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Business Standard
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
No SATs or high fee: Australia brings ATAR board to Indian schools
Indian schools can now offer the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE), marking the first time in over two decades that a foreign government-supported school board has begun operations in the country. WACE, developed by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) in Perth, is now recognised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) for both Class X and XII qualifications. That means WACE graduates from India are eligible for university admission across the country. DPS North Bangalore, DPS East Bangalore, and Shaheen International School in Bidar are the first to adopt the WACE curriculum. Over the next three years, the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) plans to partner with at least 100 schools across tier 1, 2, and 3 cities in India. Business Standard spoke to Ange Smith, principal consultant for international education at the SCSA, and Syed Sultan Ahmed, chairperson of the Association of International Schools of India, to understand how WACE would benefit Indian students—particularly those looking to study abroad. How WACE could benefit Indian students planning to study abroad Global university access: Students receive an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), which is accepted by universities worldwide, including in Australia, the UK, and the US. No additional entrance tests: ATAR combines school-assessed coursework and final exams—students don't need to take separate entrance exams like SAT, IELTS, TOEFL. Eligibility for scholarships: Students opting to study in Western Australia can apply for the Premier's Bursary worth AUD 20,000 (about Rs 11.27 lakh). Australian student ID: Each student receives a lifelong Western Australian student number, giving them preferential treatment during Australian university admissions—sometimes even as domestic applicants. Familiarity with Australian education system: Studying under WACE helps students adapt more easily to university life in Australia. ATAR offers global admission pathway A key feature of the WACE programme is the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), a score widely accepted by universities around the world. 'ATAR is globally recognised and is equivalent to senior secondary qualifications in Australia. Many universities provide equivalence charts comparing ATAR with IB and Cambridge. WACE students can use ATAR scores to apply not only in Australia but around the world,' said Ange. Syed added, 'The ATAR consolidates certification and university eligibility. It's one system for both. Students also become eligible for a Premier's Bursary of AUD 20,000 ( approximately Rs 11.27 lakh) if they choose to study in Western Australia.' Unlike other competitive exams, ATAR doesn't involve separate testing. 'Students don't sit an additional test—ATAR is based on both their school performance (50%) and a final exam (50%),' he said. Familiarity with Australia gives students an edge According to Syed, WACE students hold an advantage when applying to Australian universities. 'This means no cramming or excessive testing. It's a more balanced, skills-driven approach. In terms of visas, too, students from WACE schools often have an edge. They're already familiar with Australian educational processes and are even treated differently—often not as 'foreign' students—because they have an Australian student identification number,' he said. Ange said, 'Our collaboration is aligned with the Indian government's goal of bringing global standards into local education. The model fits perfectly with NEP. And with Australia becoming a preferred destination—especially as Canada, the US, and the UK tighten rules—we expect more Indian students to consider Australia.' Australia top choice for Indian students in 2025 Australia is now the leading overseas study destination for Indian students, edging ahead of the United States, according to a March 2025 survey by IDP Education. The survey, based on responses from over 6,000 students including nearly 1,400 from India, found that: 28% chose Australia as their top preference 22% picked the United States 21% selected the United Kingdom Canada fell to 13%, a six-point drop from March 2024 'Despite the rise in visa and tuition fees, Australia continues to see strong interest from Indian students. Many families approach it as a long-term investment, weighing factors like academic quality, post-study work rights, safety, and the overall student experience,' said Piyush Kumar, regional director at IDP Education. Australia's position has also been helped by 15 of its universities making it to the QS World University Rankings 2025 top 200. Extended post-study work rights under the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA) have further boosted its appeal. Affordable alternative to IB and Cambridge WACE is pitched as a more cost-effective model for schools and families compared to other international boards. 'It's far more accessible than IB or Cambridge. While schools set the fees, the cost for them to run WACE is just 15–20% of what they'd pay other boards. That makes a quality international education reachable for the middle class in smaller towns too,' said Syed. According to him, a CBSE school charging Rs 1–1.2 lakh annually can offer WACE with a 15–20% fee increase, opening up global opportunities without the Rs 45 lakh price tag often associated with the IB. Ange said the board has been offering international programmes since 1987 and began global expansion in 2019. 'India has been one of the most rigorous but rewarding. After AIU approval, we focused on identifying partner schools in India,' she told Business Standard. Curriculum designed to support local needs WACE currently operates in 16 countries. In India, the board is developing a separate Class X board exam to meet specific state-level requirements. 'Some Indian states may require a 10th board certificate for transitions, so we are developing one specifically for this context,' said Ange. The curriculum focuses on five subjects for Classes XI and XII, with an optional sixth. English is compulsory, but university admissions are based on the best four ATAR subjects. 'ATAR is based 50% on final exams and 50% on school-assessed coursework. This reduces pressure and supports consistent performance over two years,' she added. The curriculum also integrates STEM from kindergarten through Year 10. 'Schools can introduce STEM-focused courses for Years 11–12, which count towards their WACE certification,' Ange said. Although WACE currently does not have a separate vocational stream, schools can customise a non-exam-based general pathway in consultation with SCSA. 'Moreover, Australia excels at integrating sport with education. That kind of well-rounded, co-curricular emphasis is embedded in WACE too,' she said. Scope for expansion in non-metro cities WACE has already started in three schools—two in Bengaluru and one in Bidar, Karnataka. The goal is to expand to 100 schools in three years, with a focus on tier 2 and tier 3 towns. 'Most international schools are currently in metros—about 90%. There's enormous potential in industrial townships and lesser-known cities. Think Jamshedpur, Bhilai, Kanpur, Ranchi—even Uttarakhand,' said Syed. He added that many schools in smaller cities have maxed out their growth potential under CBSE and are looking for ways to upgrade quality and brand value without sharp fee hikes. Curriculum pillars The WACE curriculum is built around seven core capabilities: Literacy Numeracy Information and communication technology Ethical understanding Civic and social responsibility Critical and creative thinking Intercultural understanding 'Opportunity is at the centre of what we do. We love working with teachers, schools, and students to help them flourish. And because this is backed by the Australian government, support doesn't vary based on how much a school pays—unlike with many other international boards,' Ange told Business Standard. The entry of WACE follows a string of education linkages between India and Australia, including the establishment of Deakin University and the University of Wollongong campuses—Australia's first foreign universities in India.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
WACE of Australia is 1st foreign government-backed board in India
NEW DELHI: After becoming the first country to establish foreign university campuses in India with the entry of University of Wollongong and Deakin University, Australia is now extending its footprint into school education, as Western Australia's WACE has become the first foreign govt-backed school board to begin operations in India, receiving equivalence from the Association of Indian Universities for its Class X and Class XII qualifications. This is the first such approval for a foreign board in India in 25 years. WACE, or Western Australian Certificate of Education, is the school-leaving qualification for students in Western Australia, administered by state's School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA). WAIS, or the Western Australian International School System, is the framework through which this curriculum is delivered in international partner schools. Ange Smith, principal consultant for international education at SCSA, said the board has been running its international education programme since 1987 and began expanding its global presence more actively in 2019. "Since then, we've worked with govt bodies in several countries to secure foreign board equivalence. India has been one of the most rigorous but rewarding. After AIU approval, we focused on identifying partner schools in India," she said. The board is currently operational in 16 countries. She said the National Education Policy 2020 played a significant role in shaping their entry strategy. "We undertook curriculum mapping and found alignment with NEP priorities, especially around holistic development, skill integration and nurturing students beyond academics." Explaining the curriculum structure, Smith said WAIS students take five subjects each in classes XI and XII, with an option to take six. English is compulsory, but only the top four ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) courses count towards the final university entrance score. "ATAR is based 50% on final exams and 50% on school-assessed coursework. This reduces pressure and supports consistent performance over two years," she said. In response to a request from Indian partner schools, Smith confirmed that work is underway to introduce a 10th board exam for WAIS students in India. "Some Indian states may require a 10th board certificate for transitions, so we are developing one specifically for this context," she said. Syed Sultan Ahmed, chairperson of the Association of International Schools of India, said WAIS offers a balance between accessibility and international standards. "It sits between CBSE and Cambridge. A CBSE school charging Rs 1 - 1.2 lakh annually can adopt WAIS with a 15-20% fee increase. It opens up global pathways without requiring Rs 45 lakh fees like IB," he said. The first WAIS partner schools in India have been established in Bengaluru and Bidar, both in Karnataka. Ahmed said the ATAR rank helps WAIS students apply to universities globally without separate entrance exams such as the SAT or JEE. "The ATAR consolidates certification and university eligibility. It's one system for both. Students also become eligible for a Premier's Bursary of AUD 20,000 if they choose to study in Western Australia," he added. The curriculum incorporates seven general capabilities: literacy, numeracy, ICT, ethical understanding, civic and social responsibility, critical & creative thinking, and intercultural understanding.
Sydney Morning Herald
12-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Sydney Morning Herald
My suburb is an undiscovered slice of fresh air, and locals like it that way
When I tell people I live in Parkdale, I've come to expect a blank stare. They don't know where you're talking about. Sometimes, there will be a flare of recognition and then, 'Oh yeah, just by Melbourne Uni, yeah?' No, that's Parkville. It probably doesn't help that Parkdale has no actual parks of note, but was named 100 years ago after landowner William Parker. I next throw a few close-by suburbs or places at them. In between Mentone and Mordialloc? Beaumaris? Moorabbin airport? One of the beachside ' dales '? Oh yes, now they know where I'm talking about. Right by the bay, Beach Road, sea and sand, long walks on the beach, cyclists. Lovely. Yes, it is. It's all right that people don't know where Parkdale is. I think Parkdalians (this may or may not be the correct collective term, but I like it) prefer it that way. It's our little undiscovered slice of Melbourne suburbia that we would prefer to keep as is. A five-minute drive from Southland shopping centre and Moorabbin DFO. A Frankston line train station along Parkers Road. More cafes along the Parkdale shopping strip than a dog-walker can shake a dog-ball thrower at. The beach, the sea air, the seaside pathways encourage people to get out and about – so many healthy people, it would almost make you sick, if you weren't one of them joining in. Parkdale is ensconced among the industrial estates of nearby Braeside, Mordialloc and Moorabbin. People don't always appreciate the ecosystem of small industries and businesses that operates in these backstreets of affordable-rent workshops, garages and display rooms. Trophy stores, garage door parts, chocolate wholesalers, microbreweries and gin distilleries, furniture upholsterers – it's a piece of what remains of Australian small-scale manufacturing and retail. These are not the only growth industries in and around Parkdale. There seem to be a lot of primary and secondary schools in the area – state, Catholic and independent (these you can pick as they advertise their ATAR scores on billboards). All of these schools are excellent in their own way. For our busy family with three children, the decision came down to whether the kids could walk themselves to and from school. Believe me, when you see the long lines of traffic on Warrigal and Beach roads, with tired-looking parents picking up their tired-looking kids from school, it's a wise decision for all involved. As someone who grew up in country Victoria, with 90 minutes of school bus travel a day, I appreciate how accessible things are in Parkdale. Whether it's a beer or a coffee or a feed, everything is a few minutes' walk, and diverse foods are just a 15-minute drive at Springvale, Noble Park, Dandenong, Clayton or Oakleigh. On Friday nights, my mates and I used to drive from the country into Melbourne, a four-hour roundtrip, just to buy a souvlaki on Chapel Street and gawk at the crowds. Yes, we were bored in the country. Parkdale isn't perfect, of course. Before coming here, my wife (Vietnamese) and I (Maori) lived for some time in Keysborough, a more diverse suburb about 10 to 15 minutes to the east. Parkdale was a bit of a shock for us – a more 'traditional' Aussie suburb, with mainly traditional Aussies living there. Of course, everyone welcomed us to Parkdale, with a generosity of spirit. When you're out walking, it's lovely to receive friendly hellos from passers-by – especially when you haven't always had it.
The Age
12-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Age
My suburb is an undiscovered slice of fresh air, and locals like it that way
When I tell people I live in Parkdale, I've come to expect a blank stare. They don't know where you're talking about. Sometimes, there will be a flare of recognition and then, 'Oh yeah, just by Melbourne Uni, yeah?' No, that's Parkville. It probably doesn't help that Parkdale has no actual parks of note, but was named 100 years ago after landowner William Parker. I next throw a few close-by suburbs or places at them. In between Mentone and Mordialloc? Beaumaris? Moorabbin airport? One of the beachside ' dales '? Oh yes, now they know where I'm talking about. Right by the bay, Beach Road, sea and sand, long walks on the beach, cyclists. Lovely. Yes, it is. It's all right that people don't know where Parkdale is. I think Parkdalians (this may or may not be the correct collective term, but I like it) prefer it that way. It's our little undiscovered slice of Melbourne suburbia that we would prefer to keep as is. A five-minute drive from Southland shopping centre and Moorabbin DFO. A Frankston line train station along Parkers Road. More cafes along the Parkdale shopping strip than a dog-walker can shake a dog-ball thrower at. The beach, the sea air, the seaside pathways encourage people to get out and about – so many healthy people, it would almost make you sick, if you weren't one of them joining in. Parkdale is ensconced among the industrial estates of nearby Braeside, Mordialloc and Moorabbin. People don't always appreciate the ecosystem of small industries and businesses that operates in these backstreets of affordable-rent workshops, garages and display rooms. Trophy stores, garage door parts, chocolate wholesalers, microbreweries and gin distilleries, furniture upholsterers – it's a piece of what remains of Australian small-scale manufacturing and retail. These are not the only growth industries in and around Parkdale. There seem to be a lot of primary and secondary schools in the area – state, Catholic and independent (these you can pick as they advertise their ATAR scores on billboards). All of these schools are excellent in their own way. For our busy family with three children, the decision came down to whether the kids could walk themselves to and from school. Believe me, when you see the long lines of traffic on Warrigal and Beach roads, with tired-looking parents picking up their tired-looking kids from school, it's a wise decision for all involved. As someone who grew up in country Victoria, with 90 minutes of school bus travel a day, I appreciate how accessible things are in Parkdale. Whether it's a beer or a coffee or a feed, everything is a few minutes' walk, and diverse foods are just a 15-minute drive at Springvale, Noble Park, Dandenong, Clayton or Oakleigh. On Friday nights, my mates and I used to drive from the country into Melbourne, a four-hour roundtrip, just to buy a souvlaki on Chapel Street and gawk at the crowds. Yes, we were bored in the country. Parkdale isn't perfect, of course. Before coming here, my wife (Vietnamese) and I (Maori) lived for some time in Keysborough, a more diverse suburb about 10 to 15 minutes to the east. Parkdale was a bit of a shock for us – a more 'traditional' Aussie suburb, with mainly traditional Aussies living there. Of course, everyone welcomed us to Parkdale, with a generosity of spirit. When you're out walking, it's lovely to receive friendly hellos from passers-by – especially when you haven't always had it.
Sydney Morning Herald
28-04-2025
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
Daniel wasn't coached for his medical school test. But too many of his peers were
To gain entry to most medicine degrees, students must get a top ATAR, demonstrate emotional intelligence in an interview and score highly in the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT). Over the past 10 years, the authority which runs the aptitude test noticed a pattern in one section of the test – abstract reasoning – which probes students' ability to identify patterns in shapes. Students' marks were getting better and they were completing it in a shorter period of time. '[The] abstract reasoning subtest has high coachability,' UCAT Australia and New Zealand said this year. It has decided to remove that section from the exam this year. ' Historical data on the subtest has shown that candidate performance has increased, and response times decreased over the past 10 years. The nature of the subtest makes it more coachable compared to the other cognitive subtests.' Sections covering verbal reasoning, decision-making and quantitative reasoning, alongside a situational judgment test, will remain. Medicine degrees are among the most popular university courses and each year thousands of HSC students apply. Across Australia and New Zealand last year, 15,240 students sat the UCAT exam in the main round of testing, which is also used to admit students to dentistry and clinical science courses. Among those sitting the test last year was Daniel Ouyang, who set his heart on medicine in year 10 and started preparing for the UCAT in year 11.
