STUDY IN AUSTRALIA
Australia promotes innovation, creativity and independent thinking throughout its universities. International students who study and live in Australia soon find that their education is challenging, fun, and rewarding. As an international student in Australia, you can expect to live, grow and learn in a young, friendly country full of opportunities.
- Capital: Canberra
- Population: 19,731,984
- Area: 7,682,300 sq km
- Language: English
- Religion: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Protestant etc.
WHY STUDY IN AUSTRALIA?
Australia growing up quickly as a popular study destination among the students around the world. Most of the students go to Australia to study in the vocational education and training system and at university level. The most popular fields of study are business and management, information technology, engineering, and tourism and hospitality. Students these days are increasingly studying in a wide range of disciplines at Australian institutions.
Australia is the safe, multicultural and internationally recognized environment for further education, innovative research intensive culture and international rapport has made Australia a leading provider of top quality education to international students from all over the world.
ADMISSION IN AUSTRALIA
Admission Tests on English Requirement
For any course that belong to higher education category, a student must score at least six out of nine in IELTS – International English Language Testing System conducted by British Council -. Even for vocational studies, trainings and for secondary level studies you must have at least a score of 5.5 in IELTS. However, it depends on the course you have chosen.
Besides IELTS, TOEFL is also generally accepted for admission in Australian Universities. Some Universities even accept Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (Grades A or B).
Cost and Fees
Tuition fees vary from AUD 6000 to AUD 7000 for a six-month graduate certificate course to over AUD 30000 per annum for a medical degree. Most full time degree and post graduate degree cost between AUD 10000 to 20000 per annum. In vocational education and training, costs vary from AUD 3000 to 4000 for a 20-week certificate course to over AUD 12000 per annum for laboratory or computer intensive advanced courses. The Australian government requires that international students and their families pay for health insurance in Australia through the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) Scheme. Health care costs in Australia can be quite expensive. The cost of health insurance may be around $300 for a single person.
Australia is a great option not only in terms of the education standards but because it makes great economic sense as well.
Institutions will advise when to pay your tuition fees and acceptable methods of payment.
| Universities | Amount |
|---|---|
| Foundation Studies | $A9000-$A14,000 a year |
| Such as university entrance, preparatory and bridging courses | – |
| Undergraduate | |
| Bachelor Degree | $A10,000- $A15,000 a year |
| Such as courses in arts, business, economics and law | – |
| Laboratory-based Bachelor Degree | $A11,000- $A16,500 a year |
| Such as science and engineering courses | – |
| Postgraduate | |
| Graduate Certificates Graduate Diplomas | $A9000- $A16,000 |
| Masters Doctoral Degree | $A11,000-$A18,500 a year |
| Vocational Education & Training | |
| Certificates I – IV | – |
| Diploma | $A5500-$A18,000 a year |
| Advanced Diploma | – |
| School | |
| Secondary school | $A6000-$A13,000 a year |
| Primary and junior secondary schools | $A5000-$A11,000 a year |
| English Language & Training | |
| Varies significantly depending on the course duration or institution | $A3500-$A13,500 |
STUDENT VISA PROCESS
Any person who intends to undertake full-time study in a registered course in Australia needs to obtain a Australian Student Visa. A Student Visa permits the holder to travel to, enter and remain in Australia for the duration of the registered course of study. Overseas students cannot undertake part-time study in Australia and must leave Australia on completion of their course of study.
Student Visa Processing
Student visa applicants from India, Nepal and Bhutan are required to undergo a Pre-Visa Assessment (PVA).
Application
Persons wishing to study in Australia should apply on form 157A and pay the current visa application charge.
Documentation to submit with your application:
- Four recent passport-style photographs for each applicant
- Supplementary Questionnaire to Form 157A
- Completed ‘details of relatives’ form
IELTS test results
Changes to the student visa regulations require varying evidence of funds dependent on the subclass of student visa applied for. Applicants should show funds and (income that support these funds) enough to cover, course fee, and living costs in Australia (AUD 12,000 pa) as well as amounts covering other family members. For details relating to the specific financial evidentiary requirements for each subclass www.immi.gov.au/students
- All original education documents including all mark sheets for Degrees
- Affidavit of support from the person providing financial support
- For applicants below 18 years of age, details of arranged guardianship in Australia plus an affidavit from the student’s parents agreeing to the guardianship arrangement
- Bank statement from the person(s) providing support outlining transactions for the past 6 months
Processing Time
Student applicants should lodge applications no more than 3 months and at least 8 weeks before course commencement dates. Some applications take longer to process. Students may be asked to undertake further medicals and some delays may be experienced due to the need to verify bank or education documents. Nepalese and Bhutanese applicants need to take into account the time taken for documents and letters to be sent and received by the Visa Office.
To be granted a student visa you will need
1. Complete relevant parts of the visa application form and lodge it along with
a copy of your letter of offer or Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) supporting documentation specified in the appropriate booklet from the Temporary Entry: Overseas Students series, and payment of the visa application charge.
2. Satisfy the student visa requirements
Major changes to Australia’s student visa assessment procedures came into effect on 1 July 2001 to streamline visa processing. The restructured student visa programme replaces the gazetted/non-gazetted country arrangement and the Special Entry Arrangements for PRC students. The Student (Temporary) Visa now has:
visa sub-classes: For each education sector You should apply under the visa sub-class for your principal course of study.
Country assessment levels (CAL): Each education sector in each country is ranked according to four assessment levels.
Evidentiary standards: These visa requirements include English language proficiency and increasingly stringent from CAL 1 through to CAL 4.
Electronic confirmation of enrolment (eCoE):The only accepted evidence of enrolment for processing student visa applications.
Generally, an international student is issued a multiple entry visa for the duration of their study course in Australia. This allows you to travel backwards and forwards to Australia within the period for which it has been granted. Members of your immediate family (spouse and unmarried dependent children under 18 years of age) may accompany you to Australia and will be considered in the same visa class as yourself. If you wish to extend your stay in Australia for further study you will need to lodge an application for a further visa.
Australian Quarantine Regulations
Australian quarantine is needed to keep out exotic pests and diseases that could affect native plants and animals, human health, agricultural industries and our environment. This role is undertaken by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS). Visit the AQIS website for information in a range of foreign languages on what you cannot bring into Australia and what your family and friends at home cannot send to you through the mail.
FINANCIAL AIDS
Scholarships in Higher Education
In Australia, scholarships, fellowships, awards and other sources of funding for students are available through the Higher Education Group, DEST.
Applying for Scholarships
The Commonwealth Learning Scholarships, Australian Postgraduate Awards and Endeavour International Postgraduate Research Scholarship programmes are administered on behalf of the Australian Government by individual higher education providers. The providers are responsible for conducting their own application and selection procedures, in line with guidelines issued by the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST). Potential applicants need to direct their enquiries on application procedures, deadlines, etc to their higher education providers.
Commonwealth Learning Scholarships
The Commonwealth Learning Scholarships Programme was introduced in 2004 to assist students from low socio-economic backgrounds, particularly those from rural and regional areas and Indigenous students, who are Australian citizens or holders of Australian permanent humanitarian visas, with costs associated with higher education. There are two scholarships – one for educational costs and one for accommodation costs. Both are merit based, non-repayable and target students from low socio-economic backgrounds.
Indigenous Researchers Development Scheme
The Indigenous Researchers Development Scheme aims to encourage participation in, and to improve the standard of, research conducted by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The programme commenced in 1996 and in its early years will provide support for research projects and for training and development in research methodology and the preparation of research proposals by Indigenous researchers. In 1999, nine Indigenous Researchers Development grants were approved for funding at a cost of $0.13 million in 1999.
Research Fellowships This provides opportunities for outstanding individual researchers to undertake research of national and international significance at postdoctoral level and beyond. Four levels of Australian Research Council (ARC), fellowships are awarded:
- Australian Postdoctoral Fellowships
- Australian Research Fellowships
- Queen Elizabeth II Awards and
- Senior Research Fellowships.
Merit Based Equity Scholarships
This Scheme ceased in 1999. No new scholarships are available. Any queries relating to the Scheme should be directed to [email protected]
LIVING COST IN AUSTRALIA
Accommodation Options and Costs
A variety of high standard student accommodation is available to suit different budgets and needs. Students can opt to live in university accommodation or with an Australian family. Shared accommodation with other students is common and popular.
Institutions provide students with help in finding accommodation and understanding lease and tenancy conditions. Temporary accommodation can be arranged before you leave home allowing you time on arrival to consider where and how you would like to be accommodated in the longer term. Student notice boards and newspapers often advertise rooms, apartments and houses for rent.
Further advice is available from your prospective institution.
| Accommodation options | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| Homestay or Farmstay | A$110-A$270 a week |
| Gain access to the Australian lifestyle in a natural and friendly way through Homestay. This is popular with younger students and those studying short-term English courses. Meals are usually included in the cost. Single or shared rooms may be offered and the cost will vary accordingly. Self-catering Homestay is sometimes available cheaply. Farmstay offers the same services in a rural setting. Institutions maintain a register of families prepared to board international students during the academic year. Education institutions ensure that Homestay families are reputable and that they offer accommodation of a reasonable standard. | – |
| Hostels and guest houses | A$80-A$135 a week |
| Hostels are usually run by organisations such as Youth Hostels Australia and the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). Students share kitchen and bathroom facilities. | – |
| Share accommodation Rental accommodation | A$50-A$160 a week A$70-A$350 a week |
| Students often share with fellow students. They advertise on notice boards and in newspapers. Students may have to provide their own furniture.When renting a house, apartment or bedsitter,landlords require rent to be paid in advance and will require a security bond equal to one month’s rent. | – |
| Boarding schools | A$8000-A$11000 a year |
| Many private secondary schools provide accommodation, meals and laundry services for international students. Note: Tuition fees are in addition to the boarding fees | |
| University accommodation | A$80-A$250 per week |
| Most universities offer a variety of accommodation on or near to campus such as university apartments, residential colleges or halls of residence. Halls of Residence are usually cheaper and a popular option with full-time international students. The cost ranges depending on the type of accommodation. |
