Facts about studying with Australia

Study with Australia. It's a fantastic way to further your education and boost your career prospects.

We have six of the world’s top 100 universities.

Our education institutions may be relatively young compared with universities such as the UK’s Oxford or the US’s Harvard but they are up there with the best. The University of Melbourne, Australian National University, University of Sydney, University of Queensland, University of New South Wales and Monash University were all ranked in the top 100 universities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020.

Many of our institutions moved their courses online in early 2020 to enable students to continue their studies in a remote and flexible format.

We have one of the best higher education systems in the world.

Australia has an outstanding higher education system. With over 22,000 courses across 1,100 institutions, our system is ranked 8th in the Universitas 2019 U21 Ranking of National Higher Education Systems, higher than France, Germany, Norway and Japan.

An emphasis on student experience and graduate outcomes.

International students report almost 90% satisfaction scores for their living and study experience in Australia according to the 2018 Department of Education International Student Survey.

Recent sentiment surveys conducted by Study Australia have found that more than 80% of onshore students intend to finish their studies in Australia, indicating they are very satisfied with the quality of their education they have been receiving.

Seven of the best student cities in the world are in Australia.

We already knew our cities were great places to live and study but now it’s official! According to QS Best Student Cities 2019, almost all of our major cities – Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth and the Gold Coast – are in the world’s top 100 student cities.

The Australian Government has invested more than A$300 million in scholarships for international students.

Australia offered over 3,000 Australia Awards scholarships and short courses to students from over 55 countries in 2019.

The Australian Government has also offered a range of support and flexibility options (for visas, for example) to help onshore students cope with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our universities rank in the world’s top 50 in a huge range of study areas.

Australia provides world-leading education in many study areas. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020 rated our institutions highly in the following fields:

Arts & Humanities
Clinical, Pre-Clinical & Health
Engineering & Technology
Life Sciences
Physical Sciences
Social Sciences

You may not be able to start your studies in Australia now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t pursue online course options to kickstart your career journey.

More than 2.5 million of our international alumni are making a global difference.

Over the past 50 years, 2.5 million international students have graduated from Australian educational institutions, according to the International Education Association of Australia. These graduates are now part of a global alumni network that is making an impact around the world.

Our universities have produced 15 Nobel laureates.

From the 1945 prize for the discovery of penicillin to the most recent prize in 2017 for the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, Australian graduates are high achievers. Will you be Australia’s next Nobel laureate?

Reasons to study in Australia

Australia is known for its diverse and welcoming people - there are so many reasons to consider studying in Australia.

Discover how to be an innovative, agile thinker

Australian universities, colleges and schools are committed to equipping you with practical skills and knowledge to help you succeed in your chosen industry. As global demand booms for entrepreneurial and innovative thinkers, Australian education providers have re-engineered their approaches to teaching and learning to inspire thought-leading creativity among students in every discipline.

Australian universities, colleges and schools will teach you the practical skills and theoretical knowledge to help you succeed in a fast-changing world and remain agile in uncertain times.

Study at globally ranked institutions

Australia is setting international standards for excellence in education.

The Australian education sector comprises world-leading education institutions, premium training facilities, and outstanding lecturers and student support services.

If you’re looking for unbiased proof that Australian universities truly are world-class, look at independent global rankings such as Times Higher Education, QS and Shanghai Rankings. These organisations consistently rank Australian institutions in the world’s top 100 universities year after year.

Gain work experience while you study

Australian institutions provide an education designed to help you succeed in the global workforce. An Australian qualification will make you very attractive to potential employers in Australia, at home and around the world.

Many Australian degrees and vocational courses include work experience programs and internships so you can gain hands-on industry experience and grow your professional network while you study. Once you complete your degree, you may also be eligible to stay and work in Australia.

While studying, you can work up to 20 hours per week during the semester and full-time during the semester break. This can be a great way to find study-related work or simply pay for your lifestyle in Australia.

Access extensive student support services

Australian institutions offer a huge range of student support services to help you settle into your new life in Australia. Education providers must comply with strict quality control and government accreditation measures so you can be assured you will receive only the best service. In several cities and towns, there are dedicated international student support centres, each offering practical advice and support on issues like legal rights, job skills and opportunities to meet and socialise with other local and international students.

Australia's Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS ACT) framework enforces by law the best-practice protection for the rights of international students studying in Australia.

Live and study in safety

Australian cities have some of the lowest crime rates in the world, and our streets and public spaces are open and safe. There are many options for accommodation: you can live in purpose-built student villages, homestays, private rentals, share-houses or boarding school accommodation.

Feel welcome in a multicultural society

Australia is a friendly and welcoming country. Our nation values individual freedoms, and the rights of citizens and visitors are protected under a transparent legal system.

We are also a multicultural society with respect for others no matter who they are or where they come from. Did you know almost 30% of Australians are born overseas? This has made our country rich with nationalities and cultures from all over the world.

When you study in Australia, you will join more than half a million international students from 192 countries who have been welcomed into Australian life.

Make the most of Australia’s great outdoors

With a unique mix of thriving cities and regional centres, vast open spaces and spectacular landscapes, it’s no wonder Australia attracts people from all over the world.

The first thing you will notice when you land in Australia is our fresh air and blue skies. We have a long history of protecting the beauty and sustainability of our environment. The result? Clean and sustainable cities and regional centres with plenty of green spaces and relatively low air pollution.

Our diverse natural environment offers a range of experiences – you can relax on our golden beaches, venture into our national parks to see our unique plants and animals, and explore the untamed outback.

Australian institutions also place great importance on teaching students the value of sustainability and how to apply it in all areas of industry.

Enjoy a high standard of living

Australian cities are consistently ranked as some of the most liveable in the world. Our quality of education, healthcare, transport, infrastructure and government services are rated well above international averages.

Australia is a technologically advanced country with a strong, globally competitive economy. You will enjoy all the benefits of high-quality services, transportation and infrastructure in our towns and cities.

Employment opportunities

Our educational institutions make students work-ready and understand what it takes to succeed in the global workforce. An Australian qualification will make you a very attractive potential employee to employers in Australia, at home and around the world.

World-class education

When you study in Australia, you have the opportunity to pursue an outstanding education from leading institutions. Australia’s extraordinary heritage of innovation means your potential for success is boundless.

Our universities encourage international students to think big. Every year, students from around the world graduate from our institutions with high-quality qualifications in almost every field. Australian graduates are sought after by employers worldwide and they often go on to achieve great success.

Our universities have produced leading scientists, designers, educators, entrepreneurs, artists and humanitarians who have made a profound impact on the world. While Australia has a relatively small number of university students, our graduates have been world-leaders in ground-breaking research and development.

Did you know Wi-Fi, penicillin, the black box flight recorder, the Earth Hour initiative and the Cochlear implant, among many other innovations, were all invented by graduates from Australian universities?

You really can achieve great things with an Australian education. That’s because we’re a leading provider of high quality education for international students and our institutions are consistently ranked among the world’s top 100 universities. International students enjoy an unrivalled range of study options in Australia, with more than 1,100 institutions and 22,000 courses to choose from, across every discipline and at every level.

Globally recognised qualifications

Your degree from an Australian education provider can take you anywhere in the world.

With 43 universities across Australia, there will be a course that can help you achieve your goals.

Studying here will boost your career prospects because graduates from Australia are desirable employees in any workplace. In most fields, an Australian qualification is recognised by employers throughout the world.

Australian courses are constantly updated with input from industry leaders to ensure your skills and knowledge are current, strengthening your ability to compete for jobs.

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) allows students to easily move through the education system. It also provides an easy way for countries to recognise your qualification and issue a comparable qualification for local use.

Uncompromising quality assurance

You can study with peace of mind, thanks to Australia’s well-developed system of regulation, and quality controls designed to protect you.

Australia sets the standard for excellence in education internationally. Our education sector is based on a network of world-leading education providers, premium facilities, outstanding lecturers and student support services. There is a robust system of quality control and government accreditation to ensure you receive a premium university experience. This system was specifically designed for international students and refined over many years.

Under Australian law, universities must be accredited by regulators to ensure your rights are protected. For example, all higher education providers in Australia must complete a demanding accreditation process to ensure they deliver the highest standard of teaching and learning. Providers also undergo regular formal quality assurance audits.

A great place to live and study

Australia is a safe, inclusive and supportive study environment, where you will feel welcomed and inspired.

Australians have a reputation for being friendly and welcoming, with an open and informal approach to life, while also showing respect for the rights and freedoms of others. Australia has a very high standard of living, with the quality of education, healthcare, transport, infrastructure and government services all well above international averages.

Australia has a reputation as a safe place to live, with the streets and public spaces of Australian cities offering security and freedom not always found in other parts of the world. In fact, Australian cities have some of the lowest crime rates in the world. Whether you’re in a city, town or regional area, your Australian experience will be hugely rewarding.

When you study here, you will join hundreds of thousands of students from Australia and around the world - including many from your home country - who are discovering new friends and exciting opportunities.

We believe collaboration is key to our students’ success. You will work closely with classmates, researchers, instructors and other faculties. In many cases, you can gain hands-on industry experience through placements and internships. This combination of teamwork, shared learning, and industry focus will strengthen your career and postgraduate study prospects.

A government survey found around 87% of international students were satisfied or very satisfied with their study experience and life in Australia.

World-changing research and development

Discover opportunities to become an innovator in your field, and connect with international researchers.

From the discovery of penicillin in 1945, to observations which led to the discovery of the accelerating universe in 2011, Australia has a long history of world-class research and development.

Research and development by Australian institutions have led to innovations that have benefited millions worldwide. Global partnerships are inspiring a new wave of international collaboration and practical and applied research.

University spending on research and development has doubled in the past 18 years. Australian students are more mobile, connected and collaborative than ever before. You can connect with your peers around the world through researcher exchange programs promoted by education providers.

The Australian Government also funds programs which promote global connections between Australian students, researchers and their international peers.

Education and living costs in Australia

Knowing the average cost of living and studying in Australia is an important part of your application and financial preparation.

Students should be aware that the costs of studying in Australia will depend on your education provider, the level of study you choose and your study location in Australia.

Knowing the average living costs in Australia is an important part of your financial preparation. For your reference, here are some of the costs associated with living and studying in Australia (all costs are in Australian dollars).

The costs below are an approximate guide only and don't take into account your budget and spending habits.

Accommodation

Hostels and Guesthouses - $90 to $150 per week
Shared Rental - $95 to $215 per week
On campus - $110 to $280 per week
Homestay - $235 to $325 per week
Rental - $185 to $440 per week
Boarding schools - $11,000 to $22,000 a year

Other living expenses

Groceries and eating out - $140 to $280 per week
Gas, electricity - $10 to $20 per week
Phone and Internet - $15 to $30 per week
Public transport - $30 to $60 per week
Car (after purchase) - $150 to $260 per week
Entertainment - $80 to $150 per week

Cost of living

The Department of Home Affairs has financial requirements you must meet in order to receive a student visa for Australia.

Refer to the step by step Student Visa Subclass 500 application and Document Checklist Tool for details on how to provide the evidence required to cover the costs of your stay, including your travel, study and living expenses.

As of October 2019 the 12-month living costs are;

For students or guardians - AUD$21,041
For partners coming with you - AUD$7,362
For a child coming with you - AUD$3,152

The Home Affairs website covers in more detail how to work out how much money you might need to cover the costs of your stay in Australia as international student.

The Insider Guides 'Cost of Living Calculator' is also a useful, practical tool to help estimate your cost of living in Australia www.insiderguides.com.au/cost-of-living-calculator/.

If you experience financial trouble while in Australia, talk to your institution’s international student support and student accommodation services staff for assistance.

Course and study costs in Australia will depend on the education provider and level of study you choose.

Use the Course Search on this website to find courses and see details such as their tuition fees. There may be additional costs for your course, including course materials and access to institution facilities.

Students should refer to their provider's payment conditions for specific advice.

Education costs

The list below gives you a broad indication of the range of course costs (yearly) for different types of qualifications.

School - $7,800 to $30,000
English language studies - Around $300 per week depending on course length
Vocational Education and Training (Certificates I to IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma) - $4,000 to $22,000
Undergraduate Bachelor Degree - $20,000 to $45,000*
Postgraduate Masters Degree - $22,000 to $50,000*
Doctoral Degree - $18,000 to $42,000*

* Note: This does not include high cost of delivery courses such as veterinary and medical. Please visit institution websites directly to see costs for these courses.

All costs are per year in Australian dollars. To convert to your own currency, visit http://www.xe.com

Cost of living calculator

How to Apply

Australian education

Australia offers a diverse range of study options for international students, with more than 1,100 institutions and over 22,000 courses tailored for you.

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Education pathways

Planning and following an education pathway can streamline your study plan. A Foundation course can help you reach your goals faster.

If you don’t meet the entry requirements to get into the course you want in Australia, there are many pathways that can help you reach your goal.

This might include studying in an Australian school, taking English language preparation or studying a vocational education and training course.

Foundation Studies

If you don’t meet academic requirements, there are a few options to prepare you for further study. Depending on your previous studies and the final qualification you want to study, you can enrol in secondary school or Foundation Studies.

Foundation Studies involve an intensive preparatory course that will give you the skills you need to enter an undergraduate course at a university or higher education institution. These studies are usually divided into streams such as business studies and science studies, and offer both compulsory and elective subjects. English language support is usually available.

Many schools, vocational education and training institutions, and universities offer Foundation Studies courses. The common feature of Foundation Studies is that a university allocates a provisional place in an undergraduate program assuming you achieve the prescribed grades.

Australian education system

The Australian education system offers primary, secondary and tertiary education linked across the country and across the world.

The Australian education system provides primary, secondary and tertiary education.

School education (Primary and Secondary)

School education is similar across all of Australia with only minor variations between states and territories. School education (primary and secondary) is compulsory between the ages of six and sixteen (Year 1 to Year 9 or 10). School education is 13 years and divided into:

Primary school - Runs for seven or eight years, starting at Kindergarten/Preparatory through to Year 6 or 7.
Secondary school - Runs for three or four years, from Years 7 to 10 or 8 to 10.
Senior secondary school - Runs for two years, Years 11 and 12.

Tertiary education

Tertiary education includes both higher education (including universities) and vocational education and training (VET).

Language of instruction

English is the official language of Australia and the main language of instruction in the education system. Many schools offer bilingual programs or programs in other languages.

Australian 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 and vocational education and training) in addition to the school-leaving certificate; the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education.

The AQF has 10 levels and links school, vocational and university education qualifications into one national system. This allows you to move easily from one level of study to the next, and from one institution to another, as long as you satisfy student visa requirements. It allows for choice and flexibility in career planning. All qualifications in the AQF help prepare you for both further study and your working life.

If you are studying an AQF qualification, you can be sure that your institution is Government-authorised and nationally accredited, and that your degree or other AQF qualification will be genuine.

Our institutions are linked across the country and across the world, which makes it easy to move throughout the education system between courses or institutions and formal agreement and recognition frameworks mean every step of the path will contribute to your future no matter what your study or career goals.

English courses

By studying English in Australia, you will gain a range of life skills you cannot get at home.

Studying English in Australia is about much more than reciting words in a classroom. Our teaching approach focuses on critical thinking, as well as group and project work – all drawn from real-life experiences, which means you will not only be learning the language, you will be learning how to use it in everyday life.

By studying English in Australia, you will gain a huge range of life skills you cannot get at home. Invaluable skills like problem-solving, leading diverse teams of people, and applying your English to real-world situations – abilities you will draw on for the rest of your life. With a multicultural mix of students in our educational facilities, you will learn the world’s language in a truly international environment.

Our English language teaching maintains a consistently high quality – no matter where you study or what course you choose. With mandatory national standards and a comprehensive, industry-led quality support framework (see English Australia) you can be confident that you’re getting the very finest English education.

Types of English training

Australia offers a range of English courses to suit a range of study needs. There are a range of English language testing organizations whose results are recognized in Australia and around the world.

General English

Your goal - To improve general proficiency to access higher level courses; to improve your English for everyday use; to improve your English for travel; to improve your English for work purposes or to do casual work in an English speaking country
Course description - Focusing on communication skills with emphasis on speaking and listening

English for Academic Purposes

Your goal - You want to study in an Australian school, vocational college or university
Course description - Preparing you for study at an English-speaking university, higher education or vocational institute

English for Specific Purposes (ESP)

Your goal - You want to learn the spoken and written English needed for a specific context and perhaps want to consider an internship
Course description - Focusing on practical English for specific course areas such as business, aviation or tourism

Examination Preparation

Your goal - You plan to take an exam such as IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, or the Cambridge First Certificate
Course description - Preparing you for English language proficiency examinations

English for Teaching

Your goal - You want to teach English in schools in your own country
Course description - These courses include TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, EfTC (English for Teaching Children.)

Study Tours

Your goal - You want to have a short holiday, study English and have fun or study English and undertake work related training
Course description - These courses are a combination of General English with sporting, social, tourist, cultural or professional training activities.
Our quality assurance
Australia has national regulatory and quality agencies for international education – the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) and the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). They were established by the Australian Government to monitor quality, and regulate university and non-university education providers against a set of independently developed standards to regulate courses and education and training providers to ensure nationally approved quality standards are met. These two bodies share responsibility for monitoring national standards for English language colleges.
In addition, the following student rights are protected by law under the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS):
- The wellbeing of all international students.
- The quality of students' education experience.
- The provision of up-to-date and accurate information.
English Australia
English Australia is the national peak body for the English language sector of international education in Australia. English Australia represents over 100 member colleges throughout Australia that provide quality English language programs to students and professionals from around the world.

English Australia’s focus is on:
- Delivering the highest quality English language programs;
- Providing a range of support services for a secure learning environment; and
- Assuring tuition protection for students of all visa types.
NEAS
NEAS is the Global Leader in Quality Assurance for the English Language Teaching Community. NEAS has over 160 member centres in Australia and an additional 57 Australian member or member affiliated centres operating internationally.
NEAS is committed to providing a number of services that support the English Language Teaching (ELT) Community including
- Quality assurance and endorsement for ELT Centres;
- Professional development for teachers, managers and professional staff; and
- Approval of ELT teacher qualifications.
English language testing providers
While education providers set their own English language requirements for course entry, the English proficiency score needed for your course may be different to the score needed to secure your visa. You should check entry requirements for both your visa application and your course application. Find out more about the most widely accepted English language testing providers.
Fields of study
'Fields of study' (also called ‘fields of education’) is a classification system used by Australian institutions to describe courses, specialisations and units of study.
Information Technology (IT)
- In the last three years, Australia has seen 33,000 new jobs created in the technology industry alone
- Employable jobs in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) are growing twice as fast when compared to other jobs in Australia
- IT remains one of the highest paid industries in Australia, with salaries for technology roles higher than most competing sectors
What is information technology?
Studying in this field you will develop skills in the processing, transmitting and storage of information.
You can expect to develop an understanding of information systems, programming languages, information management and artificial intelligence, leaving your studies with the ability to apply your knowledge to solve problems.
Inside the information technology field, you will learn the theory and practice of industries such as:
- Computation theory
- Computer programming
- Format coding
- Storage and retrieval of information in a computer environment
- Robotics programming and artificial intelligence
- Systems analysis

Study in Australia