Australia

Overview

A peaceful and relaxed atmosphere, together with the cosmopolitan charisma of cities like Sydney and Melbourne, Australia could be the ideal destination for you. Strong educational infrastructure, a high quality of life, relatively lower expenses and easy visa chances have made Australia, a preferred destination for courses in the recent times. Though facing a heavy competition, Australian education is gaining increased acceptance in the global arena.

In the past 10 years, more than 14 Lakh students from overseas have studied in Australia which is a proof of the growing craze for Australia. Of these, around 27,000 were Indian students, studying mainly in the fields of post-graduate studies. Students from all over the world come to Australia to take advantage of its world-class higher education, its progressive vocational education and training, its excellent schools and its world leadership in English language courses for international students.

These students enjoy not only our high quality courses of study, but also our specialist support services and our safe and welcoming society. The internationalization of Australian education and training has been occurring at a rapid rate. Linkages between Australian and overseas schools, universities and colleges, and linkages and exchange between individual students and staff have blossomed. The Australian Department of Education, Science & Training is represented in India at the Australian High Commission in New Delhi. The method of study in Australia may be very different to what you have experienced so far. Therefore it is important to give yourself a head start. Keep up to date with Australian news and current affairs and become familiar with Australia’s education system and learning culture.

When you arrive, practice listening to the Australian accent – it is different but you will soon understand the local terms and way of speaking. In Australia, students are expected to conduct independent research, collect and analyze data by themselves or in-groups, to raise questions, to participate in discussions and debates with other students and teachers. Rote learning does not exist and students take an active part in the learning process. Students spend a great deal of time in libraries and laboratories conducting their own research. To be a successful student you will need to adapt to these new methods of learning and assessment.

Students are assessed continuously through essays, presentations, tests, assignments etc. One thing that may surprise you is the amount of access that you will be able to obtain with your tutors and lecturers. If you are having an academic problem, discuss it with them – don’t let it develop from a minor issue into a major problem for you

Why Australia

Climate: Nearly a third of Australia is in the tropics and the rest is in the temperate zone : Summer is from December to February; autumn from March to May; winter from June to August; and spring from September to November.

Language: Although English is the official language, a host of other languages like French, Spanish and Hindi are spoken in Australia.

Culture: Australia is a safe, friendly, sophisticated and harmonious multi-cultural society in which students can learn, travel and live harmoniously. Australia is a safe country compared to almost any other country world. Crime and political unrest are rarely seen in Australia. Your study plans and progress are not likely to be upset by political turmoil. People from about 200 countries have migrated to Australia, making Australia one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. The multicultural nature of Australian society means international students are readily accepted by other students and teachers.

Australia is rich in the arts and music. In music, Australia has developed a fertile environment that supports a great range of musical tastes ranging from the most avant-garde experimental to folk, from the youthful sounds of chart-busting pop to the unique music of the aboriginal people. Painting in Australia has a history that can not only be traced back over forty thousand years of Aboriginal culture but also is represented in the major museums and galleries of modern and avant-garde art, worldwide.

People: Australians are open, warm and friendly people and you will find a welcoming embrace in Australia. Many students living in home stay situations experience Australian family life in a natural, friendly way and often find they are treated like a family member. Wherever you live – home stay, boarding school or campus accommodation – you will discover many opportunities to make lasting friendships.

Religion: Australia is predominantly a Christian country; however, all religions are represented in the community. Devotees will find churches, mosques, temples and synagogues located in most major cities.

Sports and recreation: Australians are very keen on sport and outdoor activities and has a world wide reputation for sports and outdoor activities. This is endorsed by the Olympic Committee’s selection of Sydney to host the Olympic Games in the year 2000.

Transport: Australia has an extensive public transport system that includes trains, buses, tramways, ferries, two major national airlines and a number of regional airlines. Metropolitan areas are divided into zones and your ticket type and cost depends on which zone you are going to travel in and for how long. Tourist students may drive in Australia on a valid overseas driver’s license but if the document is not in the English language the visitor must carry a translation with the permit. An international driving license is not sufficient by itself. Cab services: Metered taxicabs operate in all major cities and towns. There is a minimum charge on hiring and then a charge per kilometer traveled. Taxi drivers do not expect to be tipped.

Courses in Australia

Australia has emerged as a popular destination for higher education because of its strong educational infrastructure, a high quality of life, and relatively lower expenses.

Australia has both government and private Universities that offer to programs called “Under Graduate”, and after graduation courses called “Graduate Programs or Post Graduate”.

The most popular courses of study for international students have been in the fields of Business, Administration and Economics, followed by Science, then Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

In general the time duration of a Graduate Certificates =6 months, Master=1 year, Master Honor=1.5 year, Doctorate= 2 years.

However these degrees are not measured by time but by subjects/ courses taken, therefore depending on how may subjects courses they do per semester, it may impact the time it takes to complete them.

Most of these post graduate courses however, do have a time limit to Complete.

Types of Programs and Qualifications

Undergraduate

Bachelor Degree

Bachelor Degree (with Honors)

Undergraduate Diplomas

Associate Diplomas

Postgraduate

Masters Degrees

Doctoral Degrees

Graduate Diplomas

Graduate Certificates

As per the official site for Australian Education, The student visa has seven separate sub-classes for each education sector. You should apply under the visa sub-class for your principal course of study.

Student visa sub-classes

Subclass 570 Independent ELICOS

for international students undertaking ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) as a stand-alone course, and not as a prerequisite to commencing another course (for example, a degree course)

Subclass 571 Schools

for international students undertaking ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) as a stand-alone course, and not as a prerequisite to commencing another course (for example, a degree course)

Subclass 572 Vocational and technical education (VTE) sector

covers Certificate I, II, III and IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma.

Subclass 573 Higher education

covers a Bachelor degree, Associate Degree, Graduate Certificate, and Graduate Diploma

Subclass 574 Postgraduate Research

covers a Masters degree by coursework or by research, and a Doctoral degree

Subclass 575 Non-award

covers foundation, bridging or other courses that do not lead to the award of a degree, diploma or other formal award

Subclass 576 AusAID or Defence sponsored

covers full-time study undertaken by AusAID or Defence students sponsored by the Australian Government.

General requirements

-you are of good character

-you are of sound health

-you have acceptable health insurance through the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for yourself and members of your family unit accompanying you to Australia

-you have no outstanding debts to the Commonwealth of Australia, or have made arrangements acceptable to the Minister to repay such a debt

-where you are under 18 years of age, acceptable arrangements for your accommodation, support and general welfare are in place

Colleges List

Melbourne

Sydney 

Brisbane 

Perth 

Queensland 

Gold Coast 

Canberra 

Canberra Institute of Technology

Darwin 

International College of Advanced Education

Visa Information

As a visa applicant, you must fulfill the following requirements:

An Offer of Acceptance - Before a student can apply for a student visa, a valid offer letter from a CRICOS registered Australian institute is required.

English Proficiency - An IELTS score is a mandatory requirement and evidence of this must be included at the time of application for the student visa. The TOEFL exam is not accepted.

Financial Capacity - Student visas are granted when a student can prove that they have adequate funds to support themselves in Australia , pay for their tuition and care for dependant family members included on the visa.

Work Permit Rules - As a student in Australia , you will only have a limited working allowance on your visa. Therefore adequate funding to pay for living expenses and tuition are important and must be evidenced to gain the visa. If you take time off from study to work, you will fall below full-time study levels, exceed your work allowance on the visa, or will fail academically. Any of these things can lead to visa cancellation.

Bonafides - The student needs to submit their past academic records for verification as well as a statement of purpose for undertaking the desired course.

Health cover - Because Medicare, the Australian national health system, is not available to overseas students, you must maintain your Overseas Student Health (OSHC) cover while in Australia.

Non-Immigrant Intent – You must leave Australia before your visa expires.

Good Character – Other requirements are that you be a genuine student, have good health and be of good character-without a criminal record.

Student visa requirements

In order to get a Student Visa, you must satisfy the norms of the Visa requirements and Your student visa will list the conditions that apply specifically to you. It is important to comply with your visa conditions to avoid visa cancellation.

Here is the extracted information on Visa and it is bound to timely changes. For more detailed, accurate and up-to-date information on student visas and visa requirements please check the official site -

Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA)