Prepared as background material for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's review of Australian education policy on the transition from school to work or further study, this document contains a general overview of Australian education and a more detailed discussion of the following aspects associated with the subject of the review: secondary schooling; the transition to work; and further study opportunities in technical and further education, universities, and colleges of advanced education. A statistical appendix which provides data on the population, labor force, and the education system is also included. Reference is made throughout the document to data in the appendix and additional statistical information is included in some chapters. (BM)