Study in Australia

Australia offers a diverse range of study options for international students, with more than 1,200 institutions and over 22,000 courses to choose from. You can study at all levels of education from primary and secondary school, to vocational education and training (VET), from English language courses to higher education (including universities). And regardless of what you are studying or how long you are studying for, Australia’s laws promote quality education and protection for international students. This includes the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 and the National Code of Practice for Registration Authorities and Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2007 (National Code). These provide nationally consistent standards for providers of education and training for international students.

As an international student on a student visa, you must study with an institution and in a course, that is registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). CRICOS registration guarantees that the course and the institution at which you study meet the high standards expected by international students. You can search for courses and institutions here on the Study in Australia website.

Along with the ESOS Act and National Code, there are also regulatory and quality assurance organizations for higher education and VET institutions. These government organizations are responsible for the registration/re-registration of institutions and accreditation/re-accreditation of courses. These organizations are:

• Higher education– Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA)
• VET– Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA)

So no matter the type, of course, you want to study, how long you want to study for, or where you want to study, you can be assured that in Australia you will have a high-quality and rewarding study experience.

10 Reasons to Study in Australia

Did you know Australia has the third highest number of international students in the world behind only the United Kingdom and the United States despite having a population of only 23 million? This isn’t surprising when you consider Australia has seven of the top 100 universities in the world! In fact, with over 22,000 courses across 1,100 institutions, Australia sits above the likes of Germany, the Netherlands and Japan, ranking eighth in the Universitas 2012 U21 Ranking of National Higher Education Systems.

These are strong academic credentials, but our institutions are just as highly rated as the cities that house them around the country. Australia has five of the 30 best cities in the world for students based on student mix, affordability, quality of life, and employer activity – all important elements for students when choosing the best study destination. And with more than A$200 million provided by the Australian Government each year in international scholarships, we’re making it easier for you to come and experience the difference an Australian education can make to your future career opportunities.

Do you have a specific study area of interest? There is every chance Australia has you covered, with at least one Australian university in the top 50 worldwide across the study areas of Natural Sciences & Mathematics, Life & Agricultural Sciences, Clinical Medicine & Pharmacy, and Physics.

Given this impressive education pedigree, it’s not surprising there are now more than 2.5 million former international students who have gone on to make a difference after studying in Australia. Some of these students are among the world’s finest minds. In fact, Australia has produced 15 Nobel prize laureates and every day over 1 billion people around the world rely on Australian discoveries and innovations – including penicillin, IVF, ultrasound, Wi-Fi, the Bionic Ear, cervical cancer vaccine and Black Box Flight Recorders – to make their lives, and the lives of others, better.

Why wouldn’t you want to study with some of the best minds in the world?

1. When you choose to study in Australia, you can be assured of unparalleled quality of education, internationally-recognized qualification, and immense employment prospects. Universities in Australia are renowned for their research and training methodologies, and this makes it a popular destination among Indian students.

Academic excellence, campus life, and qualified instructors are other key reasons behind Australian universities being ranked in the QS World Ranking and Times Higher Education Rankings consistently. It has a well-structured curriculum that focuses on varied skills such as critical thinking, creativity, communication, literacy, analytical thinking ability, ethical understanding, and more.

Plus, Australia offers a variety of courses – you can choose from 22,000 types of courses available in over 1,100 institutions; and hosts the five best student cities in the world including Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)

The unique factor of the Australian education system is its implementation of Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), the national policy established in 1995 that specifies the standards of qualifications for the tertiary education sector (higher education, vocational education and training) in addition to the school leaving certificate, called the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. With AQF, your degree is recognised and authorised by the government.

Under the AQF, there are 10 levels that interconnects various schools, colleges, universities and educational institutions in one single national system. This allows flexibility, choice and better career planning for students to move from one study level to another as long as their student visa requirements are fulfilled.

Source: https://www.aqf.edu.au/aqf-levels

The highest level of education in Australia is the university level. You can choose from 43 universities, 40 out of which are government funded, two are international universities and one is a private university. You may opt for bachelor degrees or postgraduate courses which can comprise certificate, postgraduate diploma, master and doctoral programs.

Students can also enrol for vocational courses that work as a gateway to university education or industry for work. These courses focus on practical skills and industry training and are offered by government-funded institutions (including TAFE – Technical and Further Education) and private establishments.

Higher education

Provided at university level, higher education comprises bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees. The skills and knowledge acquired at these levels makes a student ready to work in the industry eventually.

Fee structure

The average tuition fees at one of Australia’s tertiary institutions ranges between AUD$20,000 and AUD$30,000 a year. Find out more about the cost of studying in Australia.

Academic intakes

Unlike a single intake in the Indian universities, Australian colleges and universities offer two major intakes. Intakes may also be referred to as a semester in some universities. The two intakes available in Australia are:

Semester 1:  Starts late February/Early March to late May/Early June

Semester 2: Starts late July/Early August through to November

The Australian high school system commences in late January or early February whereas the vocational courses and university programs begin around February. While the school system has three to four terms, universities have two semesters. Students can enjoy a 2-4 week break between the two semesters, the summer one being the longer one.