Study in Australia

Studying abroad opens many opportunities to improve your professional prospects, and Australia is among the most popular countries to do this. There are many reasons for this high popularity, an excellent climate being the main one thanks to Australia’s warm weather. Another reason is the city life you can find in big cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

These and many other reasons will give you a wide variety of activities as you study your professional career in Australia. But how can you get your higher education in Australia? What type of visa do you need? How long does it take to apply for it? When should you apply? What universities can you apply to? Our team is happy to share the answers to these questions to guide you on your journey to studying abroad.

What universities are in Australia?

Australia has numerous universities with an excellent reputation worldwide. Actually, some of its universities are highly regarded as part of the top 100 universities in the world. This provides you with a perfect opportunity to obtain a degree that will be respected in other countries. Among these universities, you have:

Australian National University
University of Melbourne
University of Sydney
University of Queensland
Monash University
UNSW Sydney
University of Adelaide
The University of Western Australia
University of Technology Sydney
University of Canberra

To study for a full degree in Australia, you must study from 1-2 years for a Master’s Degree or three years for a Bachelor’s Degree.

For a shorter option, you can take one or a few semesters during your stay, choosing what courses to focus on, as long as both the Australian university and yours allow for it by making the semesters compatible at the end of your studies.

If your preference is for practical careers, Australia has vocational colleges which focus on subjects like music, design, animation, video production, and others. These colleges give greater importance to creativity and have fewer students than a standard university or institute.

Finally, you can go for a diploma course. Diploma courses are usually one year long, focusing on marketing, management, tourism, and business. For students coming from overseas, diploma courses are more affordable and give you something to start working in a shorter period of time.

Planning your studies

Unlike Europe or North America, Australia’s academic year starts in February or the beginning of March. The semester continues until the end of June. The spring semester goes from the end of July until November. While this is the general schedule, some schools might provide different schedules, even adapted for international students.

Knowing details about the Australian academic year is vital so that you can apply in time for your visa and studies. Keep in mind that an application for a student visa is linked to your application to the course and education establishment of your choice. Therefore, we recommend that you start the application process at least three months in advance. These three months will give you a fair timeframe to respond to additional requirements that might be asked from your application process.

Calculating the cost

The cost of living in Australia is comparable to other English speaking countries such as the UK, Canada, or the USA. It is essential to factor in the living costs for your stay during your studies since you will have to prove that you have the means to afford your visit and required health insurance.

The Australian government has thoroughly documented estimates on the cost of living and education costs. Below we list some estimates to give you an idea.

Education costs

The following yearly costs are shown in AUD. Educational institutions vary in prices, so you have to always double-check on their websites for an accurate estimate.

Vocational college: $4,000 - $22,000
Bachelor Degree: $20,000 - $45,000
Masters Degree: $22,000 - $50,000

Accomodation and cost of living

The following prices will help you understand the necessary expense you will have to incur during your stay in Australia.

Shared rental: $95 - $215 per week
Rental: $185 - $440 per week
Groceries and restaurants: $140 - $280 per week
Public transportation: $30 - $60 per week

Mandatory travel insurance

International students must get Overseas Student Health Care (OSHC) insurance. The Department of Home Affairs will ask you for this insurance on your student visa application process.

Besides being mandatory insurance for overseas students, the OSHC covers visits to the doctor, ambulance cover, and some hospital treatments. Even though you have this insurance, you can still have medical assistance through private health care.

In addition to the OSHC, it is recommended to get travel insurance, home and contents insurance, and vehicle insurance if you acquire one for transportation. The extra cost involved in getting these additional insurances will give you peace of mind while you focus on your studies.

Student visa

University studies and courses of any kind that last longer than three months will require a student visa. Anything shorter than that can be accessed with your tourist visa. The Student Visa (500) will legally approve you to stay for as long as your desired study path lasts.

At PK Harrison, you can get the assistance you need to apply for your student visa properly.

Work opportunities

International students with a student visa have permission to work part-time up to 40 hours per week during the academic calendar and more during the holiday season. Working while you study in Australia is an excellent opportunity to complement the experience of studying in Australia. It helps you improve your knowledge of the language and culture, and it even provides you extra money to help cover the costs of studying in Australia.

It is essential to know that when you work in Australia as a student, you are protected by the same labour laws as every other Australian citizen worker.

Assistance to study in Australia

Our team at PK Harrison has years of experience in helping people to migrate to Australia with the most diverse backgrounds and needs. We are more than eager to help you acquire your student visa so that you can reach your academic goals.

Contact us now or call us at +61 (0)2 8859 2388 to have your free consultation, and our team will assist you by explaining the process and documents you need to prepare. Our office will later help you by reviewing your documents and assisting you to complete them correctly. Rest assured that your visa application process at PK Harrison Australian Visa Services will be in the best hands for a successful outcome.