School Education

  • Primary School
    (Prep, Year 1 to Year 6)
  • Secondary School
    (Year 7 to Year 10)
  • Senior Secondary School
    (Year 11 to Year 12)

The academic year for school sector normally starts in the end of January and finishes in the middle of December. There are 4 terms a year. Normally, each term compromise 9-10 weeks followed by a 2 weeks holiday and a 6-7 weeks summer holiday.

  • Term 1 = January
  • Term 2 = April
  • Term 3 = July
  • Term 4 = October
  • Summer Holiday = Mid December to end of January

Length of Study

  • 13 years in total (Preparatory + Year 1 to Year 12)

 TAFE (Technical & Further Education)

  • Certificate I
  • Certificate II
  • Certificate III
  • Certificate IV
  • Diploma
  • Advanced Diploma

TAFE and some private colleges academic year varies depending on the institution’s own policies. Some are semester based and are are term based. Please check each TAFE college’s webiste.

Term Based Start Dates

  • Term 1 = January
  • Term 2 = April
  • Term 3 = July
  • Term 4 = October
  • Summer Holiday = Mid December to Mid of January

Semester Based Start Dates

  • Semester 1 = February
  • Semester 2 = July

Length of Study

  • 3 months to 2.5 years (Depending on the level of study)

 Higher Education

  • Associate Degree
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Graduate Certificate
  • Graduate Diploma
  • Master Degree
  • Professional Doctorate
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
  • Post Doctoral Research

Normally, university programs start in February each year, but there are many programs offered in July. Some universities also offer accelerate programs, hence, trimester systems are used.

Standard Semester Start Dates

  • February
  • July

Accelerate Programs Start Date
(Trimester)

Please check with individual university. Some use standard semester start date and utilise summer holiday as the third semester. Some have their very unique start dates.

Please note that many universities offer courses to start from any semester. Please check each university’s website for latest details.

Length of Study

  • Foundation
    • 8 months to 1 year.
  • Undergraduate
    • Standard – 3 years
    • Engineering or Honours degree – 4 years
    • Veterinary Studies – 5 years
    • Medicine – 6-7 years
  • Postgraduate
    • Graduate Certificate – 6 months
    • Graduate Diploma – 1 year
    • Master degree – 1.5 to 2 years
    • Doctor or PhD – 3 to 4 years