Study In Australia

Australia is one of the top five study-abroad destinations for international students, and it is one of the most popular. In the year 2022, Australia received 5,27,529 international students. It is expected that Australia’s international student population will increase by 5% in 2023 and the next two years.

Because of the huge number of job openings in sectors such as business, healthcare, engineering, and medicine, as well as the fact that Australia provides good remuneration to its employees, an increasing number of international students are studying in Australia.

Because Australia’s labour laws are strict, it is feasible for international students to work there after finishing their studies.

Why Study in Australia?

There are numerous other reasons why international students should study in Australia. One of the most attractive aspects of Australia is its affordable education, with over 100,000 scholarships available to help education.

Other than this there are the following other reasons:

• The qualifications offered in Australia are globally recognised and accepted.
• Most of the courses offered in Australia encourage students to gain experience while studying, hence, giving students professional experience.
• All 38 Australian universities offer internship and full-time job opportunities through their designated job portals.
• In Australia, an international student is allowed to work for more than 40 hours a fortnight part-time and during holidays, full-time work is also allowed.
• Over 64,000+ jobs are added to attract new workforce every six to seven months in Australia. Thus, there is ample job opportunity for international students.

Study in Australia Highlights

Education System in Australia

The Australian education system is often divided into three parts: primary, secondary, and tertiary education. Higher education comes under Tertiary education like VET courses, English courses, undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral courses. Foundations, sometimes known as pathway programs, are a part of tertiary education in Australia. The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) regulates education in Australia at all major levels of study, from Level 1 to Level 10 in tertiary education.

Top Universities in Australia

As per 2023 rankings, the following 10 top Australian universities that rank globally as per QS and THE World Rankings are given in the table below:

Australian universities are ranked for various courses across 51 disciplines of Engineering, Business, Arts & Humanities, Medicine and Sciences. The top-ranking courses in Australia for international students are:

• Nursing
• Computer Science
• Business Analytics
• Cybersecurity
• MBA
• Automotive Engineering
• Architecture 
• Aerospace Engineering
• Accountancy
• Social Work
• Law
• Psychology

Some of the courses for which Australian universities have been ranked as per QS Subject Rankings in 2022. The top-ranking Australian universities subject-wise are as follows:

• Curtin University ranks #2 for Mining & Mineral Engineering.
• Australian National University ranks at #6 for its Anthropology course.
• The University of Adelaide ranks #10 for its Petroleum Engineering course. 
• The University of Melbourne ranks #12 for its Law courses. 
• The University of Sydney ranks #12 for its Nursing course.
• UNSW ranks #13 for its Civil & Structural Engineering course. 
• RMIT University ranks at #15 for its Arts and Design courses. 

Cost of Studying in Australia

The cost of studying in Australia varies depending on the courses taken by an international student. The cost of studying in Australia ranges from AUD 300 per week to AUD 50,000 per year. The following is an estimate of the cost of studying in Australia based on the level of courses pursued in Australia for prospective international students

*VET courses are offered across TAFE institutes in Australia. These institutes are different from Australian universities. 

**English courses in Australia are referred to as ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students).

As a result, students must differentiate between the cost of studying and the cost of living in Australia. Some universities in Australia may or may not include living expenses in their tuition fees.

Cost of Living in Australia

Aside from tuition, international students must also cover their living costs in Australia. These costs vary depending on the area of residence, on-campus accommodation, and food costs. The cost of accommodation in Australia varies, the following are the estimated costs per month based on the choice of accommodation:

• Cost of one bedroom apartment in the City: AUD 1,990
• Cost of one-bedroom apartment outside the City: AUD 1,575
• Cost of three bedroom apartment in the City: AUD 3,410
• Cost of three bedroom apartment outside of the City: AUD 2,410

Overall, the monthly cost of living in Australia for international students ranges between AUD 1,500. The average annual cost of living in Australia for international students is between AUD 15,000 and AUD 18,000 per year.

Australia Student Visa

International students who have been accepted into Australian universities and have received their CoE or confirmation of enrolment should apply for a student visa. Online applications for student visas to study in Australia are accepted. International students must apply for a subclass 500 visa in Australia if enrolling in an undergraduate course and a subclass 485 visa if pursuing in a graduate course.

Subclass 500 Visa:

A subclass 500 visa in Australia costs AUD 650.. Students can stay in Australia for up to five years with this visa, depending on their course enrolment.

Subclass 485 Visa:

A subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa in Australia costs AUD 680. This visa allows applicants to stay for two to four years.

In both circumstances, candidates may apply for a visa extension in Australia if necessary.

Student Visa Requirements for Australia

International students should have a couple of documents ready to submit when applying for a student visa in Australia.

There are certain documents required for a student visa application in Australia:

• Offer Letter
• Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE)
• Proof of English Proficiency
• Genuine Temporary Entrant 
• Proof of Sufficient Funds
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
• Health Requirement
• Character Certificate 

Australia PR

Students holding a student visa while studying in Australia can apply for permanent residency.

After finishing their studies, regardless of whether or not they have a job, students are still able to apply for PR in Australia. Applications for permanent residency in Australia are accepted online, and candidates are granted PR depending on the length of their stay in Australia and other deciding factors.

With the growing unemployment gap, more and more students are being pushed to work longer hours part-time and stay back in Australia. There are various courses known as PR courses in Australia that may be useful in obtaining a PR in Australia. However, there is no hard and fast regulation stating that just a specific selection of courses can be targeted for PR in Australia.

Admission Requirements to Study in Australian Universities

The admission requirements for international students who want to apply to Australian institutions differ depending on their course level. Commonly both sets of students will have to submit the following documents: 

• Transcripts
• Statement of purpose (SOP). 
• Letters of recommendation (LOR) – two or three
• Essays
• Resume
• Standardized test scores
• English language proficiency test scores like TOEFL / IELTS / PTE / Duolingo

Undergraduate Admission Requirements:

If the candidate wishes to apply for undergraduate courses, he or she must submit SAT or MCAT / NEET UG scores in addition to either score and other requirements. They must meet the basic admission requirements, which are similar to ATAR or class 12th results, depending on the course of choice.

Postgraduate Admission Requirements:

Whereas, international students seeking admission to master’s programs in Australia must submit GRE/GMAT scores or, in the case of law programs, the LSAT. Apart from this, applicants may be required to attend an interview and submit additional documents or portfolios.

Australia Intakes

Universities in Australia enrol students in two intakes, one in February and one in July. Australia’s February intake admits students until the end of March, and its admission procedure concludes by the end of October or the beginning of November the previous year. Whereas, the July intake of Australia admits students max to max by June end.

The applications close for the July intake of Australia by the April end or start of May. 

Top Cities Preferred by Students in Australia

Melbourne is the best city in Australia for overseas students, Sydney is equally at par with Melbourne. Melbourne is ranked first in the QS – Best Study City Rankings 2023, whereas the capital city Canberra is ranked 35th.

Following is a list of the top best cities in Australia for study for international students: 

The factors for determining the best city in Australia for international students are employment opportunities after graduation, a reasonable cost of living, and opportunity to further their careers while still growing financially.

Scholarships to Study in Australia

Over 120,000 scholarships are available for international students studying in Australia. Scholarships for international students in Australia are either offered by education providers or are offered externally.

Following is a list of university wise scholarships and externally funded scholarships offered to international students in Australia:

All scholarships offered to international students who are applying to Australia are either merit-based or need-based. Although the above scholarships are limited, more scholarships for international students to study in Australia can be found.

Education Loan to Study in Australia

Aside from scholarships, you can also apply for an education loan to study in Australia. International students can apply for loans from private or public banks to show their financial stability while studying in Australia. Because financial proofs are an important part of the Australian student visa application, international students should keep their options open if they are not granted any scholarships to study in Australia.

Several private and public banks provide low-interest student loans to students studying abroad. For more information, compare public vs. private education loan providers, as well as the paperwork necessary and other eligibility criteria for education loans.

Part-Time Work Options for International Students in Australia 

International students studying in Australia are allowed to work 20 hours per week or 40 hours per fortnight. After pandemic restrictions were withdrawn and borders were opened, Australia implemented the 40-hour rule to cover the unemployment gap. Part-time workers in Australia earn between AUD 25 and AUD 33 per hour on average.

Some of the popular part-time jobs in Australia are:

• Tuition teachers
• Retail salespersons
• Administrative or hospitality staff in hotels or restaurants
• Clerical jobs

Post-Study Work Permit in Australia

International students from Australian universities are eligible to apply for the Temporary Graduate 485 (subclass) visa. This visa allows students to live and work in Australia for a limited time, ranging from two to three years.

There are certain rules or eligibility criteria that apply for getting this PSW visa in Australia, they are as follows:

• Students must be below the age of 50.
• Applicants should have applied for and been granted their first student visa on or after 5 November 2011.
• Should also have held the student visa in the past six months of applying for the visa.

The Temporary Graduate 485 (subclass) visa in Australia costs AUD 1,730, and students are permitted to bring family members with them, though a separate application is necessary.

Students who completed an undergrad course at an Australian institution and wish to work should first apply for a Temporary Graduate 485 (subclass) visa. This visa would then allow international students in Australia to look for job or pursue post-graduate education. In Australia, there are a few jobs that are in high demand. they are:

• Teachers – early and secondary education
• Architects and designers
• Civil engineers or construction experts
• Miners 
• Healthcare professionals
• Financial experts
• Nurses

Some of the reputed and well-known employers who have employed graduates in Australia in the past include:

Popular Job Sectors in Australia

Recent job vacancies in Australia, mainly in five to six industries, make them desirable job sectors in Australia. These popular job sectors in Australia for international students are as follows:

• Construction
• Education
• Food Processing
• Engineering
• Healthcare
• Mining & Energy
• Science & Technology

Average Salary in Australia – By Job

From 2021 to 2022, the average salary for a graduate and full-time worker in Australia climbed by 4.5% hourly. The average pay in December 2022 was recorded between AUD 23,000 and AUD 405,000; salaries vary for Australia’s 800,000+ workforce dependent on their qualifications.

The weekly earnings of full-time working professionals in Australia holding the following degrees are:

Study in Australia FAQs

• Q. If applicants miss submitting CoE for a student visa application, will the visa be denied?
  The CoE or the confirmation of enrollment is an integral part of a student visa application to Australia. Since this document is proof that the international student has accepted his/her offer and carries details of the education provider along with the course of admission, it is absolutely necessary to keep a copy of the CoE along with the student visa application form.
• Q. Which is the cheapest university in Australia for international students?
  There are around eight to nine cheap or affordable universities in Australia for international students. The course fee varies from AUD 14,000 to AUD 17,00,000 for undergraduate courses and between AUD 16,000 to AUD 38,000.
• Q. What exam scores are required for applying to Australian universities from international students?
  For entry into undergraduate programs overseas students are assessed based on their class 12th scores, they may be required to submit entrance scores if applying for professional courses in Australia or SAT if applying for other programs.
  For graduate admissions in Australia, students must submit their GRE or GMAT scores.
  For both levels of admission, the English language exams needed for studying in Australia include either TOEFL / IELTS / PTE / Duolingo.

• Q. How much is the application fee for applying to Australian universities?
  Most of the universities in Australia don’t charge application fees from international students. Even if they apply on their own or apply through agents. However, if students apply via agents they may have to pay a nominal fee or may not have to in some cases also. 
• Q. Which professionals are the highest paid in Australia?
  Some of the highly-paid professionals in Australia are from medical backgrounds. Surgeons rank in the top spot among highest paid professionals in Australia and they earn an average of AUD 394,303 annually. The second highest-paid professionals in Australia are anaesthetists who earn an average of AUD 386,065 annually.