System

System


Australian Education System

Under Australian law, it is compulsory for children between 6 and 15 years old to go to school. Children usually start school when they are five and often continue until 17 or 18 years old in preparation for university or other further education. Children under 12 or 13 years old attend primary school and older children go to high school (or ‘secondary school’).

You can send your children to either a government or a non-government school in Australia. Government Schools are non-religious and they provide free education though they might ask for a voluntary contribution. Non-Government (Private) Schools charge fees and they may have a religious affiliation or a particular educational philosophy.

Australian school education is approximately 13 years and divided into a preparation year, primary schooling and secondary schooling. The preparation year is not compulsory but is almost universally undertaken. Children usually start in the preparation year at around five years of age although in some States the starting age is closer to four years.

Primary schooling is six years, and secondary schooling is six years. School education is compulsory until the age of 15.

Health System

The Australian Government, through the Department of Health and Ageing, sets national health policies and subsidises health services provided by state and territory governments and the private sector. Total expenditure on health by all levels of government and the private sector accounts for about 9.8 per cent of Australia’s gross domestic product.

Like other countries, Australia faces growing pressures on health funding because of technological changes, increasing patient expectations and, to a lesser extent, an ageing population.

The Australian Government funds universal medical services and pharmaceuticals and gives financial assistance to public hospitals, residential aged care facilities and home and community care for the aged. It is also the major source of funds for health research and provides support for training health professionals and financial assistance to tertiary students.

State and territory governments provide a variety of direct health services, including most acute and psychiatric hospital services. State and territory governments also provide community and public health services, including school health, dental health, maternal and child health, occupational health, disease control activities and a variety of health inspection functions.

Welfare System

Australian welfare is one of the best welfare in the world. Australia’s welfare system provides support to those in need.

A) As part of Australian Government’s primary insurance package, Australian Permanent Residents are also entitled to receive free medical care.

B) Family Tax Benefit Part A, this helps you with the cost of raising children and can provide several thousand dollars per annum.

C) Family Tax Benefit Part B, this provides single income families or sole parents with an extra payment to help with the cost of raising children.

D) Child Care Benefit, Child Care Benefit is a payment from the Australian Government that helps you with the cost of your child care.

E) The Paid Parental Leave scheme is a new entitlement for working parents of children born or adopted from 1 January 2011. Eligible working parents is able to receive 18 weeks of government funded Parental Leave Pay at the rate of the National Minimum Wage (currently $589.40 a week before tax).

F) If you are unemployed, NewStart Allowance provides financial support while you are looking for work. Below is the payment amounts for NewStart Allowance:

If you are Maximum fortnightly payment
Single, no children $474.90
Single, with a dependent child or children $513.80
Partnered (each) $428.70

G) Age Pension, if you have reached retirement age, Age Pension ensures you have an adequate income in your retirement. Below is the payment amounts for Pensioners:

Status Pension rate per fortnight
Single $670.90*
Couple $505.70* each