Australia is a stable, democratic and culturally diverse nation with a highly skilled workforce and one of the strongest performing economies in the world.With spectacular landscapes and a rich ancient culture, Australia is a land like no other. It is the earth’s sixth-largest country in land area and is the only nation to govern an entire continent.
Australia is an island with most of its population living around its coastline. The coastline has many beaches and reefs that are popular with surfers and divers such as the Great Barrier Reef, Bondi Beach and Surfers Paradise. The centre of Australia is mostly desert with very little water. The famous Ayres Rock or Uluru is found here and is a popular tourist attraction.
| Capital | Canberra 35°18.48′S 149°7.47′E |
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| Largest city | Sydney | |
|---|---|---|
| Official languages | None | |
| National language | English | |
| Demonym |
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| Government | Federal parliamentaryconstitutional monarchy | |
| • | Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| • | Governor-General | Sir Peter Cosgrove |
| • | Prime Minister | Malcolm Turnbull |
| • | Chief Justice | Robert French |
| Legislature | Parliament | |
| • | Upper house | Senate |
| • | Lower house | House of Representatives |
| Independence from the United Kingdom | ||
| • | Federation,Constitution | 1 January 1901 |
| • | Statute of Westminster Adoption Act | 9 October 1942 (with effect from 3 September 1939) |
| • | Australia Act | 3 March 1986 |
| Area | ||
| • | Total | 7,692,024 km2 (6th), 2,969,907 sq mi |
| Population | ||
| • | 2016 estimate | 24,201,300 (51st) |
| • | 2011 census | 21,507,717 |
| • | Density | 2.8/km2 (236th), 7.3/sq mi |
| GDP (PPP) | 2015 estimate | |
| • | Total | $1.137 trillion (19th) |
| • | Per capita | $47,318 (17th) |
| GDP (nominal) | 2015 estimate | |
| • | Total | $1.223 trillion (13th) |
| • | Per capita | $51,642 (9th) |
| Gini (2012) | 33.6 medium · 19th |
|
| HDI (2014) | 0.935 very high · 2nd |
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| Currency | Australian dollar (AUD) | |
| Time zone | various(UTC+8 to +10.5) | |
| • | Summer (DST) | various(UTC+8 to +11.5) |
Australian education system
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.