Australia has grown to become one of the top countries for quality higher education. The degrees and qualifications from Australian higher education institutions are known around the world as high quality and world class. The standard of excellence is set by universities with recognizable groups like the G8, ATN & the IRU. When looking for work in the future, this can be a great selling point in your favour!
Population: Approx.2.3 Crore (23 mn)
Capital: Canberra
Area: 7,617,930 km2
Currency: Australian $
Popular Cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane & Gold Coast
Vibrant Multicultural Nation
Australia is also one of the best places to live. It is a young, vibrant and friendly country in which students can live, learn and grow. True culture melting Cities like Melbourne are known to host nationals from over 80 (Eighty) countries. So if you want a quality education and a good lifestyle, Australia’s the place to be.
Academic Excellence
Australia has 37 government-funded universities and two private universities, as well as a number of other specialist institutions that provide approved courses at the higher education level. The University of Sydney is Australia’s oldest university, having been founded in 1850, followed by the University of Melbourne three years later. Other notable universities include those of the Group of Eight leading tertiary institutions, including the University of Adelaide, the Australian National University located in the national capital of Canberra, Monash University and the University of New South Wales.
Quality and Standards
According to the worldwide Quality-of-Life Index for 2011 all of Australia’s major cities fare well in global comparative livability surveys where Melbourne ranked 1st on The Economist’s 2017 World’s Most Livable Cities list, followed by Sydney and Perth in seventh and ninth place respectively.
Intakes
The main intakes offered by Universities are in June/July and January/February. Some colleges may also have intakes in March and November.
Employment
A full-time International student can work part-time as per the given guidelines.
A full-time degree student can work up to 40 hours fortnightly during term-time and full-time during vacations.
A full-time student can also work on a work placement as part of the course.
A student can earn from $16 – $25 per hour i.e. $1,280 – $2,000 per month.
After the successful completion of a Bachelors or Masters a student can apply for a 2 year Post-Study Work Permit.
Education in Australia
The Australian education system has a strong international reputation and is known for its effective structure and innovative policy developments. Many other countries, eager to improve their own education systems, turn to Australia for advice. Institutions must support international students in adjusting to study and life in Australia, achieving their learning goals and satisfying the learning outcomes of their course. This includes providing information on arrival about:
– student support services available to help facilitate a smooth transition to life in Australia;
– legal services;
– emergency and health services
– facilities and resources;
– complaints and appeals processes; and
– any student visa conditions relating to course progress and/or attendance as appropriate
Australia is rapidly growing as one of the most popular destinations for international student to attend. Currently Australia has the third largest international student enrollment behind the USA and the UK. Degrees obtained from Australian universities are recognized all over the world, and there is the added boost that the Australian higher education system is federally regulated. Which means the Australian government regulates all universities in the country each year to make sure they are maintaining their high education standards.
To begin studying in Australia, there are a range of entry requirements you may have to meet. Requirements may vary depending on the level of education you want to study.
English language requirements
Applicants are required to provide results of an English language test. The English language skill level might defer from one institution to another or depending on the desired program.
Applicants who completed a 1-2 year Academic studies in English will not be required to provide evidence of English language skill and will be able to enter the program directly.
Academic requirements
Applicants interested in commencing undergraduate studies are required to have an Australian senior secondary Certificate of Education (Year 12), or the overseas equivalent.
Applicants interested in commencing Postgraduate studies are required to have an Australian Bachelor’s degree, or graduate diploma/graduate certificate from a recognized tertiary institution with a minimum credit (65 per cent). Qualifications awarded outside Australia can also be used for admission but equivalencies and entry requirements are determined based on the country, institution, and qualification.
GPA:
The Australian Educational system, Universities and Institutions adopt a GPA scale to assess and process applications.
The GPA scale might defer from one Institution to another and can be different from one country to another, thus, the GPA measure might be imprecise and the Australian educational system will assess applicants GPA based on the educational institution and country previous studies and qualification completed.
Evidence of funds:
Applicants must be aware of the financials and the cost when choosing Australia as their destination of study, applicants will be required to have access to funds including full year of tuition fees, (1) year of living expenses and an overseas health cover plus a 2 ways home flight tickets.
Required Documents for Admissions
1. Main applicants passport or official translation of birth certificate
2. Official translation of Students academic certificates and transcript or records
3. Professional academic resume
4. Statement of purpose
5. English language certificate such as IELTS, TOFFEL, PTE etc
6. Official translation of the transcript, depending on qualifications and educational levels, Diploma
7. Two Academic references (if applicable)
8. Official translation of employment letter (if applicable)
Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement
The GTE form means a person who satisfies the genuine temporary entrant criterion for student visa. Student Visa applications requires the applicant to support and satisfy the intention to genuinely stay in Australia temporarily.
A form must be completed by applicants (Students) supporting a genuine intention to temporarily enter and remain in Australia for Educational causes only.
The Applicant’s Circumstances
Decision makers will regard to the applicants circumstances in their home country and the applicant’s potential circumstances in Australia.
The applicant’s circumstances in their home Country:
1. Applicant must show reasonable reasons for not undertaking the study in their home country or region.
2. The extent of the applicants personal ties to their home country (Family, Employment etc)
3. Economic circumstances of the applicant that would present as significant incentive for the applicant no to return to their home country.
4. Military service commitments that would present as a significant incentive for the applicant no to return to their home country.
5. Political and civil unrest in the applicants home country.
The applicant’s potential circumstances in Australia
1. Evidence that the student visa program is being used to circumvent the intentions of the migration programme
2. Whether the student visa or Student Guardian visa is being used to maintain ongoing residence
3. Whether the primary and secondary applicant(s) have entered into a relationship of concern for a successful student visa outcome. Where a decision maker determines that an applicant and dependant have contrived their relationship for a successful Student visa outcomes, the decision maker may find that both applicants do not satisfy the genuine temporary entrant criterion.
A number of criteria is required to be met by the Department of immigration to provide a student Visa:
· The student must be accepted into full-time study
· Must be a genuine temporary entrant
· Must meet health and health insurance requirements
· Must be of the appropriate age
· Must have a “good” character and not have any debts to the Australian government
In addition, if higher risk criteria apply:
o The student must provide specified evidence to meet financial requirements
o The student must demonstrate appropriate English language skills (IELTS, Toffel..etc).
Furthermore, if the student is under 18 of age, they, must have acceptable arrangements for their accommodation and welfare.
The information in these sections applies to persons whose primary intention in coming to Australia is to study, and intend to study for more than 12 weeks. Students who wish to study a short course may be able to do so, on other visa classes (e.g. a tourist visa allows study for up to three months). Applicants can use this Visa Finder.
Criteria applied to all student applications
Full Time Study
Only students who have enrolled in full-time study can apply for a student visa, with exception of Doctoral (PhD) students waiting for their thesis to be marked
Genuine Temporary entrant (GTE)
Granting a student Visa is relays on whether the applicant is a genuine temporary entrant. That is students coming to Australia for genuine study purposes and have a realistic prospect of returning home once their studies have finished.
Good Character
The student must make a declaration on the visa application form that includes but is not limited to the following:
· they have not been involved in criminal activity. Or
· they have not been previously deported
Health Insurance
Adequate health insurance is a mandatory visa condition. DIBP requires evidence of Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) to demonstrate that the student is adequately insured.
Often, the education provider will include the option to pay for health insurance in the enrollment fees and a CoE will indicate that the student has OSHC arranged.
Evidence of financial capacity
Regular applications require a student to present two extra pieces of evidence with their visa application: financial capacity and English language proficiency evidence
All funds that can be accepted as evidence must be clearly available to the student in order to pay for their studies and living costs.
The factors that may be considered include:
· The relationship of the sponsor (e.g. a parent or guardian’s funds are appropriate, but “family friends” bank accounts are not normally acceptable)
· Income, assets and employment history of sponsor/parent
The following are sources of evidence of financial capacity:
o Money deposit with a financial institution (bank)
o Loan with a financial institution (bank)
o Government loans
o Scholarship
English language proficiency requirements
Prescribe a minimum score of 4.5
Exemptions
There are exemptions for this requirement to present an English test score for the following students:
Students who have successfully completed, in the two years prior to student visa application, the requirements for a senior Secondary Certificate of Education, in a course that was conducted in English.
Requirements for students under 18
Under Australian law, an individual under 18 is not yet an adult. So certain requirements apply to these students. The student must provide evidence of adequate welfare arrangements for the duration of their visa, or until they turn 18, to make a valid visa application.
CONFIRMATION OF APPROPRIATE ACCOMMODATION AND WELFARE (CAAW)
If a younger student is not living with a parent or suitable relative, the education provider must sign a letter called the Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW): approving the student’s general welfare and accommodation arrangements before the student visa can be issued.
If a student’s welfare arrangements are approved by education provider students must not travel to Australia until the welfare arrangements are due to commence. Dates are nominated by the provider not the student.
SCHOOL SECTOR
Age Requirements
There are age limits set for international students intending to study in the School sector.
o A primary school student must be at least 6 years of age.
o Secondary students must:
o be less than 17 years old when commencing the Academic year Grade 9.
o be less than 18 years old when commencing the Academic year Grade 10
o be less than 19 years old when commencing the Academic year Grade 11
o be less than 20 years old when commencing the Academic year Grade 12
o A primary school student will only be granted a visa for a maximum period of two years.
Meeting Student Visa Conditions
Attendance
A student must attend at least 80% of their scheduled lessons, unless they are enrolled in a higher education (i.e. University) course.