Education in Australia - statistics & facts
Australia is a country that encourages education, both in the early formative years of childhood and through to adulthood. While school is mandatory in Australia, many people continue with further education at a university or other vocational schools. Australia’s universities are well regarded internationally, with many students from across the globe traveling to the country to obtain their degrees, even with the soaring cost of these programs. While domestic students are beginning to accrue a large amount of debt from attending university, obtaining a degree is still seen as a good steppingstone to achieving employment.
The number of people in Australia who hold a bachelor’s level degree or higher has increased significantly over the past decade. However, Australian school-leavers are not the only people studying for degrees at Australia's world-class universities. Australia’s universities are a highly popular choice for international students, with the majority coming from China and India. Australia’s major cities are education hubs, with most of the country's universities situated in Sydney, Melbourne, and other capital cities. Bachelor’s degree graduates in Australia enjoy a relatively high employment rate in the months following graduation. However, a wide range of career paths are available in Australia, and a university education is not essential to secure employment after school.
Australia is a highly educated nation, with a strong emphasis on further education. However, the growing debt many young Australians are accruing due to rising degree costs has become a focus of concern in the country. Regardless, Australia continues to excel in the educational field.
Primary and Secondary education in Australia
Primary and secondary education is compulsory in Australia in most states and territories until the age of 17. For the most part, this is adhered to, with school attendance rates in Australia remaining high after dropping in 2020 due to the lockdowns associated with the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of schools in Australia, including primary, secondary, and combined schools, has grown steadily over the years, reflecting the growing population of the country. While government schools, also known as public schools, are free in Australia, parents can contribute tuition fees for primary schools and secondary schools. Private schools, such as Catholic schools, have mandatory fees that are significantly higher than state-run schools.Tertiary education in Australia
While the plans of young Australians after finishing school vary, many aim to go to university. For school leavers to apply for a place at a higher education provider, an Australian Tertiary Admissions Ranking, known as an ATAR, is generally required. An ATAR is a ranking between 0.00 and 99.95, which measures a student's overall academic achievement in comparison to other students in their age group and is received by students at the conclusion of their further secondary studies. Tertiary education providers use ATARs to select students for course admission.The number of people in Australia who hold a bachelor’s level degree or higher has increased significantly over the past decade. However, Australian school-leavers are not the only people studying for degrees at Australia's world-class universities. Australia’s universities are a highly popular choice for international students, with the majority coming from China and India. Australia’s major cities are education hubs, with most of the country's universities situated in Sydney, Melbourne, and other capital cities. Bachelor’s degree graduates in Australia enjoy a relatively high employment rate in the months following graduation. However, a wide range of career paths are available in Australia, and a university education is not essential to secure employment after school.
Australia is a highly educated nation, with a strong emphasis on further education. However, the growing debt many young Australians are accruing due to rising degree costs has become a focus of concern in the country. Regardless, Australia continues to excel in the educational field.
