Standing proud with 8 of the top 100 universities in the world, Australia is much more than just kangaroos. An increasing number of Indian students are opting for Australia to study abroad for its world-class education, post-study work opportunities and excellent quality of living. Whatever course you choose to undertake, you’ll be assured of unbeatable academic excellence and support system for international students.
Popular destination among Indian students
Its quality of education, variety of courses to choose from, and post-study work opportunities make it one of the most desirable destinations among Indian students. When you opt to study in Australia, you get to choose from 22,000 courses available in 1,100 universities and institutions, acquire globally-recognised degrees, explore various scholarship opportunities and receive education from the best instructors in the world.
Internationally accredited qualifications
Australian qualifications are globally recognised, and universities in Australia are renowned for their research and training methodologies. Their teaching pedagogy is valued worldwide for their academic excellence, with seven of Australian universities consistently ranking in the top 100 of the QS World Ranking and Times Higher Education Rankings.
The Australian education system is distinguished by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) – the national policy established in 1995 that specifies standards of 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.
Rights for international students
You can’t beat Australia when it comes to implementation of rights and consumer protection. It has the most rigorous consumer protection for international students. As per the Australian Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000, all programs that are offered to overseas students meet stringent government regulations.
Lingual diversity
Australia offers an unsurpassed international exposure with the world’s highest proportion of immigrants in a developed country. You’ll find over 200 languages and dialects being spoken in Australia. Not only this, you can spot a decent crowd of Indians to interact and celebrate local festivals with. New South Wales has 95,387 people of Indian descent, Victoria has 111, 787 and Queensland houses 30,259 Indian Australians* (stats subject to change). Other ethnicities you’ll come across in Australia include Italians, Greeks, Arabs, and Chinese. Languages from all these regions are widely spoken in Australia, making it one of the most diverse nations in the world.
Financial assistance from the government
As an International student, you can remarkably reduce your tuition fee costs by applying to ample scholarships, grants and bursaries, given that the Australian government spends over £200,000,000 annually on international scholarships. This ensures that even the students with humble backgrounds are able to experience a world-class education without having to worry about funds arrangement. While most scholarships cover tuition fee, students enrolling for research programs may also be able to get their living expenses covered.
A good academic score is generally the most important factor, but extracurricular activities and volunteering can also be used to advantage.
A land of noble laureates
15 of Australia’s scientists have been awarded a Noble prize for their contribution in various fields which reinstates the quality of education and research opportunities available in Australia. Over 1 billion people in the world are dependent on innovations and discoveries made by Australia. The country is known for its research in IVF, cervical cancer vaccination, penicillin, ultrasound, the Bionic Ear, Black Box Flight Recorders and more. Indian students seeking research prospects can expect endless support from the Australian government for their projects in terms of funding, providing the best guides, labs and facilities.
Incomparable quality of life
Given the quality of life and five of its major cities – Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide making it to the most liveable places in the world**, Australia attracts many students from all over the world for pursuing their higher education. The overall standard of living in Australia is unparalleled with its world-class infrastructure, quality medical and healthcare facilities, strong network of technologically advanced transportation, and reasonably affordable housing.
Easy to work after completion of your studies
All Indian students with subclass 500 visa are allowed to work for 20 hours per week and full-time during the weekend. Moreover, you can apply for a subclass 485 temporary graduate visa on completion of your studies that will allow you to remain and study/work further in Australia. When you choose to study in Australia, you choose excellent industry experience and an open work culture.
Fun facts about Australia
When you choose to study in Australia, you can be assured of unparalleled quality of education, internationally-recognised qualification and immense employment prospects. Universities in Australia are renowned for their research and training methodologies, and this makes it a popular destination among International students.
The 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 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.
Study levels in Australia
The education system in Australia is three-tiered with primary, secondary and tertiary levels of education. Here’s an overview of the different levels and qualifications available as per the AQF.
Levels and qualifications as per Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) | |
Level 1 | Certificate I |
Level 2 | Certificate II |
Level 3 | Certificate III |
Level 4 | Certificate IV |
Level 5 | Diploma |
Level 6 | Advanced Diploma, , Associate Degree |
Level 7 | Bachelor Degree |
Level 8 | Bachelor Honours Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma |
Level 9 | Master’s Degree |
Level 10 | Doctoral Degree |
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.
Financial aid
Indian students can apply to several government, public as well as institution specific scholarships. Application requirements and guidelines are available on the official website of your institution or respective funding organisation. Students are recommended to check the same before applying.
Pedagogy in Australian classrooms
The Australian education emphasises on practical knowledge, hands-on experience and getting you job-ready. Universities in Australia provide a research-based learning approach wherein you’ll be implementing all the concepts and ideas you gather in the classroom.
VET (Vocational and Technical Schools)
Australian education system allows its students to enrol for vocational courses that lets them skip university education and apply directly to jobs. These courses primarily focus on practical learning and industry skills unlike the regular courses that rely heavily on theoretical and in-depth knowledge. A lot of schools provide courses in technical and further education (TAFE) and vocational education and training (VET). Keep in mind that courses mostly provide certifications, diploma or advanced diploma. Some of the popular industries that VET students can look at include manufacturing, hospitality, sports, tourism, business and marketing.
Pathway programs – Your bridge to higher education in Australia
International students may require additional support and assistance to get accustomed to the education system and teaching approach of Australia. Henceforth, a lot of pathway programs to higher education that comprise of foundation courses and English language programs are available.
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:
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.
English language training
Since Australia is an English-speaking country and all your instructions in the classroom takes place in English, it is essential to be proficient in this language. In case you have limited proficiency, you may be advised to enrol in an English language before you start your program. You can choose from over 100 private English language centres in the country.
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.
Popular programs | |
Health and Science | Business and Management |
Law | Medicines |
Arts and Design | Education and Teaching |
Accounting | Engineering |
Computer Science and IT | Engineering and management |
Post-study work opportunities
Australia provides ample employment prospects after graduation. You can apply for subclass 485 temporary graduate visa on completion of your studies that will allow you to remain and study further/work in Australia. If you wish to further your studies, you can apply for the next level of study since there is no dearth of right courses and programs for the suitable candidate.
Some interesting facts about Australian education | |
1 | The Education Index, published by the United Nations listed Australia as 0.993 in 2006, the highest in the world. |
2 | In 2017, Australia had 526,932 international students from over 90 countries. |
3 | An international student is more likely to enrol in a course registered under CRICOS (the registration that indicates that the course and institution meets academic excellence standard of the Australian education system). |
The Australian Government provides an opportunity to all Indian students to study in the country but as a prerequisite, you’ll have to obtain a student visa first. The visa you need will depend on your age, the type of study you want to pursue, and how long you want to stay in Australia. As an international student, you would most commonly require a student (subclass 500) visa, regardless of your field of study.
Student visa (subclass 500)
Coming into effect since July 1, 2016, a student subclass 500 visa lets you stay in Australia for the duration of your study program, which is mostly up to five years. It is important for you to ensure that your visa remains valid and you abide by the conditions as mentioned on your student visa. You can read up in detail about this kind of visa on the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs website.
Documents required for an Australian student visa
When applying for your student visa for Australia, you will generally need:
If you are under 18 years of age, you will also need to provide additional documents such as parental consent.
*Please note that these are the basic requirements, speak with your Delhi Immigration Expert for a detailed list of documents required for visa processing
Applying for your visa online
You will need to create an account using DIBP’s online application system – ImmiAccount (link to http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa/Immi) – to complete and submit your student visa application. You can also track the status of your visa through ImmiAccount once you have submitted it. You should submit your application no later than six weeks before your course starts, and no earlier than 12 weeks.
How can we help with visa applications?
Our team will direct you to the official websites and to authorised immigration representatives to ensure you have the latest applications forms and guidance. In fact, to reduce the hassle, we can also help with certifying, translating and couriering your documents.
Visa fee
As an applicant from outside Australia, you will have to pay AUD575 as your visa fee (do check the latest fee when applying here).
English language requirements
To gain your Australia student visa, you’ll have to provide with an evidence of proficiency in the English language. This usually means passing a secure English language test to be able to prove your communication and correspondence skills.
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the world’s most popular high-stakes English language proficiency test for study, work and migration, with more than three million tests taken in the past year. The IELTS results are recognised by more than 10,000 organisations, including educational institutions, employers, professional associations and governments, in 140 countries around the world.
Making sure your visa remains valid
Once you get your visa, there are a number of things you need to do to ensure it remains valid, including:
If you want to change your qualification level you will need to apply for a new student visa.
You can always come to us for a free counselling session where we can guide you on how to go about the entire visa application process.
Institution | Year |
University of Melbourne | 2019 |
University of Sydney | 2019 |
Monash University | 2019 |
University of New South Wales | 2019 |
Australian National University | 2019 |
University of Queensland | 2019 |
RMIT University | 2019 |
Griffith University | 2019 |
University of South Australia | 2019 |
Curtin University | 2019 |
University of Adelaide | 2019 |
Swinburne University of Technology | 2019 |
Macquarie University | 2019 |
Deakin University | 2019 |
University of Newcastle | 2019 |
Queensland University of Technology | 2019 |
University of Tasmania | 2019 |
University of Wollongong | 2019 |
University of Technology Sydney | 2019 |
La Trobe University | 2019 |
University of Western Australia | 2019 |
Edith Cowan University | 2019 |
University of Southern Queensland | 2019 |
James Cook University | 2019 |
Charles Sturt University | 2019 |
Murdoch University | 2019 |
University of New England | 2019 |
Victoria University, Australia | 2019 |
Federation University Australia Ballarat | 2019 |
Southern Cross University | 2019 |
University of the Sunshine Coast | 2019 |
Central Queensland University | 2019 |
University of Canberra | 2019 |
Australian Catholic University | 2019 |
Bond University | 2019 |
Flinders University Adelaide | 2019 |
Charles Darwin University | 2019 |
Torrens University Australia | 2019 |
University of Notre Dame Australia | 2019 |
Monash College | 2019 |