Can you imagine traveling and studying on an exotic island with unique biodiversity in the world? Australia fits this description perfectly. One of the largest countries on the planet opens its doors for you to fulfill your dream of having a quality higher education with international validity. There are many benefits that you can enjoy if you decide to study in Australia as a foreigner, and in the following guide we are willing to introduce them to you and show you everything you need to do to enter university, work while you study, obtain your visa or learn English.
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Kangaroos hopping in the desert, cuddly Koalas eating eucalyptus and a night view of the iconic Sydney Opera House. These are the images most associate with Australia, the largest country in Oceania and the only country in the world that rules an entire continent. Although Australian aborigines are said to have lived on the island for more than 45,000 years, it was not until the 17th century that Portuguese and Spanish explorers discovered this vast southern territory. For this reason, the history of Australia remains a debatable subject and an exciting mystery.
Today, this long isolated nation is one of the most advanced and educated countries in the world. According to the OECD Better Life Index , 81% of Australians aged 25-64 have completed their upper secondary education. Australia is also one of the countries with the most national parks and conservation areas, as it is home to a large number of endemic species. There are more than 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the Great Barrier Reef and Fraser Island. With such an introduction, it comes as no surprise that thousands of people want to study in Australia and have the experience of a lifetime.
In addition to having some of the best universities on the planet , there are more than 20,000 study programs for foreigners . If you are considering the idea of becoming an international student, here are 5 excellent reasons to study in Australia :
Have we convinced you yet? Then take a look at the visas that you can process to study in Australia :
If you are from Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador or Uruguay, you can opt for a Work and Vacation Visa (Subclass 462) . This visa allows you to study in Australia for up to 4 months and also work. For more information, click here . Likewise, if your plans are to study English in Australia , the options are very diverse. There are endless courses for different purposes that you can enroll in. Do you want to know more about what it is like to study in Australia? In this guide we tell you!
Shared room |
$1,269 |
Shared room |
$1,005 |
2 bedroom apartment |
$1,532 |
2 bedroom apartment |
$1,451 |
Bus or Metro ticket |
$3 / $5 |
Movie Ticket |
$14 |
A beer in a bar |
$7 |
A beer in the supermarket |
$4 |
Typical Street Food |
$9 |
Meal in a Restaurant |
$35 |
Medical consultation |
$54 |
Phone plans |
$15 / $30 |
Average Cost of Living per Month |
USD $2,877 |
To start our guide on studying in Australia as a foreigner, we want to guide you a little about the costs of living in the country. To be honest, Australia is not exactly the cheapest destination. According to the Expatistan website, it is more expensive to live on this island in Oceania than in 89% of the countries in the world. As in any other nation, the exact budget each student will need depends on multiple factors. On average, it takes $2,877 US dollars to live in Australia for a month . Of course, this figure can decrease or increase in relation to your study provider, the city where you will live and your lifestyle in general. Curious as it may seem, the capital of Australia (Canberra) is not the most expensive city in the country . Sydney takes the crown in terms of income, basic services and leisure. Newcastle, Wollongong and Townsville are the cheapest. Speaking of tuition fees and the price of studying in Australia, we could say that the quality/price ratio is quite competitive. Bachelor’s degrees are between $20,000 and $45,000 , while English courses cost about $300 a week depending on length. For more information about the cost of living and studying in Australia, we recommend you visit the following page .
If you were a bit disappointed to learn that living in Australia is a bit expensive, here are the good news: there are many scholarships, grants and grants to study in Australia . These funding programs are sponsored by the Australian Government, universities and other public and private organisations. The Destination Australia Program (DAP) is one of the country’s leading initiatives to foster education, growth and sustainability.
As a foreign student, you can apply for this program or apply for many other scholarships according to the level of study, nationality and institution. Later we will present you the main scholarships to study in Australia so that you can reach your goal without your financial situation preventing it.
Can you imagine starting a professional career in an environment where the well-being of each student is the priority? Well, that’s exactly how it feels to study at the University in Australia. These institutions are regulated by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) . The objective of this national agency created by the Australian government is simple: to ensure that all universities meet the quality standards promised to international students.
In addition, it ensures that the study plans are always relevant, accurate and up-to-date. In short, by studying at a university in Australia you will receive training that will be highly valued in the world of work . Graduates from disciplines such as Engineering and Technology, Medicine and Environmental Sciences are the best examples of this. Of the 43 universities in Australia, more than 5 are among the top 100 in the world according to the QS Top Universities . Among them, the Australian National University and the University of Melbourne stand out, the oldest on the island founded in the mid-19th century.
In Australia it is quite common for international students (as well as locals) to enroll in double or combined degree programs , especially in fields related to Commerce, Science, Art or Law. If you study one of these courses at an Australian university, you will earn 2 bachelor’s degrees.
Below we will list a list of general requirements that you may need to meet at any Australian university. Keep in mind that these conditions may change depending on the institution and that there will be additional requirements for each program.
Higher Technical Education (TAFE) is a system funded by the Australian Government that manages different institutions throughout the country. Each State has its own TAFE system, so TAFE institutes are generally classified by region. These educational centers offer training courses with the aim of preparing professionals capable of putting all the theory learned into practice. The TAFEs have in common that students not only learn in a classroom, but also abroad, gaining invaluable experiences for the world of work. Some of the most important TAFE Institutions where you can study in Australia are:
The general requirements that you must meet to be accepted into any of these institutes may vary for international students. If you are interested in a program taught at a TAFE, we recommend that you contact the institution and request all the information you need to be admitted.
The university sector in Australia is made up of more than 40 universities, all of them with excellent educational standards. At each, you will have the opportunity to study for a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree. It is also possible to continue your studies in Australia, making a valid equivalency. Some of the universities where you can study in Australia as a foreigner are:
To find out more Australian universities by region, visit the following page .
Do you definitely want to study in this country full of biodiversity? Continue reading to receive information about the types of visas, their requirements, and the process you must follow to study abroad.
Do you want to study at a University in Australia? Does your course last more than 3 months? The Student Visa (Subclass 500) is the ideal document for you. This visa is aimed at all foreigners who want to study in Australia for up to 5 years. If for some reason you want to stay longer on the island, you will have to apply for a new visa that suits your circumstances.
Important. All the information administered for the application of this visa must be true. If you do not present any documents or the authorities suspect that you have not been sincere, your application will be rejected. To see all the requirements in detail, open the following link .
Yes, with a Student Visa you can work up to 40 hours in a 2-week period when your student program has already started. To learn more about this topic, see the following page .
Would you like to visit Australia and also study for 3 months? Then this is the perfect visa for you. The Visitor Visa (Subclass 200) is intended for all foreigners who wish to enter Australia for any purpose except business or medical treatment. With this visa you can stay in Australia for up to 12 months , but this permission can vary depending on the main reason for your visit and how long you would like to stay. However, if you enroll in a course, you will only be able to study for a maximum of 3 months.
Important. The processing time for this visa is between 7 and 8 months, so it is best to start the process in advance.
No, unfortunately a Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) does not authorize you to work in Australia .
Studying English in Australia goes far beyond repeating words in a classroom. The teaching method to learn this language is focused on developing critical thinking and group conversation. In this way, you will have everything you need to apply your English in real situations and in everyday life . There are a large number of English courses that you can study in Australia depending on your goals. With General English, you will strengthen your knowledge of the language to use it every day, when traveling or working. On the other hand, there are courses for specific purposes such as passing an exam, studying at the university or working. Even if you want to have a good time while learning the language, you can sign up for a ” Study Tour”, where English lessons are accompanied by sports, cultural, tourist and social activities. English Australia is the island’s leading body for teaching English as a foreign language. This organization represents more than 100 colleges and academies that provide quality English programs to international students from all over the world. To find the ideal college for you, we recommend you open the following page . Some of the main academies to study English in Australia are:
The requirements to be accepted in a language institute or academy in Australia depends on each one. There are English schools that do not ask foreign students for any specific requirements, except to pay the corresponding fee and have the indicated visa. In some cases, you may need to do an initial assessment to find out which course is most appropriate for you. Regardless of the course or the chosen academy, the best thing you can do is find out on the institution’s own website about the requirements that you must meet.
In general, to be accepted in an English course in Australia, all you have to do is apply from the academy’s online platform and attach the necessary documents. Keep in mind that, depending on the number of students allowed per class, seats can fill up quickly, especially when it comes to popular programs. Similarly, many of the programs open enrollment several times a year, so you will have the opportunity to start when it suits you.
Australia has many types of visas, but at the moment there are none for studying English . This does not mean that you cannot study this language in the land of the emu, but rather that the type of visa that you will have to apply for is not specifically based on the study of English as a foreign language. Depending on the duration of your stay to study English in Australia, you can process one of the visas that we have presented in this guide. If you prefer, you can use the Visa Explorer to find the one that best suits your needs.
In Australia, your effort and desire to access quality education are rewarded. If you are interested in receiving an economic benefit or applying for a scholarship, this Oceanian country offers you many attractive and interesting options. To find out if you qualify for one of the scholarships funded by the Australian Government, universities or other organisations, click here . This tool allows you to search for the ideal scholarship according to the level of study, the field and the nationality. Some of the most relevant are:
Remember that most scholarships sponsored by universities and institutes are automatically approved after completing your application. That is, if you meet the specific requirements for a scholarship, the university will notify you after receiving your acceptance letter.
Australia is definitely an excellent destination to study, but it is also an excellent destination to work while you finish your degree. With the student visa, you have the right to work up to 40 hours every two weeks and without restrictions during the vacation months . Another positive aspect is that, in the workplace, you will be treated as an Australian citizen. This means that you will have protection and will be able to collect at least the minimum hourly wage regardless of the job you have. On the island there are numerous private and governmental organizations that provide all the necessary support to working international students. Thanks to its flexible schedules, the sectors that employ foreigners the most are the hotel, administration, and retail trade.
Nothing produces more satisfaction than seeing your dream come true and having a professional degree in your hands, the product of having studied in Australia. If the culture of this country and its lifestyle have completely captured you, there is nothing to stop you from staying and working after graduation. Here are some useful things to consider in this situation:
To find out more about how you can stay to work in Australia, we recommend you visit the official website of the Department of Internal Affairs . At Go-Study-In, we want our readers to get all the information they are looking for about studying abroad. If you are interested in studying in Australia or any other country, contact one of our expert advisors by filling out the following form.