The Primary and Secondary Sector of Education
- Students start school in Reception at about age 5 and proceed through to grade 7 to finish their Primary education.
- After year 7 students go to High School for their secondary education. They complete studies from years 8 to 12. Years 11 and 12 are called the SACE (South Australian Certificate of Education) years because they lead to tertiary education programs. Students are usually 18 years old when they finish High school.
- Almost all local students do the SACE, and international students who want to study in Australia on an education visa also do the SACE.
- The SACE is completed over two years (Year 11 & 12 at Secondary Schools/Colleges) to gain the Certificate of completion of SACE.
The Tertiary Sector
Entry to Tertiary Programs for University or Tertiary And Further Education is via either:
- South Australian Certificate of Education -Australian Tertiary Admission Ranking Score
- South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre -Special Tertiary Admission Test
- Foundation Studies Programs
SACE -ATAR Score based entry
- Senior Secondary students who have completed SACE (South Australian Certificate of Education), on finishing year 12 studies, can apply to SATAC- (South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre) for entry to University Courses or the TAFE (Tertiary and Further Education) Colleges.
- The universities are only interested in the year 12 study results.
- Depending on their ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Ranking), which is a percent based on their subjects of study, students can gain entry to various University courses. Some courses require high ATAR’s such as Medicine and Engineering.
- If a student wants to go to University and does not have a high enough ATAR, they can do a Foundation Studies Course which is a bridging program for local and international students to gain entry to University.
- The TAFE run courses in all types of employment areas such as building trades, plumbing and even hairdressing and hotel management.
- TAFE does not require a high ATAR to gain entry.
NON-SACE Entry to University
- Some students do not have an ATAR or SACE Certificate qualifications, but this does not preclude them from tertiary level study.
- If they do not have these qualifications, they could apply to SATAC (South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre) for the STAT – (Special Tertiary Admission Test) - Multiple Choice questions only. Mostly this would be students that have not completed their education in Australia. This could include migrants and refugees who have reasonable English language skills. Any student attempting the STAT would need to have good English language skills.
- A score of more than 155 out of 200 (75%) in the STAT is desirable to get into most Undergraduate courses.
- Complete an AMEP (Australian Migrant English Program) at TAFE
New Arrival Programs
The NAPs are set up for students to bridge the gap between their native language and English which is the official language of Australia. Completing these courses will greatly enhance the chance of completing senior secondary studies and/or finding employment in industries where they have specific skill levels, they have brought with them on arriving in Australia. Many employers require a certain level of competence in the English language to ensure that work and safety standards and instructions are understood.
- Some students may need to complete a New Arrivals Program (NAP) particularly if they have lower levels in English language skills before considering attempting the STAT or Foundation Studies programs.
- You can also submit, with an Application, a Life and Work Experience Statement that supports the Application to go to University.
Entry to University via the Foundation Studies Programs
- Foundation Studies are offered by the University of Adelaide, Flinders University, and the University of South Australia. These programs prepare a student for University.
- Flinders University and the University of SA are free of fees. The University of Adelaide Foundation Studies program is run through the University Senior College and a considerable fee is required to complete the program.
- You do not need to do the STAT test to do a Foundation Studies program!
- You also do not need to have an ATAR to do a Foundation Studies program!
- The expectation is that a student will try hard to pass the Foundation Studies program.
- If a student passes, then they are guaranteed a place at University (or TAFE)
