Study Abroad

Australian universities, colleges, and schools are committed to equipping you with practical skills and knowledge to help you succeed in your chosen industry. As global demand booms for entrepreneurial and innovative thinkers, Australian education providers have re-engineered their approaches to teaching and learning to inspire thought-leading creativity among students in every discipline.

Australian universities, colleges, and schools will teach you the practical skills and theoretical knowledge to help you succeed in a fast-changing world and remain agile in uncertain times.

Studying at globally ranked institutions

Australia is setting international standards for excellence in education.

The Australian education sector comprises world-leading education institutions, premium training facilities, and outstanding lecturers and student support services.

If you’re looking for unbiased proof that Australian universities truly are world-class, look at independent global rankings such as Times Higher Education, QS, and Shanghai Rankings. These organization’s consistently rank Australian institutions in the world’s top 100 universities year after year.

Australian institutions provide an education designed to help you succeed in the global workforce. An Australian qualification will make you very attractive to potential employers in Australia, at home, and around the world.

Many Australian degrees and vocational courses include work experience programs and internships so you can gain hands-on industry experience and grow your professional network while you study. Once you complete your degree, you may also be eligible to stay and work in Australia.

While studying, you can work up to 20 hours per week during the semester and full-time during the semester break. This can be a great way to find study-related work or simply pay for your lifestyle in Australia.

Australian institutions offer a huge range of student support services to help you settle into your new life in Australia. Education providers must comply with strict quality control and government accreditation measures so you can be assured you will receive only the best service. In several cities and towns, there are dedicated international student support centres, each offering practical advice and support on issues like legal rights, job skills and opportunities to meet and socialise with other local and international students.

Australia’s Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS ACT) framework enforces by law the best-practice protection for the rights of international students studying in Australia.

Australian cities have some of the lowest crime rates in the world, and our streets and public spaces are open and safe. There are many options for accommodation: you can live in purpose-built student villages, homestays, private rentals, share-houses or boarding school accommodation.

Australia is a friendly and welcoming country. Our nation values individual freedoms, and the rights of citizens and visitors are protected under a transparent legal system.

We are also a multicultural society with respect for others no matter who they are or where they come from. Did you know almost 30% of Australians are born overseas? This has made our country rich with nationalities and cultures from all over the world.

When you study in Australia, you will join more than half a million international students from 192 countries who have been welcomed into Australian life.

With a unique mix of thriving cities and regional centres, vast open spaces and spectacular landscapes, it’s no wonder Australia attracts people from all over the world.

The first thing you will notice when you land in Australia is our fresh air and blue skies. We have a long history of protecting the beauty and sustainability of our environment. The result? Clean and sustainable cities and regional centres with plenty of green spaces and relatively low air pollution.

Our diverse natural environment offers a range of experiences – you can relax on our golden beaches, venture into our national parks to see our unique plants and animals, and explore the untamed outback.

Australian institutions also place great importance on teaching students the value of sustainability and how to apply it in all areas of industry.

Australian cities are consistently ranked as some of the most livable in the world. Our quality of education, healthcare, transport, infrastructure, and government services are rated well above international averages.

Australia is a technologically advanced country with a strong, globally competitive economy. You will enjoy all the benefits of high-quality services, transportation, and infrastructure in our towns and cities.

Our educational institutions make students work-ready and understand what it takes to succeed in the global workforce. An Australian qualification will make you a very attractive potential employee to employers in Australia, at home and around the world.

When you study in Australia, you have the opportunity to pursue an outstanding education from leading institutions. Australia’s extraordinary heritage of innovation means your potential for success is boundless.

Our universities encourage international students to think big. Every year, students from around the world graduate from our institutions with high-quality qualifications in almost every field. Australian graduates are sought after by employers worldwide and they often go on to achieve great success.

Our universities have produced leading scientists, designers, educators, entrepreneurs, artists, and humanitarians who have made a profound impact on the world. While Australia has a relatively small number of university students, our graduates have been world leaders in ground-breaking research and development.

Did you know Wi-Fi, penicillin, the black box flight recorder, the Earth Hour initiative, and the Cochlear implant, among many other innovations, were all invented by graduates from Australian universities?

You really can achieve great things with Australian education. That’s because we’re a leading provider of high-quality education for international students and our institutions are consistently ranked among the world’s top 100 universities. International students enjoy an unrivaled range of study options in Australia, with more than 1,100 institutions and 22,000 courses to choose from, across every discipline and at every level.

Your degree from an Australian education provider can take you anywhere in the world.

With 43 universities across Australia, there will be a course that can help you achieve your goals.

Studying here will boost your career prospects because graduates from Australia are desirable employees in any workplace. In most fields, an Australian qualification is recognized by employers throughout the world.

Australian courses are constantly updated with input from industry leaders to ensure your skills and knowledge are current, strengthening your ability to compete for jobs.

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) allows students to easily move through the education system. It also provides an easy way for countries to recognize your qualification and issue a comparable qualification for local use.

You can study with peace of mind, thanks to Australia’s well-developed system of regulation, and quality controls designed to protect you

Australia sets the standard for excellence in education internationally. Our education sector is based on a network of world-leading education providers, premium facilities, outstanding lecturers, and student support services. There is a robust system of quality control and government accreditation to ensure you receive a premium university experience. This system was specifically designed for international students and refined over many years.

Under Australian law, universities must be accredited by regulators to ensure your rights are protected. For example, all higher education providers in Australia must complete a demanding accreditation process to ensure they deliver the highest standard of teaching and learning. Providers also undergo regular formal quality assurance audits.

Australia is a safe, inclusive and supportive study environment, where you will feel welcomed and inspired.

Australians have a reputation for being friendly and welcoming, with an open and informal approach to life, while also showing respect for the rights and freedoms of others. Australia has a very high standard of living, with the quality of education, healthcare, transport, infrastructure, and government services all well above international averages.

Australia has a reputation as a safe place to live, with the streets and public spaces of Australian cities offering security and freedom not always found in other parts of the world. Australian cities have some of the lowest crime rates in the world. Whether you’re in a city, town, or regional area, your Australian experience will be hugely rewarding.

When you study here, you will join hundreds of thousands of students from Australia and around the world – including many from your home country – who are discovering new friends and exciting opportunities.

We believe collaboration is key to our student’s success. You will work closely with classmates, researchers, instructors, and other faculties. In many cases, you can gain hands-on industry experience through placements and internships. This combination of teamwork, shared learning, and industry focus will strengthen your career and postgraduate study prospects.

A government survey found around 87% of international students were satisfied or very satisfied with their study experience and life in Australia.

Discover opportunities to become an innovator in your field and connect with international researchers.

From the discovery of penicillin in 1945 to observations that led thatto the discovery of the accelerating universe in 2011, Australia has a long history of world-class research and development.

Research and development by Australian institutions have led to innovations that have benefited millions worldwide. Global partnerships are inspiring a new wave of international collaboration and practical and applied research.

University spending on research and development has doubled in the past 18 years. Australian students are more mobile, connected, and collaborative than ever before. You can connect with your peers around the world through research exchange programs promoted by education providers.

The Australian Government also funds programs that promote global connections between Australian students, researchers, and their international peers.

Study with Australia. It’s a fantastic way to further your education and boost your career prospects.

Our educational institutions may be relatively young compared with universities such as the UK’s Oxford or the US’s Harvard but they are up there with the best. The University of Melbourne, Australian National University, University of Sydney, University of Queensland, University of New South Wales, and Monash University were all ranked in the top 100 universities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020.

Many of our institutions moved their courses online in early 2020 to enable students to continue their studies in a remote and flexible format.

Australia has an outstanding higher education system. With over 22,000 courses across 1,100 institutions, our system is ranked 8th in the Universitas 2019 U21 Ranking of National Higher Education Systems, higher than France, Germany, Norway, and Japan.

International students report almost 90% satisfaction scores for their living and study experience in Australia according to the 2018 Department of Education International Student Survey. Recent sentiment surveys conducted by Study Australia have found that more than 80% of onshore students intend to finish their studies in Australia, indicating they are very satisfied with the quality of the education they have been receiving.

We already knew our cities were great places to live and study but now it’s official! According to QS Best Student Cities 2019, almost all of our major cities – Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth, and the Gold Coast – are in the world’s top 100 student cities.

Australia offered over 3,000 Australia Awards scholarships and short courses to students from over 55 countries in 2019.

The Australian Government has also offered a range of support and flexibility options (for visas, for example) to help onshore students cope with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Australia provides world-leading education in many study areas. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020 rated our institutions highly in the following fields:

• Arts & Humanities.
• Clinical, Pre-Clinical & Health.
• Engineering & Technology.
• Life Sciences.
• Physical Sciences.
• Social Sciences.

Over the past 50 years, 2.5 million international students have graduated from Australian educational institutions, according to the International Education Association of Australia. These graduates are now part of a global alumni network that is making an impact around the world.

From the 1945 prize for the discovery of penicillin to the most recent prize in 2017 for the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, Australian graduates are high achievers. Will you be Australia’s next Nobel laureate?

The Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) framework protects the rights of international students studying in Australia, including:

Your right to receive, before enrolling, current and accurate information about the courses, fees, modes of study, and other information from your institution and your institution’s agent.

Your right to sign a written agreement with your institution before paying fees, setting out the services to be provided, fees payable, and information about refunds of course money. Make sure to keep a copy of your written agreement.

The Tuition Protection Service (TPS) is a placement and refund service for international students, which is activated if your institution is unable to teach your course.

The Institution's Responsibilities:

The ESOS framework sets out the standards that Australian education providers must meet in offering education and training services to international students. ESOS and the National Code also outline the responsibility of providers in managing their education agent network. These standards cover a range of information you have a right to know and services that must be offered to you, including:

Orientation and access to support services to help you study and adjust to life in Australia.

Contact details of officers available to help international students.

If you can apply for course credit.

When your enrollment can be deferred, suspended, or canceled.

What your institution’s requirements are for satisfactory progress in the courses you study and what support is available if you are not progressing well?

If attendance will be monitored for your course.

A complaints and appeals process.

Your responsibilities.

As an overseas student on a student visa, you have responsibilities to:

Satisfy Your Student Visa Conditions:

Maintain your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the period of your stay.

Meet the terms of the written agreement with your institution.

Inform your institution if you change your address.

Maintain satisfactory course progress.

If attendance is recorded for your course, follow your institution’s attendance policy.

If you are under 18, maintain your approved accommodation, support, and general welfare arrangements.

Once you have received your visa, there are requirements you must meet for it to remain valid.

Once you have received your visa, there are requirements you must meet for it to remain valid, including:-

• You must remain enrolled and maintain satisfactory course progress and attendance.
• If you wish to change your qualification level you may need to apply for a new student visa.
• Provide your Australian address to your institution so they can contact you, and let them know if you change the address.
• You must continue to be able to support yourself financially while you’re in Australia.
• Do not breach the working conditions applicable to your visa.

• The Department of Home Affairs website provides all information about visa requirements, responsibilities, and compliance.
• Your institution’s international student support staff can provide you with assistance with the visa you’ll need for your course.
• Education agents can also help with your student visa application and paperwork (as well as your course application).
• Note that education agents are not permitted to provide migration advice unless they are registered migration agents. Information on registered migration agents, including a searchable database of agents, can be found on the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) website.

Scholarships to study in Australia

There are many grants, scholarships, and bursaries available to assist you financially with your studies in Australia.

Use our scholarships search tool to find out what scholarships you might be eligible for.

There are many scholarships, grants, and bursaries which can help support you financially with your studies in Australia. They are offered by the Australian Government, education providers, and several other public and private organizations.

All applications and inquiries for scholarships are made through the scholarship provider.

The major scholarships programs available for international students are.

Australia Awards

The Australia Awards aim to promote knowledge, education links, and enduring ties between Australia and our neighbors through Australia’s extensive scholarship programs. The program brings together scholarships offered by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT), the Department of Education, and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). Read more about Australia Awards.

Destination Australia

The Destination Australia Program (DAP) is the Australian Government’s new mobility program for domestic and international students to study in regional Australia. Over 1000 scholarships will be available each year to support both domestic and international students studying at regional campus locations with qualifications from a Certification IV level and above. Australian tertiary institutions will be able to apply for scholarships of up to $15,000 per student, per year.

Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP)

Find out more about the Research Training Program at the Department of Education website. Applications for these scholarships are made directly to a participating university.

Provider Scholarships

Australian education providers regularly offer scholarships to qualifying international students, based on academic merit. Consult with the admissions team or international office at the provider you are applying to for further advice and information. All scholarships listed on our website are available to international students. Many are available to students of all nationalities, however, all scholarship conditions are set by the institution or organization offering the scholarship, and applications have to be done directly with the scholarship provider. Find out what scholarships you might be eligible for.

Working while you study in Australia can help complement your overall experience.

Australia is a great place to work as an international student. You may choose to work while you are studying. This can be an option to earn extra spending money and get a taste of the local culture. Here are a few things to remember:

• Work hours: You can work up to 40 hours every two weeks while you are studying, and unlimited hours during holiday breaks.
• Workplace protections: You have the same protections at work as anyone else working in Australia.
• Minimum wage: You will get at least a minimum rate of pay per hour no matter what job you do.
• Strong support: You will find support every step of your journey as a student worker. Help is always available from the government and private organizations as well as your education provider.

The flexible hours and a large number of opportunities in these industries make this ideal for students:

• Retail – including supermarkets, department stores, boutiques.
• Hospitality – cafes, bars, restaurants, delivery.
• Farming and fruit-picking – seasonal work.
• Services – childcare, aged care, and cleaning.
• Administration and clerical work.
• Tutoring.

There are also charities and non-government organizations which offer volunteer work for students – a great way to meet people, gain hands-on work experience and contribute to the community.

For more information, start here: govolunteer.com.au.

For volunteer opportunities in each state and territory visit:

• Australian Capital Territory (Canberra, ACT) – Volunteering and Contact ACT.
• New South Wales (NSW) – The Centre for Volunteering NSW.
• Northern Territory (NT) – Volunteering SA & NT.
• Queensland (QLD) – Volunteering in Queensland.
• South Australia (SA) – Volunteering SA & N.
• Tasmania (TAS) – Volunteering in Tasmania.
• Victoria (VIC) – Volunteering Victoria.
• Western Australia (WA) – Volunteering WA.

Your education provider will usually offer a range of internships, work experience, and volunteer opportunities. Many cities and states also develop and manage internship programs or student entrepreneurship programs to get you on your way to starting your own business. Austrade’s Innovation in Employability report summarises these programs and shares some great success stories.

Australia offers several different types of visas for international students which allow you to work while you are holidaying or studying here. The Department of Home Affairs website has more information on working holiday visas.

If you’re interested in staying in Australia to work after you graduate, you’ll need to get a new working visa before your student visa expires. As a graduated international student you may be eligible for:

• The Post-Study Work stream of the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) if you have completed a Bachelor, Masters, or Doctoral degree.
• To submit an Expression of Interest through the Australian Government’s SkillSelect, seeking approval to stay in Australia as a professional worker.
• State and territory government nomination for skilled and business migration.

Working while you study in Australia can help complement your overall experience.

Australia has many protections in place for the rights of international students throughout their studies.

Australia has laws and services to make sure you receive a high-quality education and are treated fairly when you buy goods and services.

As an international student, you are protected by Australian law. Every higher education provider in the country must be registered to be able to offer and deliver accredited courses and programs. Providers must also pass regular formal quality assurance audits.

Every course offered to international students is accredited by the Australian Government through the CRICOS register, to ensure a consistent standard across all Australian education providers.

The Overseas Students Ombudsman investigates complaints about private education and training institutions in Australia. The Ombudsman’s services are free, independent, and impartial.

If you are studying at a public university, school, or TAFE you should contact the Ombudsman in the state or territory in which you are studying to lodge a complaintcomplain.

You’ll find details of what the Ombudsman can investigate for you on their website. Refer to the relevant Ombudsman website for your state or territory:

• Australian Capital Territory Ombudsman.
• New South Wales Ombudsman.
• Northern Territory Ombudsman.
• Queensland Ombudsman.
• Office of the Training Advocate.
• Tasmanian Ombudsman.
• Victorian Ombudsman.
• Western Australian Ombudsman.

Australia has consumer protection laws to protect the rights of Australian consumers, including international students. The Australian Consumer Law includes a national law guaranteeing your rights when buying goods and services.

You should contact the relevant government trade and consumer agency in your state or territory if you:

• would like information about your consumer rights.
• have a problem with a product or service you have bought or are considering buying.
• would like to know how a business should behave under the law.
• would like to make a complaint about a business. Visit australia.gov.au to find the relevant government agency where you are studying.

The Tuition Protection Service (TPS) was set up by the Australian Government to assist you in case your institution is unable to fully deliver your course. The TPS may also assist if you did not start or have stopped your course, and are eligible for a refund of tuition fees and the institution has not paid them. The TPS will enable you to either:

• complete your studies in another course or with another institution, or
• receive a refund on your unspent tuition fees.

Visit the government TPS website https://tps.gov.au/StaticContent/Get/StudentInformation Rate this page

Australia is generally a very safe place to live and study, but it is still important to be aware of the risks that exist.

Emergency services in Australia are widespread and well-equipped to support you. Learn more about our fire, ambulance, and police services so you are prepared.

Australia is a friendly and safe place to live and study, however, there are practical steps you can take to stay safe.

Safety at home is important, no matter where you live. Here are some tips to help keep you and your home safe.

Australia is known for its warm climate and beautiful beaches, but it is important to stay safe when outdoors or in the water. See how you can enjoy it safely.

Fire awareness is essential in Australia, whether you are in urban or rural areas. Follow these practical tips to ensure you are prepared.

Australia is generally a very safe and welcoming place to live and study, consistently ranking among the safest countries in the world.

But it is still important to look after yourself and be aware of the risks that exist – and ways to minimize them. This is particularly important for when you first arrive and are adjusting to your new way of life.

Following your common sense and best practices will ensure you remain safe and healthy, whether you are handling emergencies, personal and home safety, or natural elements such as sun, water, and fire.