 | Bachelor Honours / Graduate Certificate / Diploma |
| 9 | Masters Degree |
| 10 | Doctoral Degree |

**Source:** [aqf.edu.au](https://www.aqf.edu.au)

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## Key Institutions & Bodies

| Body | Role | URL |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Education | Federal policy & funding | [education.gov.au](https://www.education.gov.au) |
| TEQSA | Higher education regulator | [teqsa.gov.au](https://www.teqsa.gov.au) |
| ASQA | VET regulator | [asqa.gov.au](https://www.asqa.gov.au) |
| Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) | National curriculum & NAPLAN | [acara.edu.au](https://www.acara.edu.au) |
| Australian Research Council (ARC) | Research funding | [arc.gov.au](https://www.arc.gov.au) |
| Universities Australia | Peak body for 39 universities | [universitiesaustralia.edu.au](https://www.universitiesaustralia.edu.au) |

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## Go8 — Group of Eight Universities

Australia's leading research universities (analogous to the US Ivy League):

1. University of Melbourne
2. Australian National University (ANU)
3. University of Sydney
4. University of Queensland
5. University of Western Australia
6. University of Adelaide
7. Monash University
8. UNSW Sydney

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## Authoritative Sources

| Resource | URL |
|---|---|
| Department of Education | <https://www.education.gov.au> |
| Australian Qualifications Framework | <https://www.aqf.edu.au> |
| TEQSA | <https://www.teqsa.gov.au> |
| My Skills (VET search) | <https://www.myskills.gov.au> |
| Study in Australia (international students) | <https://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au> |
| NAPLAN results | <https://www.acara.edu.au/reporting/national-report-on-schooling> |