A Comprehensive Study in Australia Guide

Australia is home to some of the world’s best universities and colleges. These universities are equipped with providing practical knowledge and skills to help the students succeed in their chosen industry. Some of the degrees and courses are designed in such a way that students get to experience hands-on industry experience and grow their professional network. 

Cities in Australia are consistently named among the top places to live. It is also well-known for its stunning landscapes, clear skies, and breathtaking views. People in Australia are friendly and welcoming, making it a wonderful place to live. Australians enjoy access to high-quality, timely, and affordable healthcare at all stages of life.

More than 35 million AUD are invested in overseas scholarships by the Australian government. You can significantly lower your tuition costs as an Indian student by submitting applications for a variety of scholarships, grants, and fellowships. In comparison to other nations, Australia has relatively inexpensive living expenses and tuition costs. 

For students, studying abroad can be a compelling and life-changing experience. But choosing the right city and school in Australia is just as important. If you are an international student looking for advice on choosing a college to study in Australia, we will cover all the essential information on how to study in Australia and submit an application to Australian colleges and universities in this guide. 

Student Visa Requirements

International students must apply for an Australian student visa at least 6 months before the start of the program.

Documents required for an Australian student visa:

• Proof of Identity
• CoE, letter of acceptance, and support
• Evidence of having enough money to stay
• Provide evidence of having genuine access to the money
• Evidence that you are exempted from paying the visa application charge, if applicable
• Evidence of OSHC
• GTE documents
• Partner documents, if valid.
• Documents for dependents and children, if applicable.

In short, you will go through the following steps to get an Australian Study Permit.

1. Apply for the course and Educational Institute
2. Receive CoE
3. Set up an account with the Australian immigration authorities
4. Complete the visa application
5. Pay the visa fee and receive a TRN-number
6. Complete health checkup and interview
7. Wait and accept your visa decision

Your Australian student visa application decision will be notified to you in writing. If you are accepted, the letter will include your visa grant number, visa expiration date, and student visa requirements.   

Cost of Studying in Australia

Several factors affect the cost of living and education in Australia. Knowing the average costs of living in Australia must be considered when preparing your financial plan. The type of course, location of the university, and personal expenses of the student affect the costs of living in Australia. 

1. Tuition- Different cities and programs have different tuition costs for overseas students. The cost of a bachelor’s degree is from 10,000 to 30,000 AUD, whereas the cost of a postgraduate degree is between 22,000 and 37,000 AUD annually. Between 14,000 and 37,000 AUD are typical course costs for Ph.D. students. Like everywhere else in the globe, private universities are more expensive than public ones. In Australia, there is only one private non-profit university, Bond University, where a course may cost as much as 12,000 AUD. 

2. Accommodation costs- Depending on the city you are in, students can choose to live on campus, share an apartment, or stay with a local family, among other options. Here is the cost distribution:  Home Stays cost around 500-1,000 AUD per month, Student Halls cost around 300-1,000 AUD per month,  Guest Houses cost around 300-600 AUD per month, Apartments cost around 2,000 AUD per month

3.  Food & Groceries- Food and groceries can cost around 100-200 AUD per week. Eating outside at small restaurants and cafes can cost you around 20-80 AUD. 

4. Health Insurance- In Australia, the cost of student health insurance ranges from A$529 to A$410. 

5. Transportation- You can get weekly transport passes for 20 AUD or monthly passes for 80 AUD.

All the given costs are estimates of the actual costs. However, the actual costs differ depending on different factors. 

Scholarships for Students in Australia

For international students, one of the biggest worries continues to be the availability of scholarships. Without a doubt, scholarships of any size cancel out a large portion of overseas students’ tuition costs. Simply put, scholarships increase the affordability of studying abroad. Here are some of the scholarships available for students in Australia. 

1. Australia Awards Scholarships (AAS) for bachelor, master, and doctoral courses
2. Endeavour PG Scholarship Award
3. International PG Research Scholarship Award
4. Indo-Australia S&T Visiting Fellowship Programme
5. Australia-India Strategic Research Fund]
6. Australia International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (IPRS)

Other Scholarships to Study in Australia are:

1. The University of Sydney International Research Scholarships
2. Macquarie University International Scholarships
3. Griffith Remarkable Scholarships
4. University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships
5. Adelaide Global Excellence Scholarships for International Students
6. Flinders International Postgraduate Scholarship
7. Charles Darwin University Vice-Chancellor’s International High Achievers Scholarships
8. UNSW International Scholarships

Intakes in Australia

There are two main intakes for overseas students at Australian universities, known as Semester 1 and Semester 2. Intake for Semester 1 typically begins in late February or early March, whereas Intake for Semester 2 typically starts in late July or early August.

Popular Courses for International Students in Canada

1. Accountancy- The accounting degrees in Australia focus on honing the practical skills of the students and these courses offer specialisation which then helps the student get good employment opportunities.

2. Actuarial Science- Risks in the financial, insurance, and other sectors are evaluated by this specific science. 

3. Agricultural Science Australia has a reputation for innovative and sustainable agricultural practices and this course is popular as there are many good career opportunities available in this field.

4. Architecture- Commercial and residential architecture is a career option that is in demand in Australia.

5. Biomedical Engineering- This field deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and also rehabilitation and injury management. 

6. Core Engineering- Graduates in the areas of chemical, electrical, electronic and communication, mechanical, and industrial engineering will have a good chance of obtaining employment after graduation because of the shortage of these professionals in Australia.

7. Earth Science- Studying geological phenomena like earthquakes, volcanoes, and climate change can be done in Earth Science courses, and students may also get the chance to gain real-world field experience. They may also choose to go into academia or pursue careers in resource exploration, environmental consulting, geotechnical engineering, or academic research.

8. Information Technology and Computer Science- Engineers in computer science and software are in high demand, both in Australia and internationally. 

Popular Universities for International Students in Australia

Here are some of the best universities you can apply to in Australia. This guide will help you gain insight into the kind of universities in Australia.

1. University of Melbourne
2. University of Sydney
3. University of Queensland
4. Monash University
5. University of New South Wales Sydney
6. Australian National University
7. University of Adelaide
8. University of Western Australia

Academic Requirement to Study in Australia

The academic and eligibility requirements for international students in Australia vary depending on the university the student selects. However, we will provide the general guidelines required for admission to universities and colleges in Australia: 

• Your grade point average from 12th grade determines whether you can enrol in a diploma or degree program. You are qualified for any Diploma course provided by the top universities in Australia if you received at least a 60% on your class 12 exam. You may choose any degree program of your choice if your grade point average is at least 65 percent.

• The educational institutions demand documentation of your ability to read and comprehend the English-language course material. To increase their chances of admission to a university in Sydney or anyplace else in Australia, Indian and other non-native English speakers must complete the IELTS Academic or any other language proficiency test with respectable band scores.

• Students have to submit an authentic transcript from the school they attended that contains all of the information about the topics they studied and the grades they received. You must include certified copies of your class 10 and 12-grade report cards.

• Letter of recommendation (LoR): International students studying in Australia are required to provide this vital paperwork as well. It is a letter of reference given by the student’s professors or instructors.

• In your Statement of Purpose (SoP), you must include all relevant information about your interests, objectives, academic record, extracurricular activities, and the factors that led you to select the particular college and stream.

Part-time jobs for International Students in Australia

Some of the part-time jobs available to students in Australia on a part-time basis are: 

On-campus 

1. Peer Tutoring
2. Teaching Assistant
3. Research Assistant
4. Library Assistant

Off-campus 

1. Customer Support Representative
2. Store Associate
3. Translator
4. Waiter

If you have exceptional soft skills and hard skills, the job prospects would certainly be brighter than that for an average individual.  

If you want guidance from our expert counsellors on how to plan your higher education abroad journey. Please contact  Silver Fern Education Consultants