Tertiary

Like in other countries, both private and public universities can be found in Australia; as of 2004, there are 36 public, 2 Catholic and 1 other private universities in Australia. Admissions by Australian citizens to public and Catholic universities in Australia are based on the prospective student’s academic achievement, and to a much lesser extent, the ability to afford tuition. Admission to the other private university by Australians and admission by prospective international students to any university is primarily dependant on their ability to pay their fees.

Domestic students are not usually subject to up-front fees at a public university if enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). As well as receiving substantial government subsidies to the cost of tertiary education, students in CSP places have the option of deferring their financial contributions to their education completely via the HECS-HELP scheme. Students may also enroll in a non-Commonwealth Supported Place, known as a FULL-FEE place, and must pay all upfront fees, which are typically greater than a standard HECS-HELP debt, usually undertaken to reduce academic entrance requirements. Additionally, a compulsory upfront student services fee is usually charged although this will most likely change with the impending introduction of Voluntary Student Unionism. There are usually other compulsory up-front costs, for textbooks, materials and the like.

It is important to note that, unlike in other countries such as the USA, public universities in Australia are more prestigious than their few private counterparts. All the members of the Group of Eight, Australian Technology Network and Innovative Research Universities Australia are public universities.

Pre-Primary Education

This tier is relatively unregulated, and is not compulsory. The first exposure many Australians have to learning things with others outside of traditional parenting is day care or a parent run playgroup. This sort of activity is not generally considered “schooling”.

The first structured classes most Australians take is in a sector called Kindergarten (Kinder or Kindy) in most states and territories, but called Pre-School in New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory (and occasionally elsewhere), and takes the sequential names Kindergarten and Pre-Primary in Western Australia.
Turning Three

This is called “Three Year Old Kinder” in many places. This year takes the form of a few hours of activity twice or three times a week. Most children do not attend this year.
Turning Four

This year, and this year alone is called “Kindergarten” in WA. This is called “Four Year Old Kinder” in many places. This year takes the form of a few hours of activity twice or three times a week. Most children do not attend this year.

Turning Five

This year is far more commonly attended, and is what is known as “Kinder” or “Pre-School” to most people. In WA, it is known as “Pre-Primary”. It usually takes the form of a few hours of activity five days a week.

In all states and territories except Western Australia, nearly all schools in this sector are completely separate from primary schools. In that state, most “pre-primary” education is taught as part of the primary school system.

In the Northern Territory, the pre-schools are usually run by the territory. Most pre-primary schools in the rest of Australia are run by local councils, community groups and private organisations.

Queensland is planning to trial a compulsory PPreparatory Year. This has lead to considerable disruption, as Education Queensland are divesting Preschools not co-located with Primary Schools and forcing Primary Schools to make accommodations for children that are younger, smaller and less able than 5 year olds.

Primary Education

Primary education usually consists of seven years of school education, although this varies between states. These years also have different names in different states.

In New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, the first year of primary education is known as “Kindergarten”, which is followed by “Year 1″, “Year 2″, and so on, up to “Year 6″. Many schools in the ACT also offer a “Transition” year between Kindergarten and Year 1, for children who turn 5 after April 30.

In Victoria, primary school consists of “Prep” (Preparatory) to Grade 6.

In Queensland, primary school is Grades 1 to 7 until 2007, when it will be 1 to 6.

In Western Australia, primary school consists of “Kindergarten”, followed by “Pre-primary” and then “Year 1″ through to “Year 7″. This Kindergarten is the equivalent of Kindergarten or Pre-School offered in other states.

In South Australia, the first year of primary school is called “Reception” followed by Years 1 to 7 inclusive.

In the Northern Territory, the first year is called “Preparation” and is followed by Years 1 to 7, except in Alice Springs, where it only continues to Year 6.

The term “Prep” is to be introduced throughout Australia over 2005 to 2007.

Note that these are only general rules - there are exceptions. For example, there are a number of “middle schools” which generally cover Years 6 to 8. There are also “P-10″ or Hightop schools that cover Prep-Year 10, and “P-12″ or “Consolidated” schools that cover all primary and secondary years.