Why Study in Australia for Indian Students?
Studying abroad in a world-class university is a dream for many students, and one of the most common questions they ask is, “Why study in Australia?” Australia ranks as the third most popular destination for international students after the UK and the US, making it a vibrant, culturally diverse country that welcomes immigrants from across the globe. For Indian students in particular, Australia is a top choice due to its excellent education system, safe environment, and post-study work opportunities. If you’re exploring your options, visit our Study Abroad section to discover more about studying in Australia and other top destinations.
Top Australian Universities and Student Cities for International Students
Home to eight of the world’s best universities – the University of Melbourne, Australian National University, University of Sydney, University of Queensland, University of New South Wales, University of Western Australia, University of Adelaide and Monash University – Australia offers an outstanding education system to its students. These universities are known to offer a wide variety of programs in fields of Biology, Business Studies, Engineering, Geology, Wildlife, Mathematics and many others. Several Australian universities are also at the forefront of research and technological innovation.
Acclaimed worldwide for its excellent lifestyle, Australian cities are also ranked high on the QS Best Student Cities rankings. Every year, thousands of students choose to study in Australia in these cities. Learn more about living and studying in Australia here.
Living in Australia is a lifetime experience for Indian students, who report maximum satisfaction during their stay.
Why Australia is a Top Choice for International Students
If you choose to study in Australia, the international reputation of the Australian institutes will make your professional resume look exceptional when seeking jobs either in your home country or around the globe.
If you’re still thinking “ why study in Australia? , add to all this the numerous scholarship options available to the foreign students in Australia.
Australian Education System
The education system in Australia is well-developed and interlinked. All government institutions from school to colleges and vocational training institutes are covered under a national policy called the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). This facilitates moving from one level to another or from one institution to another for international students without interrupting their studies.
For more details on courses and institutes registered with the CRIOCS, visit this website.
Study in Australia
Indian students prefer to study in Australia because English is the primary medium of instruction in higher education institutes. Some schools even offer bilingual programs and other languages to foreign students.
If you are wondering how to know which university and courses are right for you, you should consult our overseas education consultants who have been offering excellent guidance to students. Learn more about career opportunities after studying abroad here.
Australian Student Visa
If you wish to study in Australia, you will need to obtain a student visa for Australia .As per the latest guidelines by the Department of Home Affairs, all international students need to apply for a Student visa (Subclass 500). Almost all types of courses and students who choose to study in Australia, including school education, higher education, vocational training, postgraduate research, etc. are covered under this visa subclass.
Cost of visa in Australia
The cost of Student Visa (subclass 500) Base Application Charge is AUD 620 . In case of accompanying dependent, there will be additional visa charges i.e. +AUD 460 (if 18 and above) or + AUD 150 (if under 18). The Australian Government does not require you to have a visa label in your passport to travel to, enter, or remain in Australia.
Visa eligibility and requirements are subject to change and therefore we suggest you visit the website of the Department of Home Affairs, to remain updated.
Cost of living in Australia
Australia is a student-friendly country and offers the highest standard of living to its immigrant population. While the cost of living in Australia for students is in the affordable range, it depends a lot on the institution, course, and city you choose.
While the Australian government specifies AU$21,041 for main applicant, in case spouse is accompanying then their will be additional requirement of AUD 7362 for his/her living expense. If child is accompanying AUD 3152 will be additional required for living expense. This is the minimum amount required to cover living costs for 12 months, excluding the tuition fees or the cost of travel to and from Australia, You must know the costs as per the city you choose to move to.
Hostels and Guesthouses
AU$90 to AU$150 / week
Shared Rental
AU$95 to AU$215 / week
On-campus
AU$110 to AU$280 / week
Homestay
AU$235 to AU$325 per week
Rental
AU$185 to AU$440 per week
Boarding schools
AU$11,000 to AU$22,000 a year
Balancing Studies and Part-Time Work in Australia
The above expenses prove that living in Australia could be expensive for foreign students. This is the reason why a majority of international students choose to do part-time jobs along with their study in Australia. The website of the Department of Home Affairs also gives you an overview of the expenses and minimum financial requirements a foreign student must fulfill to get a visa to study in Australia.
Fees and scholarship
Australia attracts a record number of international students every year, despite higher than average living costs for students. University tuition fee contributes a major part of the study expenses in Australia. Here, we give you a detailed idea of the fees and scholarships in Australia.
Tuition fees vary depending on the discipline you choose to study in Australia, the degree level, and the university in which you enroll.
On average, tuition fees for international students fall in the following ranges:
Australia Awards
These scholarships support students from developing Indo-Pacific countries to pursue full-time undergraduate or postgraduate programs at selected Australian universities and TAFE institutions. Benefits typically include full tuition, return airfare, living expenses, and health cover.
Destination Australia
The Destination Australia Program (DAP) is a new mobility program that offers over 1000 scholarships to support both domestic and international students studying at regional campus locations in qualifications from a Certification IV level and above.
Australian RTP Scholarship Program
The Research Training Program (RTP) enables students to research while pursuing their Master’s or doctoral degrees at any Australian university. This scholarship generally covers tuition fees and health insurance. You can find out more about the Research Training Program at the Department of Education website.
Apart from these, several universities also provide concessions in fees and scholarships in Australia.
Undergraduate courses in Australia
Australia is home to top-ranked institutions like ANU, University of Melbourne, and University of Sydney, offering globally recognised undergraduate courses in Australia. If you plan to study in Australia after 12th, explore in-demand programs that align with job market needs and boost your career prospects.
Accountancy
Both core Accountancy and Professional Accounting are in great demand in Australia. There is no dearth of jobs for accountants in a growing economy like Australia.
Medical Sciences
Medical Sciences is one of the most sought-after courses for study in Australia. Several top-rated universities offer specialization in this field. While the fees for this course could be higher than others, it offers great returns in the future.
Architecture
Building art and design are among the popular diploma and graduate courses in Australia. Professional architects can earn up to AUD 80000 to AUD 120000 per annum in Australia.
Geology
Geologists are in great demand in Australia due to the geography and location of the nation. A bachelor’s degree in the course is sufficient to get you a good job in the field. You can further opt for advanced studies if you feel like researching geology.
Agricultural Sciences
Australia offers immense career opportunities for agricultural scientists, agronomists, forestry consultants, and agricultural consultants. Candidates holding a degree in Agricultural Sciences and having adequate work experience can also immigrate to Australia without doing a degree in Australia. However, candidates who study in Australia will have more preference in the job market.
Other top undergraduate courses in Australia include Business Management, Tourism and Hospitality Management, Computer Sciences & IT, Engineering, and Actuarial Sciences.
Post Graduate courses in Australia
If your interest in postgraduate study abroad is fuelled by a spirit of adventure, love of travel, and an urge to try out new experiences, nothing comes even close to postgraduate courses in Australia. While Australia is the third-most-popular study abroad destination around the world, it is also renowned for its world-class research and training facilities. This means choosing to study in Australia for a Master’s degree would be a great option.
Here, we’ve listed some of the most popular postgraduate courses in Australia along with the universities.
Engineering and Technology
Engineering courses across various disciplines like Civil, Electronics, Automation, Information Technology, Computer Applications, etc. enjoy a steady inflow of students from across continents in Australia. Also, there is a constant work requirement for students passing out from these fields. Universities like the University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, and the University of New South Wales rank among the top ones in engineering courses.
Accounting and Finance
A large number of students planning to study in Australia choose post-graduation in Accounting and Finance. Most of the universities offer masters degrees that are accredited to professional accounting bodies like the CPA Australia (Chartered Practising Accountants), Chartered Accountants Australia, and New Zealand as well as the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA). This makes it easy for you to get jobs in and outside Australia.
Management
Business schools in Australia are known around the world for their postgraduate courses. Melbourne Business School, Australian Graduate School of Management, and Macquarie Graduate School of Management feature in the top 100 B-Schools of the World. The dual specialization offered by several Australian universities is further gaining a lot of popularity among international students.
Computer Science and IT
Relaxed eligibility norms, thriving industry as well as the research support makes Computer Sciences and Information Technology one of the most sought after master’s programs in Australia. Master of Information Technology and Master of Information System attracts a large number of foreign students and also offers a chance of dual degrees to those who study in Australia.
Medical Sciences
Australian medical schools rank high in world rankings. You can choose the 6-year program that offers you a graduate as well as a post-graduate degree in medicine. Students also choose other courses related to the field like biomedical engineering, dentistry, occupational therapy, etc.
Australia offers attractive study options in almost all courses and this is what makes it a popular study abroad destination.
Top Universities in Australia
Your final decision to study in Australia will depend on several other factors like the cost of living, courses offered, and work opportunities.
Australian National University (ANU)
The main ANU campus is located in Acton, Canberra, but there are also campuses in New South Wales and the Northern Territory. The university scores well in almost all crucial parameters including academic reputation, international faculty, and international students.
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is known for its state-of-the-art facilities, world-class teaching, and learning and vibrant campus life. It also offers the broadest range of disciplines and research facilities to scholars. All of these make it popular among international students.
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne ranks high both on academics and employability. International students make up around 42% of its total student population and this is a huge factor in attracting students from around the world to study in Australia.
Monash University
Monash University is mainly based in Melbourne but also has five campuses in the state of Victoria and two overseas, in Malaysia and South Africa as the largest Australian university, recently, it ranked among the top universities in Australia.
It is a sought-after study destination for students interested in pursuing research.
University of New South Wales (UNSW)
UNSW is a founding member of the Group of Eight, a coalition of Australian research-intensive universities. It finds special popularity among students who wish to study in Australia in research sectors.
University of Queensland
One of Australia’s leading teaching and research universities, the University of Queensland is known for its excellent teaching. The university has six faculties, eight globally recognized research institutes and more than 100 research centers attract an interdisciplinary community of 1500 scientists, social scientists, and engineers.
University of Western Australia
The University of Western Australia is known to be the 6th oldest university in Australia. Built over an area of 160 acres, it has extensive art collections and theatre venues. The university also provides accommodation for the students within the premises.
University of Adelaide
The University of Adelaide is an open university and also the 3rd oldest university in Australia. It has four campuses, of which the one at North Terrace is the main.
Intakes & deadlines for 2020
As opposed to India, Australian universities admit students three times in a year – Semesters 1,2 and 3. While the first semester starts in Feb/March, the second semester begins in July/ August and the third semester begins in October/November.
For the latest updates on intakes and deadlines for 2020, you should keep a check on the website of the Department of Education and universities you are interested in here.
Visa Process for Indian Students Planning to Study in Australia
Getting admission to an Australian university is a dream come true for Indian students. If you too intend to study abroad in Australia, you will have to apply for the Student Visa and follow the entire application process and fulfil the student visa checklist for Australia.
There are several visa categories like the student visa, visitor visa, and business visa. Once you have decided which visa you are eligible for, you need to keep all documents ready as the application process for Indian students is online.
Some of the important documents mentioned in the student visa checklist for Australia are:
- Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
- Valid passport
- Certificates of English Language Proficiency
- Health checkup and Insurance
- Proof of funds
- Passport size photographs
Top Courses to Study in Australia for Indian Students
This evidence is issued by the institute you have applied to. It mentions that you are a registered student for a particular course in that university and makes you eligible to apply for a student visa to study in Australia.
Valid passport
When you are applying for the visa, you should have a valid passport with at least 6 months of validity at the time of application. If your passport is about to expire soon, you should get it renewed at the earliest.
Certificates of English Language Proficiency
Indian students must provide proof of proficiency in the English language at the time of filling the visa application. You must have taken the English language test in the last two years before you apply for a student visa.The Australian Immigration Department accepts these five English Language Proficiency Tests:
You can get more details about the major industries in Australia here.
- International English Language Testing System with a band of 5.5.
- Occupational English Test (OET) with a score of at least B.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test (TOEFL iBT) with a minimum score of 46.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic with a score of minimum 42.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test with a minimum test score of 162.
Health checkup and Insurance
You will need to provide proof that you are in good health. For this, you can get a health certificate from any of the panel physicians in India. You would also need Health Insurance or an OSHC (Overseas Students Health Cover) to get a visa to study in Australia. Your visa tenure would be decided based on the duration of your health cover program.
Proof of funds
The student visa checklist for Australia also requires you to furnish proof that you have sufficient funds to cover your study costs in Australia. The funds you show should primarily be able to cover the travel costs to and from Australia, tuition fees and accommodation, and meals.
Passport size photographs
You should keep a sufficient number of passport size photographs with you during the application process and even during your stay in Australia.
Study in Australia for Indian Students – A Complete Guide
If you are planning to study in Australia, one of the first questions to come to your mind would be how do you get the study visa. Here, we’ll help you understand the student visa application process and requirements for Australia.
Academic requirements
Financial requirements
Immigration requirements
Apply to an Australian university and get CoE
You must be enrolled at an Australian university to be eligible to apply for a student visa. Once you accept the offer letter and deposit the fee, you’ll receive a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from the school. This document is essential to begin your visa application process.
Create an account on the Australian Immigration website
You need to register and create an account on https://online.immi.gov.au/lusc/register before you apply for the visa.
Check if you have all the following documents
1. CoE
2. OSHC Health Insurance
3. Passport
4. Recent passport-sized photos
5. Birth certificate and national identification
6. Form 157A
7. IELTS or PTE or other English test results
8. Statement of Purpose
9. Evidence of funds (eg Bank statements etc)
10. Academic records like certificates
11. Work record like pay slips, tax returns
12. Evidence of your relationship with your spouse like a marriage certificate.
13. Evidence of relationship with your children
14. Guardian and Welfare arrangements evidence for students under 18 years.
There can be additional document requirements depending on your stay and visa. To see the complete document list, visit
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/web-evidentiary-tool.
Complete the visa application online
When you are applying for student visa subclass 500, you can file the application maximum 124 days before the beginning of your course.
Pay the visa fee
Once you complete filing the application, you should pay the visa fee. The preferred mode of payment is credit card.
Basic fee structure for student visa is:
Single applicant – AUD$ 620
Spouse/Dependent Above 18 – AUD$ 460
Child – AUD$ 150
(Plus GST)
For more details on fee and payment refer https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/fees-and-charges/current-visa-pricing/study.
Health checkup and interview
You might also be required to undergo a health checkup and visa interview based on your choice of university and course.
Study visa interview tips
Interview with an immigration official is the most challenging aspect of the visa process for entry into Australia. We’ll prepare you for that interview .
Some of the sample questions asked in the visa interview include,
- What is the purpose of your trip?
- Why do you wish to study in Australia?
- Are you planning to stay in Australia after the completion of your course?
- Why did you choose a particular course and what is the duration?
What is the purpose of your trip?
This question is to verify your purpose of obtaining the Australian visa. You should clearly state the purpose as mentioned in the application form.
Why do you wish to study in Australia?
To answer this, you should talk about the reasons why you preferred Australia over other countries. What is that you find appealing about Australia when you think of it as a study destination?
Are you planning to stay in Australia after the completion of your course?
By this question, the immigration officer wants to know if you are planning to stay in Australia for the long term. You should clearly say that you want to stay till the completion of your course. You should be honest if you plan to stay for work after studies.
Why did you choose a particular course and what is the duration?
When you are applying for student visa subclass 500, you can file the application maximum 124 days before the beginning of your course.
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Speak to Our Counselors
We help students realise their dreams of studying abroad through intensive counselling sessions. Our expert consultants guide students to zero upon the right institute keeping all factors like budget, culture, and career goals in mind.
Our counselors will discuss with you your educational background and career preferences to tell you about all the possible universities in Australia.
Come speak to our counselors and fly to your dream study destination without worries.
