Reasons to study in Australia as an international student in 2023

Do you know for the year 2022, there were 1,00,009 Indian students enrolled in various Australian universities as per the Ministry of External Affairs making India the second largest source of international students. So, what is it that attracts these many Indian students to study in Australia? Well, it is the recognized Australian education system, cultural diversity, increased part-time working hours for international students, and extended post-study work visas.

The Australia-India Education Qualification Recognition Metabchanism was finalized in March 2023, under which degrees obtained in India will be recognized in Australia and vice-versa. This significant move with another one, where offshore campuses of top Australian universities like Deakin and Wollongong will be established in Gujarat, India.;

Top 10 reasons to study in Australia for international students

Listed below are some of the reasons why international students are attracted to Australia:

1. Accredited education system;

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), a national policy put in place in 1995 that specifies standards of qualifications from the tertiary education sector (higher education, vocational education, and training), in addition to the school-leaving certificate known as the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education, is what makes the Australian educational system unique.

As per the AQF framework, the various degrees that are given to students are

• Diploma (Level 5);
• Associate Degree/Advanced Diploma (Level 6);
• Bachelor’s (Level 7)
• Bachelor’s Honours (Level 8);
• Master’s (Level 9)
• Doctorate (Level 10)

2. Globally ranked universities

Australia is home to more than 1,100 educational institutes offering 2,200+ courses being provided. Academic excellence is evident with the improvement in the ranking of Australian universities. Earlier there were no universities under the top 20, now they have three universities in the top 20. Similarly, earlier they had only seven universities in the top 100 but now they have nine universities in the top 100. The top 10 universities in Australia in accordance with the QS world university ranking 2023 and 2024 are:

3. Cultural diversity and inclusive environment

The rich cultural diversity of Australia is one of its biggest strengths. One in four of Australia’s 22 million people is born overseas according to the Australia Human Rights Commission. The crime index of Australia is 43.03, according to the World Population Review. This is lower when compared to other study-abroad destinations like the USA and UK which have a crime index of 47.81 and 46.07 respectively.;

Also, you can find a sizable group of Indians to mingle with and celebrate regional holidays together. Victoria has 111,787 residents of Indian ancestry, New South Wales has 95,387, and Queensland has 30,259 Indian Australian residents as of 2022.

4. Superior quality of life

Given the excellent standard of living, five of its major cities Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide have been named among the world's most livable cities in Australia. To top that Australia ranked 12th among 146 countries as per the World Happiness Index 2023. Thus it can be said that Australia is a safe and peaceful country that will make you feel welcome as an international student.

5. Linguistic Diversity

With the highest percentage of immigrants in a developed nation, Australia provides unmatched global exposure. In Australia, there are more than 200 languages and dialects spoken. English is the widely spoken language, 72% of the total Australian population use English as a language to communicate in their daily life.

6. Reasonable cost of Living and tuition fees

Cost is one of the most important variables in making a decision to study abroad. Both the cost of living and the cost of studying are low in comparison to countries like UK and USA. The cost of different degrees provided at the Australian university are as

The cost of living, just like the cost to study is quite affordable when it is compared to the countries like UK and USA. A table has been developed that includes some basic expenses and the associated costs that will be a basic requirement for the student.

7. Abundance of scholarships and financial assistance

International students can significantly lower their tuition fees by applying for a variety of scholarships, grants, and bursaries. That can allow even students from low-income homes can benefit from the best quality education without having to worry about financial arrangements. Some of the scholarships that you can apply for with their eligibility and benefits are shown in the table below.;

Note: Indian students will be allowed to study in Australia for up to four years thanks to a new scholarship that the Australian government has established called the Maitri scholarship. This scholarship is designed for 45 students, who will receive financial aid to cover all of their tuition costs as well as a stipend to help with their living expenses.

While most scholarships only pay for tuition, those who choose to enroll in research programs may also be eligible for living expense reimbursement.

8. Work while you study

If you have a student visa, you can work full-time during vacations. In case you want to work during semesters you can work for 48 hours every 2 weeks as per the latest Australian government order which will be valid from July 1, 2023. Earlier it used to be 40 hours every 2 weeks.

Many Australian degrees and vocational courses include work experience and internships and thus this can help international students to gain real-life practical experience and build a network that can prove to be useful in the future. Some of the recommended industries for international students are retail, hospitality, farming and fruit-picking, Healthcare services, administration and clerical work, and tutoring. The minimum legal hourly rate is 18 AUD approx for a job that does not require any specific skills.

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9. Post-study work visa

Australia offers a Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) that allows some international students to stay in Australia and continue to work after they have graduated. This visa provides an opportunity for international students to stay back in the country for a period of 18 - 24 months and work full-time. Also, as per the latest changes by the Australian government, a 2-year extension on this work visa will be provided for some selected courses. The increase in post-study work permits could allow students to get their tenure extended in the following manner:

• For selected bachelor degrees - an increase of 2 - 4 years
• For selected masters degrees - an increase of 3 - 5 years
• For selected doctoral qualifications - an increase of 4 - 6 years

10. Favorable climatic conditions

The climatic conditions in Australia are mostly pleasant throughout the year and thus as an international student, you would feel great. Unlike Canada where you have to adapt to extremely cold weather, here you will be able to adapt to the new climatic conditions quite easily. Australia's seasons are at opposite times to those in the northern hemisphere. December to February is summer; March to May is autumn; June to August is winter; and September to November is spring. The average temperature during summers is 30 degrees Celsius while during winters the average temperature is 14 degrees Celsius.;

Now that you have read about 10 reasons to study in Australia, we hope that some of your concerns regarding why you should study in Australia are answered. The next step is shortlisting the right university for you, which requires a holistic comparison to check the requirements, eligibility, fees, ROI, and more.

Read more about:

• Scholarships for Indian students studying in Australia
• Find Housing in Australia: A Complete Guide
• Australian Universities Application Deadline 2023-24
• Education Loan for Australia
• Cost of living in Australia

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