This page compares the education systems of Sweden and Australia.
Education System Overview
| Category | Sweden | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| System Type | Public/private mix; governance is decentralized. Municipalities operate most public schools, while publicly funded independent schools (friskolor) may be run by private providers. National legislation, curricula and standards apply across the system. Independent schools follow the national education requirements and receive public funding through municipal arrangements. | Public/private mix; governance is shared between federal, state and territory governments. The Australian Government supports national policy and funding, while states and territories operate most public schools and regulate school education within their jurisdictions. [Australian Government] |
| Governing Body | Ministry of Education and Research; Swedish National Agency for Education (Skolverket); municipalities; and the Swedish Schools Inspectorate for supervision and authorization of independent schools. The Swedish Higher Education Authority (UKÄ) oversees quality assurance and legal supervision in higher education. [Swedish Schools Inspectorate] | Australian Government Department of Education; state and territory education departments; ACARA for the Australian Curriculum and national assessment; TEQSA for higher education regulation; and ASQA for most nationally regulated vocational education providers. [TEQSA] |
| Government Expenditure on Education (% of GDP) | 7.3% of GDP in 2024, according to Eurostat's general government expenditure statistics, which classify education expenditure under COFOG. The separate OECD education-finance series reports government expenditure of 5.8% of GDP in 2023 for primary through tertiary education, including expenditure inside and outside educational institutions. These measures have different coverage and should not be compared as a single time series. [Eurostat] [OECD] | 5.1% of GDP in 2022, the latest value in the World Bank/UNESCO UIS government-expenditure series. [World Bank] |
Education Structure & Compulsory Schooling
| Category | Sweden | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory Age Range | From the autumn term of the year a child turns 6 until completion of compulsory school, normally around age 16. Preschool class has been compulsory since 2018. From autumn 2028, the separate preschool class will be replaced by the first year of a ten-year compulsory school, without changing the usual starting age. [Skolverket] | Rules vary by jurisdiction. Full-time school attendance generally begins at age 5 or 6; compulsory school attendance commonly continues to age 15 or 16, with education, training or employment participation requirements extending to about 17 in several jurisdictions. [Australian Government] |
| Total Compulsory Duration (Years) | 10 years: one compulsory preschool-class year followed by nine years of compulsory school. The approved restructuring will create a single ten-year compulsory school from autumn 2028, replacing preschool class with a new Year 1 and renumbering the existing school years. The total compulsory duration remains ten years. [Skolverket] | Usually about 10–12 years, depending on the state or territory and whether post-school-age participation requirements are included. |
| Pre-primary Education (ECE) Access | Optional before compulsory preschool class. In 2024, ECEC enrollment was 95% at age 3, 96% at age 4 and 96% at age 5. Children are generally entitled to public preschool from age one under applicable conditions, and all children are entitled to at least 525 hours of free preschool annually from the autumn term of the year they turn three. [OECD] | Optional before compulsory school in most settings. In 2025, 91% of Australia's 4-year-olds were enrolled in a preschool program; 97% of enrolled children were enrolled for at least 15 hours per week. [ABS] |
| Primary + Secondary Education Structure (Years) | 1 + 9 + 3: one year of compulsory preschool class, nine years of compulsory school and three years of upper-secondary education. Upper-secondary education is generally voluntary. From autumn 2028, the compulsory portion changes structurally to 10 + 3, with ten years of compulsory school followed by three years of upper-secondary education. [Skolverket] | Commonly Foundation + Years 1–6 + Years 7–10 + Years 11–12, equivalent to a 13-year school pathway from Foundation to Year 12. School-stage naming and year-group arrangements vary slightly by jurisdiction. [ACARA] |
| Vocational vs. General Upper Secondary Split (%) | Among students in national upper-secondary programs in 2025/26, approximately 34% were enrolled in vocational programs and 66% in higher-education preparatory programs. Around 338,000 students attended national programs, with vocational enrollment increasing by approximately 4% from the previous academic year. The percentages exclude students in introductory programs. [Skolverket] | Approximately 17.0% vocational / 83.0% general among 15–19-year-olds enrolled in upper-secondary programmes in 2024, calculated from OECD enrolment rates of 6.9% in vocational programmes and 40.6% across all upper-secondary programmes. These age-specific programme shares do not capture all VET taken alongside school qualifications. [OECD] |
Academic Calendar & Instruction Time
| Category | Sweden | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Year Start (Typical Month) | August, with exact dates determined by municipalities and school organizers. | Late January or early February, depending on the state, territory and school. |
| Academic Year End (Typical Month) | June, with local variation in the final school day. | December, with dates varying by state and territory. |
| Instruction Weeks per Year | Approximately 36–38 five-day school weeks, corresponding to the statutory range of 178–190 compulsory-school days. Actual calendars include school holidays and may differ between municipalities. [Skolverket] | Approximately 40 weeks, with school calendars set by individual jurisdictions. |
| Instruction Days per Year | At least 178 school days per academic year in compulsory school; compulsory activities may not exceed 190 days. Up to five additional staff development days may be scheduled separately. [Skolverket] | — |
Grading System
| Category | Sweden | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Primary/Secondary Grading Scale | A–F: A is the highest grade, E is the lowest passing grade and F is a failing grade. Upper-secondary students beginning education after 30 June 2025 receive subject-level grades under Gy25, while the A–F grading scale remains in use. A new 1–10 numerical grading scale is scheduled for compulsory and upper-secondary education from 2028, with national final examinations introduced in later stages. [Skolverket] [Skolverket] | Commonly A–E or equivalent standards-based reporting during primary and lower-secondary education. Senior-secondary assessment and certificates are administered separately by states and territories, with ATAR widely used for university selection. |
| Higher Education Grading Scale | Institution-specific; common systems include U/G/VG (Fail/Pass/Pass with distinction) and other institution- or course-specific letter or numerical scales. Some institutions use an A–F scale or ECTS-compatible grade reporting. | Institution-specific; common classifications include High Distinction (HD), Distinction (D), Credit (CR), Pass (P) and Fail, usually accompanied by percentage marks. [ANU] |
Language of Instruction
| Category | Sweden | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Instruction Languages (K–12) | Swedish is the main language of instruction. English may be used in approved international or bilingual educational settings, subject to national school regulations. | English is the main language of instruction across Australian schools. |
| Other Official / Minority Instruction Languages (K–12) | Sweden's national minority languages are Finnish, Meänkieli, Romani Chib, Sami and Yiddish. Mother-tongue instruction and minority-language education are available under specific statutory conditions. Sami-language education is also provided through the separate Sami school system (sameskolan). | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages, Auslan and community languages may be used or taught through bilingual, language-revival and school-specific programs. |
School Provision & Access (K–12)
| Category | Sweden | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Public School Enrollment Share (K–12, % of Students) | Compulsory school: 84% attended municipally operated schools in 2025/26, up from 83% in 2024/25. At upper-secondary level, approximately 67% of students in national programs attended schools with public organizers in 2025/26. These are level-specific percentages rather than a single combined K–12 enrollment share. [Skolverket] [Skolverket] | 62.8% of Australian school students attended government schools in 2025. [ABS] |
| Public School Tuition Fee (Annual, Local Currency) | SEK 0. Municipal and publicly funded independent compulsory schools are tuition-free for students. Publicly funded upper-secondary education is also tuition-free for eligible students. Families may still have personal expenses outside standard tuition. | AUD 0 standard tuition for eligible resident students in government schools. Families may still incur costs for uniforms, materials, excursions and optional activities; separate fee rules can apply to some temporary or international students. |
| Public Schools Nationwide Availability | Yes; municipalities are responsible for providing access to compulsory education throughout Sweden. Small and rural municipalities may organize school transport or other arrangements to meet their obligations. | Yes. State and territory governments provide government-school systems throughout Australia, including metropolitan, regional and remote communities. |
| Private School Enrollment Share (K–12, % of Students) | Compulsory school: 16% attended independent schools in 2025/26, down from 17% in 2024/25. Independent schools enrolled more than 179,000 compulsory-school pupils. At upper-secondary level, approximately 33% of students in national programs attended independently operated schools in 2025/26. These schools are predominantly publicly funded rather than tuition-financed private schools. [Skolverket] [Skolverket] | 37.2% in 2025: 20.0% in Catholic schools and 17.2% in independent schools. [ABS] |
| Private Schools (Geographic Concentration) | Independent schools operate across Sweden, with provision differing by municipality and neighborhood. In 2025/26, approximately 65% of independent compulsory-school units were located in areas classified as having favorable or very favorable socioeconomic conditions, compared with 59% of municipal school units. This comparison describes school locations, not the socioeconomic backgrounds of all enrolled pupils. [Skolverket] | — |
International Schools (K–12)
| Category | Sweden | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Number of International Schools (Total) | — | — |
| Number of IB World Schools | 46 IB World Schools currently offer at least one International Baccalaureate programme in Sweden. [IB] | 198 IB World Schools currently offer at least one IB programme in Australia. [IB] |
| Main International Programmes Offered | International Baccalaureate (IB), including Primary Years, Middle Years, Diploma and Career-related Programmes, and school-specific international or bilingual curricula. English-medium instruction is available in selected international schools. | International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge International programs and Australian state or territory senior-secondary qualifications, depending on the school. |
Resources & Learning Environment (K–12)
| Category | Sweden | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Teacher Qualification (Public Schools) | A recognized teaching degree and teacher certification are required for permanent employment and independent grading in most teaching positions. Requirements vary by school level and subject, with statutory exceptions for certain staffing situations and teaching assignments. [Skolverket] | Generally at least four years of higher education, including an accredited initial teacher education program or recognized equivalent, followed by registration with the relevant state or territory teacher-registration authority. |
| Average Class Size (Primary) | Approximately 20 students per class in 2024, using the OECD's comparable measure across public and private institutions. The corresponding averages were approximately 21 students in public institutions and 19 in private institutions. [OECD] | Approximately 23 students per class across public and private primary schools in 2024, according to the OECD's comparable class-size series. [OECD] |
| Average Class Size (Lower Secondary) | Approximately 22 students per class in 2024 across public and private lower-secondary institutions. Public-school classes averaged about 22 students, while private-school classes averaged about 21. [OECD] | Approximately 20 students per class across public and private lower-secondary schools in 2024; the OECD reports about 22 in public schools and 19 in private schools. [OECD] |
| Average Class Size (Upper Secondary) | — | — |
System Performance & Learning Outcomes (OECD/PISA)
| Category | Sweden | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| PISA Participation Years | 2000, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2022, 2025. [OECD] | 2000, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2022, 2025. [OECD] |
| PISA 2018 Scores (Mathematics / Reading / Science) | 502 / 506 / 499 [OECD] | 491 / 503 / 503 |
| PISA 2022 Scores (Mathematics / Reading / Science) | 482 / 487 / 494 [OECD] | 487 / 498 / 507 |
| PISA 2025 Scores (Mathematics / Reading / Science) | 464 / 466 / 485 [OECD] | 478 / 491 / 509 [OECD] |
| PISA Performance Trend 2000–2025 | Sweden has participated in every PISA cycle since 2000. Between 2022 and 2025, mathematics performance declined by 18 points and reading by 21 points, while the eight-point science decrease was not statistically clear. The 2025 mathematics and reading results were the lowest recorded for Sweden in PISA. Students also averaged 503 points in computational problem solving, compared with an OECD average of 500. [OECD] [Skolverket] | Between 2022 and 2025, Australia's mathematics and reading scores were lower, while science was about the same. Science performance has remained broadly stable for more than a decade, while the decline in mathematics and reading extends a longer downward trend; the 2025 mathematics and reading scores were the lowest recorded for Australia in PISA. Students also scored 532 in computational problem solving in 2025, above the OECD average of 500. [OECD] |
| Strongest Subject Area (PISA 2025) | Science — 485 points. The science result was close to the OECD average and did not differ statistically from Sweden's 2022 performance. [OECD] | Science — 509 points. [ACER] |
Higher Education System
| Category | Sweden | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Higher Education Institutions (Total) | 50 universities, university colleges and independent higher education providers in the official 2026 sector overview. The total includes institutions with different legal status and degree-awarding powers. [UKÄ] | 213 higher education providers at 30 June 2025 in the operating-environment count of TEQSA's 2024–25 annual report, across Australian University, University College, Institute of Higher Education and Overseas University registration categories. [TEQSA] |
| Number of Universities (Research Universities) | 18 universities in the official higher education classification, including 16 public-sector universities and two independent institutions with university status. The category includes both broadly focused and specialized universities; it is not limited to a separate statutory research-university designation. [UKÄ] | 42 universities in 2026, including 36 public and 6 private universities. Adelaide University began operating in 2026 following the merger of the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia. [Study Australia] |
| Number of Universities of Applied Sciences / Colleges | 12 university colleges, plus 5 university colleges of fine, applied and performing arts classified separately in the official higher education overview. These categories should not be combined with the separate higher vocational education sector (yrkeshögskolan). [UKÄ] | Australia has no separate university-of-applied-sciences category. At 30 June 2025, TEQSA listed 7 University Colleges and 156 Institutes of Higher Education. [TEQSA] |
| Main Institution Types | Universities, university colleges, university colleges of fine, applied and performing arts, and independent higher education providers. Higher vocational education institutions operate under a separate education system and are not included in the university-sector institution count. [UKÄ] | Australian Universities, University Colleges and Institutes of Higher Education, alongside TAFE institutes and other vocational education providers operating in the broader tertiary sector. |
| Tertiary Enrollment Share by Ownership | — | — |
| English-Taught Degree Programmes (Bachelor + Master, Total) | More than 1,000 English-taught bachelor's and master's programmes are offered across Swedish higher education institutions, according to the European Education Area's country information. The number varies with the admission cycle and includes programmes at both degree levels, with most English-taught options concentrated at master's level. [European Education Area] | — |
| Share of Tertiary Programmes Taught in National Languages (%) | — | — |
| Share of Tertiary Programmes Taught in English (%) | — | — |
| Main Global Ranking Used | QS World University Rankings 2027. [QS] | QS World University Rankings 2027. [Study Australia] |
| Universities in Top 100 (Selected Ranking) | 3 in QS 2027: Lund University (#71), KTH Royal Institute of Technology (#82) and Uppsala University (#87). [QS] | 9 Australian universities in the QS World University Rankings 2027 top 100. [Study Australia] |
| Universities in Top 500 (Selected Ranking) | 8 in QS 2027. In addition to the three top-100 institutions, Stockholm University, Chalmers University of Technology, University of Gothenburg, Linköping University and Umeå University ranked within the top 500. [QS] | 27 Australian universities in the QS World University Rankings 2027 top 500. [Study Australia] |
| Universities in Top 1000 (Selected Ranking) | 8 in QS 2027. Malmö University was also ranked in the full QS listing, but outside the global top 1,000. Subject-specific rankings are not included in this count. [QS] | 35 Australian universities in the QS World University Rankings 2027 top 1000. [Study Australia] |
| National Accreditation / QA Agency (Higher Education) | Swedish Higher Education Authority (UKÄ), responsible for quality assurance, legal supervision, degree-awarding powers and analysis of Swedish higher education. [UKÄ] | Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), the national regulator for higher education providers. [TEQSA] |
| International Students (Total) | Approximately 48,750 incoming students were enrolled in Swedish higher education in 2025/26, including exchange students and independently mobile students (freemovers). This was an increase of approximately 1,850 students, or 4%, from 2024/25. Around 28,370 students were new incoming students during 2025/26; that smaller number represents first-time entrants rather than total international enrollment. [UKÄ] | 648,633 overseas higher education students in 2025, including those studying in Australia and at offshore locations. The same national collection recorded 1,754,164 total higher education students. The overseas count should not be read as the number physically studying in Australia. [Australian Government] |
| International Students Share of Total Tertiary Enrollment (%) | — | 33% of onshore higher education students in 2025 were overseas students, up from 31% in 2024. This percentage excludes offshore overseas students and refers to higher education rather than the entire vocational and higher-education sector. [Australian Government] |
Education Costs (Indicative)
| Category | Sweden | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Public University Tuition Fees – Domestic / Regional (Annual, Local Currency) | SEK 0 for Swedish, EU/EEA and Swiss citizens under the general tuition-fee rules for bachelor's and master's education at public higher education institutions. Certain other students qualify for exemptions based on residence status. Course materials, accommodation and living costs are not included. [University Admissions] | For a Commonwealth Supported Place in 2026, the maximum annual student contribution is AUD 4,738–17,399 per equivalent full-time student load (EFTSL), depending on field of study. This is the student's subsidised contribution rather than the full cost of a degree; actual charges depend on the units taken and eligibility, with different arrangements for certain continuing students. [Study Assist] |
| Public University Tuition Fees – International / Non-EU (Annual, Local Currency) | For students required to pay tuition, the indicative national range is approximately SEK 80,000–295,000 per academic year, with an average around SEK 129,000. Fees depend on the institution, subject and programme. Fee-paying applicants generally also pay an application fee of SEK 900. Doctoral study is subject to different funding arrangements, and eligible students may receive tuition exemptions or scholarships. [European Education Area] | International students generally pay full fees, which vary by university and programme. As an example, the University of Sydney lists indicative 2026 first-year international undergraduate tuition of approximately AUD 49,200–60,600 for selected arts, science and engineering programmes. This is an institutional example, not a national fee range; non-EU status is not Australia's standard tuition classification. [University of Sydney] |
| Typical Tuition Fees for English-Taught Programmes (Annual, Local Currency) | Approximately SEK 80,000–295,000 per academic year for fee-paying international students, with an average of about SEK 129,000. English-taught master's programmes are widely available, but tuition is determined by programme and institution rather than by language alone. Students who qualify for the general tuition exemption normally pay no tuition for these programmes. [European Education Area] | — |
| Language School Costs (Monthly, Local Currency) | SEK 0 for eligible residents attending municipally funded Swedish for Immigrants (svenska för invandrare, SFI). Private Swedish-language courses charge separate provider-specific fees, so there is no single nationwide monthly rate. Since 1 January 2026, SFI participation normally has a three-year limit from admission, with extensions available under specified circumstances. [Swedish Public Employment Service] [Skolverket] | — |
Major Education Updates & Policy Changes
| Category | Sweden | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| 2000–2010: Key Updates & Reforms | ||
| 2010–2020: Key Updates & Reforms | ||
| 2020–2024: Key Updates & Reforms | ||
| 2025–2026: Key Updates & Reforms |
General Overview (Narrative)
| Category | Sweden | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | Sweden operates a decentralized public/private education system under national legislation and curricula, with municipalities responsible for most public-school provision and publicly funded independent schools providing an alternative. Compulsory education currently begins with preschool class in the year a child turns six and continues through nine years of compulsory school, giving a standard compulsory duration of 10 years. Upper-secondary education normally lasts three years and includes both vocational and higher-education preparatory programs; vocational pathways accounted for 34% of national-program enrollment in 2025/26. Publicly funded schooling is tuition-free, while independent schools enrolled 16% of compulsory-school pupils in 2025/26. In PISA 2025, Sweden scored 464 in mathematics, 466 in reading and 485 in science; mathematics and reading reached their lowest recorded levels, while science remained statistically close to 2022. Higher education includes 50 institutions in the official sector classification, including 18 universities and 12 university colleges. Incoming international students reached approximately 48,750 in 2025/26. Current school changes include Gy25 subject grading, revised preschool requirements and the nationwide mobile-free rule introduced in August 2026. A ten-year compulsory-school structure and new numerical grading scale are scheduled to begin in 2028, while the total duration of compulsory education will remain unchanged. | Australia operates a mixed public and private education system in which the Australian Government shares responsibilities with state and territory governments. Schooling normally follows a 13-year pathway from Foundation through Year 12, while compulsory attendance and participation ages differ by jurisdiction. Government schools enrolled 62.8% of students in 2025, with Catholic and independent schools accounting for the remaining 37.2%. English is the main language of instruction, alongside Indigenous-language, Auslan and community-language programs. Australia has participated in every PISA cycle since 2000. In PISA 2025, students scored 478 in mathematics, 491 in reading and 509 in science; mathematics and reading were lower than in 2022, while science was about the same. Higher education includes universities, University Colleges and Institutes of Higher Education, with 42 universities operating in 2026. The 2025 higher education statistics recorded 648,633 overseas students across onshore and offshore delivery, and overseas students made up 33% of onshore higher education enrolment. Current changes include the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement, preschool reforms, the transition to new higher-education funding arrangements and revised higher-education standards. |