Education in Australia for young people and the Job Opportunities Available for Them

Educational System in Australia The education system in Australia is available for all people. It follows the three-tier model which includes primary education, followed by secondary education and tertiary education (universities and/or TAFE Colleges). Education is compulsory up to year 10. It’s generally 15-16, that is prior to completing secondary education. * School Government schools educate about two third of Australian students, with the other third in private schools, the proportion which is rising in many parts of Australia. Furthermore an increasing proportion of these privately educated children are now being home educated (home schooled). Most students in the government or private school usually wear uniforms, although there are varying expectations and some Australia schools don’t require uniforms. * Private Schools Most Catholic schools are either run by their local parish and/or by each state’s Catholic Education Department. Independent schools enroll about 14% of students. Some independent schools charge high fees. Government funding for independent schools often comes under criticism from the Australia Education Union and the Australian Labor Party * Primary School ^ Pre-school/Kindergarten: 4-5 years old ^ Preparatory / Reception / Kindergarten (QLD, NSW, VIC and ACT): 5-6 years old ^ Year 1: 6-7 years old ^ Year 2: 7-8 years old ^ Year 3: 8-9 years old ^ Year 4: 9-10 years old ^ Year 5: 10-11 years old ^ Year 6: 11-12 years old ^ Year 7: 12-13 years old (primary school in WA, SA, QLD only) * Secondary School ^ Year 7: 12-13 (ACT, NSW, TAS, and VIC) Middle school in NT ^ Year 8: 13-14 years old ^ Year 9: 14-15 years old ^ Year 10: 15-16 years old (high school in NT) ^ Year 11: 16-17 years old ^ Year 12: 17-18 years old In the Northern Territory, primary schools often include a pre-school. But in Western Australia, primary schools often include two pre-school years. In the beginning of 2007, the Northern territory introduced middle school for year 7-9 and high school for year 10-12. VET and TAFE In Australia there is also TAFE (Technical and further Education) and VET (Vocational Education and Training). VET is education and training that focuses on providing skills for the workforce. VET provides the skills to help people to join the workforce for the first time, re-join the workforce after a break, upgrade skills in their chosen field, and move into a different career. VET in Schools programs are based on national industry or enterprise competency standards. Students may exit the course with a full qualification or a statement of attainment.

Vocational education and training offers qualifications at the level of: - Certificate I (4-6 months, competent operator) - Certificate II (6-8 months, advance operator) - Certificate III (about 12 months, qualified tradesperson or technician) - Certificate IV (12-18 months, supervisor) As well as - Diplomas (18-24 months, paraprofessional) - Advanced diploma (24-36 months, junior manager) Diplomas and advanced diplomas are qualifications that can be accredited in either the Higher Education or VET sectors. The Technical and Further Education (TAFE) sector is the largest education and training sector in Australia, which provides a wide range of predominantly vocational tertiary education courses in Australia, mostly qualifying courses under the National Training System or Australian Qualifications Framework or Australian Quality Training Framework. Fields covered include hospitality, tourism, construction, engineering, secretarial skills, visual arts, computer programming and community work.

The types of qualifications that can be obtained through the TAFE system include: - Certificate I–IV: These courses are designed to provide introductory skills and training. They provide industry-specific knowledge, and skills in communication, participation, literacy and numeracy, and teamwork. They vary in length from a few weeks to six or more months. - Diploma: A diploma course prepares students for industry, enterprise and Para-professional careers. Some diploma courses can be completed at university level as well as at TAFE institutions. Diplomas require 18 to 24 months of full-time study. - Advanced diploma: An advanced diploma provides a high level of practical skills for employment in a specific career area, such as accounting, building design, or engineering. Some advanced diploma courses can also be completed at university level. Advanced diplomas vary in length from 24 to 36 months. - Vocational graduate certificate/diploma: The vocational graduate certificate and diploma are the equivalent of the higher education graduate certificate or diploma. They provide high level employment-related skills and knowledge. The graduate certificate usually requires six months of full-time study and the graduate diploma usually requires one year of full-time study