Studying in Australia

Deciding to study in Australia is both an exciting as well as a daunting decision.

There is so much to be considered. This page contains some information that hopefully makes your planning a little easier. It is not meant to be exhaustive, just some helpful tips to make your experience a little more enjoyable. For up to date information on studying in Australia you should head over to our blog.

Before you Decide

Before you decide where you are going to study in Australia, you should probably give some thought to where you would like to live. Good institutions can be found all over the country, so choosing where you would like to live is almost as important as which institution you would like to study at.

Some things you should consider when choosing where to study in Australia include:

• Australia is a large country and the weather varies significantly across the country. If you are from a tropical climate, are you going to be happy living somewhere that is cold and wet for most of the year?
• Do you want to live in a big city, or in a smaller town? Each have their attractions. For instance the cost of living is cheaper in smaller centers, but there are more entertainment options in the cities.
• Cost of living differentials. The cost of living while you study in Australia can vary greatly, even amongst the capital cities. Not all states extend student fares on public transport to international students, which will affect your cost of living. Rent tends to be high in and around universities, so travelling to and from class may become a large and unavoidable expense.
• What are your motivations for coming to study in Australia? Whilst having a large community of students from your country at the institution you choose to study at can be very comforting, surrounding yourself with people from home may make your study in Australia experience feel like, well, being at home!

When determining which university you are going to attend, one good place to start is the Good Universities Guide. It is popular amongst domestic students when they make their decision about where to study. Some aspects of it are available online here for free:

• The Good Universities Guide

A former international student, Danny Ong, has written a book about studying in Australia. It is available here:

• The International Students' Handbook: Living and Studying in Australia, by Danny Ong

So once you've decided to study in Australia, and where to study in Australia, what's next?

While you are here

In order to get the most from your experience while studying in Australia, you should get involved! Step out of your comfort zone and try things you would never try at home. Most universities have active societies and clubs that organise social activities.

Two organisations available to provide support while you study in Australia are:

• CISA: Council of International Students in Australia
• AFIS: Australian Federation of International Students

Participating with these organisations really will help you get the most out of your experience while studying in Australia.

If you are planning on studying in Melbourne, you will be happy to know that it has a very active international student community. In fact, Melbourne even has its own international student magazine: Meld Magazine

After you finish

Many students love Australia so much that they are interested in staying on after finishing their study in Australia. Perhaps post-study work rights are the main reason you are attracted to the prospect of studying in Australia? Depending on your course and motivations, it is likely that you will have some opportunity to stay on after you finish your study.

Some useful resources to help you determine whether you will have the right to continue to stay and work after you finish your study in Australia include the following:

• The Skilled Occupations List: The list of skills that immigration has determined Australia is in need of.
• Department of Immigration: You can find out about Australia's migration policies.

Links

Below is a list of useful links to help you with following through on your decision to study in Australia.

• Department of Immigration for overseas students : if you are intending to study in Australia, this page will provide you with essential information.
• Overseas Student Ombudsman : investigates complaints about private education providers throughout Australia. The Ombudsman's services are free, impartial and independent from the education providers.
• Think before : a student safety initiative.

If you know of any other useful links, please let us know.