Study in Australia

The Australian education system is renowned for its world-class infrastructure and practical learning focused on multiple areas of study. Students aspiring to be a part of any of their globally-recognised universities need to match certain standard criteria. The minimum percentage requirement for diploma-level admission is 60% while that for undergrad is 5% more than that. MBA students need to have received a 3-year graduation-level study. Your previous schools and academic records strengthen your pitch when applying to Australia. Submitted along with the university application, universities require a detailed CV, statement of purpose and two letters of recommendation. Students also need to take IELTS and/or GMAT depending on the level of program they are applying to.

It is easy for international students to get a Subclass 500 Student Visa to study in Australia. The documents required for the student visa are a Letter of Offer and Confirmation of Enrolment from the university, proof of English and proof of sufficient funds. Additionally, the online student visa application contains GS questions that affect the decision-making process. Some of the known questions are based on students’ current circumstances, reason for choosing Australia and knowledge of Australian history and lifestyle. Applying for the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is also a part of the visa process. Mostly, the process takes up to 4 weeks. Students can apply for the visa online using ImmiAccount or seek the help of a visa consultancy agency.

The cost of studying abroad varies as per the choice of course, university, location and involvement in research. Students aiming to study in Australia could consider the average starting cost of education of AUD 15,000 or INR 8.12 Lakh. For an undergrad program, the cost could go up to AUD 45,000 or INR 24.5 Lakh and AUD 50,000 or INR 27.3 Lakh for a postgrad or doctoral program. The tuition fee for educational education and training programs is between INR 2 Lakh to INR 12 Lakh.

While studying in Australia is a cheaper option for students, the country has a higher-end lifestyle. It is, in fact, the 10th most expensive country to live in. It is the home of some of the costliest cities in the world. However, they do have affordable destinations as well. The Department of Education of Australia presents its stats with 7,46,080 international students in the first quarter of 2023. The average cost of living in Australia for international students ranges between AUD 30,000 to AUD 34,000, or INR 16.34 Lakh to INR 18.52 Lakh, per month. Rent is about INR 1 Lakh per month, food and groceries come at INR 22,000 while transportation and phone services are at INR 9000 and INR 7300 each.

Australia has several on-campus and off-campus student accommodation options. Students from all parts of the world come to Australia with diverse needs, cultures and preferences. Universities offer halls of residence and dormitories to help students stay close to the campus and indulge in its co-curricular activities. Off-campus options range from rental apartments/flats, shared houses/apartments, homestays and student housing co-operatives. Moreover, international students can travel free or at $1 on public buses. Studywise International helps its students find comfortable accommodations and their pickup from the airport to help with the transition.

Healthcare in Australia is costly. As a result, claiming insurance is a part of the visa process for international students. The Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is designed to help students cover their medical expenses while studying in Australia. This health care is provided for international students as they don’t have access to public health care. The lowest cost of a 12 months-valid OSHC is AUD 478 or INR 26,000 for singles cover and AUD 2,600 or INR 1.41 Lakh for couples cover. Some universities also organise health covers for their students so it would always be wise to enquire about everything from your uni.

Over 900 institutions in Australia accept IELTS. Universities have mandated IELTS as a standard test to help students demonstrate their English proficiency. Different courses and schools require different IELTS scores. In general, a 6.0-6.5 score is considered the bar for students applying to study in Australia. It is notable that students still need a minimum band of 6.0. A higher score reflects a higher chance of getting into your choice of university with a high-end course. Generally, postgrad and doctoral programs demand more proficiency. Alternatively, universities also accept academic records if students have received their previous education in English medium for a certain number of years.

International students can work part-time with a valid student visa. Students can work for up to 20 hours a week during their terms. On the duration of holidays, they can also work full-time. The minimum wage for a part-time job is $23.23 an hour. The pay scale varies according to students’ skills and knowledge. However, finding a part-time job might not be as easy as it sounds. But students can always find jobs at their university or enquire if there are any affiliated places.

Generally, applicants’ parents satisfy the financial needs and requirements for overseas education, including the visa. However, under the Subclass 491 visa, an eligible Australian relative can also sponsor their maintenance funds and more. Some universities, too, provide full or partial sponsorships to credible students. Other sources of sponsorships are the Indian government, the Australian government and other non-profit parties. The Aussi government invests about AUD 200 million every year in eligible students who require funds to pursue programs at universities and other tertiary institutions around the country. There are several other university-specific scholarships like the VU International Excellence Scholarship, the Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship and Academic Excellence Scholarships Recognising Outstanding Performance in Undergraduate Studies.

Yes, international students can stay in Australia after completing their studies. Students can stay in Australia for up to 5 years on their student visas. During this period, they need to complete their studies, get their degree and look for relevant work experience. Later on, they can switch their Subclass 500 Student Visa to Subclass 485 Post-work Visa which allows them to work for up to 2 years in metropolitan cities and 3 years in regional areas. Students can stay back and look for companies they wish to work with or explore the work opportunities in their areas of study.