Chapter 14: Lifelong learning in Australia.

This article discusses lifelong learning in Australia. Consideration of lifelong learning in Australia has taken place within an international context in which the notion of lifelong learning has assumed immense importance. An increasing number of countries and international agencies, with which Australia has strong links, have concluded that a lifelong approach to learning should be instituted and deployed as one of the main lines of attack on some of the major problems needing to be addressed as we enter the twenty-first century. Australia has more than 9000 schools attended by over three million students. Constitutionally, in each state the government system must provide educational opportunity for all children regardless of physical or intellectual ability, social and economic circumstances, cultural background and religious beliefs. Parents, however, have the right to choose to send their children to non-government schools for religious or other reasons. Within the non-government sector in each state there is usually a Catholic school system, other non-government systems, and independent schools.