Australian education is divided into several levels, including early childhood, primary, secondary, and tertiary education. Children typically start their formal education at around age five with kindergarten, followed by primary school from ages six to twelve. After completing primary school, students move on to secondary school, which lasts for six years and culminates in the Higher School Certificate or equivalent. Tertiary education in Australia includes universities, vocational education and training (VET), and other higher education institutions. The country is home to several world-renowned universities, such as the University of Melbourne and the Australian National University. Education is primarily funded by the government, with additional support from private institutions and international students.