More than 1000 institutions are registered to deliver courses to international students in Australia. 

Australia has four main education and training sectors offering qualifications from Senior Secondary Certificate of Education to university PhD. These sectors are integrated so you can receive credit for previous study. You can move easily from one qualification level to the next, and from one institution to another. 

Student satisfaction survey
Overall, students report a high level of satisfaction with their education experience in Australia according to results of an Australian Government survey of international students in Australia who finished a course of study in 1999. The survey investigated student opinions and attitudes on a range of topics including satisfaction with living and studying in Australia and with their education institution, visa issues and health care coverage. 

Australian way of studying

Study methods
In Australia you will be expected to conduct independent research at all institutions, especially at university. You will be encouraged to collect and analyze data by yourself or in teams, to raise questions, to develop an argument in a logical form and to participate in discussion and debate with other students and teachers.

All this involves you taking an active part in the learning process rather than passive listening and rote learning. At university or a vocational education and training institution you will attend lectures, seminars and tutorials but you will also spend time in libraries and laboratories conducting your own research. Most institutions in Australia offer counseling services and assistance to develop your study skills.

Assessment methods
Each secondary school in Australia determines its own assessment method. In the final year of school you are assessed through a mixture of school-based and external exams. The Senior Secondary Certificate of Education is issued on the basis of the final results. Universities use these certificates as an admission guideline.

Assessment methods for vocational education and training institutions and for coursework programs at universities vary. You may be assessed by examination towards the end of each semester and/or academic year, by continuous assessment through essays, presentations and tests or a combination of these.

Assessment of a postgraduate research student is made by a committee that evaluates the quality of the student’s thesis. The committee may ask you to take an oral examination to support your thesis.