Resources / Study info
Understanding the Australian University System
5 min read
Australia has a total of 41 universities, comprising 38 public institutions and three private ones. While these universities are established under comparable legislation, their unique planning and decision-making processes differ, influenced by the specific challenges they encounter. Each university operates under its individual Act of Parliament within the respective state where it is registered.
What is the Australian Qualifications Framework?
The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is a comprehensive national policy regulating Australian education and training qualifications. It is developed in collaboration with the Australian Government Department of Education and the states and territories.
The AQF brings together qualifications from different sectors, such as schools, vocational education, and higher education, into a unified framework. Its main goals are to enable smooth progression through formal qualifications and to support national quality assurance standards in education and training.
Australian Study Levels
| AFQ Level | Qualification | Degree Level | Course Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Higher Doctoral Degree | Postgraduate | 3-5 Years |
| 10 | Doctoral Degree | Postgraduate | 3-5 Years |
| 9 | Masters Degree (Research) | Postgraduate | 1-2 Years |
| 9 | Masters Degree (Coursework) | Postgraduate | 1-2 Years |
| 9 | Masters Degree (Extended) | Postgraduate | 3-4 Years |
| 8 | Graduate Diploma | Postgraduate | 0.5-1 Year |
| 8 | Graduate Certificate | Postgraduate | 0.5-1 Years |
| 8 | Bachelor Honours Degree | Undergraduate | 1 Year |
| 7 | Bachelor Degree | Undergraduate | 3-4 Years |
| 6 | Associate Degree | Undergraduate | 2 Years |
| 6 | Advanced Diploma | Undergraduate | 1.5-2 Years |
| 5 | Diploma | Undergraduate | 1-2 Years |
| 4 | Certificate IV | Undergraduate | 0.5-2 Years |
| 3 | Certificate III | Undergraduate | 1-2 Years |
| 2 | Certificate II | Undergraduate | 0.5-1 Years |
| 1 | Certificate I | Undergraduate | 0.5-1 Years |
Australian institutions
University governance in Australia is shaped by multiple factors, such as alterations to legislation governing university governing bodies and the availability and extent of funding. The country has a total of 41 universities, comprising 38 public institutions and three private ones.
While these universities are established under comparable legislation, their unique planning and decision-making processes differ, influenced by the specific challenges they encounter. Each university operates under its individual Act of Parliament within the respective state where it is registered.
Grading System
In Australia, the grading system can vary slightly between educational institutions, but generally, a common grading scale is used. The most commonly used grading system in Australian schools and universities is the following:
- High Distinction (HD): This is the highest grade and represents outstanding achievement. It is usually awarded for a percentage range of 85% and above.
- Distinction (D): This grade is awarded for very good to excellent performance. It is typically given for a percentage range between 75% and 84%.
- Credit (C): This grade signifies above-average performance. It is generally awarded for a percentage range between 65% and 74%.
- Pass (P): This grade indicates satisfactory performance. It is usually given for a percentage range between 50% and 64%.
- Fail (F): This grade represents unsatisfactory performance. It is given when a student does not meet the minimum requirements to pass the course.
| Scale (%) | GPA | Grade | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 85 – 100 | 7 – 7.99 | High Distinction (HD) | High Distinction (HD) |
| 75 – 84 | 6 – 6.99 | Distinction (D) | A |
| 65 – 74 | 5 – 5.99 | Credit (C) | B |
| 50 – 64 | 4 – 4.99 | Pass (P) | C |
| 0 – 49 | 0 – 3.99 | Fail (N) | Fail (F, FNP, FNS, FNC or FLW) |
Some educational institutions may also use additional grading symbols or modifiers to provide further information about a student’s performance. For example, “+” and “-” signs can be added to indicate slight variations within a grade (e.g., A+, A, A-). However, the grading scale mentioned above is the general framework used in Australia.
Calculate your GPA for Australian universities
To calculate your GPA at Australian universities, follow these steps:
- Gather your grades
- Convert them to numerical values based on your university’s grading scale
- Calculate grade points by multiplying the numerical value by the credit value of each course
- Total the grade points and credit points
- Divide the total grade points by the total credit points to obtain your GPA.
Australia States
Australia boasts over 40 universities, each with a main campus located in one of the country’s states or territories. If you’re considering studying in Australia, you’ll find a variety of options across multiple locations. Many universities have multiple campuses spread across different states and territories, giving you the flexibility to choose where you want to pursue your studies.
Here is a list of Australian universities categorised by state or territory:
| State/Territory | Universities |
|---|---|
| Australian Capital Territory | Australian National University, University of Canberra |
| New South Wales | Australian Catholic University, Charles Sturt University, Macquarie University, Southern Cross University, University of New England, University of New South Wales, University of Newcastle, University of Sydney, University of Technology Sydney, Western Sydney University, University of Wollongong |
| Northern Territory | Charles Darwin University |
| Queensland | Bond University, CQ University, Federation University of Australia, Griffith University, James Cook University, Queensland University of Technology, University of Queensland, University of Southern Queensland, University of the Sunshine Coast |
| South Australia | Carnegie Mellon University, Flinders University, Torrens University Australia, University of Adelaide, University of South Australia |
| Tasmania | University of Tasmania |
| Victoria | Deakin University, Federation University of Australia, La Trobe University, Monash University, RMIT University, Swinburne University of Technology, University of Divinity, University of Melbourne, Victoria University |
| Western Australia | Curtin University, Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University, University of Notre Dame Australia, University of Western Australia |
Study in Australia
Begin your Australian university application by arranging a free consultation with StudyIn today.