In Australia the state and territories has the primary responsibility for education. The public and the private schools are managed by with the funding given by the state or the territory government that comes under the respective governing areas, within its governing area. The public universities are funded by the federal government. They are only involved in the funding and do not take part in setting up of the curriculum. A three tier education is followed in the Australian educations system that encompasses the primary education (primary school) that is followed by the secondary school education (secondary schools/high schools) and the tertiary education (universities or TAFE Colleges).

Pre School

Preschool, also called the Kindergarten, is an unregulated, and not a mandatory one. In this the children are taught the day care or the parent run play group. Other than the state of Queensland and Western Australia, all the state and territories do not recognize this kinder school schooling. It is considered as a separate one from the primary school education.

Most of the state and Territory government runs the kindergarten. But in some states like Victoria, New south Wales and South Australia, the community groups, local councils and the private organizations adsminser the preschool.

School

Up to a certain age, the school education is mandatory as per the legislation of the state and territories. As per the child’s date of birth, and the state or territory he resides, compulsory school education is given that ranges from 5 -6 yrs to the age of 15-17 years. During recent times, most of three quarters of students reside in school, until he attains the age of 17. Nearly 65% of the students, get educated at Government schools. Nearly 34% are educated in catholic and independent schools. A small portion of students learn in home schools. There are legally recognized schools situated in rural areas.

The Government schools do not charge any fees for the citizen and permanent residents of Australia. On the otherhand attendance fess are charged by the catholic and independent schools.
Irrespective of the type of school whether it is a Government school, or a catholic or a Independent school, all school are obliged to stick to the same curriculum of their territory or state . However some flexibility is provided by the present curriculum in the syllabus. Subjects like religious education can be educated. Even the are some flexibility in school uniforms. School uniforms are worn by some students, while some school students do not wear uniforms.

Primary

Kindergarten (QLD) 3–4 year olds

Year 1: 6–7 year olds

Year 2: 7–8 year olds

Year 3: 8–9 year olds
Year 4: 9–10 year olds

Year 5: 10–11 year olds

Year 6: 11–12 year olds

Year 7: 12–13 year olds (QLD, SA, WA) [46]

Secondary

Year 7: 12–13 year olds (ACT, NSW, TAS, VIC)] (Middle School NT)

Year 8: 13–14 year olds

Year 9: 14–15 year olds

Year 10: 15–16 year olds (High School NT)

Year 11: 16–17 year olds ("College" ACT)

Year 12: 17–19 year olds

Tertiary

In Australia, the tertiary education or higher education is mostly at technical college or university to acquire qualification of additional skills and training. Some of the famous universities are the University of Western Australia in Perth, the University of Sydney, the University of Melbourne, the University of Queens land, Monash University in Melbourne, the Australian National University in Canberra.