Australia

Overview

The Land down under is much more than the marsupials, the outback and the Masterchef. The laid back, diversified lifestyle and cosmopolitan culture blend smoothly with a highly specialised and streamlined education system.

Australia is one of the countries that has an  Education Services for Overseas Student (ESOS) Framework, protecting an international student in Australia. It is one of the few places, which has the flexibility of primary, secondary and tertiary education, along with fields of study courses.

Eligibility

Eligibility requirements are flexible and have no restrictive clauses. Different schools and states have different criteria. VET courses do not have entrance exams but do require you to submit requisite work or prior education experience. Most of the higher secondary certificates from other countries are accepted. In case you fall short of any educational requirement, they help you make up for it via one-year foundation courses.

Work Opportunities

Australia is a land that values education and recognises the importance of self sufficiency. Therefore, there are a lot of sectors and segments across Australia that help students work alongside studying. They offer flexible hours for part-time or full-time employment. Australia offers a post-study work stream visa, which makes it possible for international students to live and work for up to four years before they apply for permanent residency.

Part-time work opportunities

It is possible to work and supplement your cost of education with part-time work opportunities in these fields:

• Retail - that encompasses working at supermarkets along with departmentmental stores
• Hospitality - Which includes hotels, restaurants and other hospitality services
• Seasonal working on the Ranches along with farming and fruit-picking
• Nursing services which include childcare and aged care
• Offering tutoring services.

Popular courses

While Australia is famous for being culturally diverse, we need to know that it is diverse in its educational offerings as well. They have courses that span study areas across 29 fields. They have their most famous English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS program). They also offer highly specialised Vocational Education and Training (VET) and Technical and Further Education (TAFE) courses.

Fields of study are vocational or specialisation courses in a particular field.

It has a specialised Vocational Education and Training (VET). Changing your course and institution if you feel unsuited for it is also made possible by the Australian Education Framework.

There are other programs and courses like Masters, Bachelor and other programmes available across various fields.

Some of the most popular courses are:-

●     Master in Science

●     PhD in Political Science

●     Agricultural Sciences

●     Biomedical Engineering

• Earth Sciences

PSW Visa

 After you finish your education, you are eligible to apply for a work visa valid for up to 4 years post-graduation. The visa depends on-

●     The Post-Study Work stream of the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) for students who complete an education program under Bachelors, Masters or Doctoral plan.

●     Students are then required to submit an Expression of Interest via the Australian Government's SkillSelect, which is an application that seeks acceptance in Australia as a professional worker.

●     Sometimes the students may require the state and territory governments nomination for skilled and business migration.

Eligibility criteria for the same are-

●     Age less than 50

●     Subclass 500 student visa

●     Academic qualification in a CRICOS-registered course.

●     Proficiency in English and other certificates

Australia also has a policy of The DAMA (Designated Area Migration Agreements) framework. DAMA is designed as an employer-driven visa program. A DAMA visa can be applied for when there is an employer in the DAMA approved region.

DAMA is not applied by individuals. But Individuals need to be sponsored:

●     by an employer operating in a designated region

●     for an occupation that is specified in the head agreement

Scholarships

Australia is one of the few countries that award scholarships to international students.  Institutes offering scholarships have their own requirements and guidelines for application. Even though there are quite a few scholarships available, here are some of the more popular ones.

●     Australia Awards- This is by far the most comprehensive and prestigious scholarship offered by Australia. This is a combined scholarship of scholarships offered by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT), the Department of Education and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).

●     Destination Australia Program (DAP)- It is one of the newer scholarships offered under the Australian Governments new mobility program. This mobility program aims to empower both domestic and international students. There are 1000 scholarships available for students of regional campuses with a qualification from certified level IV and up.

●     Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP)- This is directly offered to participating institutions and the applications are also made to the university.

●     Australia APEC Women in Research Fellowship- This is a major opportunity for those high-achieving female researchers from APEC economies. It helps them for research opportunities in partnership with Australian education and research institutions. This is a platform to empower women from APEC regions in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

●     Many others the details of which are university, institute or course-specific.

Living Expenses

Australia is fast becoming the most preferred destination with its welcoming policies and accommodating lifestyle. Because of this, the cost of education is different for different courses and the kind of standard of living you choose. The following is an approximation:

• Accommodation- Ranges from 90$ per week in hostels to 22,000$ a year in boarding.
• Groceries and eating out - $140 to $280 per week
• Gas, electricity - $10 to $20 per week
• Phone and Internet - $15 to $30 per week
• Public transport - $30 to $60 per week
• Car (after purchase) - $150 to $260 per week
• Entertainment - $80 to $150 per week

Life & Culture

Student life

Australians value practical skills and innovation. The approach to education and everyday life is far removed from anxieties and stress. There is a possibility to work while you study and yet have a work-life balance.

There are extreme measures to safeguard the security of students in places of study, work and accommodation.  The multicultural society helps everyone find a place in it.  The high standard of living and growth opportunities are a deal-breaker for some.

Culture

The lifestyle is relaxed, the entire ambience is informal. The people are humble and approachable. . There is no language barrier. Australian food is a melting pot of all cuisines. . Sports lovers can be in a paradise here. Sports lovers, Nature enthusiasts, Music aficionados - there is something for everyone here!

Famous places

This is a country which thrives in contrasts. Where one can experience the beach life at Bondi Beach, connect with nature in the outback or dive into the awe-inspiring Great Barrier Reef. Also unforgettable are:

●     Sydney Opera House

●     Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

●     Sydney Harbour Bridge

●      Blue Mountains National Park

• Melbourne Cricket Ground

●     Student Visa Subclass (500) application

●     a Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) or a Letter of Offer from university registered under CRICOS

●     Financial requirements: Proof of funds required to cover tuition, travel and living costs.

●     Test to prove English Proficiency

●     Health Certificate

●     Character Certificate

●     Completed Australian student visa application form (157A)

●     Paid visa application fee – currently AU$620 (~US$420) in most cases

●     Copy of passport biodata page (some students may be asked to physically provide their passport)

●     Certificate of Enrolment or Letter of Offer

●     Evidence of sufficient funds

●     Evidence of health insurance cover

●     English proficiency test results

●     Criminal record check results

• Four recent passport-sized photographs