International Students
The Australian Education System:
From primary school education to doctorate level studies, the Australian education system has acquired a distinct reputation of being one of the best in the world.
The government of each state manages the public and the private school system. Some variations may exist in the curriculum of each state and school, however the key learning areas are similar to all which help keep the National standard of education similar.
Higher Education
After completion of Year 12 or equivalent, students have the option to go into different streams of higher education which include:
VET (Vocational Education and Training):
he VET sector focuses on providing courses that focus on the development of skills relevant to a trade specialisation.
The Australian VET sector is internationally recognised as being one of the best in the world. Australia is one of a few countries in the world where students are assessed by attainment of competencies which is a compulsory component of the Vocational Education and Training system.
One of the biggest reasons for students choosing VET courses is because it prepares students to work in organisations and industries as skilled professionals straight after completing a course.
VET curriculums in each state follows a national standard and comprises of both private and public institutions called RTOs or Registered Training Organisations. The public or Government funded institutions are called TAFEs (Technical and Further Education). TAFEs offer a variety of courses from certificate to diploma levels and some offer Bachelor degrees in specific subjects.
Most of the RTO’s offer Business and IT related courses, along with courses in specific trades for example; Automotive, Cookery, Dental Technology and Hairdressing. These institutions, like the TAFE sector offer courses from certificate to advanced diploma level education and a few are accredited to offer Bachelor and Masters programs.
Universities:
There are more than 40 universities in Australia which are divided among the states. The National Government facilitates funding for universities in each state and territory. Though all universities are autonomous the national system ensures that courses offered are nominally of equal quality.
There is no formal ranking of universities but are generally distinguished by the type of courses offered. Depending on the type of course, a university degree may take from one to four years of study to complete.
Students can pursue a Bachelors or a Masters or a Doctorate program to further their own knowledge and its application.
Australian higher education is valued around the world due to its high standards and because of this many employers specifically seek Australian certified students.
Australian universities are well known around the world and have welcomed international students for decades.
Most universities enjoy a great national mix with students from over sixty countries choosing Australia as their education destination. Universities promote a culture of tolerance, unity and diversity.
ELICOS (English Language Courses)
International students undertaking an Australian VET or Higher Education course need to demonstrate their proficiency in English.
English courses are generally classified as Academic English (EAP) and General English. English for Academic Purposes (EAP) is a course designed specifically to prepare international students in pursuing higher education in Australia.
Australian educational institutions offer English language courses at a variety of levels so that students can enter the course best suited to their needs and to reach the level of English required to complete their course.
RTOs also offer preparation courses for international English proficiency exams such as IELTS, FCE (First Certificate in English), CAE (Certificate in Advanced English) and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).
Most universities and TAFEs have their own English language centres, but most English courses are offered by private institutions.
About Australia:
Australia is well known around the world for its beauty, ambience, festivals, vibrant and diverse culture, infrastructure and unique wild life and flora. Students from all parts of the world come to Australia to not only study but enjoy the lifestyle and the unique experiences Australia has to offer.
The main cities of Australia include Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart, Darwin and Canberra.
For more information visit: http://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia or http://www.about-australia.com
Melbourne:
Melbourne is the capital city of Victoria and the second most populous city in Australia after Sydney. Melbourne has been ranked as the world’s most liveable city for the sixth consecutive year the EIU (the Economist Intelligence Unit).
Melbourne is home to many top-ranking universities including: Melbourne University, Monash University, RMIT, La Trobe University, Deakin University and Victoria University. It is rated highly in education, entertainment, health care, research and development, tourism and sport.
It is well known for its coffee, restaurants, night-life and its sport loving culture and is considered an international cultural centre with cultural events, dramas, festivals, musicals, comedy and much more.
The climate, the water front location and night-life make it one of the most vibrant destinations in Australia.
For more information visit: http://www.visitmelbourne.com/information/About-Victoria
Sydney:
Sydney is the state capital of New South Wales and the most populous city in Australia. It is located on Australia’s east coast and the city is surrounded by the world’s largest natural harbour with world famous attractions including the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Sydney is a tourist haven and is amongst the top fifteen most visited cities in the world with millions of tourists attracted to its unique land marks.
The city boosts the first university in Australia, the University of Sydney along with other top-ranking universities which include: the University of Newcastle, the University of New South Wales, Macquarie University, Australian Catholic University, UNSW Engineering and the University of Technology.
Sydney is famous for hosting some of the top sports events, theatre events, traditional festivals and much more. It has a rich heritage and colourful atmosphere. People from diverse multicultural backgrounds call it home.
It has an international reputation as a strong competitor to other countries in advanced technology, educational calibre and high quality infrastructure.
For more information visit:
http://www.about-australia.com/location/new-south-wales
Brisbane:
Brisbane is the capital of the state of Queensland located in the north-east coast of Australia. It is often referred to the city of the senses with impossible blue skies and beautiful parklands in a walk-friendly setting which opens up a world of experiences.
Although close to the coast, Brisbane is a river city with the Brisbane River running through it. Surrounded by hills and majestic bridges, the city gives easy access to a number of attractions as well as the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast
Major universities in Brisbane include: the University of Queensland, the Queensland University of Technology and Griffith University.
For more information visit:
http://www.about-australia.com/locations/queensland
Adelaide:
Adelaide is the capital city in the state of South Australia. It is the fifth largest city in Australia. Compared to Melbourne and Sydney, Adelaide is considered a quiet and calm city, well known for its churches, architecture, parks and gardens, restaurants and world class food, wine and music.
There is definitely more to Adelaide than meets the eye. It is a vibrant city with the beautiful Adelaide Hills in the backdrop and the Barossa Valley, well-known for its world-famous wines.
Adelaide is a great place to experience the lifestyle and culture of Australia at a much gentler pace. The city is well planned, together with a range of historic buildings and churches, wide streets, wide streets, and cafes, it is one of the most majestic cities in Australia.
Some of the top universities of Adelaide include: the University of Adelaide, the University of South Australia and Flinders University.
For more information visit:
http://www.about-australia.com/location/south-australia
Perth:
Perth is the capital and the largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. The city sits alongside the peaceful waters of the Swan River. It is a known for its friendly and multicultural population and continues to grow into Australia’s most distinctive and welcoming city.
Perth combines big-city attractions including a glitzy central business district, night life, restaurants, bustling bars and cultural activities and festivals all vying for attention.
It also boasts wonderful weather, beautiful beaches and easy-going character. Situated on the west coast of Australia, it is as close to many Asian cities as it is to eastern coast cities of Australia.
Perth is home to four public universities: the University of Western Australia, Curtin University, Murdoch University and Edith Cowan University, and a private university, the University of Notre Dame.
For more information visit:
http://www.about-australia.com/location/western-australia
Hobart:
Hobart is the capital and the most populous city of the island state of Australia, Tasmania. It was founded in 1803 as a penal colony and is Australia’s second oldest city after Sydney.
Hobart is famous for its natural beauty and it is not surprising to understand why with one side beach and the other beautiful lush countryside, Hobart is a feast for the eyes.
Mt Wellington looms close by and is a popular destination for mountain biking and bushwalking and sightseeing. Drive up its winding roads to the summit and you might be met with unseasonal snowfall.
Hobart is also known for its well-preserved historic architecture, much of it dating back to the Georgian and Victorian eras, giving the city a distinctly “old world” feel.
The city skyline boasts only a few high-rise buildings in comparison to other Australian cities. This is partly due to the height restrictions imposed due to Hobart’s close proximity to Derwent River and Mount Wellington.
Hobart is home to the university of Tasmania, Christ College, Jane Franklin Hall and St John Fisher College.
For more information visit: http://www.about-australia.com/location/tasmania
Darwin:
Darwin is the capital of Australia’s Northern Territory and a former frontier outpost.
It is the least populous capital city in Australia and northerly of all Australian capital cities. Darwin’s proximity to countries such as Indonesia and East Timor makes it a natural trade and tourist link to major Asian countries. It has world class nightlife and retail attractions and natural beauty to make it a popular destination for tourists.
Darwin prides itself for its friendly laid back lifestyle that make makes it a hot spot for people from all cultures.
Darwin has a tropical climate with wet and dry seasons and is prone to cyclone activity during the wet season. Attractions like the Deckchair Cinema, Charles Darwin National Park and Cullen Bay Marina make Darwin a year-long tourist favourite.
For more information visit:
http://www.about-australia.com/location/northern-territory