All You Need to Know About Studying in Australia

In order to study in Australia the potential student needs to meet the ‘genuine temporary entrant’ (GTE) requirement which includes consideration of the following:

• Circumstances in the applicant’s home country;
• The applicant’s potential circumstances in Australia;
• The applicant’s immigration history;
• The value of the course to the applicant’s future.

Full details are available in this government document.

Other key requirements to study in Australia include the ability for the student to show they have sufficient financial resources for the duration of their stay, and an assessment of their criminal history. The requirement for Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is likely to cost between AU$370 -507 (about US$330-450) per year. A full list of OSHC policies which meet government requirements can be viewed here.

It’s important not to underestimate just how large Australia is! Top Australian universities are scattered throughout the nation, so it’s important to do some research into different locations, to make sure living in Australia meets your expectations. (Find out more about Australia’s top student cities.)

Australian universities have a long history of welcoming international students, and before you arrive you should receive plenty of information about living in Australia, as well as assistance in arranging accommodation. It’s usually possible to opt for on-campus accommodation managed by the university, but you can also choose to arrange your own rented accommodation. If that’s your preference, there are plenty of cheap short-term accommodation options where you can stay while looking for a more permanent place to live.

As highlighted earlier, a real benefit of studying in Australia for international students is the ability to stay and work in Australia after graduation. This option is available by applying for a 485 visa. This visa will allow the applicant (and his/her partner) to work in Australia up to four years, depending on the length of time spent studying in Australia and the course you completed. Full details of the 485 visa can be viewed at the website of the Australian Department of Immigration.

Key requirements to get a 485 visa to work in Australia include: having sufficient English skills, passing a health check and character assessment, and having adequate health insurance. A comprehensive list of accepted 485 visa health insurance policies can be compared here. Once a 485 visa has been issued, the holder can commence working full time. It’s common for international graduates to use job sites to search for suitable entrance-level jobs in Australia.

About the author: Justin Grossbard is a regular traveller who specializes in immigration services and is the author of the website 457visacompared.com.au