Complete Guide to Study in Australia for International Students

Australia is ranked as the third most preferred study destination by Indian students. It is a multicultural society that welcomes people from other cultures, countries, and backgrounds. According to the Australian Department of Home Affairs, over 37,000 Indian students were granted student visas for Australia in 2018-19, registering a growth of 32% over last year.

Reasons to study in Australia

Some of the top reasons to study in Australia are -

  • High-quality education

The quality of life and the education in Australia ranks as the second-best in the world.

  • Better living standards

Cities like Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide, and Brisbane, are ranked among the world’s 30 best cities for students in terms of quality of life, employment opportunities, cost of living, and student community.

  • Numerous Course options

Australia provides a wide range of study options for international students, with 22,000 course options and more than 1,200 institutions.Their laws promote quality education and protection for international students.

  • Funding assistance

Excellent scholarship facilities are provided for the students, which empowers the students to be ambitious and reach the fullest individual potential.

  • Industry-ready skills

Students can gain strong leadership and management skills.

What is The Education System in Australia?

As an international student you must pursue an institution and the course which is registered on CRICOS.

CRICOS registration assures that the course and the institution at which you pursue meet the high quality standards that is expected by international students.

The education system of Australia is majorly divided into the following categories -

  1. Primary School - It is the initial stage usually last for a period of seven or eight years, starting from Kindergarten
  2. Secondary School - Secondary School usually starts from the years 7 to 10 or 8 to 10 and last for for three or four years
  3. Senior Secondary - Senior Secondary usually begins from the years 11 and 12 and it generally lasts for two years.
  4. Tertiary Education - This education consists of both Vocational education training and higher education.

What are the Eligibility exams required to study in Australia?

These are the kind of international level exams that are asked from foreign students to show their foreign language, i.e. English proficiency. There are various different language proficiency exams. Every one of them has their own valuation in different nations. Students can take any of these linguistic exams to get admission in foreign universities. Some of the famous language exams are:

Listed below are some of the tests to be taken by the students -

  1. International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

IELTS Australia test is jointly managed by British Council that is conducted in more than 30 to 35 countries. This test is conducted through more than 800 test centers which includes locations in over 130 countries.The IELTS requirement in Australia is compulsory to meet academic purposes and visas. The minimum IELTS score is 6.5 with no band being below 6.0. The general requirement for Australia after graduation is 7. For getting a student visa for Australia you are required to have a minimum of 5.5 overall scores on the IELTS exam.

  1. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

TOEFL scores is one of the most accepted and most recognized tests among universities, and institutions all around the world. TOEFL test content is generally 100% academic and the TOEFL iBTTM is given 30-40 times a year with more security to attend the test on an internet basis. Whereas, the TOEFL Paper-based Test (or TOEFL PBT) is usually offered in places where the internet based test is not available and this test is given 6 times per year.

  1. Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic)

Pearson Test of English is accepted by more than 150 institutions in Australia that includes a percentage of 80 and also this test is accepted by DIAC for student visa purposes. This test can be taken by the students in twelve cities in India.

  1. Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) Certificates

Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) scores are also accepted and recognized by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) for visa application purposes. The score of CAE is equivalent to the IELTS scores as this test is run by University of Cambridge.

What is the Cost of studying in Australia?

Planning your budget smartly can help you get a hold of your finances effectively. Your prime expenditure would be the tuition fees. The average tuition fees at any of Australia’s tertiary institutions range between AUD 20,000 and AUD 30,000 a year.

There are **various scholarships** available for Indian students that can lessen the burden. With every dream, comes the real life consequences for application of it, and Cost or Budget of Studying Abroad is one of the major hindrances in these dreams. Because studying and living abroad is generally not in everyone’s budget.

To study in Australia, the very first step is to secure a valid student visa. Then comes accommodation, most universities in Australia offer on-campus residence facilities to international students. You can also go for off-campus accommodation wherein you can share apartments with other students from India.

When planning the budget, keep in mind the living expenses. **An international student spends between 20,000 AUD and 27,000 AUD per year.** Check your spending regularly to identify possible savings.

Listed below are some of the wide range of costs for different types of qualifications for the international students who are willing to pursue your studies in Australia.

  1. Undergraduate Bachelor Degree - AUD 20,000 - 45,000
  2. Postgraduate Master’s Degree - AUD 22,000 - 50,000
  3. Doctoral Degree - AUD 18,000 - 42,000
  4. Vocational Education and Training - AUD 4,000 - 22,000

Listed below are the cost of different accommodation

  1. Hostels and Guesthouses - AUD 90 - 150 per week
  2. Shared Rental - AUD 95 - 215 per week
  3. On-campus - AUD 110 - 280 per week
  4. Homestay - AUD 235 - 325 per week
  5. Rental - AUD 185 - 440 per week

Listed below are some of the other expenses

  1. Groceries - AUD 140 - 280 per week
  2. Gas, electricity - AUD 10 - 20 per week
  3. Phone and Internet - AUD 15 - 30 per week
  4. Public transport - AUD 30 - 60 per week
  5. Entertainment - AUD 80 - 150 per week

What are the Scholarships available for studying in Australia?

There is a wide range of scholarships available for Indian students in Australia. They are offered by the Australian Government and the Universities.

  1. Australian Government Research and Training Program (AGRTP)

This scholarship is provided to student’s (local and international) Research Doctorate and Research Master’s degree. The amount offered for this scholarship is $28,092 per year.

  1. Australian Award Scholarship

Covers the expenses of full tuition fees, return air travel, establishment allowance, contribution to living expenses (CLE), Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), etc. Should be enrolled in UG, PG, Ph.D., or Vocational & Training courses offered by participating universities/ TAFE institutions.

  1. International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (IPRS)

Covers the expenses of Full Tuition Fees and Health Cover Costs. Should be enrolled in Research-Based PG/ Doctoral programs.

The above mentioned are a few scholarships funded by the Australian government. There are many other scholarships offered by various universities and colleges for international students.

Top Universities in Australia

The Australian National University topped the highest position consistently in the QS World ranking. The top universities provide the students with skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, interpersonal understanding and better communication. Seven of Australia's universities ranked in the top 100 universities in the world in the World QS ranking and also 15 universities from Australia ranked in the top 50 THE ranking. So Australia has earned the credit of high ranking universities.

  1. Australian National University
  2. University of Sydney
  3. University of Melbourne
  4. University of New South Wales (UNSW)
  5. University of Queensland (UQ)
  6. Monash University
  7. University of Western Australia (UWA)
  8. University of Adelaide
  9. University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
  10. University of Wollongong

Top Courses in Australia

The top courses in Australia include -

Accounting

It is always in demand and qualified accountants often find employment overseas.

Suggestions -

  • Bachelor of Business in Accounting at College of Technology, Sydney (UTS)
  • Bachelor of Applied Finance with the Degree of Bachelor of Commerce-Professional Accounting at Macquarie University.

Business and management

Business colleges in Australia are universally famous and have an urgent spotlight on the Asia-Pacific locale, giving and preparing students a worldwide point of view.

Suggestions -

  • Bachelor of Business (Management of Information Technology) at College of South Australia
  • Bachelor of Business in Business Management at Monash University.

Medicine

Getting a physician certification in Australia requires 5-6 years to finish. Australian clinical capabilities are perceived worldwide and admission to medication in Australia is very competitive.

Suggestions -

  • Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery at College of New South Wales (UNSW)
  • Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science – Nuclear at Charles Sturt University.

Dentistry

This takes 5 year of study. This dentistry programme includes basic medical and sciences studies. Students may also undergo post graduate studies in order to expertise in the particular field.

Suggestions -

  • CQUniversity – Bachelor of Oral Health
  • Charles Sturt University – Bachelor of Dental Science

Law

Globally perceived, Australian law degrees are profoundly pursued around the world.

Suggestions -

  • Bachelor of business law at Bond University
  • Bachelor of Commerce (Business Law) at College of Wollongong

Creative Arts and Design

Some of the famous art courses in Australia are visual arts and crafts, communications and media studies, graphic and design studies.

Suggestions

  • Bachelor of arts at the University of Wollongong

Student Visa in Australia

The visa you need will depend on your age, the type of study you want to pursue, and how long you want to stay in Australia. As an international student, you would most commonly require a student (subclass 500) visa, regardless of your field of study.

The cost amounts to around** AUD 620** and it allows for a stay of up to 5 years and in line with your employment.

You are eligible to apply for this visa only if -

  1. You must be aged 6 or older
  2. Be enrolled in a course of study and have the evidence for the same
  3. Provide evidence of your English language proficiency
  4. Possess enough money for your stay
  5. Meet the character and health requirements.

Documents required for Visa -

  1. Proof of enrolment
  2. Visa application fee
  3. A valid passport
  4. Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement
  5. Evidence of your English proficiency skills (such as IELTS test scores)
  6. Evidence of financial ability (tuition fees, living expenses, expenses for dependents, return airfare)
  7. Academic and work experience documents
  8. Details of your health insurance policy
  9. Statement of purpose

Conclusion

As an international student in Australia, you can live, develop, and learn in a youthful, harmonious country brimming with opportunities. Australians are known to be friendly and helpful people. There are many [Part-time job opportunities (https://www.azent.com/expert-tips/part-time-job-opportunities-tips-australia) for international students.

Australia offers a Temporary Graduate Visa that allows some international students to stay in Australia and continue to work after they have graduated. You can go through career tips for international students in Australia [here] (https://www.azent.com/expert-tips/career-in-australia).

Australian institutions are linked across the country and across the world, which makes it easy to move throughout the education system between courses or institutions, and formal agreement and recognition frameworks mean every step of the path will contribute to your future no matter what your study or career goals are.