Study In Australia
Study in Australia
If you are considering Australia, we can help you feel at home
Australia is a popular destination for international students from around the world. Home to leading universities, it offers a relaxed, affordable study experience and strong career opportunities in some of the world’s most liveable cities, including Sydney and Melbourne
Education system in Australia
Everything you need to know about the Australian education system.
Australia offers a diverse range of study options for international students, with more than 1,100 institutions and 22,000 courses to choose from.
Australia’s educational institutions rank well in terms of student satisfaction, employability, quality of life and sense of student community, with Melbourne and Sydney ranking among the top five best cities for students to study in. Both of these cities are home to some of the top ranking universities known for their quality education.
How it works?
The education system in Australia is three-tiered with primary, secondary and tertiary levels of education.
University is the highest level of education in Australia. Australia has 43 universities: 40 government-funded public universities, two international universities and one private speciality university. Students can attend on-campus bachelor degrees or postgraduate courses (including certificate, postgraduate diploma, master and doctoral programs). Vocational courses focus on practical skills and industry training. Vocational training courses are offered in government-funded institutions, including TAFE (Technical and Further Education), or other private institutions. Many colleges offer students credit towards university courses.
Qualifications framework
The Australian education system is distinguished from many other countries by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). The AQF was established in 1995 and is a national policy that covers qualifications from the tertiary education sector (higher education, vocational education and training) in addition to the school leaving certificate, called the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education.
Fee structure
The average tuition fees at one of Australia’s tertiary institutions ranges between AUD$20,000 and AUD$30,000 a year.
Scholarships
There are a range of scholarships available for international students. It is best to check the website of your chosen university for the most up to date information. Know more about the available grants, scholarships and bursaries.Visit our office.
Teaching and learning style
You can study at all levels of education from vocational education and training (VET), English language courses to higher education (including universities), and undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Tertiary education includes both higher education and VET.
Higher education
Higher education courses can be taken by students to earn an advanced degree and continue their studies in Australia. There are three main types of higher education that lead to bachelor, master and doctoral degrees. Teaching at universities normally takes place in large group lectures and small group tutorials.
VET
An Australian vocational education and training (VET) qualification can provide a pathway to entering the workforce or university. There are many vocational training courses in areas such as information technology, business services, art and media, tourism and hospitality, child care, transport and logistics, construction, mining, manufacturing and rural industries.
Pathway programs
Australia also offers a number of pathway programs to higher education for international students including foundation studies and English language preparation programs, to ensure students receive the extra support and assistance they need to succeed.
Academic year
The Australian secondary or high school system starts each year in late January or early February, while vocational and university students start at the end of February/early March. Most high schools have three or four terms; universities and vocational colleges have two semesters. Exams are held at the end of each semester (June and November), with 2-4 week breaks between each semester, and a longer break over the summer from November/December to February. In some instances, you may be able to choose a course that offers a summer program, which means you can do a third semester in the year.
Learning English
Learning English is probably the most important factor when planning your studies in Australia. If your proficiency in the English language is limited, you may be advised to enrol in an English language school before starting your program of study.
Australia has approximately 100 private English language centres around the country. Universities and TAFEs (Technical and Further Education) offer courses for those interested in developing their English language skills.
After graduation
Having an Australian tertiary qualification is highly regarded around the world. Combined with Australia’s strong economy and low unemployment rates, Australia offers strong employment outcomes for graduates.
Employment
Many international students now have the opportunity to spend more time in Australia following the completion of their studies. If you have completed a bachelor, master or PhD degree, you may be eligible for the Post-Study Work Stream of the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa. This may enable you to stay in Australia following your studies to gain practical experience working in your field. More information on post-study work rights is available on the Department of Immigration and Border Protection website (https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/).
Postgraduate study
Both universities and private colleges offer postgraduate courses in Australia. A master’s degree has three formats – Master’s degree (coursework), Master’s degree (research) and Master’s degree (extended). Similarly, on doctorate level, there are two formats- Research doctorate (PhD) and Professional doctorate. Admission criteria at post graduate level is quite competitive including high levels of English language proficiency, and remarkable academic qualifications. You should also know that some courses like architecture and medicine are only offered by universities.
What are the upcoming intakes in Australia?
Know all about the intakes available in Australia
Unlike a single intake in the Nepalese universities, Australian colleges and universities offer two major intakes. In some universities, intakes may also be referred to as a semester. 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
Which intake to opt for?
It can get a bit confusing to choose the intake that’s best for you. Consider factors like the availability of your preferred program, your academic records, entrance test scores, acceptance rates, job opportunities and your readiness to join the program whilst making a decision.
While most Nepalese students prefer the July intake, February intake is equally good for certain programs. We suggest, if you do not have your score cards ready, it’s better to skip the haste and apply for the next intake.
Here’s an overview of the intakes available for different programs in universities and colleges:
Australia now offers up to 6 years of post-study work rights
Yet another great news for students aspiring to study in Australia!
If you have been aspiring to study in Australia, there is one more reason to lock on to your decision – the latest update on the new 485 post-study work stream visa! Now you can enjoy extended post-study work rights in Australian regional areas and live your dream. The Australian Government is expanding its support to students through a number of additional measures:
Increase the stay period for master’s by coursework graduates, on a permanent basis
Increase the stay period for Temporary Graduate visa applicants from VET sector graduates onshore to 24 months, on a temporary basis
With the recent changes declared by the Australian Government, Australia now offers up to four years of Post-Study Work (PSW) rights to international students post completion of their respective bachelor’s degree. Post graduate students enrolled in Master’s (Coursework or Research) degree are eligible for up to five years of Post-Study Work Rights. A few top and popular cities such as Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle/Lake Macquarie, Wollongong/Illawarra, Geelong and Hobart now offer one year of additional PSW (total of 3 to 4 years). In fact, there is a list of cities where you become eligible for PSW for up to five years upon the completion of your degree.
What is this new 485 post-study work stream visa?
It’s a great opportunity to stay back and work in Australia for a longer duration! This new post-study work stream visa, offered by the Australian Government enables you to study, live, and work in the designated regional areas of the country, for up to five years. This is a great update as now you can plan for your career in a better manner, having a wider range of areas accessible to study and work, besides a longer duration of post-study work visa validity.
Who can apply?
As an international student, if you wish to work in Australia upon the completion of your studies for a longer duration (up to five years), then this is for you. Good news is that this visa allows you complete study and work rights, besides allowing the freedom to travel to and from Australia as long as it is valid.
You should know
Your field of specialisation will not be a determining factor as this post-study work visa doesn’t have an occupations list. But ensure you are studying at the right levels
You should have a degree from a CRICOS-registered course
Skills assessment isn’t requisite to apply for this visa
You need to fulfil the English language proficiency requirements
As per the recent announcement, students going to study master’s by coursework are entitled to an additional year of PSW, similar to master’s by research:
The post-study work stream visa can open doors to an exciting career in Australia. This means, more options, more exposure, and yes, more employability.
Australia’s regional cities are a great place to study, work and live – offering a highly attractive combination of a world-class university education and a great lifestyle. While Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney are already popular, the equally important cities like Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Canberra now become more attractive to international students. This may be creating a sustainable balance and more opportunities for everyone and also that education and employment opportunities that are available across Australia are taken up by students rather than competing in a concentrated space. There are economic opportunities that are all around the country and the new policy will advantage the international students in many ways.
Get informed, speak to us to find out all the benefits about studying and living regionally:
enjoy face-to-face consultation with our experienced counsellors about entry requirements and application process for courses in regional Australia
discover specialty course offerings that are unique to campuses in regional areas
learn about Universities based in cities like Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast and many more
Schedule a free counselling session at your nearest M&M office today! For more updates, you may also refer to the official website.
Employment prospects in Australia
Want to work while you’re in Australia? Here’s how.
Working part-time while can be a great way to help with the cost of living in Australia and also gain work experience in your field of study. You might like to consider:
Paid work: opportunities include working in cafes, bars, restaurants and hotels, farming or fruit picking, or sales and administration roles
Tutoring: if you have existing qualifications or professional work experience, you might be able to get casual or part-time work in your field
Internships: paid or unpaid internships can be a great way to get exposure to professional, financial and creative industries
Volunteering: there are many charities and non-government organisations (NGOs) in Australia and they always need volunteers to help out. It can be a great way to meet friends, get some hands on work experience and give back to the community
Most student visas let you work for up to 40 hours every two weeks during your course, and as many hours as you like during course breaks. You should double-check your visa before starting any paid work.
Remember: You will need to get a Tax File Number (TFN) to work in Australia. You can visit the Australian Taxation Office website to find out more information on getting a TFN, as well as what tax you may need to pay.
Your rights at work
Everyone working in Australia, including international students, has basic rights at work.
These rights ensure you:
Are paid a minimum wage
Can challenge if you are unfairly dismissed from a job
Receive appropriate breaks and rest periods
Enjoy a healthy and safe work environment
To find out more about work rights visit the Australian Government's Fair Work website. To find out more about work health and safety, visit the Safe Work Australia website.
Working while you study
To find work, you can:
Look for job ads in newspapers and online job sites such as SEEK.
Check if your institution has any job notice-boards on campus or online
Register your interest with a recruitment firm
Working after you graduate
If you want to stay and work in Australia after you finish your study, you’ll need to get a new visa first.
If you have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctoral degree, you may be eligible for the Post-Study Work stream of the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa.
In some cases, your new employer may be able to sponsor you for a new visa. You should speak with someone from your work’s Human Resources or Recruitment team to find out if this possible.
If you don’t have an employer to sponsor you, and want to stay in Australia longer-term to develop your professional career, you can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect.
A friendly advice - Don’t jump at the first opportunity, research well before you accept any job offer after graduation. It’s always helpful to talk to fellow students who already have jobs and find out what their experiences were like. You can also seek advice from your seniors and faculty as to the best course of action. Investigate into the kind of jobs you can get, wages you can expect and number of hours you are expected to work, and most importantly, where to look for these jobs.
