Higher education in Australia is different to many other countries in that it is divided into two sectors; Vocational Education and Training (VET) and Higher Education.

The structure of Australian higher education follows a common 3+2+3 international model. That is to say, the first (undergraduate) degree - usually Bachelor - is normally of 3 years duration. This might be followed by a Masters degree, usually 2 years, and finally candidates may aspire to a doctoral qualification, (e.g. PhD), usually 3 years in duration

Australia has one of the highest education standard in the world. Every years more than 500,000 international students join Australian Educational Institutions in universities and vocational education.

The statistics said that international students contribute almost $20 billion each year to the Australian economy, and as the Australian dollar.

"The statistics suggest that international education exports are the third most significant export in Australia after coal and iron ore, so they're extremely important to the future of this country," incoming Deputy Vice Chancellor of Global Strategy at the University of Wollongong, Professor Alex Frino said.

The Australian higher education system consists of independent, self-governing public and private universities and higher education institutions that award higher education qualifications.

At present there are 38 public universities and 3 private universities in Australia. A higher education provider is either a: university and/or a vocational education.

The Government is seeking to implement changes to higher education to create a system that is higher in quality, more accessible, more competitive and more sustainable.

To achieve these objectives, the Government remains committed to delivering policies that ensure our higher education sector delivers the educational opportunities and research outcomes Australia needs to succeed in the future.

This support is important as the sector makes a fundamental contribution to the future of Australia and our intellectual, economic, cultural and social development. The sector:

• educates our future workforce
• develops our future leaders
• provides jobs for Australians
• facilitates cultural and trade links with other countries
• plays a key role in the growing knowledge and innovation based economy of Australia

Australian Higher Education Systems awards the following levels of programs:

• Ph.D
• Master Degree
• Graduate Diploma
• Graduate Certificate
• Bachelor Degree