Education in Australia
| Australian Government | |
|---|---|
| Minister for Education | Jason Clare |
| National education budget (2024–25) | |
| Budget | A$53 billion 7.2% of federal budget |
| General details | |
| Primary languages | English |
| System type | State |
| Established compulsory education | 1830s 1870s |
| Literacy (2003) | |
| Total | 99% |
| Male | 99% |
| Female | 99% |
| Enrollment (2021) | |
| Total | 20.4% of population |
| Primary | 2.0 million |
| Secondary | 1.6 million |
| Post secondary | 1.1 million |
| Attainment (2023) | |
| Secondary diploma | 79.1% |
Education in Australia encompasses the sectors of early childhood education (preschool and pre-primary) and primary education (primary schools), followed by secondary education (high schools and senior high schools), and finally tertiary education, which includes higher education (universities and other higher education providers) and vocational education (registered training organisations). Regulation and funding of education is primarily the responsibility of the States and territories; however, the Australian Government also contributes to funding.
Education in Australia is compulsory between the ages of four, five, or six and fifteen, sixteen or seventeen, depending on the state or territory and the date of birth.