eople.[278] Approximately 58% of Australians aged from 25 to 64 have vocational or tertiary qual

Australia has an adult literacy rate that is assumed to be 99%. In the Programme for International Student Assessment, Australia regularly scores among the top five of thirty major developed countries (member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). Catholic education accounts for the largest non-government sector.

Australia has 37 government-funded universities and two private universities, as well as a number of other specialist institutions that provide approved courses at the higher education level.[276] The University of Sydney is Australia's oldest university, having been founded in 1850, followed by the University of Melbourne three years later. Other notable universities include those of the Group of Eight leading tertiary institutions, including the University of Adelaide (which boasts an association with five Nobel Laureates), the Australian National University located in the national capital of Canberra, Monash University and the University of New South Wales.

The OECD places Australia among the most expensive nations to attend university.[277] There is a state-based system of vocational training, known as TAFE, and many trades conduct apprenticeships for training new tradespeople.[278] Approximately 58% of Australians aged from 25 to 64 have vocational or tertiary qualifications,[224] and the tertiary graduation rate of 49% is the highest among OECD countries. The ratio of international to local students in tertiary education in Australia is the highest in the OECD countries.[279]
Health
See also: Health care in Australia

Australia has the fourth highest life expectancy in the world after Iceland, Japan and Hong Kong.[280] Life expectancy in Australia in 2010 was 79.5 years for males and 84.0 years for females.[281] Australia has the highest rates of skin cancer in the world,[282] while cigarette smoking is the largest preventable cause of death and disease, responsible for 7.8% of the total mortality and disease. Ranked second in preventable causes is hypertension at 7.6%, with obesity third at 7.5%.[283][284] Australia ranks 35th in the world[285] and near the top of developed nations for its proportion of obese adults.[286]