AUSTRALIA

WHY STUDY IN AUSTRALIA?

Australia is one of the top abroad study destinations in the world. More than 2.5 million alumni from Australian educational institutions are making a difference around the world. 22,000 courses on offer at 1,100 Universities and colleges in Australia.

Top Universities in the World

8 out of 100 Universities in the list of top Universities in the world are Australian. Australia is ranked 9th in the University Ranking System. Universities in Australia like the University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, University of Queensland, Brisbane University, University of South Australia etc. are very popular with International students.

Variety of Courses

Australia offers 22,000 courses at 1,100 Universities and colleges. This makes Australia a perfect place for abroad study aspirants to explore their talent. The most popular courses in Australia among Nepali students are nursing, accounting, MBA, Information Technology (IT), Engineering, Agriculture, Hospitality Management etc.

Qualification Recognition

Australian qualifications are recognized all over the world as the Universities and colleges in Australia are regularly ranked among the best in the world. The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) allows students to move between education systems with ease. Australian Degree is held in high regard by reputed global institutions and multinational companies.

Job Opportunities

Australian graduates easily find jobs in all places of the world. If you are looking to stay in Australia after completion of education, then you can apply for post study work stream of the Temporary Graduate Visa. Australia is also one of the easiest places to find work while you are still at your University and college. Australia was one of the few advanced countries that was not badly affected by the 2008 financial crisis.

Home of Innovation

Australia is known worldwide for its research and innovation. There have been 15 Nobel Prize winners from Australia. Billions of people use and benefit from Australian inventions like Penicilin, In Vitro Ferilisation (IVF), WiFi, Bionic Ear, Black Box Flight Data Recorder etc. Australian Universities and laboratories have state of the art infrastructure to help with research and development.

Multicultural Society

Australia is a very friendly country with a multicultural population. 47% of Australians were either born outside Australia or have one parent born outside Australia. 260 languages including English, Mandarin, Italic, Arabic, Cantonese, Hindi, Nepali and Greek are spoken in Australia. In a survey conducted by the Australian Government, 86% of international students were satisfied with their overall experience in Australia.

Scholarship Opportunities

The Government of Australia spends $200 million annually on scholarship for international students. There are many other grant and scholarship in Australia offered by educational institutions and public and private organisations. Major scholarship for international students in Australia are Australia Awards, Australia Government Research Training Program (RTP), Australia APEC Women in Research Fellowship, University of Sydney International Research Scholarship etc.

High Standard of Living

90% of Australian population lives in urban areas. This is one of the highest in the world for large countries. Australia has world renowned travel network, access to health facilities, hygiene level, communication facilities and infrastructure. Five of the top 40 cities with best urban infrastructure in the world are Australian. On top of this, five out of the 30 best student cities in the world are in Australia. This makes Australia an ideal place for international students looking for abroad studies.

Value for Cost of Living

Australia offers the best value for money in terms of cost of living. The living cost in Australia can be a bit on the higher side for Nepali students but Australia also offers one of the best standard of living in the world. The minimum living cost in Australia as set by the Department of Home Affairs is AUD 20,290 per year for single students. It is AUD 7,100 for partners and AUD 3,040 for a child. Visit here for more information and guidance on how to better manage your finances while in Australia.

STUDY IN AUSTRALIA FAQ

What is the cost of studying in Australia?

The cost varies based on which college or University in Australia you are studying, the city your University/College is in, the course you are taking etc. The average cost of undergraduate course in Australia is around AUD 29,000 per year. According to Study in Australia, the official site maintained by the Australian government for international students, fee for undergraduate courses range from AUD 15,000 to AUD 33,000. Tuition fee for Post Graduate Master's Degree course ranges from AUD 20,000 to AUD 37,000 per year. Doctoral degree fee ranges from AUD 14,000 to AUD 37,000 per year. The cost will be higher for high value courses like medicine, veterinary etc.

What are the provisons of part time jobs in Australia for international students?

International students in Australia can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and unlimited hours during summer vacations and scheduled course breaks. Jobs are easily found in supermarkets, hotels, motels, farming industry, administrative sector, sales industry etc. Universities in Australia have a Student Job Search Service. This helps international students find jobs during term time and summer breaks. To know more about your rights during work, visit the Australian Government Fair Work Help Center.

What is the minimum wage in Australia?

The current minimum wage in Australia is AUD 18.93 per hour.

Is IELTS compulsory for studying in Australia?

You need to take at least one English Language test for studying in Australia if you are not a native English language speaker. Accepted tests are IELTS, TOEFL (Internet Based), TOEFL (Paper Based), Cambridge English: Certificate in Advanced English (CAE), Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) and Occupational English Test (OET). IELTS is the most popular English language test among students planning for abroad study in Australia.

What is Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC)? Is it mandatory?

OSHC is an insurance to help international students meet the medical costs that may arise during their stay in Australia. It is compulsory that you have OSHC if you want to study in Australia. Your policy must start before you land in Australia. If you are arranging for OSHC yourself, then you must include the policy number and supporting documents during visa application. If your college or University in Australia is arranging OSHC for you, then you must know the details about your health cover like start and end date, area of coverage, terms and conditions, the name of your service provider etc. OSHC is also mandatory for dependent spouse and children under 18 years of age. Learn more at the Department of Health Website and the Website of the Department of Home Affairs.

Can I study in Australia without a student visa?

You can study in a visitor visa for three months and in a work visa for four months. However, you will need a student visa for courses that last more than four months.

How long does the student visa in Australia last?

You will be provided visa for the length of your study duration plus a few months at the end of your course for other arrangements. If your course duration is 10 months or longer and it ends in November-December, then you will be provided visa till the following 15th of March. If your course duration is 10 months or longer and ends during January-October, then you will be provided visa for two extra months after the end of your course.

For courses shorter than 10 months in duration, you will be granted visa for one extra month at the end of the course. Postgraduate research students get visa for six extra months after course completion. The maximum length for student visa under normal circumstances is 5 years.

How much can my partner work if he/she is travelling in dependent visa with me?

If you have a partner who is travelling in dependent visa with you then he/she can work for a maximum of 40 hours every two weeks. The dependent partner cannot work until the student visa holder has started attending their course.

However, if the student visa holder is attending Master's Degree or Doctorate courses then the dependent partner can work unlimited hours after the student has started their courses.

How much does it cost to apply for student visa in Australia?

You will have to pay AUD 575 as fee for student visa application in Australia. This fee is constant regardless of the duration of your course. If you are applying for student visa from within Australia, then you will have to pay an additional AUD 700 surcharge on every subsequent application. You won't have to pay the additional surcharge for subsequent application if you are applying for the visa from outside Australia.

How long does it take to get a student visa to Australia?

The official time required as stated by the Australian Embassy is three months. However, it takes much less than that under normal circumstances. If your documentation process is complete and you have met all the required criteria then you will get the visa within 10-20 days.

Is medical test required for student visa to Australia?

Medical test is necessary for Nepali students applying for Australian student visa. You must have your medical examination before applying for visa but not more than six months prior to it. Medical examination is not compulsory for every country but is required if the country of the applicant has high health risks or the applicant has stayed in high health risk regions for at least three months during the last five years. Additional checkups may be required in case of epidemic and pandemic threats.

Do I need a clean criminal record to be granted a student visa to Australia?

Clean criminal record is one of the most important assets of your visa application. You must be of good character and must not pose a danger to the Australian community. Applicants with petty offences and minor criminal records like drunken driving and assault can sometimes get visa but are nonetheless at the risk of being rejected. Having a substantial criminal record like being sentenced to prison for more than 12 months results in automatic disqualification.

What is evidence of fund? Do I need to show money in bank for student visa to Australia?

Evidence of fund is the proof that you have the financial backup to cover your study and living expenses in Australia. You will not have to necessarily show money in the bank for the purpose but bank deposit is also one type of evidence of fund. You can also provide income statement of parents, close relatives or sponsors as evidence of fund.

You must provide proof of your association with the sponsor and a letter of intent from him/her to support you if the sponsor is not a close family member. In case of bank deposits, you must explain large recent deposits if such is the case. The evidence of fund you provide must be adequate to cover your one year of living cost, tuition fees and travel expenditure.

Do I get a refund if my visa is rejected?

You will not get a refund on your visa application fee (AUD 575 under normal circumstances) if your visa is rejected. Your college or University in Australia will however refund the tuition fee in case of visa rejection. Your Overseas Student Health Care (OSHC) insurance will also be fully refunded in this case.

Do I need an educational consultancy service for studying in Australia from Nepal? Can't I apply by myself?

You can. It is possible for you to do everything by yourself - find colleges, correspond with them, get consent for study, prepare necessary documentation and apply for visa. However, the process is lengthy and there are many criteria that need to be perfectly met. You might miss out on those requirements and risk visa rejection if you apply by yourself.

Educational consultancies take the burden of student visa application from you at no cost. Moreover, many Universities and colleges in Australia will ask you to contact their agent educational consultancies in Nepal if you are about to apply directly.

Is credit transfer to an Australian University possible?

It is possible but the amount of credit you are allowed to transfer depends upon the University you are applying to, the type of course you took back home and the quality of your course. Submit all your educational documents including transcripts and the University you are applying to will access the possibility of credit transfer for you. Since the assessment might take time, it is advisable to apply a few months earlier than usual if you are seeking credit transfer.

Can I change my course and educational insitution mid-way while studying in Australia?

You can. You will have to get consent from the current educational institution you are studying, the next educational institution you will be applying to and the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.

If you are changing your course to a lower level one, you might need to apply for a new student visa. Please visit this page of the Department of Home Affairs for more information.

DOCUMENT CHECKLIST FOR AUSTRALIA STUDENT VISA

Students about to study in Australia from Nepal must ready the following documents before visa application:

Passport that is valid till your intended duration of stay in Australia.
Birth Certificate.
Complete academic documents from school level to the current highest level of study. Include all mark sheets, transcripts, provisional certificates, migration certificate and character certificates.
Police Report.
Couple of recently taken color passport size photographs.
Certification of TOEFL/IELTS score.
Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE) letter from your college or University in Australia.
Financial documents. Bank statements and financial loans from all A-Class Financial Institutions in Nepal are accepted. Your provision for fund most cover your one year tuition fee, one year of living cost in Australia (According to the Australian Government the minimum expenditure of living for a single person in Australia is AUD 20,290 per year) and travel expenditure.

Proof of source of regular income.
Property valuation documents including CA report.
English translated copy of citizenship certificate.
Statement of purpose.
Tax Certification Certificate.
Relationship certificate with family members.
If you are travelling with your spouse then you must include marriage certificate and financial documents that support the living cost of a couple in Australia for a year.
157 A application form or student visa application form.

FACTS ABOUT AUSTRALIA

Australia is an island. The main island of the Australian continent, Tasmanian island and other small isles make Australia.
Australia is the sixth largest country in the world by area. Its total area is 7.69 million square km. It is also the smallest continent.
The total population of Australia was 23 million according to the 2016 census.
Australia's population density of 2.8 inhabitants per square kilometer is one of the lowest in the world.
90% of Australian population lives in coastlines, where large cities are located.
Australia is the 13th largest economy in the world. Its per capita income is the 10th highest in the world.
Australia has the world's 9th largest immigrant population. Immigrants account for 26% of Australian population.
There are three times as many sheep as people living in Australia.
Australia is the second country in the world, after New Zealand, to grant voting rights to women.

There are nearly two times more kangaroos (40 million) in Australia than people.
Australia is the driest continent on earth except Antarctica. It is also the flattest.
Anna Creek Station in South Australia is the largest cattle ranch in the world. It is 23,677 square km in area and is nearly equal to the size of Belgium.
Australia has a massive continent wide transport network. Melbourne has the largest tram network in the world. Gold Coast has the world's largest canal system.
Kangaroo and Emu are on the Australian Coat of Arms as they cannot walk backwards - signifying the forward thinking culture of the nation.
Australia has the second highest Human Development Index in the world after Norway.
Australian cities are regularly ranked the most livable cities in the world. Melbourne won the title seven years in a row since 2011. It's currently second after Vienna. Sydney is 5th. Adelaide is 10th.

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