Study in Australia
Why study in Australia?
Increasing numbers of international students are choosing Australia as their overseas study destination. Each year, over 150,000 international students from all over the world are welcomed to Australia.
The standards of academic excellence in Australian universities, institutes, colleges and schools are recognised internationally. Australia is an attractive and safe place to live and we enjoy a very high standard of living.
Australia has a strong tradition of providing quality education and training to domestic and international students alike. In 2001-2002, Australia welcomed over 151,894 international students into a wide variety of courses conducted by its schools, colleges, institutes and universities.
With more than 98,000 registered education and training institutes specifically equipped and registered to provide education and training to international students, Australia offers a wealth of courses to cater for the diverse needs of international students.
Australia has:
- Welcoming and friendly people from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds;
- High levels of personal safety;
- Competitive living and tuition costs;
- A stable, dynamic and internationally oriented economy;
- Close proximity to South and East Asia and international gateways to Europe, America and the Middle East;
- A subtropical climate and a healthy outdoor lifestyle;
- Opportunities for adventure tourism;
- Modern, cosmopolitan cities with a thriving arts and cultural scene;
- A similar time zone to most Asian countries and three international airports; and
- Support networks to assist you in all aspects of your stay in Australia.
Statistics
A record number of visas, 151,894, were granted to overseas students in 2001-02. This was a four per cent increase over the 2000-01 figure of 146,565.
Major source countries for students applying offshore were:
The People's Republic of China (13,452 - 51 per cent increase over previous program year);
The United States (8,938 - 20 per cent increase);
Hong Kong SAR (6,862 - 19 per cent increase);
Indonesia (5,836 - 2 per cent decrease);
Singapore (4,687 - 11 per cent increase); and
Republic of Korea (4,323 - 2 per cent decrease).
The Higher Education Sector showed particularly strong growth with an increase in visas granted overseas, of 47 per cent, from 26,233 to 38,555.
Cost of Living
Queensland's accommodation, food, public transport and educational costs are generally lower than in the rest of Australia or in cities in the United Kingdom or North America. An average student would require around $A15,000 ($US7,700) per year to live comfortably in Australia.
Working in Australia
International students may work part-time up to 20 hours per week while studying in Australia and 40 hours per week over semester breaks. This is a good way to meet people and improve language skills. Reliable employment or work that complements your studies cannot be guaranteed, unless it is prearranged. It is a good idea to ensure you have sufficient funds to cover tuition and living expenses.
Medical Insurance
All international students on Student Visas are required to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for themselves and their dependents. This allows you access to doctors and a shared ward in a public (government) hospital. If you are travelling on a different visa, it is wise to purchase travel or private medical insurance.
Accommodation
Many types of accommodation are available in Australia. Accommodation options include inner-city apartments, houses in the suburbs, on-campus residential accommodation or home stays with Australian families.
Many of the larger institutions have halls of residence where students have a bedroom/study of their own and share facilities such as bathrooms, laundries and recreational areas. Most of these residential halls provide meals and offer kitchen facilities.
A comprehensive support service for students, including assistance with finding accommodation, is also provided by most institutions.
Secondary Schooling
International students can complete senior secondary schooling of two years duration, which leads to the awarding of the internationally recognised Senior Certificate.
The schools are well equipped to support international students, providing experienced teaching staff, fully equipped scientific laboratories, excellent technological resource centres plus networked computers with internet linkages.
Extensive sporting amenities located at each school, including enclosed gymnasiums, tennis courts and large athletic tracks for football, cricket, hockey etc.
Maximum class size of 30 students, although most classes have fewer students and some subjects (eg. science and mathematics) have 20 students or fewer in most classes.
During their secondary studies, international students will become familiar with the teaching styles needed for tertiary study in Australia.
Students who successfully complete their secondary studies are eligible for entry to university institutions throughout Queensland and the rest of Australia or overseas.
In recent years approximately 90% of international students enrolled in Queensland high schools have been accepted to a tertiary institution.
School services offered include assistance with selection and location of suitable home stay families and provision of ESL (English as a Second Language) classes.
Specialist Guidance Officers located in each school assist students with subject selection, tertiary entrance procedures and are also available to provide counselling and advice with personal problems.
Senior secondary students (Years 11-12) usually study six subjects, including English, which is compulsory. A wide range of subjects (usually more than 20) is offered in all schools, including science, mathematics, computer, design and business subjects.
Australian University Education
Higher education in Australia has a reputation for excellence and quality. There are numerous universities in Australia and each offers a full range of academic and professional disciplines. Australian universities offer two levels of study:
Undergraduate - including associate diplomas and bachelor degrees; and
Postgraduate - including postgraduate certificates and diplomas, master's degrees by either course work or research, and doctorates.
The standard academic year is divided into Semester 1 (February to June) and Semester 2 (July to November). Some universities may also offer a third semester between November and February.
The student visa program of the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) enables overseas students to come to Australia to undertake full-time study in registered courses in Australia.
The program streamlines the processing of applicants, and ensures:
- Greater transparency in what requirements need to be met to be granted a visa;
- Consistency in decisions about visa grants; and
- The integrity of the student visa program by using objective measures of risk to determine visa requirements.
This will ensure growth in the number of genuine students coming to Australia and the overall quality of Australia's student visa program.
Before applying for a student visa, students must have been accepted for full-time study in a registered course in Australia.
A 'registered course' is an education or training course offered by an Australian education provider registered to offer courses to overseas students on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for overseas students.
