AUSTRALIA

In Australia high school is divided into two main cycles:

Junior High School (Year 7–10): students follow a compulsory curriculum designed to give solid foundations across a wide range of subjects.

Senior High School (Year 11–12): the final two years focus on preparing for the diploma and for university or work. Students have more freedom in choosing subjects.

The equivalent of the Italian school-leaving diploma is the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education, whose name and rules vary slightly by state (for example VCE in Victoria, HSC in New South Wales).

Subjects are divided into compulsory and optional:

Compulsory

English.

Mathematics.

Science.

Social and civic studies (history, geography).

Physical education.

Optional: students can choose from a wide range of subjects, including:

Art.

Music.

Computer science.

Foreign languages.

Technical or vocational subjects (for example practical engineering, hospitality).

The Australian school year follows a different calendar from the Italian one:

Start: late January or early February.

End: mid-December.

It is divided into four terms, with 2 weeks of holiday between terms and a longer summer break in December-January.

Assessment is continuous and mixed:

Written tests and exams: part of the overall assessment.

Practical work and projects: highly valued, especially in technical and artistic subjects.

Final score: students receive a score based on their final-year results, which determines university access (for example the ATAR – Australian Tertiary Admission Rank).

Student life in Australia is generally dynamic and well supported: students are encouraged to take part in sport, music, drama and volunteering.

Teacher-student relationships are often informal and based on dialogue.

The Australian system is known for its focus on student wellbeing. School counsellors provide psychological support and guidance. Students with special needs can access personalised programmes, while non-native speakers are offered language support programmes.

In Italy upper secondary school is highly specialised, with distinct tracks such as classical, scientific and linguistic, while in Australia students enjoy much greater freedom in choosing subjects. The Italian school year runs from September to June followed by a three-month summer break, whereas in Australia the year follows local seasons, with a long break between December and January.