Australia, one of the best options for Indians

So many Indian students are opting for education in Australia. After USA and UK, Australia is the country which is attracting the most number of students in the world. In 2014, about 4 lakh students from other countries went to Australia for studying and of them, about 50,000 are Indians. More than 40 universities are there in Australia. There is a special recognition for vocational and technical courses offered here. All leading organisations around the world are recognizing the certificates of Australian universities. Cost of living in Australia is lesser than that in USA and UK. In this article, we are giving you complete information on studying in Australia.

These are compulsory

As the first step, one has to select an educational institution after a careful study. Several of them have their own websites. They are giving the candidates the facility of applying online. One has to check once whether the courses and educational institutions have the recognition of the government. One can get this information at the websites www.cricos.deewr.gov.au and www.studyinaustralia.gov.au

After selecting the course, one can apply directly through the websites of the institutions for admission. If any student wants to take the help of agents, one has to get the list of recognized agents from the website. As part of the selection process, some universities may conduct interviews. If all goes well, one has to pay course fee. Before this, the student has to sign on a written declaration which contains name of the course, rules, fee and other rules. One has to read it completely before signing it. It is better to have the photostat copies of the same for future purposes.

One can get the details of eligibility for admission into various courses from the websites of the university. For admission into various bachelor degree courses in Australian universities, one has to clear the tests like ACT and Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT). The students have to prove their English language capabilities by getting a good score in any of the tests of TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson Test of English (PTE). For admission into masters degree courses, a good score in GRE and GMAT is helpful.

The students have to write a letter explaining about themselves. In the letter to the admission officers, they have to explain the reasons like why they preferred a particular university, their eligibility for admission and others. Australian universities may ask the students to write essays on professional ambitions, strengths, skills, experience and others.

In Australia, the courses begin in either February or July. The applications have to be submitted before six months. If a student wants to join a course in February, he has to complete application process, attending interview and visa application process by December. Universities here are asking a score of 520 in GMAT, 145 in GRE (Verbal) and 160 in Quant.

The students should not sign anywhere with the pressure from agents or other person. They have to pay fee only after satisfying with all things. Australian government process the applications of visas of students and permanent resident status. In this aspect, one should not trust the words of agents. Similarly, the students should not take into account the words of agents in the matter of part time work. For getting some suggestions on accommodation, job and improving skills in English, the students can contact the foreign students service center of their educational institution. If anyone is feeling loneliness, they can contact Indian High Commission or Consulate so that they will introduce them to the local Indian associations. Then, such students can easily come out of the feeling of loneliness and living at a new place.

Cost of education in Australia

In 2015, the fees in Australian universities are as follows. The tuition fee for a bachelors degree program is 15,000 Australian dollars (1 Australian dollar=Rs.49). The amount in Indian currency is 7.35 lakhs. The fee differs from one university to another.The tuition fee for a post graduate degree is 20,000 Australian dollars and it is 14,000 Australian dollars for Ph.D. program. For medicine courses, one has to pay much fee than this. The tuition fee for different courses is available at http://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/global/australian-education/education-costs/education-costs-in-australia

Similarly, the details of tuition fee is also available at the websites of educational institutions.

Own financial resources compulsory?

By doing a part time job, one can't get all the amount that is necessary for paying tuition fee and bearing other expenditure at the institution. So, all are advised to ready the amount before going to Australia itself. If anyone wants to get that much of amount through a job, you will have no time to concentrate on studies. As per the rules, any student can work for only 20 hours in a week. But, the problem here is that there is no guarantee of getting a good job there. If any student works for more than 20 hours, there is a possibility of cancelling your visa. Sometimes, a student may have to work even for 3 to 5 Australian dollars per hour. If they have any disputes with the owner or if you are not paid enough, you can contact ombudsman. The students, who are working while studying, have some rights as per the laws there and they can get that information at www.fairwork.gov.au#sthash.iUMYBhZ9.dpuf

About part time job

The students in Australia can't work for more than 20 hours per a week. The students get salary at the end of one week or two weeks. In Australia, the minimum salary is more than that in other countries. Here, the minimum salary is 17 Australian dollars per hour and it is higher during weekends and holidays. In restaurants, a waiter gets a salary of 23 Australian dollars and it is 20 Australian dollars in super markets.

Other side of the coin

This is only on one side of the coin. There are some organisations which are taking advantage of the needs of foreign students. In some cities like Sydney, foreign students have to satisfy for the salary of 8 Australian dollars per hour only. In this way, the students are taking a risk and working for more than 20 hours in a week. If the officials there found out the same, these students have to return India.

Kinds of visas

Student visas are classified into sub classes. Sub Class 571 is for those students who want to get admission into primary or secondary schools there or who go there as part of student exchange program. Sub Class 572 is issued for those students who want to join professional colleges, diploma, advanced diploma and certificate courses. Those students, who want to join bachelors degree, graduate diploma, graduate certificate and other courses in universities, will be given Sub Class 573 visa. For admission into programs like master degree and Ph.D, Sub Class 574 is issued.

Foundation Courses

For admission into any foundation course, one has to get 575 visa. Even though a candidate has no enough educational qualifications, one can get admission in foundation course. After the completion of the course, neither degrees nor certificates are awarded. 576 visa is a special one. By getting this visa, one can complete their studies with the help from the security department of the Australian government. Further, one can take the dependents of the person also to Australia. Wife of a person can study there for three months. Sub Class 580 is a guardian visa. Through this visa, the students, who go to Australia, can take away their parents or other family members. The students who go to Australia for English courses have to get Sub Class 570 visa.

Part Time job while studying

The students can work for 20 hours in a week while studying their courses. During holidays, the limit is 40 hours per week. Family members of the students too can work there for 20 hours in a week. If the family members of the students are also applying for visa, enough proofs of having money to live in Australia have to be shown. They have to attend for medical tests too.

One key issue

It is known that some clashes took place in Australia sometime ago. In Melbourne, some Indian students were attacked and looted money from them in the past. So, the students are advised not to spend their time outside the campus and restrict themselves to study. Some private colleges do not follow the standards stipulated by the government. But, the colleges are admitting large number of Indian students. One has to land in trouble if they joined those colleges having no standards. So, the students are advised to get complete information on the educational institution they are joining. Such information is available at  www.acpet.edu.au#sthash.QRrRh4fJ.dpuf

Proper planning

Students generally prefer to stay in an area where the room rents are low. To decrease their expenses, two or three students share a room. So, cleanliness is less expected in such areas and heavy crowds exists on the roads there. There is much chance for crime in those areas. Educational institutions are located at a distance from such areas. For getting income, the students go to work during night times. The students are strongly advised not to travel in metro rails during midnight in the cities like Melbourne. Chances of thieves attacking you are high. So, the students have to board a flight only after getting information on the educational institutions, convenient places to stay, level of income from part time jobs, fee, cost of living and other related aspects.

One has to take proper care to keep their key documents and money safe. The students are advised to keep photostat copies of all key documents with them and put scanned copies of the documents in their e-mail. If there is an urgent work during midnight, information on the same has to be given to any known person residing in your area. In case of emergency, one can call to police control room and get their help. In some areas, one can't break queue lines. Speaking loudly is not allowed in public places. One should not try to get personal information from your neighbors. Respecting others has to be done. Frequent use of the words like please and thank you keeps you safe.

Inform Indian embassy

You are advised to take insurance for valuable things. Luggage are checked thoroughly. If anyone is carrying food items, they have to inform the same. After landing in Australia, all kinds of information like address, the university you are studying, place of stay and others has to be given to Indian consulate. This will be useful in emergency. Those who are staying in New South Wales, visiting the website www.indianconsulatesydney.org is needed to get complete information on the same. The students who are staying in Victoria and Tasmania can visit www.cgimelb.org#sthash.QRrRh4fJ.dpuf. The students who are living in other places in Australia can visit the website www.hcindia-au.org to get complete information on some key aspects.

Visa officials look at these ...

Australia Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) looks at some key aspects like proficiency in English, behavior, health, money needed to stay there, educational qualifications, going to Australia only for studying, financial status of the family and others. Student visas are checked thoroughly based on the assessment levels. The students of every country are allotted different levels based on immigration risk. Level 1 means low immigration risk and these candidates can easily get the visa. Level 5 means highest risk. Due to this, the students have to submit all those related documents along with admission letter. For Indian students, level 4 is given for Sub Class 570 visa. Level 2 is allotted for 571 (2), 572(4), 573(4), 574(4), 575(3), 576 visas. One can get complete details on the same or clarify their doubts from the Australian embassy.