|
|
|
What education type are you interested in? The Australian education and training system has three main Sectors:
Australia's national system of learning pathways enables students to move easily from one sector and qualification level to the next, and from one institution to another. As you browse through each sector you will find information on qualifications, course duration and commencement, entry requirements, qualifications recognition, quality assurances and the world-class facilities for teaching, learning and research. What fields of study are you interested in? Universities offer many undergraduate and postgraduate courses covering fields of study such as agriculture, business, economics, education, environmental science, engineering, health sciences, humanities and social sciences, information technology, law, mathematics and computing, medicine, science and visual/performing arts etc. Vocational education and training institutions offer practical, career oriented courses including business, computing, marketing, and tourism and hospitality. What level of qualification is best suited for you? The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is a national structure covering 12 different qualifications linking the four education sectors and providing learning pathways and recognition for previous study. Once the status of your existing qualifications is established the AQF means international students can choose from appropriate level courses anywhere in Australia. Many institutions offer preparatory studies, also known as bridging or foundation courses, to help meet the academic entry requirements of Australian institutions. There are also many English language courses with starting dates throughout the year to prepare you for further study in Australia. Find out about the AQF Do you have a preferred location? In selecting an institution at which to study you might want to consider the environment in which it is located (eg urban or rural, climate and extra curricular activities available on and off campus). Financial considerations The majority of international students in Australia are full-fee paying students and are not awarded scholarships. Student loans are not available for international students in Australia. You will need to consider whether you can afford to study at a particular institution. Fees vary according to the institution and discipline selected. For example, science and medical courses that require a large amount of laboratory and fieldwork are more costly than arts courses. To be granted a student visa you will need to declare your financial ability and in most cases you will need evidence of having sufficient funds to pay part or all of your tuition fees. There is also the cost of living to consider. If you intend to get a job while studying in Australia then the money you earn from working in Australia should only supplement your income and not be your primary source of income. You can only apply for a new student visa with work rights after you arrive in Australia and have begun studying. You will only be permitted to work a limited number of hours. Therefore you should not expect your earnings to cover your living costs sufficiently. Do you have any personal considerations? There are also personal considerations in deciding on the institution of your choice (eg friends have previously attended the same institution, friends and relatives are nearby, or catering for your religious, sporting and recreational needs). Selecting a course You have a wide range of courses to choose from in Australia. You will need to find out which institutions offer the course you are interested in. Even if you are interested in only one type of course you might find many institutions on your list. By law, all Australian institutions and the courses they offer to international students must be accredited and registered by the Australian Government. This register provides information on institution services and locations, courses and their duration, and tuition fees. Locating an institution An interactive map will help you to locate your preferred institutions and then you can check the list of courses they offer. Students often seek information from more than one institution before making a decision on a particular one. Do you meet the entry requirements for the selected course? Students must meet minimum academic requirements to be accepted into specific courses. Each institution sets its own entry requirements so they may vary from one institution to another, and from one course or faculty to another. Some courses also require relevant work experience and this may be particularly important in relation to MBA and other postgraduate studies. You may be asked to provide evidence of your academic achievements and English language proficiency to assess whether you meet the entry requirements for your proposed course of study in Australia. Institutions will look at the level and content of the study you have completed in Australia or your home country. If you do not meet the entry requirements for further study you can enrol in secondary school in Australia. If you do not meet undergraduate course entry requirements you may be able to enrol in Foundation Studies which prepare you for further study in Australia and reserve a provisional place in your proposed course. Bridging courses, such as a Master Qualifying program, are also offered. It is recommended that you seek advice from the institution about meeting their entry requirements before applying for admission into your selected courses. Do you meet the English language requirements? Evidence of English language proficiency is required when applying for a student visa. Depending on your proposed study sector you will need to have a minimum score in the IELTS English language proficiency test and/or a period of English language tuition. Most university and vocational education and training courses also require students to have a sufficient level of English language proficiency. You should check with each institution what English language proficiency tests are recognised by that institution and what the minimum scores are for each course. There are many English language courses with starting dates throughout the year, Foundation Studies and secondary schooling to prepare you for further study in Australia. International students must have a valid student visa for the duration of their studies in Australia. You should check with the Australian Embassy in your country to see if you are eligible to apply for a student visa before obtaining official confirmation of your enrolment and paying tuition fees. You will only be issued with a student visa for study in Australia if you seek to undertake a full-time course that is accredited and registered by the Australian Government. The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) also has offices in many countries, check their website for locations. Where can I get the visa application forms? Visa application forms in English, Portuguese or Spanish can be downloaded from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) website. For application forms in host-country languages contact your nearest Australian Embassy or DIMA office. Most students will need to fill in the Application for a Student (Temporary) Visa Form. US Study Abroad, Norwegian and Swedish students over 18 years of age can apply for an electronic student using Form on the DIMA website. Where can I get help with filling out a visa application? The visa application forms are designed so that you can complete them with minimal, if any, help. The DIMA website has visa information forms for download and provides more information on student visa requirements. However, if you wish to seek help in obtaining a visa you are advised to use a registered migration agent. You will be asked to have a medical examination as part of the visa process. You will be given a list of approved doctors and special forms for the doctor to complete. Where do I submit the visa application? Unless instructed otherwise by the institution or agent you have been dealing with, you should send your visa application form (together with the correct visa charge and all necessary documents) to the nearest Australian Embassy or DIMA Office. Obtaining medical insurance All students must show evidence that they have health insurance cover before a visa can be issued. Australia has a very cost competitive medical insurance system. In many cases you can pay the compulsory medical insurance (Overseas Student Health Cover, or OSHC for short) premium to the education institution which will pay the health insurer on your behalf. If you are a student sponsored by AusAID you will not need to pay the OSHC yourself but you will need to provide proof that AusAID supports your application. Norwegian students are exempt from this requirement. Swedish students who are studying under CSN International (the Swedish National Board of Student Aid) who have obtained insurance through CSN are also exempt from the OSHC requirement. Receiving your visa You can only be granted a student visa if you intend to study a registered course or part of a registered course on a full-time basis. If your application is successful you will be issued with a Multiple Entry Visa allowing you to travel backwards and forwards to Australia within the period for which the visa has been granted. That period will depend on the course for which you have been accepted. Your visa can be cancelled if you discontinue your studies or fail to meet the conditions of your visa. What if my student visa application is not successful? If your application is not successful you will be told the reasons in writing. The decision not to grant you a student visa cannot be reviewed if you applied from outside Australia. Before re-applying for a student visa, you should carefully consider what evidence you can provide to satisfy the decision maker that you meet all the requirements for a student visa. If you apply in Australia and are refused a student visa then you may apply for a review of the decision. You will be notified of your review rights in writing and the time limits for lodging such an appeal. Institution admission notice and information package The institution in which you have enrolled will send you a confirmation of enrolment and an information package. This package is very important because it contains information on your selected course, your accommodation options and important events that you should attend during the first weeks of study. It may include information about the city you are going to, its climate, your likely clothing requirements, information about local customs, shopping facilities, accommodation, transport, banking, mail and telephone services, the estimated cost of living and the amount of money you should bring with you when you first arrive, arrangements for your welcome and settling-in period and the date by which you are expected to arrive. Be sure to contact your institution if you don't receive this material before leaving your country. Arranging finances, transport and accommodation Unless you are being supported by an agent you will have to purchase your air tickets. You should make sure you have a place to stay when you arrive in Australia so it is a good idea to ask the institution to arrange a homestay or other accommodation for 2-4 weeks. During this time you can find your permanent accommodation. If you have not asked the institution to arrange accommodation you will need to book your own accommodation. The international office of your institution may be able to help you find suitable accommodation, either on-campus or off-campus, once you arrive in Australia. You should also exchange some money for Australian Dollars. Traveller cheques are accepted in most major cities and there are auto bank facilities that accept the major credit cards. For further information on accommodation options and study costs. Pre-departure seminars It is recommended that you check with your institution or a local Australian Education Centre whether there are pre-departure briefings arranged. Australian quarantine requirements Visitors from many parts of the world are attracted by Australia's spectacular natural environment and Australia also has many native plants and animals which are unique to this planet. Australian quarantine is needed to keep out exotic pests and diseases that could affect native flora and fauna, human health, agricultural industries and our environment. This role is undertaken by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS). Visit the AQIS website for information in a range of foreign languages on what you cannot bring into Australia and what your family and friends at home cannot send to you through the mail. Also, gifts sent to you from outside Australia should not be packed in cases that have contained fruit, vegetables or timber. On-arrival reception If you have made prior arrangements, the institution in which you have enrolled will send someone to meet you at the airport and take you to your accommodation. It is wise to make this arrangement with your institution as you may be unfamiliar with transport and Australian money when you first arrive. You will be told how to get to the institution on the day of your orientation. Orientation You will receive orientation at your institution by the international officer. They will introduce you to the institution's rules and regulations and help you decide on your timetable. Assistance with accommodation If you haven't arranged your accommodation before you depart, the institution may be able to help you to find suitable rental accommodation or a Homestay family. You could also check campus noticeboards for other students looking for people to share units or houses. Local newspapers run ads for accommodation vacant, particularly in Saturday and mid-week editions. All students under 18 years of age must have their accommodation approved by their institution. It is an Australian Government requirement that students notify their education institution of their address in Australia within seven days of arrival, and notify their education institution of any change of address within seven days. Next step Welcome to Australia! Your studies will be challenging and rewarding. And there is plenty to do in your spare time to get to know Australia and Australians! Can I change my course or institution? You must stay with the institution for 12 months (or for the duration of the course if it is for less than 12 months). You can change your course but before you do so you must apply to DIMA to change education provider. There is an application charge of $125 except when a student changes courses because the institution is unable to continue providing the course. Friendly reminder It is important to comply with Australian student visa conditions for the duration of your stay. Under Government legislation students who break their visa conditions will face mandatory visa cancellation. During your studies, you can leave Australia and re-enter if you hold a valid visa. Otherwise you will need to reapply, pay the charge and meet the current visa requirements. Your student visa is not valid for permanent residence in Australia or for residence after you have completed your studies. You are obliged to leave Australia at the end of your studies. If you wish to enrol in a new course you need to apply for a new student visa before your current visa expires. If your current student visa has a 'no further stay' condition you may not be granted a new student visa while you are in Australia. The Australian Government skilled migration programme targets young people
who have skills, an education and outstanding abilities that will
contribute to the Australian economy. From Universities / Colleges :-
Courses :- Please contact your nearest OM International Office, for further Fees & Admission procedures. Fees :- Please contact your nearest OM International Office, for further Fees & Admission procedures. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
