Preschool and school education has a similar structure across Australia with only slight variations amongst the States and Territories. Preschool education is commonly one year in length and is not compulsory. School education is thirteen years with some variations in Queensland and Western Australia. It is divided into a preparatory year, primary schooling and secondary schooling. The preparatory year is not compulsory but is almost universally undertaken. Children usually start in the preparatory year at around five years of age although in some States the starting age is closer to four years. Primary schooling is six or seven years Years 1-6 or 1-7, and secondary schooling is five or six years Years 7-12 or 8-12. School education is compulsory until the age of 15 except in Tasmania where it is compulsory until age 16.
During the 1980s and 1990s there has been a steady increase in the number of students completing the full thirteen years of education, with the national rate at 72.3 per cent in 1999. Retention rates vary between States and Territories, ranging from 53 per cent in the Northern Territory to over 91 per cent in the Australian Capital Territory.
From National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (2000) Country education profiles: Australia, 'School education in Australia'.