The Study in Australia Study Wizard

Step 1 Study Planning

Before you start applying for anything, you should have some sort of idea of what you would like to do.  There are many things to consider, but the most important is the mode of education you would like to partake in.  There are four main sectors – education language schools, schools/high schools, universities and vocational education and training.

Your age and previous experience will help in determining your education mode and education provider.  You may be limited according to qualification prerequisites.  If you are unable to apply to the education provider of your choice, you may be able to undertake a foundation study to match the requirements.
Personal preferences are also an important consideration.  Would you prefer to live in an urban, rural or coastal area?  Is there a particular city in which you would like to live?  Perhaps you already have friends or family in Australia and would like to be close to them.  If you are unsure, AA Education Network provides copious information on the areas of Australia on their websites.
Finally, the reputation and facilities of a particular education provider may appeal to you.  If you are undertaking a science degree, you might choose a university with a well equipped laboratory – if you are a drama student, you might prefer an institute with a working theatre.  Again, you can contact AA Education Network for this sort of information.  You might also like to interview friends or relatives who have lived and studied in Australia.


Step 2 Choosing a Course

2.1 Cost
Cost is one of the most important things to consider when choosing an education provider.  Student loans are not available to international students, making the majority of international student in Australian institutes full fee paying students.  Tuition costs can be high so it is important to know how much you will need to pay in order to work out the cost and budget for your Australian stay.
Tuition costs differ between universities, and between the different faculties within the school.  Courses that require a large amount of laboratory or field work (like science and medicine) are generally more expensive than those that don’t (such as arts and humanities.)  Some courses, such as nursing and education, are subsidised by the government, making the cost of tuition a lot lower than other courses.  Your AA Education Network representative can help you to determine the cost of your tuition.
As well as tuition costs, you should probably check out the cost of accommodation, if you are planning on staying on campus, and other expenses such as textbooks.  You should also weigh costs against the perks of attending a certain university; some universities may charge high tuition fees, but this can include the use of campus facilities (which could involve common rooms, internet labs, gymnasium and sporting fields) and other perks such as discounted or free public transport and free health care at a student run clinic.  As you can see, researching the costs involved with different universities is well worth the time.
When applying for a student visa, you will need to provide evidence of your ability to support yourself financially, usually in the form of a bank or credit card statement.  You will not be granted a student visa if you do not already have sufficient funds.  You may apply for a new student visa with work rights once you have commenced study, but you may only work limited hours and the money you earn can only supplement your income, and not provide your primary income.

2.2 What would you like to learn?
The Australian education system is designed to make transferring between different education providers easier.  The Australian Qualifications Framework provides twelve different types of qualifications, which allows students to begin studying at a level that they are comfortable with, and then transfer to a higher level of learning once they are prepared.  The AQF helps students to determine the appropriate course level entrance by examining existing qualifications and previous studies.   Through the AQF, students may begin university study or undertake a foundation study or vocational training course to prepare them for university.  Many education providers offer preparatory studies to help students reach academic requirements.
Universities offer a range of undergraduate and graduate degrees, covering fields of study such as agriculture, business, economics, education, environmental sciences, engineering, health sciences and social sciences, information technology, law, mathematics and computing, medicine, science and visual and performing arts.  Vocational education and training institutions offer practical, career orientated courses like business, computing, marketing, tourism and hospitality.
All education providers in Australia, as well as the courses they offer, must be accredited and registered by the Australian government.  You should always seek advice from several providers before deciding on one.


Step Three Entry Requirements

3.1 English Language Requirements
You will need to meet a certain level of English language proficiency in order to gain a student visa, and also to enter most universities and some vocational training courses.  This is usually provided as an International English Language Testing Systems score, or equivalent.  The minimum score differs, dependant on the field of study and level of degree; typically, post graduate courses require a higher IELTS score than undergraduate courses.  If you do not meet these requirements, you can undertake a period of English language tuition or enrol in a foundation studies school to prepare you for study in Australia.  You can do this in Australia or in your home country.

3.2 Academic Requirements
Students must meet the minimum academic requirement determined by the university or educational provider before they are accepted for study.  Each institution sets their own entry requirements so selection criteria can differ dramatically.  Generally, if you are commencing an undergraduate degree, you must have first satisfactorily completed the senior school qualification in your home town; if you are entering an undergraduate degree midway through the course, you must fulfil any relevant subject prerequisites.
For postgraduate studies, you should have a relevant undergraduate degree and you may be asked to provide proof of work experience in the related field.
If you are currently in the middle of other studies, you may be able to receive provisional acceptance on the basis of your previous academic performance, on the assumption that your final examination results will not dramatically change your grade.

3.3 Submission of application form
After you have completed your application forms, you can submit them directly to AA Education Network.  You may want to use a registered post service to ensure that they arrive on time and are not lost in transit.

3.4 Receiving confirmation of enrolment
After the education provider examines your forms, they will advise if you have met the requirements for entry and, if so, will issue you with a confirmation of enrolment.
You may be required to submit yourself to a pre-visa assessment before the institution offers you an Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE).  An eCoE is the only accepted evidence of enrolment for processing student visa applications.  You may also be required to pay tuition fees before you can apply for a visa.  We will advise you of any further specific requirements.


Step Four Visas

4.1 Obtaining information on visas
All students are required to obtain a student visa that is valid for the entire length of their studies before they are allowed to enter the country.  In order to be granted a student visa, you must be enrolled in a full time study load at any education provider that is accredited and registered by the Government.
The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) is the Australian government body responsible for issuing visas.  DIMA has offices in countries around the world so you may be able to see someone in person regarding your Australian student visa.  You may also access the Visa Wizard on the DIMA website, which can provide you with information on different types of visas and their requirements.
In some cases, you may not be able to apply for a student visa until you have received official confirmation of your enrolment at a registered education provider.  An representative at the Australian embassy in your country should be able to advise you on this aspect of the visa process.

4.2 Obtaining visa application forms
You can download the visa application forms in English, Spanish and Portuguese from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs website.  For forms in other languages, you will have to contact the DIMA office in your country or see the Australian embassy.
Most students will require form 157A, Application for a Student (Temporary) Visa Form.  US Study Abroad, Swedish and Norwegian students can use Form 175E on the DIMA website.

4.3 Assistance with visa application
If you are struggling with all the paperwork, you may need the assistance of a migration officer.  The Australian Embassy or the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs can provide you with a list of registered officers.  However, the easy to follow lay out of the application form means that you should be able to fill it out with no assistance.  The DIMA website does provide visa information to download, and more detailed information on its website.  It might be a good idea to read that before you get started.
You will need to submit to a medical examination.  The Australian Embassy or DIMA will provide you with a list of approved doctors.  The doctor will need to fill out a special form for validity.

4.4 Visa application form submission
Your application, payment and relevant documentation will need to be lodged with the nearest Australian Embassy or DIMA office.  You may need to send some documents via your education provider.

4.5 Obtaining medical insurance
With the exception of a few cases, evidence of appropriate medical insurance is a visa requirement.  This can be done simply enough by paying the compulsory medical insurance premium to your educational institute, under the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) system.  Norwegian students and Swedish students who are studying under CSN International do not need to provide evidence of medical insurance.  As well, students who are sponsored by AusAID are exempt, but will need to give evidence that AusAID supports your application.
In the rare chance that you are not covered by your education provider, you will need to organise your own medical insurance.  There are many comparison websites on the Internet that should be able to assist you with finding the right one.

4.6 Receiving your student visa
If your application is successful, you will be issued with a Multiple Entry Visa, which allows you to travel to and from Australia within a designation time period, dependant on the course in which you have been accepted.  Your visa may be cancelled if you finish studying or fail to meet the conditions of your visa.

4.7 What if the visa application is unsuccessful?
In the event that your application is unsuccessful, you will receive written notice explaining why.  If you applied for you visa in Australia, you may apply to have the decision reversed.  DIMA will inform you of your review rights and time period for lodging an appeal.  If you applied for a visa outside of Australia (i.e. in your home country), you cannot apply to have your decision reversed and will have to begin another application.
If you are required to submit another visa application, you should carefully consider the original refusal reasons and plan carefully how you will provide evidence that you now meet any requirements that you did not previously.  It is not enough to just resubmit your previous application, as it will more than likely be denied.

4.8 Renewing your visa
Your student visa is valid for the time period you designated for your study.  A student visa is not valid for permanent residence, meaning you will be obliged to leave once you have finished studying.  If you wish to enrol in a new course you will need to apply for a new visa before your current visa expires.  If your current visa has a no further stay condition, you may not be granted another one.
If you have a student visa, you are permitted to leave and enter Australia whilst you have a valid visa; otherwise, you would be required to reapply and pay the charge each time you want to re-enter the country.  It is very important that you comply with all the guidelines of an Australian student visa for the duration of your stay.  Under current Government guidelines, students who break their visa conditions will be issued with a mandatory visa cancellation.


Step 5 Pre-departure

5.1 Institution admission and information package
Your education provider will send you a hard copy of your confirmation of enrolment and an information package.  Your information package will inform you about the institute, your selected course, the date you are due to arrive, accommodation options and any important events that you are required to attend during the first week of study as part of orientation week.  It will also include information about any arrangements and events organised to welcome international students and help then to settle in.  
Your education provider may also wish to inform you about the city that you are moving to and its climate, information about local customs, any clothing requirements, shopping facilities, transport, banking, mail and telephone services, the estimated cost of living and amount of money you should bring when you first arrive.  Read these pamphlets carefully, and be sure to contact your education provider if you do not receive your information package before you leave.
You may have to attend a pre-departure briefing before you leave for Australia.  You must contact your institution or Australian Education Centre to arrange this.

5.2 Arranging finances, transport and accommodation
AA Education Network can help you with finding the cheapest flights to Australia, and can arrange a home stay or similar emergency accommodation for two to four weeks.  During this period, we will help you to find permanent accommodation.  By Australian law, you will need to inform you education provider of your address within seven days of arrival in to the country.  If you change address, you will need to inform them within seven days.
You can ask your educational institute to arrange your accommodation before you arrive in Australia.  If you are under the age of eighteen, you must have your accommodation approved by the education provider.  The international office at your campus should be able to help you find suitable accommodation, either on campus or off campus.
If you are seeking your own accommodation, campus noticeboards and newspapers are the best places to find advertisements for people looking to share houses and units.
You should arrange to exchange currency before you leave your home country, so that you are arriving in Australia with Australian dollars you can use in case of emergency.  Exchange rate information can be found at www.xe.com.  You might prefer to carry Australian travellers cheques, which are accepted in most major cities.  Major credit cards (such as Visa and MasterCard) are accepted all throughout Australia.

5.3 Australian quarantine
Australia has a strict set of guidelines regarding what can and can’t be brought in to the country.  This is to preserve the delicate ecosystem.  The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Services (AQIS) website provides a list of rules and regulations, and is available in a variety of foreign languages.  Be sure to read the section regarding things that cannot be sent to you via mail from outside of Australia, and inform any friends or family member who are likely to send you packages.  Anything sent to you from overseas cannot be packaged in containers that previously held fruit, vegetables or timber.


Step 6 – Arrival in Australia

6.1 Arrival reception
Your educational institute should offer an airport pick up service.  Some airports offer a similar service. It is a good idea to organise this before you leave, as you will be unfamiliar with public transport when you arrive.  

6.2 Orientation
Your university will organise an orientation session, in which you will be told of the institutes rules and regulations.  You may not receive the same orientation as Australian students, and will likely be required to attend an orientation held by the international student officer.  During this period, you can ask any questions you may have and will receive assistance with your timetable, schedule and anything else.

6.3 Can I change my course or institution?
You are required to remain with your chosen institute for at least twelve months, or the duration of the course if it is less than twelve months.  If you wish to change education providers, you will need to apply to DIMA.  You may be charged a fee for doing so.