For many Vietnamese families, sending a child abroad for secondary schooling is part of a long-term plan that may eventually lead to entry into globally recognised universities. Australia is one of the most attractive destinations for this journey, but understanding how to access its top schools is essential. The pathway a student enters in school can strongly influence their confidence, academic performance, and ability to access leading universities in Australia or around the world.
What are “top schools” in Australia?
Many Vietnamese parents dream of their children entering Ivy League universities in the United States. In Australia, private schools hold a similar level of prestige and status. They are seen as the highest quality schooling option, with strong academic cultures, excellent teachers, and outstanding facilities. Most Australian parents aspire to send their children to private schools if they can afford it, because these schools have a long history of producing students who progress to top universities in Australia and overseas.
International comparisons highlight this clearly. In the United Kingdom about 8% of students attend private schools. In the United States the figure is around 15%. In Australia, however, almost 40% of domestic students are enrolled in private or independent schools. This tells you something important about the trust Australian families place in private education and the quality these schools deliver.
The academic outcomes back this up. A recent study by a major Australian newspaper showed that in the undergraduate cohorts of Australia’s Group of Eight universities, almost 60% of students had graduated from private high schools. The difference in both academic and personal outcomes between private and government schools is often very clear, and families need to understand exactly what they are choosing.
There is nothing wrong with government schools, and they play an essential role in Australia. However, too many Vietnamese families make decisions without the full picture. Some listen to education agents who recommend the easiest or quickest option rather than the best quality environment for the student. It is important for families to have accurate, complete information before choosing a school.
What do top schools look for?
Admission into a top Australian private school is competitive because demand is high and places fill quickly. Schools review academic results, recent school reports, and teacher references. They also assess English language proficiency, and Australian schools rely on AEAS testing as the key admissions tool because it gives the most accurate and independent measure of a student’s English language proficiency across the five main skills (reading, writing, vocabulary, listening and speaking), their general ability and aptitude, and their mathematical reasoning abilities.
Schools assess qualities such as motivation, confidence, curiosity, and a positive attitude toward learning. Interviews and personal statements help schools understand whether a student will thrive in their environment and contribute to the school community. They are also seeking a willingness from parents and students to immerse themselves fully in school life and culture, and taking up all of the wonderful cocurricular and personal development opportunities on offer.
Why Vietnamese students may struggle in government schools
Many Vietnamese families initially consider government schools due to lower costs or entrance requirements, but there are challenges they often do not realise. The top-performing government schools are extremely competitive and heavily in demand from Australian families. They are often full, meaning international students rarely gain access to these top schools.
This can mean that Vietnamese students who choose government schools end up placed in schools with average or below-average academic results. Students with medium English levels or modest academic foundations often struggle to keep up. Larger class sizes and fewer specialist support systems mean students receive less individual attention. Many students fall behind, lose confidence, and do not achieve the outcomes their parents hoped for. For academically aspirational Vietnamese families, these are unlikely to be the outcomes they have hoped for from their study abroad journey!
How private schools support international students
Private schools provide a much stronger support structure. AEAS testing on application allows schools to identify a student’s strengths and weaknesses before arrival. Schools then offer targeted English programs, academic guidance, and personalised support tailored to each student.
Smaller class sizes help teachers monitor progress closely. Private schools invest heavily in facilities for science, arts, sport, leadership, and technology. These environments help students build independence, resilience, and well-rounded profiles that strengthen university applications.
From top schools to top universities
The pathway from Australia’s leading private schools to top universities is clear and well established. Private school graduates are heavily represented at the University of Melbourne, Monash University, Sydney University, UNSW, and other Group of Eight institutions. Many continue on to competitive universities in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other global destinations.
These schools develop students who are academically strong, confident, and capable of managing the expectations of university life.
Setting a global pathway
For Vietnamese families, choosing the right study abroad pathway is not just about the next few years. It is the beginning of a long-term journey that can lead directly to world-ranked universities. Early planning, AEAS testing, and selecting the right school environment give students the strongest possible foundation for success both academically and personally.
If you want an environment that pushes students to grow, protects their confidence, and genuinely prepares them for global university pathways, start the conversation early. Reach out to ASA Vietnam for guidance, clarity, and access to some of Australia’s most respected private education environments. Your child deserves the best foundation possible — and the right school will make all the difference.