How to Study in Australia
Australia is the third most popular destination for international students worldwide, even though it only has a population of around 25 million people. This should come as no surprise though as Australia has 5 out of the 30 best student cities in the world, and is home to 8 out of 100 of the top universities worldwide.
Applying to Australian Universities
When looking to study at an Australian university you should consider things such as quality of teaching, learning resources, student support services and value for money. The Australian Federal Government also extend more than $200 million in investments into international scholarships for students wishing to study in Australia.
Once you are ready to apply, you can apply directly or through an Australian education agent. All institutions will have a list of their specific appointed agents on their website. Once you have applied, you can expect an admission result within 2-4 weeks.
Most Australian universities do not charge an application fee but it’s worth checking with your institution. Some may charge a nominal fee of around $100. If you use an education agent you may have to pay them a fee to submit on your behalf.
If you have any issues with your institution before, during or after your studies, you can contact the Overseas Student Ombudsmen for assistance.
Getting Your Australian Visa
If you do not already have a visa that allows you to stay and study in Australia, you will need to apply for a student visa (subclass 500). The cost of this visa is $575 AUD, which allows you to stay in Australia for up to 5 years.
You can find out more about student visas and how to apply for a student visa in Australia here.
Once you submit your visa, it can take up to 40-50 days to be processed. If you need assistance through the application process, your education agent or admissions department at your university will be able to help. Once you get a visa, it applies nationally.
Working While Studying
Most student visas in Australia will allow you to work for up to 40 hours per fortnight during the university semester and unrestricted hours during semester break. Whilst working in Australia as an international student, Fair Work legislation applies to you as well to ensure you are paid fairly and are provided a safe working environment.
Life in Australia
If a fast-paced lifestyle is what you are looking for, you can move to one of the capital cities. You will have to consider the cost of living in Australia as cities can be quite expensive. The average annual cost of living in Australia for international students is around $20,000 – $30,000 AUD. To get an estimate on potential costs for you to live in Australia you can check out this cost of living calculator.
You can find more information about studying in Australia here.
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