Study in Australia

Australia Overview

Australia is the largest country, geographically, and is a continent in itself. It lies in the southern hemisphere so the weather changes are opposite than those of India. Australia has five of the 30 best cities in the world for students to live in based on student mix, affordability, quality of life, and employment opportunities. The capital of Australia is Canberra.

Education System

Australia has the third highest number of international students in the world after United Kingdom and United States. It also has seven of the top 100 universities in the world. Australia's national quality assurance system is unique in its structure and rigour. The Australian Quality Training Framework has been set up by the government to strengthen the quality assurance processes in education.

College Fit

At the higher education level, students have a wide range of options when they choose a college or university. Although there are agencies that attempt to rank colleges and universities, the concept of “fit” is also important. The GPA of admitted students are important, but majors offered, location, number of students enrolled, and campus culture are all factors influencing a prospective student’s decision. Some colleges and universities are publicly funded, while others are privately supported.

Popular Student Destinations

The top universities in Australia are The Australian National University, The University of New South Wales, The University of Melbourne, The University of Western Sydney, and Monash University (in no particular order). Most of the best colleges in the country are situated in cities like Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Perth. About 12,629 Indian students were studying in Australia during the academic year 2012-13. Accounting, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Health Care, Information Technology, and Hotel Management are the popular courses Indian students pursue in Australia.

Safety in Australia

Australia is a multicultural society that welcomes people from other cultures, countries and backgrounds. While majority of Indian students studying in Australia have a positive experience of living and studying in Australia, there were a number of incidents of assault as well as of robbery during 2009 and 2010, which affected not only Indian students but also members of the larger Indian community in Australia. Presently, no such incidents have been reported and active efforts have been made by the Australian government to prevent such untoward incidents from happening in future.

Weather

Australia is diverse in its geography and climate. The country is located in the southern hemisphere. This means Australia's summer starts in December and winter begins in June. Nearly a third of Australia is in the tropics where the average temperatures are in the mid 20 degrees Celsius. The southern areas are in a temperate zone.

Australian States and Their Weather

• Australian Capital Territory: Hot, dry summers, and cold winters with occasional fog and frequent frosts. Canberra's average temperature in summers would be around 30°C to 15°C; in winters it would be around 11°C to 0°C.
• New South Wales: Sydney's weather is very relaxing all-round the year. The average temperature in summers would be around 22°C to 40°C; in winters it would be around 17°C to 8°C.
• Northern Territory: Tropical climate with two distinct seasons, the 'Wet' and the 'Dry'. Darwin's average temperature in wet season would be around 33°C to 25°C; in dry season it would be around 35°C to 21°C.
• Queensland: Warm summers and mild winters. Brisbane's average temperature in summers would be around 20°C to 30°C; in winters it would be around 20°C to 10°C.
• South Australia: Mild weather with sunshine all the year round. Adelaide's average temperature in summers would be around 17°C to 30°C; in winters it would be around 15°C to 6°C.
• Tasmania: Snow falls in the mountains in winter. Hobart's average temperature in summers would be around 25°C to 10°C; in winters it would be around 11°C to 4°C.
• Victoria: Melbourne enjoys warm summers, pleasant springs, mild autumns and crisp winters. Melbourne's average temperature in summers would be around 26°C to 15°C; in winters it would be around 13°C to 6°C.
• Western Australia: Perth is famous for its long days of sunshine, spotless blue skies and brilliant beaches. Perth's average temperature in summers would be around 31°C to 18°C; in winters it would be around 17°C to 7°C.

Lifestyle Tips

Australians are known to be friendly and helpful people, with a great sense of humour. Australia is considered one of the most competitive nations on Earth. This covers all areas of life including the workplace. While English is Australia’s national language, there are certain words and expressions that have come to be regarded as uniquely Australian through common usage. Some of them might seem strange to non-Australians.

Australians love their sport, both playing it and watching it. The most loved sports in Australia include Australian football, rugby, and cricket. This relatively benign climate has resulted in a country where people spend a good deal of time outdoors at beaches, in the countryside or on sporting fields as either spectators or participants.

Indians Living in Australia

There were nearly 308,542 Indian immigrants living in Australia in 2011. They represent the second-largest immigrant group by country of origin, after China. Almost one-third of all Indian immigrants resided in Victoria.

Accommodation

Firstly, you need to decide whether you want to live in university managed accommodation, or with a private landlord. Choosing university managed accommodation can also give you a catered or self-catered option. Catered accommodation offers the benefits of your meals being cooked for you and a degree of certainty with meal costs.

If you have an idea about what you prefer, the accommodation office at your university will be able to tell you what accommodation they have available - so that’s the place to start. If you are thinking of renting from a private landlord or if your chosen university can’t offer you anything in its own residential facility, the accommodation office should be able to provide you with a list of private properties and landlords in the area.

Wherever you choose to live, you should make sure that you know your contractual rights and responsibilities. In most cases you will be asked to enter into a tenancy agreement, which you should read thoroughly before you sign.

Orientation

Orientation week is mandatory for international students so ensure that you arrive before it starts. This is the time where you will be introduced to the university and its services, as well as enrol in your classes. It is essential that you read your guidebook, which is provided by the college. The guide explains each part of the admission process.

Activities

Along with sport, colleges offer extra-curricular activities that provide students a wide range of experiences. Music, drama, science and literary societies in colleges offer opportunities for outdoor education and other leisure activities. Visits to theatres, concerts, and places relevant to the courses of study such as art galleries and museums, religious centres or historical sites, scientific companies and projects are all part of college life.

Requirements

These vary between study programs and levels. For each course, Indian students will need to meet a minimum English language requirement. Along with that a minimum academic record of 65% and above in class XII will be required. Foundations and Diploma programs are available for students who have secured below 60%. The student should have completed 18 years of age before joining a degree program.

It is important to note that these numbers are just for reference purpose, the actual numbers may differ from university to university.

The following documents also need to be submitted:

• Attested copies of mark sheets of class X, XII, and the Bachelor’s degree (if applicable)
• At least, two academic reference letters from professors who have taught you most recently
• If you have work experience then two letters of recommendation from the employer/manager who knows you well and can comment on your professional abilities
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Resume
• Photocopied score reports of GMAT / IELTS / TOEFL
• Portfolio (in case of Students applying for art and design courses & architecture programs)
• Others (certificates / achievements at the state and national level and extracurricular activities)
• Proof of funds

Timeline

Most of the colleges in Australia accept online applications. You will have to visit each college's website to apply. In most cases, you will have to make an account on the college website to provide your basic information, submit the scanned version of your documents, and pay application fees. You will be informed about the application process and its stages through this account. Please refer to the website of the colleges of your choice to know the process of applying.

Application fee: All colleges require that you pay an application fee while applying. The fee amount will differ depending upon the college and course being applied to, so check with individual colleges about their application fee.

Steps: The common steps to applying for admission are as follows:

1. Search for colleges and courses
2. Contact schools and visit websites for information
3. Narrow down your list of schools
4. Take the entrance exams like SAT, GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, IELTS
5. Write SOPs and ask for LORs
6. Apply to the colleges which fit your interests
7. Appear for video interviews to the colleges who shortlisted you
8. If accepted, apply for student visa

SOP

A Statement of Purpose (SOP) is your introduction to the college and admission officers. It is always written in first person and describes the reason for applying to a particular college. It needs to highlight why you are a perfect fit for the college and why the college should accept you. The style of writing could differ from formal to casual, but it is important to remember that it should reflect your personality as well.

LOR

A letter of recommendation (LOR) is a reference letter written by a third party describing the qualities, characteristics, and capabilities of the prospective student to recommend him to the college in terms of that individual’s ability to perform a particular task or function. The third party could be a professor, direct manager etc.

Intake seasons

Australia generally has two intakes i.e. February and July, with few universities offering multiple intakes in September & November. You should start your admission process around six months before the application deadline. Typically most universities have three deadlines, during one intake. It is up to the convenience of the students, which deadline to aim for. You should be done with your language and aptitude tests by three months before the deadline. The last three months should be dedicated to filling out the application form properly.

It is essential to ensure that the ‘complete application process’ along with appearing for interviews and visa application procedure should be complete by Nov-Dec for the February intake.

If you are looking to get admission into vocational courses, then some courses may have admissions open in January and perhaps even May or July.

Language exams

International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and Pearson Test of English (PTE) are all standardized language tests, which are required to be taken for the purpose of getting admission into colleges. These follow different formats, structure and result bands. Many colleges ask for any one of the results, so it's up to the student to decide which exam to appear for.

Repetition of exams

IELTS can be taken an unlimited number of times. TOEFL can be retaken as many times as wished, but cannot be taken more than once in a 12-day period. Similarly, PTE can be taken as many times as desired. You must wait to receive your scores before you can book your next test.

Time to apply

Ideally, if you are aiming at the September intake you should appear for these exams by November, so that you can apply before the first deadline. The universities you will be applying to will mention which exam results they will accept. But if they give a choice to go for either of these, then the choice depends on you. The time required to prepare for IELTS/TOEFL/PTE would depend on the existing English language proficiency. You may require 2 to 4 months of preparation before the exam date.

General exams

GMAT - The Graduate Management Aptitude Test is used to measure the abilities of the potential MBA aspirant to undertake higher education in the field of business or management. It measures mathematical, English, and reasoning skills of the student.

GRE - The Graduate Record Examination is another test required to be taken by students applying to graduate schools to pursue MA or MS. Increasingly many business schools are also accepting GRE scores for the purpose of granting admission for MBA.

Repetition

You can give GMAT an unlimited number of times, subject to five times a year and a gap of 30 days between two tests. You can take these tests with a gap of 30 days from the first time.

Average Scores

The average GMAT accepted across universities is 520. The average GRE score is 145 for Verbal, 160 for Quantitative, and 4.0 for Writing.

It is important to note that these numbers are just for reference purposes, the actual scores may differ from university to university.

Living expenses

The cost of living depends heavily on what part of Australia you will be living in along with how much you will socialize. Some of the basic elements for living as an international student in Australia are:

• Accommodation rent (on campus or off-campus)
• Groceries and food
• Utilities like electricity, water, gas, internet
• Phone bills
• Text and reference books
• Airfare for traveling back to India

Other elements which may differ from person to person would be:

• Dining out
• Travel and Vacation
• Car rent and Car insurance
• Cable TV connection
• School expenses

Tuition fees

The tuition fee varies according to different universities, courses, and cities. The tuition expenses in Australia might be up to $15,000 to $33,000 per year for an undergraduate course. For postgraduate courses, the cost would be approximately $20,000 to $37,000 per year.

Health insurance

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is compulsory and you will not be able to apply for your student visa until you have purchased a policy recommended by your host university. It includes cover for visits to the doctor, some hospital treatment, ambulance cover, and limited pharmaceuticals (medicines).

Scholarships

Fee waivers are awarded to international students based on the criteria of merit and need. Candidates with strong academics, good performance in standardized exams, and extracurricular achievements would be eligible for scholarship awards and financial assistance. The documents usually needed for a scholarship application are as follows:

• Academic records and photocopies
• A recent CV
• A letter of intent, which acts as a cover page
• Certificate of Language Proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS scores)
• Letters of Reference

Loans

The first thing is to be aware of whether you are eligible to apply for the loan or not. The general eligibility criteria followed by all banks are as follows:

• You should be an Indian national
• You must have a strong academic record
• You must be seeking admission to a professional, technical, or other course of studies
• You must have secured admission to foreign university institutions
• You must be above the age of 18 years or else your parents can avail the loan

Loan amounts and repayment details vary among different banks, so it's essential to confirm the specific requirements with the bank you intend to apply to.

Conditions

If you want to attend a University or college in Australia, you will need a student visa. Following documents will be required for the application purposes:

• Valid Passport - Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in Australia.
• Non-immigrant Visa Application
• Application fee payment receipt, as you are required to pay before your interview
• Confirmation of Enrolment Form (COE) - To obtain a visa to study in Australia, you must be fully enrolled in an Australian institution and receive a "Confirmation of Enrolment (COE)." These forms are issued by the Australian institution you will be attending. The forms are usually issued after the tuition fees have been received.
• Acceptance letter from your host university, this will include the proposed study plan
• Letter from your current institution confirming status as a Study Abroad Student
• Overseas health insurance receipt
• 2 or 4 passport-sized photographs

Note: Additional Documentation May Be Required. During the personal interview additional documents may be requested by the interviewer. These may be documents to prove evidence of academic or financial status:

• Transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from schools you attended
• Scores from tests that your college required, such as the TOEFL, SAT, GRE, or GMAT
• Your intent to depart Australia upon completion of the course of study
• How you will pay all educational, living and travel costs

Process

The average time taken by the Australian High Commission for the visa procedure is anywhere between 8 to 12 weeks depending on the individual’s background, so the students need to apply for their visas at least three months prior to their course commencement.

As an international student, you must complete your course within the minimum course duration listed on your COE. You must leave Australia after completion of your studies. If you wish to stay in Australia for your graduation ceremony, you may need to apply for a visitor class visa.

Work permit

Student visa holders are allowed to work up to 40 hours per fortnight during their study in Australia. The spouses of Masters and PhD students can work unlimited hours. If you are doing voluntary, unpaid work, it is not included in the limit of 40 hours per fortnight.

Visa for spouse

The partner of the student gets a Dependent Visa and a valid work permit for the same duration as the primary applicant. This is applicable only for Master's degree application.

Pre-departure list

• Book airline tickets
• Arrange accommodation in Australia
• Arrange transportation to/from the airport to home in Australia
• Arrange your banking – consider buying traveller’s cheques
• Check baggage and customs limitations
• Clear all paperwork with your home educational institution
• Get your documents in order and make photocopies to store in your baggage and keep at home, including:
• Passport
• Airline tickets
• Travel insurance certificate
• Letter of Acceptance by the educational institution
• Key addresses and phone numbers
• A bank statement showing proof of funds
• Prescriptions for any medication you are carrying
• Traveller’s cheques - if applicable
• Medical and immunization records
• Academic history and university transcripts

Placements

Indian students are accustomed to the concept of campus placements and on-campus recruitment for securing jobs. However, in Australia, there is no formal concept of placements as seen in other countries. Most Australian Universities have a Career Services Centre, which assists students in finding jobs and preparing for interviews. On-campus recruitment is typically driven by student interest. Companies recruiting through universities usually offer internships or co-op positions, preferring to observe a candidate's work for several months before offering full-time employment.

Work visa

Graduates who have completed a Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree may be eligible to apply for a two-year post-study work visa. Those who have completed a Master’s by research degree or a Doctorate may be eligible for a three or four-year post-study work visa, respectively. Other graduates may be eligible for an 18-month subclass 485 visa through the graduate work stream.