Reasons To Study In Australia?

When people think of Australia, they see wide open spaces of outback bush, kangaroos, koalas, and clean air and water. Australia has much more to offer than the usual expectations. Many international students are choosing to study in Australia because of its friendly, laid-back nature, excellent education system, and high standard of living.

For students interested in studying in Australia, International Student’s Study in Australia Center is designed to keep you informed on what to expect down under. There are thousands of courses offered, and this guide is ideal in helping you from beginning to end. The Australian school search can help you find the right school, our resource pages will help you study, work, and live in Australia, and we even have information on what to expect after graduation. Find all you need to know about studying in OZ.

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. For those international students who successfully complete their degree, they will soon find that they are competitive in today’s international job market.

Choosing The Right Program

How do you know what program/university is right for you? Referring to our Factors to Consider section should give a good understanding of what you need to think about to make the right choice.

Living in Australia

Living in Australia will be different from life in your home country. To prepare for an experience in a foreign country far from home, our Living in Oz section provides help, advice, and information about what life is like in Australia.

Insurance For Australia

Many international students traveling and studying in Australia will want to have a private health insurance plan in place for the full duration of their time abroad. It’s important to think about what type of coverage you’ll need and if you plan to do any international traveling. Students often opt to apply for travel medical insurance coverage for Australia so that they will be covered should the unexpected happen. Whether you get sick, need emergency care, or need evacuation coverage, international travel medical insurance will be helpful.

Australia has a special health insurance coverage for international students called Overseas Student Health Cover (OSCH). This insurance is required while on your student visa in Australia – but what happens if you travel to another country? Or if you need more comprehensive coverage? Or if you will be traveling to Australia as a non-student?

Working In Australia

One of the benefits of being an international student in Australia is the ability to work part-time while completing your degree. Australia gives those with a student visa automatic permission to work. International students must find a job on their own, but once hired, they will gain hands-on experience in a number of fields including retail, administration, and hospitality. Not only is this a unique opportunity for students to gain real work-experience in Australia, it also helps students cover their living and college expenses as well as improves their business English fluency.

If you are interested in Working in Australia, we can help provide information on visa requirements, working permissions, landing a job, and more. See why many international students are choosing Australia as their study destination where they can get international work experience and improve their English.

Financial Aid For Australia

Studying in Australia can be expensive. The key to success is to budget ahead of time and secure financial assistance. Once you have verified your costs, the next step is calculating how much you and your family can afford. International organizations, international scholarships, international student loans, and private Australian organizations can be important funding sources that can help you study in Australia. Read our Financial Aid section to learn more.

Post Graduation

You have graduated – now what happens? What are your options? Can you stay in Australia? Do you need to leave the country? Can you go to Graduate School? Upon graduation, students have many options – this section will help decide what is right for you.

Choosing The Right Program

The Australian system offers the international student many options to pursue, from ESL programs to graduate degree programs. Australia also has very strong vocational and technical programs through the Technical and Further Education (TAFE) system. Here is a list of the most popular types of programs offered

ESL – English As A Second Language

Almost 20% of all international students who come to Australia enroll in an intensive ESL program (known in Australia as ELICOS) to improve their English. This number increases as students choose the multicultural atmosphere of Australia to learn English.

There are hundreds of institutions that currently offer English language programs and they vary by school. Programs cater to all levels, from beginner to advanced, and there are normally no admission requirements. Students will also take an ESL program as a foundation for their undergraduate studies in Australia.

Normally students take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) to indicate their level of understanding of English. In Australia, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)is preferred by many institutions.

The ESLdirectory.com has an online database of ESL schools – please visit to find a school that’s right for you!

Undergraduate / Graduate Degrees

There are 39 registered universities in Australia offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. These programs fall under several categories:

VET – Vocational Education and Training

Australia’s VET system, called TAFE (Technical and Further Education) is a network of institutions that offer programs that are both practical and career-orientated. These programs enable students to begin their career path with study and work all rolled into one program. The main benefit to employers of VET graduates is that they know the individual has practical, work place experience as well as the theoretical background. International students sometimes use TAFE/VET programs to enter Australia and increase their chances of becoming permanent residents.

Study Abroad

Studying Abroad can be an excellent way to learn and experience a new culture and education system, without fully enrolling for a full degree. Through special arrangements, you could spend a semester or full year at an institution in replace for time at your school in your home country.

To learn more about Study Abroad opportunities, please check with your institution you are currently attending, or visit our dedicated Study Abroad section, where you can search for Study Abroad programs in Australia.

Private/Specialized Colleges

There are many colleges in Australia that offer diplomas, or certificates in most every area of study. These private/specialized colleges vary in price depending on the school but they all basically offer program that can range from 3 months to 3 year. Credits from these courses may be able to be transferred to universities, but this it dependent on the college and its relationship with

Living in OZ

Australia is a land of diversity and culture. Living in a new country can be very different and your lifestyle is likely to change. To help you adapt to Australia specifically, we have compiled resources detailing what life in Australia is like:

Map And Climate

For international students from Europe and North America, the climate in Australia may take some getting used to, as the Australian seasons are opposite to those in Europe and North America. The climate in Australia varies widely depending on the area, as Australia consists of a variety of environments: from beaches to deserts to grazing lands to coral reefs.

People and Culture

Australia is an extremely culturally diverse country. It is varied in its religion, language, history, and art. International students who study in Australia will find themselves studying in a fascinating and diverse environment.

Accommodation

One of the first things international students will have to determine when preparing to study in Australia is where to live. The majority of Australian students live off-campus through homestay programs, in hostels, or rental properties. However, some Australian universities provide housing options, which allows international students to socialize with local students.

Getting Around

Australia is an extremely large country, making transportation very important. The public transportation system is very efficient, and international students should always be able to get to where they need to go, whether by bus, train, rideshare, bike, or plane.

Money Matters

Tuition in Australia is generally less expensive than tuition in other countries like the United States or United Kingdom, but it is still important for international students to budget and be careful with their finances.

Visa Requirements

The Australian Government allows people who are not Australian citizens or permanent residents to study in Australia. There are several requirements that must be fulfilled. Find out which forms you need and where to obtain them.

Working in Australia

After reviewing this section you should know most of what you’ll need to work in Australia while you are an international student and after you graduate. Working in Australia is very easy to do while you are a student – after graduation, it’s more difficult. Remember, as an international student, you should never expect to live on the money you make while studying, but the extra income can certainly help you meet your financial needs.

Student Visa Rules

Learn the rules governing how much you can work while studying in Australia. As a general rule, students can work for up to 20 hours per week while school is in session, and full time during school breaks.

Work Permission and Other Practicalities

Find out about receiving permission to work, obtaining a tax file number, opening a bank account, etc. – all the practicalities you need to start earning that paycheck!

Getting a Job

Get practical advice on landing a job in Australia, including the kinds of jobs you can expect to get, potential wages, where to look for jobs, and how to maintain your best foot forward when you do land one.

After Graduation

After graduation, many international students want to stay in Australia and work. This section has helpful information as international graduates plan to extend their stay in Australia.

Growing Destination

Australia is currently the third most popular destination for international students in the English-speaking world, behind the United States and the UK. Many international students choose to study there because of the cultural diversity, friendly natives, and high quality of education.

Global Recognition

Graduates from Australian schools are highly sought after due to the impressive international reputation of the Australian education system. This system is carefully regulated by the government in order to maintain the high standards of education associated with the country.

Cost of Living

Australia’s standard of living is amongst the highest in the world. Living expenses and tuition costs are considerably lower in Australia than they are in the United States and United Kingdom. International students are able to work part time while they study, allowing them to offset their living costs. There is also the possibility of scholarships, which helps to lower the cost of studying for international students.

Diversity of Education

Institutions in Australia offer a wide variety of courses and degrees, so international students can easily find the school and field that are right for them. The first decision international students have to make when choosing a degree program is which school caters most to their needs and interests. Students can choose between universities, vocational education, and English language training. If necessary, it is easy for students to move between one qualification level and from one institution to another.

Technology

One of the most appealing aspects of Australia for international students is the emphasis on scientific research. Australia is at the forefront of new technology and innovations. Students who study in Australia can take advantage of the country’s impressive technology and resources.

Work

International students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week while studying in Australia. This is a great opportunity for those who want to earn money to offset living expenses during their stay, and for students who want to gain work experience in their field of interest while they study. Find out some important things to keep in mind for the working student in Oz.