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Study in Australia

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.

How to study in Australia as a foreigner? What do you need?

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 :

  1. Commitment to develop successful knowledge and skills. All higher education institutions are equipped to make you a competent, innovative and creative professional.
  2. Globally recognized institutions . In recent years, several Australian universities have been ranked among the top 100 in the world in international rankings such as QS and Times Higher Education.
  3. You will gain work experience while you study. Many courses and training programs include internships so you can gain experience before you graduate.
  4. You can access student support services. You will find many support centers where you will receive useful advice to adapt faster to your new life in Australia.
  5. You will be safe. Several Australian cities have some of the lowest crime rates in the world.

Have we convinced you yet? Then take a look at the visas that you can process to study in Australia :

  • Student Visa (Subclass 500). Visa for all foreigners who want to study in Australia full time. It allows you to stay up to 5 years in the country, as long as you are studying the program indicated on the visa.
  • Visitor Visa (Subclass 600). Visa for foreigners who wish to visit Australia and study for a maximum of 3 months. The time you can stay in the country depends on the dates specified in the visa.

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!

How much does it cost to live in Australia?

Shared room
in the capital

$1,269

Shared room
in another city

$1,005

2 bedroom apartment
in the capital

$1,532

2 bedroom apartment
in another city

$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 .

Can you study in Australia for free?

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.

Study at University in Australia

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.

Requirements to Study at an Australian University as a foreigner

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.

  • Take a basic course ( bridging study) . Although not required, it is highly recommended that international students take an introductory course. These courses help prepare you to study at your chosen university. In general, they last 1 year and are taught by the institution itself.
  • Have a valid foreign title. To study a bachelor’s degree in Australia you must have a degree that the university recognizes. Some examples are the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, Australian Foundation Programs, Australian Year 12 and High School Diploma and SAT/ACT . To give you an idea, you can see the list of degrees accepted at the University of Melbourne here .
  • Demonstrate your command of English. Any foreigner who is not from an English-speaking country must demonstrate their language proficiency. To do this, they will probably ask you for the results of an international test such as IELTS, TOEFL or B2 First.
  • Meet the minimum program requirements. Most Australian university programs have specific requirements that students must meet. Of course, these requirements depend on the type of program you will take and the area of study.
  • Have a Student Visa.

Requirements to Study at a TAFE Institution?

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:

  • Canberra Institute of Technology
  • TAFE Queensland
  • TAFE South Australia (TAFE SA)
  • Box Hill Institute
  • Chisholm Institute
  • Kangan Institute

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.

How to Apply for University as an international student

  1. Choose the program of your interest. The first step to study in Australia is to find the right program for you. As there is a lot of variety, we recommend you to be patient and do a calm search. To expedite the process, you can open the following link and learn more about the available fields of study.
  2. Check the admission requirements and the program fee. As we already mentioned, each program has specific admission requirements. Review them and make sure you have no doubts before continuing. Regarding the fee, keep in mind that, generally, tuition fees are based on the subjects registered in each academic semester. When choosing a program, the cost of tuition should appear in its description.
  3. Submit your request. If you have already verified all the requirements, it is time to send the application to the university. Each institution has its own platform for this purpose and you must follow the steps indicated.
  4. Wait for the answer. Australian universities take 2-4 weeks to respond to overseas students. Try to be patient and wait for them to contact you by email.
  5. Look for a scholarship . Did they accept you? Congratulations! Now you can check if you are eligible for a scholarship. Almost all universities in Australia offer financial support to international students, so… take advantage of it!

In which Universities can I study in Australia?

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:

  • University of Canberra
  • Australian National University
  • Australian Catholic University
  • Charles Sturt University
  • University of New England
  • University of Sydney
  • Sydney University of Technology
  • Charles Darwin University
  • University of Queensland
  • University of Tasmania
  • James Cook University
  • University of Melbourne
  • bond university

To find out more Australian universities by region, visit the following page .

The Most Popular Public Universities in Australia

Private Universities with the best international agreements

Visas to Study in Australia

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.

Student Visa (Subclass 500)

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.

Requirements to Apply for a Student visa

  • Be enrolled in a valid course and prove it. The first thing you must have on hand to apply for your Student Visa is a letter or proof that you have been accepted to a valid course in Australia. The program must be registered with the Commonwealth Overseas Student Institutions and Courses Register (CRICOS) .
  • Provide a Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE). It is a code that you must place on your visa application form. If you are applying to more than one course on your application, you must include all CoE codes. You will only be able to apply for two or more courses if one program clearly leads to the next.
  • Demonstrate your knowledge of English. To verify that you will understand the content of the course you are applying to, the Australian authorities need to know that you are fluent in English. Therefore, they will ask you for the result of an international exam. If you take the IELTS, you need a minimum score of 5.5, while in the TOEFL you need a score of 46.
  • Have an approved Australian health insurance – Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) . You and everyone traveling with you to Australia must be covered by valid health insurance, unless an exception applies. Coverage should start the day you arrive to study in Australia, not the day your course starts. Your OSHC must be valid throughout your stay in the country. You can arrange this insurance on your own or find out if your educational institution in Australia does it for you.
  • Show that you have enough money to support yourself in Australia. The amount needed depends on your lifestyle, the course you will study and the general expenses of the trip. To know exactly how much money you should have, use the following tool .
  • Show that you are a genuine temporary student – Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE). To process the Australian Student Visa, you must write a personal statement that meets the GTE requirements . Some of the information that you must include in this letter are: previous studies, if there is a gap in your previous studies and why, information about your current job, family, social and financial ties to demonstrate that you must return to your country of residence, among others. Anything you include in your personal statement must be accompanied by supporting evidence.
  • Pass the “Character Test”. If you are applying for a subclass 500 visa to study in Australia, you must demonstrate that you have the appropriate character required by the Australian authorities. To do so, you must report all criminal conduct that you have engaged in in the past. All documents must be issued by an authorized body. For more information, open the following link .
  • Meet the Australian health requirement. Australia is a country recognized for having one of the best health systems in the world. For this reason, all foreigners need to meet the Australian medical requirement. You will likely be required to submit a medical exam, a chest X-ray, and an HIV test. To learn more about these requirements, click here .
  • Sign the statement of Australian values.
  • Have a valid passport.
  • Pay the consular fee (from $475 dollars).

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 .

Process to Apply for a Student visa

  1. Start your application. Start with the online application process for your Student Visa. It is best to do so at least 6 weeks before the start of the course. To start the process, click here .
  2. Gather the documents. Make sure you have all the necessary documents that you need to attach.
  3. Wait for the answer. After sending all the papers it is time to wait. The waiting time can vary greatly depending on the profile of each applicant. On average, the process takes from 90 days to 4 months.
  4. Study in Australia! If your Student Visa (Subclass 500) has been approved, you are ready to study in Australia and start building your professional future. The Australian authorities will contact you to find out your visa grant number, expiration date and its conditions.

Can you study and work with a Student visa?

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 .

Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)

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.

Requirements for a Visitor Visa

  • Valid passport.
  • Pay the consular fee (from $280 dollars).
  • Meet medical requirements . To meet the health standards to enter Australia, you may be required to submit a medical examination, chest X-ray and HIV test. To find out exactly what medical requirements you must meet according to your age and situation, open the following link .
  • Check that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Australia.
  • Comply with the conduct requirements. As in the Student Visa, to process this visa you must provide all the legal information that is requested to verify if you have participated in criminal activities. To learn more about this requirement, click here .
  • Show that you are a genuine visitor. You have to show that you do not intend to stay in Australia and that you will comply with the visa conditions. For this reason, they may ask you for documents such as plane tickets back to your country, proof of hotel accommodation, etc.

Important. The processing time for this visa is between 7 and 8 months, so it is best to start the process in advance.

Process to Apply for a Visitor Visa

  1. Start the process at the Australian Embassy or Consulate in your country. Unlike the previous visa, the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) must be processed in person at the corresponding office in your country.
  2. Present all the documents. The more information you provide to support your application, the better chance you have of getting your visa approved. To know in detail what documents you need, we suggest you open this link .
  3. Wait for an answer. As we mentioned above, the processing time for this visa is quite long. Also, if you don’t submit all the necessary documents or make a mistake while applying, the waiting period can be extended even further.
  4. Travel to Australia. Has your Visitor Visa been approved? Brilliant! Now you can study in Australia for up to 3 months and stay on the island for as long as your visa indicates.

Can you study and work with a Visitor Visa?

No, unfortunately a Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) does not authorize you to work in Australia .

Where can I study English 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:

Requirements to study at a language school

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.

How to Apply for a language school in Australia

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.

There is no specific Visa to study English

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.

Scholarships and grants to study in Australia

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:

  • Destination Australia . Financial support provided by the Australian Government. To find out the description and requirements of each scholarship, contact some of the providers that appear in the following list .
  • VU International VCE Scholarship . Scholarships sponsored by the University of Victoria. There is no need to apply because the university automatically notifies you if you are eligible when you apply for one of its programs.
  • Research School of Accounting Honors Scholarship . Scholarships sponsored by the Australian National University for international students who have enrolled in the Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) or the Bachelor of Accounting (Honours) with the intention of majoring in accounting.
  • GELI Direct Entry Program Scholarship . Griffith University Scholarships aimed at students who are not from Australia or New Zealand. Some requirements apply, such as being a full-time student and meeting all academic English requirements.

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.

Study and work in Australia

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.

Have you finished your studies and want to stay and work in Australia?

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:

  • As an international graduate student, you can apply for a Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) if you have completed a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree.
  • Notify the Australian Government that you wish to remain in the country as a professional worker, through an “Expression of Interest”.

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.

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