Australia has an adult literacy rate that was estimated to be 99% in 2003.In the
Programme for International Student Assessment, Australia regularly scores among
the top five of thirty major developed countries
The OECD places Australia among the most expensive nations to attend university.
There is a state-based system of vocational training, known as TAFE, and many trades
conduct apprenticeships for training new tradespeople. About 58% of Australians
aged from 25 to 64 have vocational or tertiary qualifications and the tertiary graduation
rate of 49% is the highest among OECD countries. The ratio of international to local
students in tertiary education in Australia is the highest in the OECD countries.
In addition, 38 percent of Australia's population has a university or college degree,
which is among the highest percentages in the world.
There is a total of 43 accredited universities in Australia comprising 40 Australian
universities, two international universities, and a smaller private speciality university.
Higher education courses and qualifications are also offered by many non-university
providers in the higher education sector.