Why study in Australia?

There are a variety of reasons that you should consider studying in Australia. Australia is actually one of the top countries to move if you are an international student, only behind the United Kingdom and the United States. There are a few reasons that this is the case.

First, Australia actually has some of the best colleges in the world. If you look at the list of the top 100 countries in the world, you will find that seven of them are actually found in Australia, which is quite a feat when the country only has 23 million residents. You also have a lot of choice when you come to Australia. There are over 1100 institutions found across the entire country.

The cost of living in Australia is actually excellent, especially when compared to their counterparts in the United Kingdom and Britain. If you want to study in Australia, you will be pleasantly surprised. Some of the areas where some of the most popular universities are located have relatively low costs of living.

The urban areas (Sydney, Melbourne) may end up costing a bit more to live in, but the cost of living is no different than if you were living in a major city in your home country.

It’s also very easy to find a job so that you can make ends meet while you’re studying. In the urban areas, you may be able to find internships and apprenticeships that are related to the field that you are studying. Depending on what region of Australia you are living in, you may also be able to find employment in the tourism industry, which can help you interact with people from all over the world that come to visit Australia.

Another reason to consider going to Australia as an international student is because there is a lot of scholarship money available for you. The Australian government welcomes potential international students with open arms, and they actually offer up to $250 million dollars a year in scholarships, grants, and other financial aid that is specially set aside for international students. In order to receive this aid, there are some things that you will have to do in terms of applications and grade requirements.

Over 2.5 million people have gone to Australia as international students, and many of them have gone out to make a difference in the world. If you want to study something, you will be able to find it in Australia. Some of the most popular fields to study are the natural sciences (biology, zoology, chemistry, etc), mathematics, engineering, social sciences (sociology, anthropology, archaeology, psychology, etc), and medical fields (even MD’s and PhD’s). If you want to study it, it’s likely that you can find a university in Australia that offers a program in it.

Australian Student Visas

Process to obtain Australian Student Visa for international students

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

For all undergraduate (bachelor) and postgraduate degrees by coursework, you will be applying for a subclass 573 student visa. For postgraduate programmes by research, a subclass 574 student visa is required.

Persons wishing to study in Australia should apply on form 157A and pay the current visa application charge.

Documentation to submit with your application:
  1. Four recent passport-style photographs for each applicant
  2. Supplementary Questionnaire to Form 157A
  3. Completed ‘details of relatives’ form
  4. IELTS test results
  5. 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
  6. All original education documents including all mark sheets for Degrees
  7. Affidavit of support from the person providing financial support
  8. 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
  9. Bank statement from the person(s) providing support outlining transactions for the past 6 months
Processing Times

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.
  1. satisfy the student visa requirements
  • 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 are 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.

Your obligations

  • You must remain enrolled in a course registered on CRICOS (cricos.deewr.gov.au).
  • You must maintain satisfactory attendance on your course, as required by your education provider.
  • You must make satisfactory course progress for each study period.
  • You must advise your education provider of your home address in seven days of arriving in Australia. If you change address during your stay, you must tell your provider within seven days.
  • You must maintain health insurance while in Australia. This can be done by obtaining Overseas Student Health Cover.

All information is correct at the time of publication but is subject to change. Please check the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (www.border.gov.au) for the most up-to-date information.