In Canberra (the capital, no sorry, neither sydney nor melbourne are capitals of Australia), the age to get your "L" Plates as 15 and 9 months. This is attained through a series of short government theory tests, which can be done through school. People on L plates are restricted to driving with an adult on an open drivers licence. At 17, L platers can take either a logbook tests (series of 21 or so competencies which take about 5 x one hour lesson minium), or a one off drive with a government superviser. P plates are held for 3 years, which then you transfer to an open adults licence.