THE EDUCATION SYSTEM
Australia is another popular destination; a few hours away in terms of flight time from the Indian subcontinent. It has attracted the attention of students seeking post-graduate, graduate as well as technical education. The demand for educational opportunity in Australia has grown as the number of overseas students studying in Australia had increased from around 4000 in 1996 to 95,000 in 2000. Australia's higher education sector has recorded a growth of 7.6%. India is ranked in the top ten source countries for overseas students.
EDUCATIONAL STRUCTURE
School education
Each Australian State operates its own public school system which depends largely on funding by the Federal Government. Private schools are run with or without religious affiliation and are more expensive than the public schools. Elementary education begins at the age of 6 years and continues for six to eight years. The number of years varies from one state to another. Secondary schools offer 5-6 years of education and after junior and secondary school students opt for vocational education. Higher education is only available to students who have completed 12 years of school. Students can select from a number of options for further study or vocational training. They can go to University, Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions or business colleges or for vocational training. At school, in accordance with the National Curriculum Framework the following subjects are taught: English, Maths, Science, Technology, Society and Environment Education, Health and Physical Education, Arts and Language.
On successful completion of the final two years of schooling, the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education is issued. Each State and Territory in Australia has its own Certificate. While these certificates have different names, they all require an equivalent standard of education and are recognized by all Australian universities.
Note: Vocational education training institutions and universities can issue Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas. Most Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas are issued in the vocational education and training sector.
Vocational education
In Australia government has worked together with the industry to build an effective national vocational education and training (VET) system. Business and industry design courses provide ample employment opportunities while vocational institutes specialize in training students for the workforce.
VET is delivered by government-funded Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutes and by a growing network of private training organizations, including private colleges and industry training centres, all registered with the State or Territory Government in order to issue national qualifications under the AQF.
VET institutions offer training programs, ranging from preparatory and entry level, through to operator, technician and professional levels and also accredited English language training and Foundation Studies.
Australian VET qualifications are based on the attainment of industry competency standards rather than how long they have spent in training. There is considerable flexibility in delivery methods, which may include various combinations of formal, informal and on-the-job training and generally include a high degree of work-related learning and assessment. The qualification is awarded only when an individual is assessed as having met the industry competency standards.
Higher education
University education was introduced in Australia in 1850 and the very first Universities of Melbourne and Sydney were designed like Oxford and Cambridge. Six metropolitan towns had each established a university by 1911 to keep pace with the developments in the country. After the 2nd World War several new universities were opened to meet the demand for higher education. New universities too followed the British system for higher education. They enjoyed public status, autonomy, government funding, central accredition and offered academic specialization and 3 or 4 years academic degrees. There are today thirty nine Australian universities maintaining a high level of excellence and located in every state and territory of the country.
Australian higher education institutions follow a unified national system after the amalgamation of former colleges of advanced education and small specialist institutions with pre-existing universities. Hence many Australian universities have a multi-campus structure with associated campuses offering specific disciplines or extension programs under the supervision of parent institutions.
AUSTRALIAN QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK
In 1995 the Australian qualifications framework was introduced to provide a comprehensive structure of educational qualifications. It is based on a national system endorsed by the government with the objective to make the curriculum nationally consistent as well as to make them better understood and accepted internationally. It also concentrated on bringing about necessary modifications in the structure and content of vocational training and education. The Australian qualifications framework aims to encourage flexibility in educational routes for education and training. It has opened pathways between vocational education and training sectors.
Pathways through the framework
Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) provides a range of learning pathways for students between schools, vocational education and training institutions and universities. In India, a student who holds a Diploma and wishes to upgrade this qualification to Bachelor level must enroll in a Degree program at an Indian university. Under the Australian system, a student may be given credit for a Diploma in a relevant field and be granted admission to the second year of a university Bachelor Degree program. It is also possible to move from Degree-level qualifications to gain specific industry skills at Diploma and Advanced Diploma levels, as your career goals may require.
Implementation of the Australian curriculum framework (AQF)
The framework addresses itself to 12 levels of educational qualifications. Beginning with Senior Secondary Certificates (+2) through to Doctoral (PhD) degrees; the Australian qualification framework (AQF) extends across the three educational sectors.
Secondary school education sector - The Australian Curriculums Framework has been implemented by secondary schools too. Some schools give credit towards Certificates I-IV under the AQF. Many schools offer vocational courses so that students may combine their academic studies with vocational training. They get two qualifications - the Certificate of senior Secondary Education and a Certificate I or II. Such dual credentialing is becoming increasingly popular in Australia, with over 20 per cent of students achieving both a Senior Secondary Certificate and a nationally recognized vocational credential. This allows them easy entry into careers.
For more information:
Manager, Australian Education Centre, Australian High Commission, 1/50G, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi - 110021,
E-mail: aec.india@dfat.gov.au
Vocational education and training sector - The greatest impact of the AQF is in the vocational education and training sector. Under the AQF, VET qualifications can lead into university Degree courses, utilizing credit transfer and advanced standing arrangements. In the Australian education system, Colleges of Technical and Further education (TAFE) have been conceived between secondary school and university courses offering another route into higher education. TAFE colleges have a vocational focus, and have linkage with the industry. Entry requirements into TAFE courses are usually not as competitive as those required by universities making it useful to many students who have not attained the grades for direct entry into a degree course. Two years TAFE study is sufficient for entry into university.
The four Certificate levels recognize more skill levels, from basic (Certificate I) to the most advanced (Certificate IV). Certificate II is equivalent to traineeship certificates and Certificate III is about the same level as a trade certificate. A certificate IV is the same as Associate Diploma or Advanced Certificate.
Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas are similar to the existing Associate Diplomas and Diplomas.
One of the major features of the AQF is that it places emphasis on the skills and knowledge needed to gain a qualification rather than on the type and length of course. The time taken to gain a qualification under the AQF can vary, depending on the organization providing the training, the amount of recognition and credit given for previous study or experience, skills gained through on-the-job training, or work experience, or any combination of these.
Indian students apply for diploma and advanced diploma courses, Para-professional qualifications including a degree of technical & supervisory ability. The Advanced Diploma qualification signifies skills & knowledge of a greater complexity than at the Diploma level. Both the Diploma & Advanced Diploma qualifications may articulate into a relevant Bachelor Degree.
Higher education sector - There are 39 universities in Australia, two of which are private. Universities are established under legislation and set their own academic requirements within legislative guidelines. The federal Government provides the majority of funding to universities, although most are established under State Government legislation. A number of other institutions are accredited to offer Degree courses in particular fields, such as theology, dramatic arts, radio, television, maritime studies and management.
Many Australian universities concentrate on traditional areas of learning and inquiry, while others are more vocational and applied in focus. All, to some extent combine tuition with research. Some undertake research across all disciplines, while others concentrate research on special areas.
