like us on
facebook/tntdownunder
OZSTUDY
Studying in Australia FANCY DOING YOUR HOMEWORK ON THE BEACH? FEW COUNTRIES ARE AS FUN TO BE A STUDENT IN AS AUSTRALIA
Study your way to an Aussie stay
out what category your country is in, as it will affect your application in a number of ways, including the length of time it will take to be processed. For instance, Level One nationals can apply for student visas online, as well as in Australia (provided they’re already there on another valid visa such as a Visitor’s Visa). All other nationalities must apply offshore, and may not be able to apply online either. Visit immi.gov.au/students for more details. The good news is that a student visa allows you to stay in Australia for a month before and after your course, plus you can also work while you’re studying, which is a bonus if you’re planning on frequenting the student bars or doing some travelling. You have to apply for the right to work once you’ve arrived in Australia and you are only allowed to work a maximum of 20 hours per week, except during official study breaks when you can work unlimited hours. Better yet, the government changed the laws last year so that foreign graduates who complete a bachelor’s degree Down Under can now stay and work in the country for up to two years after they finish, without any restriction on the type of job. Visit immi.gov.au to find out more about applying for student visas. Check out idp.com for more information about studying in Australia. Have a look at cricos.deewr.gov.au to search courses and institutions. ❚ TNTDOWNUNDER.COM 105
Photo: Thinkstock
With 39 universities, plenty of private and government institutions for vocational training, a booming English language industry and worldwide recognition of qualifications, Australia can hardly be called an undesirable place to study. But the real benefits of studying Down Under are the comparatively cheap fees, the alluring backdrop of sun and surf and the great year-round climate which fuels the famous outdoor Aussie lifestyle. And yes, if you want, you really can do your homework down on the beach, just like in Home and Away. Just because you haven’t heard of many Australian colleges or universities doesn’t mean the institutions aren’t top notch and, generally speaking, the quality of Aussie courses is comparable to some of the world’s best. In order to apply for a student visa, there’s some basic stuff you’ll need to get organised. Firstly (and rather obviously) you’ll need to be accepted onto a course. You have got no chance of being granted a student visa until you have been sent that official letter of confirmation. Next you need to look into health insurance (Overseas Student Health Cover), which is compulsory for students to have for the duration of their course. You won’t get a student visa without OSHC. You’ll also need to prove that you’ve got sufficient funds to support yourself and pay for your studies, and that you’re prepared to comply with the conditions of your visa. And if your first language isn’t English, you’ll also need to show that you’ve got the appropriate level of English. However, if you’re only planning on doing a short course, then there may be no need to apply for a student visa, as you’re permitted to study for a maximum of four months on a Working Holiday Visa. When it comes to applying for a student visa through the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, bear in mind that not all nationalities are created equal. Countries are divided into different levels according to the risk of nationals from these countries overstaying their visa, with Level One being the lowest risk category and Level Five the highest. These categories may change depending on the course you’re applying for, so make sure you find