Study in Australia

Australia, known as the "Down Under," lies in the Southern Hemisphere. 7,617,930 square kilometers is the area of Australia which enjoys lots of picturesque places resulting in different climates. As of 2024, about 26.5 million people live in Australia, mostly in cities along the eastern coast.

Its huge area makes it be the world’s sixth largest country, of which Sydney is the largest city, of course. Australia shares its northwest border with Indonesia, separated by the Arafura and Timor seas. The Tasman Sea extends from New Zealand to the southeast, while the Great Barrier Reef divides the Coral Sea Islands region. Additionally, the Coral Sea and Torres Strait separate Australia from Papua New Guinea in the northeast.

It has lots of diversities from deserts in the center, rainforests in the northeast to ranges of mountains in the south east. Tasmania and various smaller islands are part of the Australian continent, collectively forming the Commonwealth of Australia.

In the early 1600s, Dutch explorers called it New Holland, but indigenous Australians had lived there for nearly 65,000 years. European settlers explored large parts of the continent and eventually established five self-governing crown colonies. On January 1, 1901, these six colonies joined to form the Commonwealth of Australia.

By 1770, the eastern half of Australia was fully under British control. Australia declared its national day on January 26th, 1788. It marked the start of sending convicts to the New South Wales colony.

The Australian flag consists of the Union Jack, the Commonwealth Star, and the Southern Cross on a blue background. The Union Jack in the top left corner shows the British history, and below it is the white Commonwealth Star.

Australia, a developed country, derives income from various sources such as international education, telecom, mining exports, manufacturing, and banking. It boasts one of the world's highest per capita incomes, ranking thirteenth globally in economic power and expenditures. Australia has more immigrants, about 30%, than other countries with over 10 million people.

Australia is a member of the United Nations, G20, and Commonwealth of Nations. It excels in health, education, economic freedom, and civil liberties. Australia is safe for studying and traveling. It has a stable government, low crime, friendly people, and a nice lifestyle without dangers or fears.

Australia's environment is diverse, ranging from rainforests and industrial areas to icy territories, given its proximity to Antarctica. The country features the famous Mount Kosciuszko, standing at 2228 meters, along with other high mountains. In the central region lies a number of deserts, indicating a notably arid climate.

Australia's environment faces significant impact from mining and agriculture. Australia actively works to protect important places like the Great Barrier Reef, animals, and forests because of people's concerns.

Australia experiences diverse climates because of its vast size. Summers are wet and scorching, while winters are dry and relatively warm. In the south, it gets chilly with occasional rain, and summers are mildly cool.

Australia has a Western culture with strong British influences, but its distinctive geography also shapes its unique identity. The indigenous culture coexists with that of various ethnic groups, whose migrations began after British colonization.

The Anglo-Celtic inheritance, encompassing the English language, democratic values, constitutional monarchy, and Parliamentarianism, forms a foundation. Christianity serves as the state's religion, and federalism, influenced by American constitutionalism, gained prominence after World War II.

With millions migrating to Australia, diverse traditions melded into the mainstream culture, impacting lifestyle, cuisine, and various cultural expressions.

For international students the cost of living varies between 15,000 dollars- 20,000 dollars a year. 

• Groceries and eating out – $80 to $280 per week (~US$57-201) 
• Gas, electricity – $35 to $140 (~US$25-100) 
• Phone and Internet – $20 to $55 (~US$14-40) 
• Public transport – $15 to $55 (~US$11-40) 
• Car (after purchase) – $150 to $260 (~US$108-187)
• Entertainment – $80 to $150 (~US$57-108) 

This relates to different students’ lifestyles and arrangements:

1. Living on campus or nearby saves students money on transportation and gives them easy access to Wi-Fi and a gym.
2. In a homestay, an international student lives with an Australian family during their studies. The average weekly cost is AU$110-270 (~US$80-200) including meals usually. Entertainment costs AU$80-$150 (~US$57-108). To simplify the process, this works out to a minimum of around AU$311 (~US$224) per week.
3. Students can pick different types of places to stay based on their budget. There are hotels, apartments, hostels, guesthouses, villas, and holiday homes.

Australia offers Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), a special insurance for international students. OSHC helps cover medical and hospital expenses during their stay in Australia. It is crucial for international students to acquire this health insurance before leaving their home country.

The current student visa fees for Australia are AUD 630 for the main applicant, AUD 470 for those 18 or older, and AUD 155 for those under 18. PhD students only pay AUD 630 for the main applicant and any additional applicants. The granted student visa permits students to travel to and stay in Australia for the entire study period.

To apply for an Australian student visa, complete the online application on the Australian Home Affairs website. Before applying, ensure payment of the required tuition fees to the educational institution for obtaining the electronic Confirmation of Enrollment (eCoE). This confirmation, provided as an online code, is necessary for the relevant section in the visa application.

When completing the online visa application, you must provide evidence of eligibility. To be eligible, the student must meet the visa requirements.

1. Enroll in a course of study and provide evidence.
2. Meet English language requirements.
3. Obtain adequate overseas health cover (OSHC).
4. Provide evidence of a financial capability.
5. Sign the Australian values statement.
6. Be a genuine temporary entrant.
7. Meet the Australian character requirements.

The Australian home affairs website provides a full detailed checklist.

Students need to get Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for themselves and their family members, ensuring coverage for their entire stay in the country.

For student visa applications, the table below outlines the minimum scores accepted for each test. While these are the minimum scores required for a student visa, you will likely need a higher score to gain entry to your course.

• IELTS — overall score of 6.0 to 6.5 (no band less than 5.5 to 6.0)
• TOEFL (Internet-based test) — overall score of 60 to 90
• PTE Academic — overall score of 50 to 64.
• CAE — overall score of 169 to 176 (no less than 169 in any category).

Notes:

1. Minimum scores vary widely across institutions and study levels, so it's advisable to check with specific providers before applying.
2. Certain courses, such as nursing, education, or law, may have stricter requirements, while Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses usually have lower prerequisites. If you fall short of the English language requirements, you can enroll in an ELICOS program to enhance your language skills.

International students in Australia on a valid student visa can work up to 40 hours per fortnight during school sessions and have no restrictions on hours during recognized school vacations. The workweek is from Monday through the following Sunday. Students can arrive up to 90 days before their course starts, but they can only commence work after the official beginning of the course.

Discover the wonders of studying in Australia. A land of culture, creativity, and curiosity where you can learn, explore, and grow.