Australia has the 4th largest number of international students in the English-speaking world after the USA, UK and Canada.
Australia has become a very competitive place for students to study from all over the globe. What is incredible about studying in Australia is that it is absolutely possible to study from a very young age in boarding school, or it is possible to study from university through graduate school. Australia, having English as its primary language and having the 4th largest number of international students in the English-speaking world after the US, UK and Canada, is a great place to study for those interested in improving their English level to be competitive on a global scale. In terms of courses, there are many competitive world renowned universities and schools to choose from whilst studying in Australia, which is why more and more parents are seeing the value of sending their children to Australia for their education. Upon receiving an admission offer, taking the requisite steps to apply for your child’s visa is important. When trying to ascertain which visa is necessary, consider the following recommendations.
Why study abroad in Australia?
More than 200,000 international students annually study at an Australian College, school or University.
Here are the reasons why so many international students want to study abroad in Australia:
- Graduates from Australia are sought after and successful at finding jobs.
- Australia is a good place to study – Australia is a vibrant, friendly and fun-loving country. Offering excellent value for money – a lot of students come to Australia to improve their English proficiency
Australian Tuition Fees
Low Tuition Fees – An important factor for any International student looking to study abroad is the cost of their tuition fees. Australian universities’ fees are considerably lower than similar courses in the UK or USA. Here are some typical costs
- Undergraduate
- between 20,000 and 45,000 AUD/year
- Postgraduate
- Certificates /Diplomas – between 20,000 – 45,000 AUD/year
- Masters and PhD – between 22,000 – 50,000 AUD/year
Australian Student Visas
You must obtain a student visa before starting a course in Australia if the course lasts longer than three months. If you want to study for less than 3 months you can do so on a Visitor Visa or Holiday Visa.
A student visa is only granted to people who register for a full-time course (you can do some part-time work to help support yourself – you will need permission).
Who Is Eligible for This Kind of Visa?
Student Visa:
The requirements for a student visa are pretty simple in Australia. The background for the most current regulations on the student visa can be accessed regularly. That being said, the basic criteria for receiving a student visa are: being accepted into a full-time university course at an educational institution in Australia and also organizing arrangements for your financial support while you are staying in Australia. This visa can last for up to five years. For example, a student attending high school in Australia would have to reapply to stay in Australia for their time at university.
Guardian Visa:
A great benefit to studying in Australia is that a parent who would like to send their child under eighteen years of age to a school in Australia may accompany them so long as they can show sufficient proof of financial support while in Australia. It may be more difficult for parents of university students to join in Australia; however, it is not impossible to do so through additional visa channels.
Graduate Visa:
The Graduate visa is a wonderful option the Australian government offers to international students who have recently graduated from an educational institution in Australia. Find the most current requirements for the graduate visa. This visa has a time limit of between two to four years. This determination is decided on a case-by-case basis. In order to be eligible for this visa, the applicant must be younger than fifty years old, be located in Australia, hold an existing eligible student visa, have a sufficient level of English, and must have graduated with a skill or qualification that is on the list of eligible skilled occupations.
How to Successfully Apply for This Visa
In terms of applying for a student visa, the school that offers the student a place of admission usually provides them with the required steps to process the visa application. That being said, it is always best to have a second set of trained eyes facilitating the application, given that many times, proof of financial solvency must be demonstrated for the visa to be granted.
If the student is under eighteen, the guardian visa will typically be filed at the same time the student visa is applied for. The theory behind this is that the two visas will complement one another and allow the parent or guardian to successfully arrive in Australia and get their child settled in school.
The graduate visa is less guaranteed. If the student would like to stay in Australia, it is highly recommended that they begin to work with their school’s career office early and attend job fairs. This will prove beneficial in that they will be able to find an employer willing to sponsor them to stay and work in Australia legally. So long as their skillset matches the required skilled worker’s list, there should be no issue with those students being hired, invited to a visa, and granted that visa. In these situations, it is best to have the employer work with an immigration consultant to ensure this visa application’s timely and successful completion.
Read more about other Australian Visas:
- Temporary Visas
- Business Visas
- Visas for Skilled individuals
- Visas For Family
- Immigration Consultants
What to do if you want to work while studying
International students on a student visa can apply for permission to work once they have started their course. This can be done electronically at a cost of $55 and last for a year.
If you are working, you will require a Tax File Number (TFN) – these can be obtained from the Australian Tax Office.
Searching for a course
Australian Universities and Colleges must be registered with the Australian Government – Please find a complete list of Australian Universities.
Here are useful sites for study in Australia:-
- www.studylink.com.au – Allows students to access information on over 260 Australian institutions and more than 10,000 courses. There is also the facility for students to enrol online.
- www.ola.edu.au – Open Learning Australia allows you to study with over 30 of Australia’s leading higher education institutions.
Final Remarks on the Subject
Australia is a far better place to study than other parts of the world. The country has a strong command of the English language, a culture that is receptive to immigration, and an organized process that makes obtaining the required visas to study and then work after graduation a great success. Thus, absolutely consider applying to a school in Australia. If you have doubts about the visa process, hire a skilled professional to assist you. This way, you will have the opportunity to receive your education in a unique part of the world that will provide you with many viable choices in your career and future. Good luck with your studies in Australia