Additional Points:
1. Remarkable Australian Innovations: Penicillin, Wi-Fi, Bionic Ear, Seatbelts, Electronic Pacemaker, Ultrasound Scanner
2. Tuition fee at universities starts from around AU$20,000 per year
3. Application process less demanding than USA, UK
4. Average cost of tuition is more competitive compared to the USA and UK
5. More accessible to get into top universities than USA, UK
6. Almost all universities are public universities (funded by the government)
7. Some Australian universities may offer internships or work opportunities to their students.
Education System:
1. Bachelor’s degree is 3 years (compared to 4 years in the USA)
2. Option to do 1 more year of honors (after which you can apply directly for a PhD)
3. PhD is 3 years (compared to 4 years in the USA)
4. Master degree is 1 to 2 years (Do 2 years if you want to stay in Australia after graduation)
5. Semesters start: Feb/Mar, Jul/Aug, Nov (limited)
Working as a student
1. Allowed to work on a student visa
2. Maximum 40 hours per fortnight (2 weeks) during semester anywhere
3. Can work unlimited hours during holiday periods (unlike the USA)
4. Holiday periods: Jun to July (2 months), Nov to Feb (4 months) – can only work if you’re not studying
5. Students find it quite easy to secure part time and flexible employment in retail, hospitality, fast-food and more – with government guaranteed minimum wages and leave and sick benefits
After Graduation
1. Post-study work arrangement: 2 to 4 years
2. 2 years for Bachelor and Master, 3 years for Research Master, 4 years for PhD
3. Need to fulfil 2-year Australia study requirement
4. High demand for skilled professionals (unemployment rate only 5.5%)
5. Relatively easy permanent visa
6. Much easier if you do degrees in professions in the Skilled Occupations List (e.g. accounting, engineering, nursing, teaching, social work…)
7. Much easier if you score high in the IELTS test
8. Average yearly income for graduates is ~AU$60,000
Choosing the right university
What matters to you?
1. Reputation? 8 universities in Australia in world top 100
2. Cost? Universities usually cost twice as much as colleges
3. Facilities? Universities (main campuses) have many more facilities like library, sports fields, Gym’s, etc. than colleges
4. Location? Some universities and colleges are in city centres while others are in rural areas
Admission requirements for education in Australia.
Variation in IELTS and academic score requirements
Simplified Student Visa Framework
Indian students and almost all universities and many colleges are well placed under the SSVF, which makes the student visa easier and faster to attain
Applying for admission – English Tests
Most common test is IELTS
1. Score out of 9 in reading, writing, speaking, and listening test
2. Paper-based; interview for speaking
3. Minimum requirement: 6.0 to 6.5 overall with lowest band 5.5 to 6.0
4. Costs, $330 AUD around; receive results in about 2 weeks
PTE Academic (new test; now accepted everywhere)
1. Score between 10-90
2. Computer-based
3. Minimum requirement: 50 in reading, writing, speaking, and listening
4. Cost around $300 AUD; receive result in 5 days