Studying in Australia
Australia is the third most popular destination for studying abroad in the world, with high-level and globally recognized academic qualifications and teaching quality. Among the top 100 universities in the world, Australian universities occupy six of them.
Official name: Commonwealth of Australia
Population: 24.22 million
Capital: Canberra
Government system: Federal Parliamentary Democracy
Common currency: Australian dollar (AUD)
Official language: English
Australian Weather
Climate
Summer-15 to 32 degrees Celsius (average temperature)
Winter-5 to 14 degrees Celsius (average temperature)
Time Difference in Australia
Daylight saving time (October-March)
There is no time difference between Western Australia and Hong Kong; Queensland is 2 hours faster; South Australia is 2.5 hours faster than Hong Kong; other states (New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania) are all 3 hours faster than Hong Kong.
Winter time system (April to September)
There is no time difference between Western Australia and Hong Kong; Queensland is 2 hours faster; South Australia is 1.5 hours faster than Hong Kong; other states (New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania) are all 2 hours faster than Hong Kong.
Queensland
State Capital: Brisbane
Queensland has amazing natural scenery such as the Great Barrier Reef and dense rain forests. Brisbane in the south is the main city in Queensland and the third largest city in Australia. It is a vibrant and modern city. The local climate is mild, and it is only about an hour's drive from the world-famous tourist destination Gold Coast. There are many famous universities in the state, such as University of Queensland and Queensland University of Technology.
Australian Capital Territory
National Capital: Canberra
The capital region is located in the southeastern part of New South Wales, while the capital Canberra is located in the northeast region. It is the political and administrative center of Australia. There are two universities, Australian National University and University of Canberra, in the capital region.
Tasmania
State Capital: Hobart
Tasmania is an island in the southeast of Australia. It is quiet and leisurely. 30% of the land is designated as a national park. The main city, Hobart, is located in the southeast of the island and is a vibrant city. The main university in the state is University of Tasmania.
Victoria
State Capital: Melbourne
Victoria has a mild climate in four seasons. The main city, Melbourne, is Australia's second largest city. It has been selected by the United Nations as one of the ten most suitable cities for human living for many years. In 2005, it was voted as the world's best city to live in. There are 9 universities in the state such as Monash University and University of Melbourne.
Western Australia
State Capital: Perth
Western Australia is Australia's largest state, accounting for one-third of the country's total land. The main city, Perth, is located in the western part of the state. It is a beautiful, majestic and vibrant city on the picturesque Swan River. There are five universities in the state, including University of Western Australia and Murdoch University.
New South Wales
State Capital: Sydney
New South Wales is Australia's most populous state, located in the southeast of Australia. The main city, Sydney, is Australia's largest and oldest cosmopolitan city. There are 11 universities in the state such as University of Sydney and University of New South Wales.
South Australia
State Capital: Adelaide
Adelaide, the main city of South Australia, is located in the south of the state and is a city with British traditions. There are 3 universities in the state, including University of Adelaide, Flinders University and University of South Australia.
Education system
Primary and Secondary School
Primary and secondary education in Australia is basically a twelve-year school system. Primary schools in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania range from Year 1 to 6, and secondary schools from Year 7 to 12; primary schools in Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory range from Year 1 to 7, and secondary schools from Year 8 to 12. When students successfully complete the twelfth year of courses, students need to take the high school examination (except for Queensland). The comprehensive examination results and internal evaluation will be the basis for applying to the university.
The choice of subjects is more flexible than that of Hong Kong secondary schools. Students can choose subjects according to their own interests. For example, politics, law, psychology, aviation, and information technology are all subjects that ordinary secondary school students may not be able to study in Hong Kong. The school is divided into four semesters in a school year, and the start date is mainly in February each year.
Primary and secondary schools in Australia are mainly divided into public schools and private schools. Public schools are owned and managed by the government. They generally arrange overseas students to live in Australian families (Homestay). Private schools are privately owned and managed. They generally have religious participation, such as Catholicism and Christianity. The rest are independent institutions. Some are boarding schools where students can live in school dormitories. Other schools arrange Australian host families. All students under the age of 18 must have a guardian arranged by the school to ensure personal safety.
Certificate / Diploma Program
Australia's certificate/diploma programs emphasize practical and professional vocational training. Courses are mainly run by the government-managed Technical and Further Education (TAFE) and private colleges (College or Institute), and all colleges that provide courses are strictly regulated by the government.
The scope of Australian certificate/diploma courses is very wide, accounting, information technology, hotel management, fashion design, beauty, etc. Students can choose according to their interests. Most courses start in February, and some of the more popular subjects such as business, computer, and hotel management also start in mid-July. After completing the course, students can choose to progress to a bachelor's course, and some credits will be exempted.
University Foundation Courses
The university foundation course is a course designed for overseas students. This course can help students who have graduated from high school lay a solid foundation as soon as possible and prepare for university admission. Most basic courses in universities do not require public examinations. Students are evaluated based on their school scores, attendance rates, tests, and examinations. As long as their scores meet the established requirements, they can be admitted to the relevant bachelor courses of the school. The start dates for university foundation courses are mostly in January, April, July or September. Courses are generally one-year, but there are also half-year accelerated courses and special extended courses lasting one and a half years. In terms of subject selection, in addition to English classes, students must choose three to four subjects according to their personal interests and the university courses they wish to study.
English Courses
There are many different types of colleges and universities in Australia that provide English courses, which are mainly divided into university English department, tertiary college English department and specialized English school. The purpose of the course is to help students reach a certain level of English so that they can take regular courses in the future. You can apply for admission to English courses almost any time throughout the year.
University
Australian universities enjoy an international reputation and have attracted students from more than 80 countries to study in Australia over the years. Australia now has 40 universities, including 38 public universities and two private universities. All Australian universities are recognized by the Australian government. The Australian government not only reviews the academic performance of universities every year, but the courses offered by universities must also be registered with the government to ensure that the quality of universities reaches a certain level. Australian universities offer a wide range of courses, including medicine, information technology, business management, creative arts, etc. Each university has its own strengths and specialties, and students can choose suitable courses according to their own circumstances. All courses in Australia start at the end of February or early March, and some courses can also be enrolled in July.
University Rankings
The following is the 2020 QS World University Rankings. The rankings are based on teaching level, student satisfaction, admission level, student employment rate, academic research level and other indicators for comprehensive university rankings and professional department rankings. There are 128 universities in total. When choosing a school, in addition to referring to the school rankings, it is also recommended that students and parents choose schools and subjects according to their own interests.
cost
tuition
Middle school: AUD$15,000-35,000/year
University foundation courses: AUD$20,000-45,500/year
University diploma courses: AUD$18,000-40,000/year
University courses: AUD$25,000-55,000/year
Master's course: AUD$35,000-50,000/year
Visa and Insurance
Overseas Student Medical Insurance
Full-time overseas students must pay the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) before applying for schools, the price is about 480 to 530 Australian dollars per year (adjusted annually).
Student Visa
The Australian government allows non-Australian citizens or permanent residents to study in Australia. Any non-Australian resident has the right to apply for studying in Australia, but you must obtain a student visa to start studying in Australia. You must take a full-time registered course or part of the registered course to obtain a student visa. A registered course refers to a government-registered education or training course provided by an Australian educational institution for overseas students. After applying for a student visa, students can:
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Study in Australia for more than three months
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Obtain a work visa at the same time (only for students over 16 years old)
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Free entry and exit during the visa period
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Get Australian student medical insurance
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Electronic visa fee: 620 Australian dollars
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Collection fee for biometric fingerprint data – HK$390
Accommodation options
Australian colleges and universities provide international students with different types of accommodation. Students should choose accommodation according to the college, age, adaptability and budget. Several accommodation arrangements are as follows:
School Dormitory
Most Australian private high schools and universities provide accommodation for overseas students, and dormitories are located near the school. The cost of accommodation in private high schools is approximately AUD 20,000 to 30,000 per year (the cost includes accommodation, meals and laundry services). The cost of university dormitory is 230-550 Australian dollars per week.
Host Family
Host family is the most direct and best way to understand the local culture of Australia and improve English. Students can choose single room or double room, the cost is about 180-320 Australian dollars. Usually the cost includes meals.
Shared apartment
Students may consider renting a local apartment with other students. Students can choose a suitable residence according to their requirements. Students need to pay one month's rent and a deposit which is equivalent to one month's rent. In most cases, students need to bring their own furniture and electrical appliances. The rental fee ranges from 150 to 450 AUD per week.