Australia

If you are interested in studying in Australia then you are taking one step closer towards choosing a truly fruitful academic experience. Australia is a fully developed, growing economy with a safe, tolerant and multicultural society. Students will find studying in Australia a relaxed, welcoming and engaging environment that is unique in the native English speaking world.

Australia has a reputation for an innovative and research-intensive culture by adopting new technologies at a faster rate than most other countries, because of this it has one of the highest rates of Internet access in the world and has produced fifteen (15) nobel prize winning The majority of these prizes (eight) have been awarded in the field of Physiology or Medicine, and include the youngest ever laureate.

Facilities for teaching, training and research are world-class in terms of state-of-the-art laboratories and classrooms, outstanding libraries and modern technology. Institutions deliver practical and career-orientated training so graduates can be confident that they have the skills expected by employers. Academic staff are recruited from around the world and often are leading experts in their field. Australian teachers are experienced in supervising both domestic and international students from a variety of different countries.

International students in Australia (including their parents) enjoy a very high level of service and financial protection. Quality is assured by ESOS 2000 and national code to ensure fair practise standards are met. Australia is an international leader in safeguards and support services for international students with specialist student services being well resourced and quality assured.

There are FIVE important reasons that attract international students to Australia:

Quality in Education
Good potential for employment after course completion.
English as a Second Language (ESL) Programs
Information and Communication Technology in Schools
New streamlined visa application system making chances of application success even higher.

Study in Australia University

In addition to this, Australian Universities provide consultancy services to both business and industry, and are the main source of advice for Government and the community in general on a large number of issues and topics, they are closely involved with local and wider communities.

Diversity and autonomy are central features of Australian universities. Each institution has the freedom to specify its own mission, purpose, modes of teaching, research, make up of their student body, and the range of content of their educational programs. This variety is reflected in university goals and objectives, staff profiles and the emphasis placed on particular courses at different universities.

TAFE Institutes, specialised institutes and other private colleges also provide post-school qualifications. While they mostly offer courses to a diploma level, some courses are offered through to bachelor degree level.

Entry Points, Entry Requirements and Costs
Students need to meet both a sufficient level of English language proficiency and the minimum academic requirements before they can be admitted to an Australian university.

Undergraduate degrees require an Australian Senior School Certificate of Education (Year 12) or the overseas equivalent of this. Some degrees may also have certain pre-requisite subjects and grades.

Entry to postgraduate courses requires completion to a satisfactory standard of a bachelor degree. Prospective students may also need to demonstrate research ability or relevant work experience.

University courses cost in Australia are comparable to those in other English speaking countries such as the UK and USA. In the Australian education system, some degrees are slightly shorter than in other countries. For example, some Bachelor degrees take three years in Australia but four years in the USA.

Some of the measures that operate to safeguard and improve quality of Australia’s Universities include:
The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) took over from AUQA in 2011
Universities Australia (Universities Australia)

Study in Australia

Here are five reasons why we think you would enjoy Australia:
Incredibly beautiful country with a wide range of scenic and leisure opportunities.
Internationally acclaimed education options for international students plus many additional options for enhancing your English language proficiency.
Clear cut educational pathways between programes such as diploma to degree allowing for straight forward and simply progression.
Competitive in terms of cost of living and study for a fully developed economy.
Multicultural, friendly society, with over 400,000 international students coming to study each year.

Reasons for Studying

Australia has a proven reputation as an educational provider, it provides high quality education for all student especially international ones. There is growing awareness of the quality and variety of Australian courses and qualifications especially in countries such as Nepal, India China etc.

Many students are attracted by the flexibilities offered by the Australian Educational System, which sets out 12 levels of qualifications across three educational sectors – school, university and vocational education and training.

Qualifications are awarded only after the achievement of competency standards. Once achieved, students can progress through different levels of qualifications, regardless of the sector, thus providing many different pathways between different levels.

Australia is a safe and welcoming destination, proud of its own enormous cultural diversity. The interests of international students in Australia are protected by Australian government legislation – the Education Services for Overseas Students Act. Only institutions which are registered by the Australian Government can recruit students from overseas.

The costs of studying in Australia compare favorably with traditional destinations such as the USA and Britain.

Study and life in Australia

When you go to Australia, one will experience a different culture and life style from what you are used to. If you don’t get good information and awareness about the country, you may undergo a “culture shock” or the “blues of new place”. It is important to observe the habits, reactions and customs of people. Learn as much as you can, get info-rich but never ever change your traditional values and your real self.

Do not let the previous paragraph intimidate you or put you off. Just because a country like Australia is different does not make it nessarily worse. On the contrary, Australia is one of the most multi-cultural societies in the world. Over 20% of Australian citizens were born overseas and they are drawn from over 200 different nations making Australia a real ‘melting pot’ nation. Around 20% of Australians speak a language other than English in their home. Although it is predominantly a Christian society, all forms of religion are represented in Australia and they are freely practised and protected by law. Australians are friendly, direct and informal in their dealings with each other as they believe in equality and a ‘fair go’ society. People who work in low skilled or ‘blue collar’ jobs such as cleaners, bus drivers etc receive the same respect as those who work in professional jobs. It is also highly illegal to discriminate against others on grounds of race, gender, religion or sexuality. Punctuality is important, if you are running late, you should always inform whom you are meeting as act of courtesy. People in Australia form queues to buy food, wait for a particular service, to board public transport etc and it is impolite to push ahead of someone already queuing. People often use the first name, even with respected elders as long as they know them or have been formally intoduced.

There is a lot more you will learn about Australian people but be positive, be flexible and try to adapt. Listen, observe and ask whenever you are in doubt.

The method of study in Australia may be very different to what you have experienced so far. It is important to give yourself a head start by keeping up to date with Australian news and current affairs and become familiar with Australia’s education system and learning culture. When you arrive, practice listening to the Australian accent – it is different but you will soon understand the local terms and way of speaking.

In Australia just like most other countries, students are expected to conduct independent research, collect and analyse data by themselves or in-groups, to raise questions and to participate in discussions and debates with other students and teachers. Students spend a great deal of time in libraries and laboratories conducting their own research. To be a successful student you will need to adapt to these new methods of learning and assessment. Students are assessed continuously through essays, presentations, tests, assignments etc. One thing that may surprise you is the amount of access that you will be able to obtain with your tutors and lecturers. If you are having an academic problem, discuss it with them – don’t let it develop from a minor issue into a major problem for you.

Documentation Checklist for admission & Visa and other important information, Australia
Offer letter
Academic documents till date
IELTS/TOEFL Score
Passport
Work Experience (If any)
University/College Application form
Skype/phone interview may be conducted by university for offer letter (Offer letter processing time 1 to 6 week)
Visa Documentation
All academic documents (Transcript, Provisional, Character)
2 recent passport-size color photos with white background.
IELTS/TOEFL Score
Financial documents @ Educational Loan from Nabil or SBI bank limited of Nepal to cover 1 year fee & 1 year living cost (18610 AUD) with 2000 Traveling cost for Streamlined Students. or @ Minimum 3 months old bank balance certificate & statement with evidence of income
Income sources with supporting documents
Valuation of Property with supporting documents
Tax Clearance Certificate
CA Report
Relationship certificate with sponsors and family members
Birth Certificate
Police Report
Citizenship Certificate (translated in English)
Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE) from University/College
Statement of Purpose (SOP)
(If you are applying with a spouse, evidence of the ‘genuine and continuing’ nature of your relationship with your spouse. For example;

Marriage certificate
Evidence of cohabitation
Evidence of joint financial assets or liabilities (if applicable) such as joint ownership of property or joint bank accounts – Evidence of the social nature of the relationship such as photos together in various places, statements from friends/family members, loan to cover dependent’s living, traveling cost which is AUD 6515 per year with 2000 AUD Traveling cost.)
157A Visa Application form
Visa Application charge (Demand Draft)
Dependent
Can apply at the same time with student

Visa Type
Student visa

Method of teaching
English

Interview
Interview may taken face to face here in Kathmandu VFS so preparation is most.

Intakes
University:Feb and September each year, Private College: will have flexible intake

Expenses
Tuition Fee payable for 1year AUD$ 18000 to AUD$ 22000
Pocket money (2000 AUD$)
Air Ticket (700 AUD$)
Approximate expenses might be 15000 to 18000 UD$: NPR 15 to 18 Lakhs.
Key Facts
Incredibly beautiful country with a wide range of scenic and leisure opportunities
Internationally acclaimed education options for international students, including many English-language options
Excellent pathway and articulation between programmes such as diploma to degree
Competitive in terms of cost of living and studying in Australia
Multicultural, friendly society, with over 400,000 international students coming to study each year
General Information
Capital: Canberra
Official Language: English
Official Currency: Australian Dolloar
Population: 22,834,471
Total Area: 7,618,000 km²
Religion: Christianity
Climate: Summer: December to February
Winter: June to August
Autumn: March to May
Spring: September to November
Pre-Departure
Your passport to Australia
After you have carefully scrutinized Australia’s educational opportunities, decided on your preferred study destination in Australia and successfully obtained a student visa for Australia, for many of you, your visit to Australia will mark your first visit to the land downunder. A variety of experiences await you and it’s quite natural to face them with a blend of both excitement and anxiety about the unknown. The challenge is to take full advantage of the opportunities presented to you. The benefits of being part of a multicultural student population and society in Australia will give you the chance to develop your knowledge and understanding of new cultures. Your time in Australia will be both challenging and rewarding.

For any student the process of successfully adapting to the rigors of a new study system in a different culture can be little difficult and can take some time. While academic success will be your main focus, you should make the most of the other opportunities that will present themselves to you for your greater personal growth and success.

Before you are ready to depart for Australia, make yourself comfortable by planning your initial days in Australia. Institutions in Australia help international students make this important transition by giving them an airport pickup, arranging for temporary accommodation and by giving them an orientation session. But before you leave, get to know Australia through the eyes of a student by seeking answers to the queries and situations you might face. Given below is a general checklist of items you should make yourself aware of.

Important documents (originals in your carry-on luggage and photocopies in your check-in luggage)
your valid passport with a valid Australian student visa;
your letter of offer from the Australian institution, your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), confirmation of your airport pickup by the institution and your accommodation details;
receipts of any related payments you have made including tution fees, health cover etc.
attested mark sheets and certificates and work experience letters;
your birth certificate, credit card, ten passport size photographs, an international driver’s license;
important telephone numbers and addresses in India and Australia; and
prescriptions to support your use of any required medications.
health insurance details
Check in Luggage
When packing your luggage, make sure you keep the items you might need to declare at customs easily accessible. Keep in mind that the check- in weight for economy class is usually 20 kg (check baggage allowance with your airline). Your luggage should be clearly labelled with your name, contact address and the address of your institution.
It is advisable to lock your luggage, however if a search of your luggage is necessary due to security issues the lock may be broken. Never agree to bring a bag or other items to Australia for someone else as it may contain something illegal and you will be held accountable for it.
Keep your passport and the Notice of Arrival or Confirmation of Enrolment from your institution with you at all times, along with your contact details of the International Office at your institution. If you are unsure of what to do at the airport, ask an official for help.
Certain things which you can and should keep in your luggage are:
Required clothing and footwear.
Backpack, stationery, blanket, bedsheets, pillow cases, towels, alarm clock etc
Electrical appliances like music system, computer etc can be carried but carry valid bills along. Australian voltage is 240Volts which is same as India but you will require a different electrical plug or socket.
How much cash should you take?
Students should not carry large amounts of cash with them. For your initial days in Australia, AUD 1,000 in cash and travellers’ cheques is usually sufficient.
Arriving in Australia
Before arrival in Australia, you will be issued a Customs Declaration form on the aeroplane. This form requires you to declare any food items or other items prohibited from entry into Australia. If you are carrying any of the items listed on the Customs Declaration Form, you will be required to declare them and pass through the Red Channel where an Australian Customs Officer will ask to inspect your goods that you have declared. If there is nothing to declare you can pass through the green channel. You can import goods worth AUD 400 if you have owned and used them for less than 12 months. Anything above amount that is taxable. Please note that all luggage is x-rayed upon its arrival in Australia so make sure that you declare any items listed on the Customs Declaration Form.
If you have booked for an airport pickup, a representative of the institution will greet you. If you have booked for a temporary accommodation, you will be taken there.
Call your family who will be eagerly be waiting to hear from you. For ISD and STD calls you should use phone cards which are widely available from most shops in Australia. Inform your institution of your arrival and attend the orientation session given by your institution. Local telephone calls are charged AUD 0.25.
When you arrive at your institute, please collect your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) receipt. This is required to collect your card from the local health cover office. Confirm your OSHC at the nearest Medibank Office or its customer service centre. You are covered by the health insurance from the moment you arrive in Australia.

Work Rights
As an international student, you can apply to the Australian Government’s Department of Immigration And Citizenship (DIAC) for a permit to work 20 hours per week during your studies and work full time during vacations. You will be charged AUD 50 to apply for the work permit. You can only apply for a work permit after your arrival in Australia and you cannot work without obtaining one. Please also remember that international students who work have to pay Australian taxation. This has to be kept in mind while filling in an employment declaration form before starting a job. You will need to apply for a Tax File Number (TFN) and submit the TFN Application Form to the Australian Taxation Office. You will also need the TFN while opening a bank account.

Exchanging Foreign Currency and Opening a Bank Account
Australian currency is the only acceptable mode of cash payment in Australia. Foreign Exchange facilities are widely available at all international airports and through banks operating in Australia. It is also a good idea to set up an Australian Bank account so that you can organise any transfers of money into your account by a direct bank transfer. To open a bank account you will need to fill out a bank application form and submit your passport, student ID and your Tax File Number.

The normal banking hours in Australia are from 9:30am – 4pm, Monday to Thursday and 9:30am – 5pm on Fridays. All universities would have a branch office of one of the major Australian banks located on or near their campuses. Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are widely used in Australia for after hours banking. Both Credit and Debit (EFTPOS) cards are widely accepted in most shops.

Student Visa Rules and Regulations
Your Australian Student Visa has a number of important rules that you need to adhere to while you study in Australia. Remember, it has been issued to you so that you can advance your educational qualifications. The key rules for international students to remember are:

you are required to study full-time in Australia;
you must attend at least 80 percent of all your scheduled classes to maintain a valid enrolment (education institutions are required by law to maintain attendance);
you must advise the Department of Immigration And Citizenship of any change in your address in Australia, or any change in your student status, or any transfer to another educational institution or if you withdraw from the course that you are enrolled in;
do not work more than 20 hours per week during your semester studies; and
you must extend your student visa before it expires if you are intending to stay in Australia after that expiry date.
Please remember that any breach of the Australian Student Visa conditions will result in its cancellation and your departure from Australia.
Adjusting to study and life in Australia
A different country means experiencing a culture that is different to the one that you are used to. It is normal to experience a form of “culture shock” initially but this will pass quickly. When in new culture it is a good idea to observe the habits and customs of other people for they may express their feelings differently from people of your own culture but it is also important to have confidence in your own traditional values. Learn about the Australian social and educational culture.

Australia is one of the most multi-cultural societies in the world. Over 20% of Australian citizens were born overseas and they are drawn from over 200 different nations. Around 20% of Australians speak a language other than English in their home. Although it is predominantly a Christian society, all forms of religion are represented in Australia and they are freely practised.
Australians are generally friendly, direct and informal in their dealings with each other. Australian’s believe in equality and a “fair go”. People who work in non-professional or “blue collar” jobs such as cleaners, bus driver etc receive the same respect as those who work in professional jobs. Also it is illegal to discriminate against others on grounds of race, gender, religion etc.
Punctuality is important, therefore if you are running late, you should always inform whom you are meeting.
People in Australia form queues to buy food, wait for service from a bank teller, to board a bus or train and it is impolite to push ahead of someone already in the queue.
People often use the first name, even with respected elders.
There is a lot more you will learn about Australian people but be positive, be flexible and try to adapt. Listen, observe and ask whenever you are in doubt.

The method of study in Australia may be very different to what you have experienced so far. Therefore it is important to give yourself a head start. Keep up to date with Australian news and current affairs (try Australian news websites such as www.abc.net.au) and become familiar with Australia’s education system and learning culture. When you arrive, practice listening to the Australian accent – it is different but you will soon understand the local terms and way of speaking.

In Australia, students are expected to conduct independent research, collect and analyse data by themselves or in-groups, to raise questions, to participate in discussions and debates with other students and teachers. Rote learning does not exist and students take an active part in the learning process. Students spend a great deal of time in libraries and laboratories conducting their own research. To be a successful student you will need to adapt to these new methods of learning and assessment. Students are assessed continuously through essays, presentations, tests, assignments etc. One thing that may surprise you is the amount of access that you will be able to obtain with your tutors and lecturers. If you are having an academic problem, discuss it with them – don’t let it develop from a minor issue into a major problem for you.