Study in Australia

Australia is one of the most popular study destinations for international students. With it’s reputable quality of education, it offers a diverse range of study options for international students. According to the 2020 QS world university rankings, Australia has several educational institutions ranked in the world’s top 100, such as the Australian National University, University of Melbourne and University of Sydney.

As a professional Australian Migration and Education Consultancy firm, we have received massive enquiries from clients to study in Australia. Here are 10 questions that are commonly asked by international students before they pursue their studies in Australia.

1. Why study in Australia?

Australia is a leading global provider of education to international students. It is ranked as the third-largest provider of international education in the world. There are a magnitude of things to consider when deciding before you study abroad, but here’s a bunch of reasons we think Australia is one of the best education destinations for international students:

• World-class education with best facilities and latest technology
• Top-ranked globally recognized universities
• Great place to visit and enjoy along the study journey
• Great diversity in course options
• Numerous scholarship opportunities
• A safe and multicultural environment
• Relatively lower cost of education
• Post-study work and part-time work rights

 

2. Is it safe to study in Australia?

Australia is a relatively safe nation compared to most other countries because it has low crime rates and strict gun control. With multicultural, friendly and harmonious societies, Australia is a cohesive nation that welcomes international students from different backgrounds and respect their traditions as well as their choices of faith.

 

3. What is the education system like in Australia?

The Australian education system is different from many other nations, through the use of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). The AQF is a national policy that covers qualifications from the tertiary education sector (higher education and vocational education and training) in addition to the school-leaving certificate and the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education.

The AQF has 10 levels and links school, vocational and university education qualifications into one national system. This allows you to move easily from one level of study to the next, and from one institution to another, as long as you satisfy student visa requirements. All qualifications in the AQF help prepare you for both further studies and your working life.

 

4. What are the requirements for international students to study in Australia?

• You have to be enrolled in a full-time Registered course on CRICOS.
• You may need to provide evidence of your English language skills when you enrol for your course and submit your visa application, which is equivalent to an IELTS overall band score of 5.5 or higher. Some universities may require higher scores. If you are unable to meet the English requirement, you may need to take English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Student (ELICOS).
• You must make welfare arrangements if you are under 18 years, which includes nominating a student guardian to support you in Australia or arrange a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW).
• You and your family members must have and maintain adequate health insurance (OSHC) for the whole of your stay in Australia.
• You must have enough funds to pay for you and your family members to stay in Australia.
• You must meet the genuine temporary entrant requirement, which means that you have to provide a detailed personal statement to support your student visa application. The statement may include but not limited to your previous studies, the time gap in your studies, current employment, ties to your home country, your future plans as well as your immigration history.
• You and your family members must meet character and health requirements.

 

5. How much does it cost to study in Australia?

When it comes to the cost of studying in Australia, there are two main types of expenses, which are living expenses and Tuition costs. Here we would like to provide the estimated costs for international students to study in Australia.

Living expenses:

• Accommodation – approximately AU$150 to $450 per week
• Groceries and eating out – approximately AU$150 to $300 per week
• Utilities – approximately AU$20 to $40 per week
• Phone and internet – approximately AU$10 to $30 per week
• Public transport – approximately AU$20 to $50 per week
• Car (after purchase) – approximately AU$100 to $300 per week
• Entertainment – approximately AU$100 to $200 per week

Tuition costs:

• Primary and Secondary schools – approximately AU$12,000 to $40,000 per year
• English Language studies – approximately AU$300 per week
• Vocational Education and Training (Certificate I to IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma) – approximately AU$4,000 to $22,000 per year
• Undergraduate Bachelor Degree – approximately AU$20,000 to $45,000 per year
• Postgraduate Masters Degree – approximately AU$22,000 to $50,000 per year
• Doctoral Degree – approximately AU$18,000 to $42,000 per year

 

6. Can I apply for scholarships if I am an international student?

There are many scholarships and grants offered by the Australian Government, education providers, and several other public and private organisations, such as the Australia Award, Destination Australia and Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP). Australian education providers offer scholarships to qualifying international students, based on academic merit.

 

7. Can my family members join me to study in Australia?

Yes. You can study in Australia without being separated from your loved one. You can include your spouse and dependent children in the same student visa application, or they can apply as a student subsequent entrant at a later time. If you are aged under 18, then one of your parent (or custodian, relative) can come to Australia with a Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590) to provide care and support for you.

 

8. How long does the entire processing time take?

The processing time may vary based on your circumstances and caused by other factors. Usually the estimated processing time are as follows:

• School enrolment processing time — around 1- 4 weeks
• Student Visa processing time — around 1- 6 months

 

9. Can I work a part-time job while I am studying in Australia?

With a student visa in Australia, you can work up to 40 hours every 2 weeks once your course starts, and unlimited hours during holiday breaks. However, if you are taking a Master Degree by research or Doctoral degree in Australia, you can work full time once your course has commenced.

 

10. Can I get permanent residency if I study in Australia?

It depends on your circumstances, such as your majors, English ability as well as other factors. Many international students have obtained Permanent Residency after graduating from Australian universities, while others may have to go back to their home countries. Australian general skilled migration is one of the most popular pathways for international students to get a permanent residence visa.