Online Education

Online education is an area available to those unable to access full-time education. Technology has now allowed the use of CDs, DVD, email, web-based presentations and more. It is possible to carry virtually a full load or a single unit. You can choose where and when you study/complete work, even overseas. It can be done in conjunction with full-time work, managing a family or running a business. It can be done for professional or personal reasons.

In previous years, this form of study was often called external studies or distance education, with the latter term still being used by some bodies and levels.

Online education is provided by most universities, some colleges and many school systems. Numerous universities are now providing Open Courseware online, for free use by anyone who is interested, though they do not lead to qualifications.

Be aware online education has positive and negative aspects. You must know if you are suited to this method of learning. Charles Sturt University has information regarding the process.

Other sites that may be useful include Distance Learning 101 and Distance Learning Web Resources. While the last two are US based, several sections apply worldwide and are worth reading before starting any online/distance education course.

This page looks at online education programs in Australia. This covers all levels from schools [Distance Education, School of the Air] to universities, as well as vocational areas.

The Second Page looks at Open Courseware, specialised online learning areas, video and other tutorials.

The Third Page looks at international universities that offer online education and courses and other general information.

If you are aware of worthwhile information not included, suggestions or additions are welcome.

Australian Information

Distance Education

Partial online education with some work completed online, but with mail and other methods also involved. Groups and sites providing distance education are listed.
The controlling units/schools are provided in the first section for each state/territory, with other centres given in the second part of each listing.

School Level

Australian Capital Territory

Australian Capital Territory

New South Wales

A More Connected Future
The outcomes of a review into Distance Education. Quite interesting to read, with responses to, and information about, a series of major points.
New South Wales [DET]
Rural & Distance Education information.
Rural and Distance Education Unit [NSW]
Broken Hill [New South Wales - School of the Air]
Karabar Distance Education Centre
Open High School N.S.W.
‘Teaching and learning of languages by distance education.’
OTEN [New South Wales]

Northern Territory

Distance Learning [Northern Territory]
Links and contacts for all centres.
Northern Territory Open Education Centre
‘A distance learning school catering for students in years 10-12’.
Alice Springs School of the Air
Katherine Centre

Queensland

South Australia

Tasmania

Tasmanian eSchool
Replaces both Distance Education Tasmania and the Open Learning Network.

Victoria

Victoria [Departmental listing]

Western Australia

SIDE
‘The centre for secondary distance learning within the WA Department of Education.’ The SIDE Primary School page is found here.
Carnarvon Centre
Kalgoorlie Centre
Kimberley Centre
Meekatharra Centre
Port Hedland Centre

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Other Australian Sites

ABC Education - Learn Gateway - Lifelong Learning
Online information and learning. Links to learning at different levels, helped by ABC material and ideas.
ACODE
‘The Australasian Council on Open, Distance and E-Learning, the peak Australasian organisation for universities engaged or interested in open, distance, flexible and e-learning’.
Accredited Online Training
‘Online, nationally recognised courses all over Australia and even to some international students. We offer a range of Certificates and Diplomas in the Business Service training package, Training and Assessment and Finance.’
AOI, the First Online Institute in Australia
Australian Correspondence Schools
Also try Australian Correspondence Schools Online.
Australian Flexible Learning Framework
Advice to improve and refine online learning as well as other distance education. For State & Territory Information, check here.
Australian Management Academy Online Courses
A wide range of Training & Assessment, Management, Business and OH & S courses are available.
College of Fine Arts’ Public Online Courses
‘A dynamic and innovative initiative designed to provide opportunities for study to the public, primarily in the area of visual arts and design.’ University level.
Courses Direct
‘Courses Direct is a leading distance vocational education provider in Australia & New Zealand. We offer a high quality and cost effective alternative in post secondary education’.
DEHub
‘DEHub serves as a central research institute for investigation into best practices in distance education. DEHub also serves as an online agency for the dissemination of information on best practices in distance and blended education for the Australian higher education sector. DEHub is financed by the Australian Government’s Department of Education, Employment, and Workplace Relations [DEEWR]’.
Delivering New Options [NT]
Media Release detailing the use of virtual schooling in several high schools in the Northern Territory.
Distance Education Australia
‘We are continually loading more online and distance education programs on this site to simplify your search. Browse currently listed programs and visit the program providers’ websites for their complete offering.’
Distance Learning Australia
‘Study at your own pace with unlimited support from our highly qualified and experienced staff’.
E-Campus Australia - Electronic Learning
Incorporates Far North Queensland Training. More than 800 online courses, most in Business and IT.
Fitness Institute Australia
Courses, tutors, assessment and much more.
iExel
‘iExel is an Australian online tutoring service. At iExel we provide online tutoring from top class graduates who excel in their respective fields and have detailed, specific knowledge of the requirements of your course. This iExciting service is presently available on offer to students from Year 9 to university undergraduate level’. Services are obviously Fee-based though a Free Trial is available.
LearnScope
‘Project of the Australian Flexible Learning Framework. LearnScope has been part of a national strategy to increase the capacity of vocational and technical education professionals to use flexible learning approaches and new technologies in the delivery of training.’
Lifestyle Learning Direct
‘Provide the complete distance education solution by offering courses from our correspondence schools, The Sackville Academy and The Writing School, along with online learning courses from Lifestyle Learning Online.’
McGrath Real Estate
Online Real Estate Registration course.
My Online Training Hub - Microsoft Office Online Training
Worthwhile free section including access to free software plus paid access if desired.
NBN Co Responds to School of the Air Concerns
‘NBN Co has responded to concerns raised by School of the Air over the new national broadband network’. ABC Rural.
Online Mathematics
Develops mathematical skills to HSC level. Fee-based but quite reasonable [in AU$]. Access notes, past papers, glossary, summaries, self-marking tests, study guide and links.
Open College
‘For over a century, we have been helping people like you to build a better future for yourself and your family through career training’.
Previously listed as Cengage Education.
Public Relations
Certificates/Diplomas of Public Relations from Education Online through their virtual campus.
Resourcebank
1 000+ e-curriculum resources. Fee-based.
Rural and Remote Education Online
For practising medicos to improve their education through case studies, modules and courses. Links to workshops and conferences.
SEEK Learning
‘Education and Training to Advance Your Career. IT Certificates, TAFE Courses, university degrees, short computer courses and more.’
StudyNow
‘We give students the chance to research and browse courses from a range of institutions in a range of locations and settings previously unknown to the candidate.’
TAFE Open Learning [Qld]
‘TAFE Open Learning - online and distance education. We provide online and correspondence courses for people living throughout Australia and the world’. For a listing of all courses get the TAFE Queensland Guide which is available complete, and in sections, in PDF format from this site.
Where-u-Learn
Some Free trials give an idea of Fee-based courses available.
Your Tutor
‘An easy, affordable and convenient way to give students access to extra help and coaching. We work with schools, libraries and education departments to provide learning support programs.’ Australia.

University Online Courses

For online education from any university in Australia, go to the Universities page. A small sample are provided below.

APESMA Management Education
Online and face-to-face courses at graduate and post-graduate levels in conjunction with Charles Sturt and Latrobe Universities.
Providers that offer Commonwealth assistance - Study Assist
You can also find information about Distance/Online Study including information about providers.
Previously listed through Going to Uni.
Charles Sturt University
Monash [Gippsland Campus]
Open Universities Australia
Previously Open Learning Australia.
Queensland University of Technology
Study Online Australia
By areas or levels of study.
University of New England
Off-Campus Education [Distance Education].
University of New South Wales - YouTube
‘The first university in Australia to launch an official channel on You Tube. UNSW on You Tube will be a channel for communicating research and selected teaching material to a wider audience. This will broaden public access to some of Australia’s top teachers and researchers. The channel will feature research, learning and teaching initiatives, lectures and students’ work.’

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