Index: Education in Australia
Index: Education in AustraliaSchool Holidays in AustraliaEach of the Australian States set their own school terms and holiday dates, and they are often at slightly different times in the different States. An example of this is the 2008/2009 Summer Holiday starts on Dec 13 in QLD, SA & NT, Dec 19 in Tasmania & WA, and Dec 20 in ACT, NSW & VIC. The actual State School Term and Holiday dates for each State can be found at: Private and Independent schools often have slightly different dates, normally starting a bit earlier or ending a bit later. An example of this is in Queensland, where the summer holiday starts on Dec 13th in the State schools, some Private schools start on Dec 6th. Starting SchoolEach Australian State has a different system to decide when a child starts school, although there are national discussions taking place to try to get a More details on this can be found in the Common School Starting Age Report: If you check the individual State Education pages above, you will see the relevant starting age details for the State that you are interested in. The first day of the first term of the New Year is normally near the end of January. In 2009 it is January 27th for many States. Starting Secondary SchoolState regulations currently mean that State run Secondary school starting years are as follows:
Some private schools may operate differently to the above, especially where they have Junior, Middle and Senior schools. Year 12 - Final Year of SchoolVarious training options are available to school leavers through an Australian Apprenticeship, University or TAFE Australian Apprenticeships are included in the Training Pathways Program which is targeted at increasing the number of Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications in the workforce to meet the future industry skills requirements. Gifted and Talented ChildrenVarious links are shown here for Organisation and Government Departments relating to the Education of Gifted Children in Australia
Education Comparison between UK and AustraliaA common comment is that the primary education is different here in Australia when compared to the UK. A number of people have said that children here are allowed to be children for longer, no real pressure on direct learning, but lots of encouragement in learning to learn and enjoying school. More involvement in school and class dramas, plays etc. Learning to be social etc. As a direct age comparison, I have read that UK children are further ahead academically, but that Australian children are more ahead in being a person. This can change when they move to High School, and by the end of their schooling, it seems to even itself out. One thing I do know, is that the majority of primary school kids here just love to go to school, which is very different to my school days There are two International Education surveys carried out on a regular basis; PISA and TIMSS. Both of these surveys provide information about different aspects of students' mathematics and science learning.
By comparing the PISA and the TIMMS results, it would seem that the following applies:
Australia's performance in TIMSS 2007
A total of 36 countries at Year 4, and 49 countries at Year 8, participated in TIMSS Most countries tested pupils with 4 years formal schooling, but England and
It assesses the knowledge and skills of pupils aged 9-10 (otherwise known as grade 4.) and 13-14 (grade 8. ). UK and Scotland entered year 5 and year 9 children, whilst the other countries entered year 4 and year 8 The results can be seen at:
550 High benchmark 475 Intermediate benchmark 400 Low benchmark Actual score Results are: Year 4 mathematics Australia’s score has increased by 17 since 2003 and by 22 score points since 1995. Australia was outperformed in 2007 by England's year 5, but was higher than Scotland's year 5. Students in Year 4 who spoke a language other than English at home achieved significantly lower on average in mathematics than students who predominantly spoke English. Year 8 science Australia’s average score has declined by 12 points since TIMSS 2003, and is Australia was outperformed by England's year 9, but came ahead of Scotland's The proportion of students achieving the advanced benchmark was strikingly higher for students with at least one parent completing a university degree. Australian students tend to receive less mathematics and science homework at both Year 4 and Year 8 than students in other countries. There is a difference between the States with ages of the children participating, with the lowest year 4 average age group being 9.5 yrs (QLD) and the highest being 10.3 yrs (TAS). The results for Queensland are consequently lower than most other States. There is a PDF document with all the results, and sample questions, which makes very interesting for anyone interested in the Education in Australia. The document is here: World rankings for Reading, Maths and Science in the PISA 2007 report
An article in the Daily Telegraph in December 2007 showed the rankings of 57 countries in the subjects of Reading, Maths & Science. The data comes from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). There is another article also at the Daily Telegraph with more information. More information on the UK - Australia comparisons, from the: Science Proficiency Reading Proficiency Mathematics Proficiency Education Tax Refund 2008/09 (ETR)
OtherEducation in Australia is administered by the State Governments, NOT by the Federal Government, therefore you will find that each State may have different Holidays and other rules etc etc. (Even different styles of Handwriting to be learnt in Junior School) eg: NSW and Queensland Visit www.schoolfonts.com.au for further details. Enrolling your child for SchoolSchool opening hours during the school holidays. Just because the children are not at school does not mean the school is closed. This may be useful to you if you arrive during school holidays, but want to check out schools for enrolling the next year etc. An example for my school (2008/09 In QLD) is: Last day of school for Children is Dec 4th, but the office is open until Dec 12th. The Office opens again on Jan 5th, but the children do not go back until Jan 27th Temporary 457 Visa HoldersTopic Discussion.. School Fees and 457 Visa Holders The New South Wales and Australian Capital Territories education authorities have stated that temporary 457 visa holders, and other temporary residents, are not eligible for subsidised education in Government schools. Consequently, fees in NSW can vary between $4,000 and $6,000. In the ACT, it is even higher at between $9,000 and $14,000. Details of Visa numbers and related conditions applying to enrolment in a NSW Government school can be found at www.schools.nsw.edu.au The other States: Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia and The Northern Territory do allow temporary 457 visa holders the same subsidised education that Citizens and Permanent Residents receive. State Government Education Websites
Non-GovernmentEducation Websites
School Types and Funding
Government Funding to schoolsSince the 1960's both the State & Federal governments have each provided funding to both State & Non-State schools across Australia. These funding figures for 2001-2002 are about:
The State schools received $20.3 billion (79%) of this figure, an average of about $9,000 per student The Independent/Catholic schools received $5 billion (21%), an average of about $4,700 per student Individual Independent school funding is calculated based on the economics of the area. ie: Better off areas will receive less, per student, than deprived areas, and funding can vary immensely. Hence, school fees can vary between $600 per year, to $25/30,000 per year. In 2005-06, government schools in Victoria received combined Australian and Victorian Government funding of $10,352 a student, while non-government schools received $5,613 a student. Source Overseas EducationEquivalent Qualifications A table in the following website shows an approximate Australian school-level qualification equivalent to the British A-level results or the A-level tariffs
The British Council can also provide information on sitting GCSE or A-level examinations in Australia A Statement of Equivalent Qualification can be issued to people who have educational qualifications from overseas that are judged by the Authority to be equivalent to Year 11 or Year 12 level. Links
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