Why Study In Australia?

In recent years, Australia has seen an increase in the number of student admissions due to its world-class education, post-education employment opportunities, and high standard of living. Australia currently stands proud among 8 of the 100 top universities in the world. Australian qualifications are well known and renowned worldwide for their research and training methods. International students are protected by strict government regulations for their benefit and protection.

Life in the Country
Historically Australia was well known as a nation where convicts were sent from countries such as Great Britain. Today about 20% of Australians are descendants of convicts with the remaining being descendants of a working-class society, who inhabit the country along with the original inhabitants, the aborigines. They are proud of the fact that they could build a modern egalitarian society in inhospitable vegetation provided by the country. The local sin Australia possess common characteristics with the likes of Europe and North America in terms of fashion and entertainment and are known for their sarcastic and ironic humour.

Australia has been an attraction for students all over the world who look for higher education, with Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide being the chosen destinations. When compared with other countries in terms of standard of living, Australia is unparalleled with their top of the class infrastructure, medical and healthcare facilities, advanced transportation, and affordable accommodation.

Australia garners its Western culture mainly from Great Britain due to the country being colonized in 1788. As a result, English is the most commonly spoken language, with a unique accent and slang that can be confusing in some respects.

Attitude and Etiquette of the local People
The Aussies are casual and relaxed and are known to be laid back and not very big on formal greetings. Another common culture shared with Western countries is their way of greeting when meeting for the first time, where they generally shake hands, smile, and introduce themselves. They take the time spent with family and friends very seriously. Meeting for picnics, family barbeques, parties, visiting the beach, and meeting at the park are the Australian way of life along with gift exchanges on special occasions and holidays. Bringing a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates when invited for a meal is considered to be polite. Australians are very punctual and being late is considered to be impolite, especially if you are late by more than 15 minutes. Do remember to inform the host before any delays!

Language

There are more than 300 languages that are spoken throughout the country which include Mandarin, Italian, Arabic, and Greek. English is the most common language spoken in Australia. English is not Australia’s official language but it is effectively the de-facto national language and is spoken almost universally.

Part-Time and Post Study Work Opportunities

Students can work up to 20 hours per week and can opt to for weekend work, or jobs during the holiday seasons to help them stay grounded and focus on their interpersonal skills. Part-time jobs are given to the students to supplement their finances. Part-time work can help you earn money to pay back student loans, for leisure purposes, or to enhance your skills.

To help make the process easier, you can open a bank account with an Australian bank to deposit your earnings and apply for a Tax File Number from the Australian Taxation Office to avoid being taxed at the highest rate.

There are many different options to find work in Australia based on your interest and skills. Consider looking for work that is convenient for you so that it does not affect your studies. Hence, looking for jobs near your local area or your campus.

Some of the options to be considered:

On-Campus Jobs: Flexible and has many benefits. You can pick hours for your on-campus job according to your preference and depending on how much money you want to earn
Services: Call Centres, Petrol stations, supermarkets, and other businesses with administrative work
Retail: Selling goods like electronics, clothing, etc. to customers which could be a store chain, small or large department store.
Industry: You can get a job in a specific industry in your field of study if you are lucky
Hospitality: Part-time jobs at restaurants, takeaway food stores, cinemas, sporting venues, hotels, and bars
Australia now provides a new post-study work stream visa, offered by the Australian Government. This enables you to study, live, and work in a designated regional area of the country for up to four years. These new updates help you plan your career in a better way, giving you a wider range of areas to study and work in.

Top Universities in Australia with varied Course Options:

Australia is a highly vibrant and cosmopolitan country that also provides excellent academic programs. Australia has some of the best student-friendly cities that combine excellent teaching and leisure activities. It is an affordable destination for students in terms of living and tuition costs alongside the most prestigious universities worldwide. Australian Universities have been ranked and included in University rankings like the World University Rankings and Academic Rankings of World Universities every year. According to the QS World University Rankings 2021, Australia features 36 Universities. Each University offers a range of course options for students to choose from.

The top Universities in Australia include:

Australian National University
University of Sydney
University of Melbourne
University of New South Wales
University of Queensland
Monash University
University of Western Australia
University of Adelaide
University of Technology Sydney
University of Wollongong

Top Institutes

Diverse study options:

International students are offered a large range of study options in Australia.
Australian Schools: Schooling consists of a foundation and 12 years of primary and secondary school.
English language training: ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) helps students with independent training to boost English language skills in preparation for their studies in Australia set to a world-class standard.
Vocational education and training: VET, made for precise workplace skillfulness provides many professions, businesses, technical and provision aspects, deals, and interactive services.
Types of Degrees:
Level 6 – Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree

Level 7 – Bachelor Degree

Level 8 – Bachelor Honors Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma

Level 9 – Masters Degree

Level 10 – Doctoral Degree

Fee range in local currency (AUD):

Accommodation, food, health coverage, travelling and tuition fee is a must to consider before proceeding further to study in Australia. The primary expense will be the tuition fee which depends on what you opt for. Medical degrees cost much more than others. Tertiary institution ranges from AUD 20,000 and AUD 30,000 a year.

The following are the list of Government-funded Scholarships for international students provided by the Australian Government:

Australia Awards Scholarships (AAS) – For all degree levels (Bachelors, Masters, Ph.D.) for students hailing from countries within the Asia-Pacific region.
Destination Australia Awards – Available for both domestic and international students.
Research Training Program (RTP) – To study a research degree at a participating Australian university at a Postgraduate level.
International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (IPRS) –The scholarship is available for two years for a Master's research program or three years for a Doctorate research program covering the tuition fee and health care costs.
The following scholarships are University-specific scholarships for international students:
Australian Catholic University International Student Scholarships
Australian National University
Adelaide Scholarships International (ASI)
Charles Darwin University Vice-Chancellor’s International High Achievers Scholarships
Curtin University International Research Scholarships
Flinders International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (FIPRS
La Trobe Academic Excellence Scholarships (AES)
Melbourne Research Scholarships (MRS)
Monash University International Scholarships for Excellence.
University of Sydney International Scholarships
University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships
UNSW International Scholarships
Other Australian Scholarships for International Students:
International Water Centre Scholarships for International Students – For international students studying Masters in Integrated Water Management program at the University of Queensland in Brisbane
The Northcote Graduate Scholarships – For UK students at the postgraduate level who wish to pursue their education in Australia for up to three years. The Britain-Australia Society on behalf of the Northcote Trust provides the scholarship.
Fulbright Program – For American citizens across all career stages offered by the Australian-American Fulbright Commission. Awardees of this program will take part in an academic and cultural exchange, to research or study at an Australian institute.

The Government of Australia welcomes all students who wish to pursue their studies in the country. However, a student visa is necessary and is granted after a scrutiny of the age, type of course, and stay duration.

Student Visa (subclass 500)
A student subclass 500 visa allows you to stay in Australia for the length of your study program (up to 5 years) and according to the date of enrolment.

All International Students are to obtain a Student Visa (subclass 500).

This Visa lets you:
Participate in your desired study program.
Stay with the company of family members.
Apply in or outside of Australia.
Documents required for an Australian Student Visa
The necessary documents required for applying for an Australian Student Visa are as follows:

Proof of enrolment
A valid passport
Visa application fee
Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement
Curriculum Vitae and related documents
IELTS test scores
Evidence of financial capabilities
Evidence of Overseas Student Health Cover
Statement of purpose
Passport-size photographs
If under 18 years, you will need to present parental consent.
Visa fee
Students must pay a Visa fee that varies depending upon the category that they fall in:

Student Visa (Subclass 500)
Student Visa (Subclass 500) (Subsequent Entrant)
Student Visa (Subclass 500)- Foreign Affairs or Defence Sector
Student Visa (Subclass 500)- Postgraduate Research Sector
Student Guardian (Subclass 590)
English language requirements
Australian student visa requires a minimum score of 5.5 bands in each of the four modules in your IELTS exam-the world’s most common and highly recognized English language proficiency test.

Student Visa with dependants
The dependents can also accompany the student, providing they meet the following requirements. They must be:

A spouse or de facto partner of the applicant
At least 18 years of age
Unmarried dependent child under 18 years
However, before bringing your spouse or children to Australia, you will have to prove that you can support them financially. The cost of supporting a family in Australia is very high, therefore may have to consider and discuss many issues with your family.

Australia offers accommodation to students from all walks of life. There are a variety of options to can choose from; on-campus accommodations, homestays, shared houses, and rental properties. Being one of the most favourable educational hubs in the world, a primary concern for any student is finding proper accommodation.

Homestay: During the initial stages of your arrival, Homestay is a considerable option. It will provide valuable insights into the cultural heritage of the people and will help introduce you to life as an Aussie. You can opt for either short-term or long-term Homestay tenure.

Residential Colleges: For International students, staying within the College campus can be one of the most convenient options available. Apart from ease of commute and convenience, staying in the college will also provide students a full campus experience.

Student Apartments: Student apartments are essentially housing complexes that are dedicated for the sole purpose of accommodation for students. If you choose to stay in one, you will be living with your peers. This is a great way to form bonds with your college mates. You will have the option of either a single or a shared room with a common bathroom and kitchen.

Private Rental: Staying in a private rental in Australia is one of the best options. You can choose to either stay alone or with friends. This is also the most inexpensive option comparatively, especially if you choose to have flatmates. Usually, these apartments are unfurnished, so that is one aspect that you will have to look into.

Halls of Residence: These residences are either owned by institutions or are affiliated with them. They are usually located within the college or are within the area. You can rent a single bedroom with common kitchens and bathrooms or have an apartment-style room with a private kitchen and bathroom. All utilities are provided for and included in the fees- Wi-Fi included.

Hostel Accommodation: This is a good option for students who require short-term accommodation or a temporary stay until permanent lodging is found. You will have a choice between two types of Hostels to live in: Backpacker hostels and Classic hostels.

Routes to Permanent Settlement
You can become a permanent resident of Australia in different ways with three of the most common ways being:

Family-stream permanent visa
Work-Stream permanent visa
Business or Investor-Stream permanent Visa