Study in Australia

Australia is known globally as being one of the world’s most diverse and welcoming countries, and it is something for which we take great pride. In fact, of Australia’s 23 million population, almost half (47%) of all Australians were either born overseas or have one parent born overseas.

Australia’s diversity and friendly attitude are matched by its economic stability. Australia has experienced more than 20 years of continued economic growth, weathering the 2008 global financial crisis better than most advanced economies. Australia is the most oversized island in the world, the sixth-biggest country in the world in land area, and the only nation to govern an entire continent. Our expansive country has more than 500 national parks and more than 2,700 conservation areas, ranging from wildlife sanctuaries to Aboriginal reserves. There are also seventeen UNESCO World Heritage sites – more than any other country – including the Great Barrier Reef, Kakadu National Park, Lord Howe Island Group, Tasmanian Wilderness, Fraser Island, and the Sydney Opera House. Many people around the world know Australia for being a beautiful country. We also have world-class infrastructure, with five of the top 40 cities having the best infrastructure in the world. Australia also has a reputation for building ‘big’ things – over 150, from the Big Banana in New South Wales to the Big Koala in Victoria, the Big Mango in Queensland, and the Big Ram in Western Australia. It’s worth a trip to see them all!

We have good reason to be happy with all these beautiful attributes around Australia.

World-class education

Australia is recognized as a great place to live – Australia also offers a world-class education. The Australian education system has produced scientists, designers, educators, entrepreneurs, artists, and humanitarians who have changed the world, winning awards from Oscars to Nobel prizes. Their global achievements include the “black box” now on every airplane, the Earth Hour initiative, and the invention of Wi-Fi. Australia is proud of those who have studied and worked in Australia (born here or in another country) and gone on to achieve great things and contribute to making the world better.

Global Recognition

By studying in Australia, you will receive a qualification that’s recognized and sought after around the world. The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) allows students to easily move through the education system here. It provides an easy way for countries worldwide to recognize your qualifications and issue comparable qualifications for local use.

Quality Assurance

For over 20 years, Australia has led the world in implementing systems and processes to ensure that international students receive the high-quality education they expect. These measures include:

  • The Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 sets out the legal framework governing the delivery of education to overseas students studying in Australia on a student visa.
  • The Tuition Protection Service helps you find an alternative course or refund your unspent tuition fees in the rare case your institution (education provider) can’t continue offering your course.
  • The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) is the national regulator for Australia’s vocational education and training sector. It regulates courses and training providers to ensure that they meet nationally approved quality standards.
  • The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) regulates and assures the quality of Australia’s higher education sector. It undertakes both compliance assessments and quality assessments.
  • Ombudsman organizations can investigate complaints about problems that international students have with their institutions. You can learn more about these organizations on the Support Services page in the Australian Education section of this website.

International students rate Australia highly.

In 2012, in collaboration with peak education bodies and state/territory government education departments, the Australian Government surveyed current international students to obtain information about their living and learning experiences in Australia. The key findings of the study included:

  • 87% of international student respondents are ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with their overall experience in Australia.
  • 86% of international student respondents are ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with their study experience in Australia.
  • 88% of international student respondents are ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with living in Australia.

Your learning environment

By studying in Australia, you will join hundreds of thousands of students from Australia and worldwide – including many from your home country – who are discovering new friends and opportunities in this beautiful country. You will work closely with classmates, researchers, instructors, and other faculty – collaboration is vital to our students’ success. In many cases, you can gain practical and hands-on training in the industry you are studying.

Australia – a research-intensive country

Australia has a long and proud tradition of world-class research and development that has benefited millions worldwide. Australia has a proud record of contributing to the benefits of the world:

  • Through the Backing Australia’s Ability initiative, A$2.9 billion will be invested over the next five years to fund research that will stimulate economic and scientific innovation.
  • Australia is investing over A$140 million over the next five years to establish Federation Fellowships. The fellowships aim to recruit world-class researchers to Australia, with up to five scholarships yearly awarded to high-profile non-Australian researchers from overseas.
  • Australian universities have 35 unique Research Centres and Key Centres of Teaching and Research. These centers undertake high-level research and provide various undergraduate, postgraduate, and specialized professional education courses.
  • Australia has established an additional 63 Cooperative Research Centres, fostering joint research between universities and private industry.

Australian education

As an international student visa student, you must study with an institution and take a course registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). CRICOS registration guarantees that the course and the institution at which you study meet the high standards expected by international students.

Along with the ESOS Act and National Code, there are regulatory and quality assurance organizations for higher education and VET institutions. These government organizations are responsible for the registration/re-registration of institutions and accreditation/re-accreditation of courses. These organizations are:

  • Higher education – Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA)
  • VET – Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA)

Education costs in Australia

The costs of studying in Australia depend on the institution and the level of study you choose.

As an international student, you must pay your tuition fees before you study. Your course may also have additional costs, including course materials and access to institution facilities.

The list below gives you an indication of the range of course costs for different types of qualifications.

    • School – $7,800 to $30,000
    • English language studies – Around $300 per week, depending on course length
    • Vocational Education and Training (Certificates I to IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma) – $4,000 to $22,000
    • Undergraduate Bachelor Degree – $15,000 to $33,000*
    • Postgraduate Masters Degree – $20,000 to $37,000*
    • Doctoral Degree – $14,000 to $37,000*

* Note: This does not include high-value courses such as veterinary and medical. All costs are per year in Australian dollars. To convert to your currency, visit http://www.xe.com

Apply to study in Australia.

To study in Australia, you must apply for admission to an institution and a student visa from the Australian government.

There are some steps you must go through, including:

      • Deciding on your preferred course and institution.
      • Submitting your application to the institution.
      • Receiving and accepting a Letter of Offer.
      • Receiving your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE).
      • Applying for your student visa.

You will need to meet a range of entry requirements both for your institution application and your visa application. This can include:

      • Academic requirements.
      • English language requirements.
      • Evidence of funds to support your study.
      • Overseas student health cover.

If you’re already living or working in Australia, you may still be able to apply to study here as an international student.

Education agents in your home country can also help you apply to study in Australia.

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