Australia has become increasingly popular as a destination for international students for its friendly people, cultural diversity and high-quality education as well as promising career prospects in Australia.
Australian Education System
Formal education in Australia is comprised of four different stages, early childhood education (age 4-5), primary education (age 6-12), secondary education (age 13-18) and tertiary education (higher education and vocational education). You can find schools that offer the best education in Australia for each of them.
Higher Education
Australian universities enjoy a great reputation and are, thus, an ideal destination for many international students. In the QS World University Ranking 2022, 7 universities rank top 100 worldwide.
- Australian National University (27th)
- University of Melbourne (37th)
- University of Sydney (38th)
- University of New South Wales (43th)
- University of Queensland (47th)
- Monash University (58th)
- University of Western Australia (93th)
Higher education in Australia is not much different from anywhere else in the world. It can be divided into 2 main stages.
Undergraduate
After you finish your 12th year, you can enrol in an undergraduate program in a field of interest. The full-time undergraduate course in universities usually lasts 4 years in Australia.
Postgraduate and Doctoral studies
Australian postgraduate and doctoral programs are open to students with a bachelor's degree. Some require students to have a degree in a relevant field and some don’t. If you plan to get a master’s or a PhD in Australia, make sure you meet the requirements, welcome to contact us for detailed information.
VET and TAFE
Vocational Education Training (VET) is education and training programs that aim to prepare students for work and train them to develop practical skills. VET does not have to be offered by institutes or schools; any Registered Training Organisation (RTO) in Australia can offer VET courses.
VET training provides students with:
- Practical skills
- Understanding the industry
- Hand-on experience
- Qualifications that are recognised nationwide
After completing your VET, you will be awarded one of the following types of educational qualifications:
- Certificate I to IV
- Diploma
- Advanced diploma
- Vocational graduate certificate / diploma
- Other qualifications (e.g. qualifications for English language courses)
Students with VET certificates IV, diplomas or advanced diplomas can also continue their education in universities with credits they earn in VET programs and work towards a bachelor’s degree in universities or colleges in Australia.
Technical and Further Education (TAFE) courses are a type of VET in Australia that institutes, private colleges or universities offer. International students can also enrol in TEFA courses.
You can easily find TAFE courses in Sydney, Melbourn and other cities. Welcome to make a free appointment with our adviors, let the experts assist you in planning a TAFE program that meets your needs.
Tuition Fees and Living Cost
Tuition Fees
One very important aspect to be considered when you create your plan to study in Australia is the expense: the tuition fees for international students vary from university to university and from year to year, so make sure you check the university website for the latest tuition fees.
The table below shows the average estimated fees for oversea students at different educational levels in Australia: kindergarten, pre-primary, primary, secondary, undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD.
*Medical degrees and other courses whose tuition fees are considerably higher are not included.
An overseas primary and secondary education student might require additional English language training depending on their age and school level. The school offers 2 different kinds of English courses:
- Intensive English Centre (IEC) program (AU$3,000/year)
- English as an Additional Language or Dialect (ESL) program (AU$1,500/year)
Tip: a wide variety of scholarships are offered by the university, the government and the private organisation to help international students study in Australia. Look for scholarships that you are eligible for and give it a shot!
Other Expenses
- Visa fees
- School uniforms - if applicable
- Textbooks and stationery
- School trips
- Specialist course fees
Living Costs
Apart from the tuition fee and other school expenses, you as an international student or a guardian of an international student also need to be prepared to pay for the following while living in Australia.
- Accommodation
- Transportation
- Groceries and food
- Overseas student health cover
- Personal expenses
The Australian government estimates the general 12-month living costs for international students:
- Students or guardians - AU$21,041
- For partners coming with you - AU$7,362
- For a child coming with you - AU$3,152
How to Apply to Study in Australia
1. Do thorough research.
This is the most important step. Before you apply to study in any school, college or university in Australia as an international student, make sure you know what you are looking for and if the program helps you to grow academically, professionally and/or personally.
Studying abroad is a great investment, but a big one. Make it count by doing thorough research. You can:
- Check the school’s and the program’s official website
- Search for reviews about the program
- Find alumni or current students on the social media and ask their opinions about the program
- Speak to an Intake advisor for more advice
2. Apply for the program.
After you find the school and program you want to apply for, first, check the requirements and application instructions carefully. Make sure that you are eligible to apply for it. Some degree courses require you to have a degree in a relevant field, whereas some expect you to have certain levels of English proficiency.
The second step is to learn what documents you are required to submit for your applications to study in Australia. While the documents needed might vary from program to program, they usually include:
- Personal information
- SOP
- English language proficiency certificate
- Academic qualifications (e.g. academic transcripts)
- CV / resume
- Additional documents (e.g. writing samples)
- Portfolio (for Art and Design courses)
Read more: How to Write a Statement of Purpose (SOP) - Get Approved The Genuine Way
3. Accept the offer officially.
This step is simple: after you apply and are offered a place in the program, follow the instructions the school gives you and accept the offer officially so you can start other arrangements.
Read more: Conditional and Unconditional Offers: What Are They and What You Need to Know
4. Apply for the visa.
After you have received confirmation of enrolment, you can start applying for your student visa to study in Australia. More detail will be explained in the next section.
Student Visa for Australia: Requirements and Fees
Applying for a student visa is almost as tedious as applying for a school. You need to gather various documents and make sure they are all perfect. Start your student visa application early so you have the time to make adjustments, if needed, to your application.
The processing time for your Australia student visa (500) is roughly 4-6 weeks. The Australian government, therefore, advises international students to apply for their visas at least 6 weeks in advance.
Australia Student Visa (500) Requirements
You need to gather the following documents:
- Identity documents (e.g. a valid passport)
- Confirmation of enrolment (CoE)
- Overseas Student Health Cover
- Health exam reports
- Genuine temporary entrant documents (GTE)
Other documents needed (vary by the applicant's nationality, educational providers, and courses)
- Student visa English language requirements
- Letter of support
- Acceptance forms
- Proof of financial support
You need enough money for
- Your travel
- Course fees for a year
- Living costs for a year
- School fees for school-age children
Australia Student Visa Application Fee
- Base fee: AU$630
- Additional applicant over 18: AU$470
- Additional applicant under 18: AU$155
If for any reason, your visa application fee can be weaved, you need to include evidence that you are exempt from it while submitting your application for the student visa to study in Australia.
If you have any questions about drawing up your own study abroad plan, welcome to contact us. Our advisors are glad to help you find the most suitable program in Australia and reach academic and professional success.