Know About Australia
Australia is counted under one of the highly developed country with being the world’s fourteenth largest economy country. Australia is the oldest, flattest, and driest continent with a very diverse landscape. It has deserts in the center, mountain ranges in the southeast, and tropical rainforests in the northeast. It ranks really in terms of quality of life, education, and healthcare provided to its citizens. With 30% of its population comprising of immigrants, the country is multicultural and accepts international students very warmly. Australia is often called an island country with its climate being highly influenced by the ocean currents. Also, being in the Southern hemisphere, Australia enjoys Christmas during summer with winter months being from June to August. Most Australians are fans of cricket and football with cricket being played during summers and football in winters.
Quick facts:
-
Official Name: Commonwealth of Australia
-
Capital: Canberra
-
Major cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra
-
Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD)
-
No. of States and Union Territories (UTs): 6 States and 2 UTs
-
Official Languages: English
-
National Anthem: Advance Australia Fair
-
Time Zones: UTC+8; +9.5; +10. Summer (DST): UTC+8; +9.5; +10; 10.5; +11
-
Climate: It is significantly influenced by the ocean currents correlating to the periodic drought and seasonal cyclones in northern Australia. The northern part experiences tropical, predominantly summer rainfall, while the southwest part has a Mediterranean climate. Because of the periodic drought, water restrictions are placed in many regions and cities. Also, Australian summers usually have bushfires in various regions.
​
​
Education System
Australia is the second most favorite destination for international students after the US. It is the residence to the 6 of the world’s top 100 universities and the Australian Government is highly invested in offering scholarships to international students. They have put special emphasis on the student experience. Australian education system follows the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) which is divided as:
​
-
Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree: Duration for this program is 2 years and eligibility is 12th standard
-
Bachelor Degree: It generally takes 3 to 5 years to complete depending on the program and the eligibility to take admissions is 12th standard or equivalent.
-
Bachelor Honours Degree: It is for 4 years and can be done after completing your Bachelor degree
-
Graduate Certificate: It takes 6 months to complete after your Bachelor degree
-
Graduate Diploma: It is for the duration of 1 year and is taken up after the Bachelor degree
-
Masters Degree: It takes 1 year to complete if done after Bachelor Honours Degree and 2 years if done after Bachelor Degree
-
Doctorate Degree: This is the highest degree awarded by Australian Universities and typically takes 3 years to complete.
Australian universities have over 22,000 courses offered across 11,000 institutions. Moreover, Australia has 7 of the best student cities in the world viz. Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth and the Gold Coast.
Universities
Home to some of the best universities of the world, Australia has 43 universities in total and out of which 40 are government-funded. Australia’s top universities that you should aim for are:
1. Australian National University (ANU):
2. University of Melbourne:
3. University of Sydney:
4. University of New South Wales (UNSW):
5. University of Queensland (UQ):
6. Monash University:
7. University of Western Australia:
8. University of Adelaide:
9. University of Technology Sydney (UTS):
10. University of Newcastle (UON):
Below lists the universities/colleges that are most preferred and popular amongst the Indian students:
1. Charles Darwin University:
2. CQUniversity Australia:
3. Melbourne Institute of Technology:
4. Kent Institute Australia:
5. Federation University Australia:
6. James Cook University:
7. Southern Cross University:
8. Griffith University:
9. RMIT University:
10. Kaplan Online Higher Education:
​
Our team of counselors at Soham Learning, can you help you shortlist universities basis the course you desire and your future career plan.
Admission Requirement or Eligibility
There is a possibility that the university you apply with might have a specific requirement for admissions, however, the general eligibility required for different programs are as below:
1. Diploma to Degree/University Transfer Program: 60% or above in 12th standard with an overall IELTS score of 6 bands with a minimum of 5 bands in each section.
2. Bachelor Degree: 65% or above in 12th standard with an overall IELTS score of 6 bands with a minimum of 5.5 bands in each section.
3. Master’s Degree: 65% or above in Bachelor with an overall IELTS score of 6.5 bands with a minimum of 6 bands in each section.
Cost
International education can be a bit expensive but if you are prepared well in advance then it is quite manageable. Below cost gives you a general idea about the funds you would require for getting an Australian degree:
​
-
Annual tuition fees for undergraduate programs can be anywhere between AUD 20,000 – 45,000. While for Master’s degree it can be AUD 22,000 – 50,000. Exact fees can be verified on the university’s website you choose and the program you shortlist.
-
The cost of living per annum for a student can be between AUD 20,000 to AUD 30,000 with an additional AUD 6,000 to AUD 6,500 for your spouse or dependent family members.
-
Other costs involve your IELTS Test fees, Visa fees, Air tickets which can be between AUD 1,815 to AUD 2,200.
Post Study Work
After completing your studies, the Australian Government allows you up to 4 years of post-study work (PSW) under 485 post-study work stream visas. To apply for this Visa, you must
​
1. Although your specialization is not the deciding factor for the visa, you must ensure that you have studied at the right levels.
​
2. Your degree should be from the CRICOS-registered course.
​
3. You will need to fulfill the English language proficiency requirements.
Work Permit for Students
Australian Universities have a Student Job Search service to help their students find part-time jobs during their term or during holidays. It would be a good idea to have an updated CV and reference letters from your employees before leaving for Australia. Below are some points to note while choosing your part-time job
​
1. Students can work up to 40 hours every two weeks while on their study term, while they can work for unlimited hours during their holidays
​
2. You are entitled to minimum wage per hour which is AUD 16 (as of year2020) before tax, no matter what job you do.
​
3. You can work in a variety of industries with flexible hours as you will find that the Australian community is quite supportive of the students. It is a good idea to take advantage of this opportunity as it helps you gain experience of local culture and industry which would look good on your resume by the time you finish your program.
Scholarship
Australian universities and governments offer a wide range of scholarships to their international students based on their academic merits and performance. Each scholarship has its own eligibility criteria and is, of course, is competitive. It would be wise to check with your university website about eligibility, documents required to submit, and the deadline to apply for them. There are a few scholarships that are automatically awarded based on your academic records while a few others need to be applied to.
Student Visa
Once you have received your enrolment confirmation letter, you need to apply for the Student Visa as soon as possible. Below are the documents required: –
​
-
Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) certificate issued by your university or college.
-
Meet the requirements of Genuine Temporary Entrants.
-
Score results on your English language proficiency.
-
Proof of sufficient funds needed for living in Australia as a student.
-
Health and character requirements are met.
-
Proof of Overseas Student Health Cover.
Family/
Dependent Visa
If you are an international student in Australia, then you can have your spouse or family member accompany you during the stay. There are different ways of how they can accompany you
​
1. They can be added to your original Student Visa application and arrive in Australia with you.
​
2. They can be added to your original Student Visa application, but arrive in Australia after your course starts.
​
3. You can later apply for their Visa once your course starts.
​
Lifestyle
No matter how much great a living style a country offers, moving to a new country can always take some time to adapt. Below are a few tips that can help a student get used to the lifestyle sooner:
​
-
Australians are generally warm and welcoming to international students. Do not hesitate to ask for help when needed.
-
Australian education is a mix of practical and theoretical classes, and usually, there are study guides available for the students to help them adjust.
-
The seasons are reversed compared to those from the countries in the Northern hemisphere. It may take time to get used to but learning about the city you are going to can help you be prepared for it.
-
Some Australian territories offer student concessions on public transports. It would be a good idea to ask around and get the proper and valid transport card for commuting around the city.
-
Australian universities follow different grade systems, so get used to it before going to college. For example, they use HD stands for high distinction, D for distinction: these are the two highest marks that you can achieve. Cr stands for credit, P for pass, and F for fail.
Process Flow
The process to apply for Australia Student Visa is detailed below:
​
1. Choose your Course, Institute, and understand their requirement: This step will be useful in planning your documents and next steps as per the requirement. Ensure that you mark the deadlines for application and prepare for the requirements well in advance of the deadline.
​
2. Take the language proficiency test: As per college and province requirements, you will need to take a test in English to gain admission. Generally, most institutes accept IELTS scores. Ensure your scores meet at least the minimum requirement of the college.
​
3. Start applying with the universities: Choose your institutes well and back your application with all the necessary documentation, well-written SOPs, and documentary evidence. It helps to complete the application well in advance and not wait until the deadline. After this, it is the crucial waiting period for receiving the offer letter. Meanwhile, start preparing your financial support documents as well.
​
4. Offer letter and Student Visa: Once you receive your acceptance letter and have paid your college fees, you will receive your Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) certificate. Use this to start applying for a Visa, complete your medical and other procedures required for the process.
​
5. Travel and Study: After this, you will receive your Visa and you are ready to fly to your new student life. Once you complete your study you can apply for PSW and then opt for PR or return to your home country.
​
The Soham Learning team is dedicated to assisting you right from step 1 to the time you fly away. Even after your study we can help you with processing your further permits and help you work and settle in Australia.
Free Services
University Short Listing
Assistance in shortlisting colleges and universities appropriate to your career goals and aspirations.
​
Admission Process
Guidance throughout the process from collecting relevant documents in the correct format to submitting applications to tracking the updates.
​
SOP Assistance
Assistance in writing a well-crafted SOP that meets the requirement of the university and helps you get your visa processed without delays.
​
Interview Preparation
Special sessions and workshops with our experts to prepare you for the interviews before the date.
Education Loan
Provide guidance and counsel for the best way to get financial aid through education loans and other options, if available.
​
Air Tickets
Assistance in booking your flights once you have your visa approved.
​
Travel Insurance
Guidance to get the best deal on travel insurance suitable for the country you plan to study.
​
Airport Pick-up
Provide assistance with arranging for a pick-up for you at the airport once you land in the country you plan to visit.
​
Accommodation
We can help get you accommodation in a new country.