Studying your way to Australia

Education is the third largest sector in Australia and around 460,000 overseas students study here. The Australian Government is determined to maintain the well-being of domestic and international students, alike.

Spokespersons from Australian education and immigration recently conducted talks in Mauritius, about education and immigration to Australia.

Steve Garrett, consul in education, employment and workplace relations said: “Australia has two pathways for higher education – a vocational training pathway and the university academic pathway. These two pathways are linked and the students are encouraged to move between the two. Students can make a decision to separate after school but can also come into the academic university study after the vocational study.

“In general the Australian qualification is well recognised world wide. But there is competition between students to secure places for a course of study. Every institution sets its own entrance requirements. The entry requirement is determined by the supply and demand in particular field."

Whereas the country encourages full employment, it also encourages accreditation of skills. Work experiences and skills are some of the competencies that can partly satisfy the entry into its training courses. When one has achieved a deployment at the training course, one can choose to move into a higher degree like a bachelors degree.

Owing to the nature of its vast and huge geography, Australia has a number of institutions that specialise in distance learning. Students can complete diplomas, degrees, masters, post graduates and doctorate degrees through distance education that are equally recognised as the full time regular courses.

There are different fees for different degrees, which are accessible via www.studyinaustralia.gov.au

To encourage overseas students to study in Australia, the government also makes provision to go for part time work. This is also done with an objective to allow our overseas students to mix with the community and get some experience. Obviously the income they earn can help them in partly covering their fees and living there.

Australia offers student visas to people who wish to study various courses. Its student visa requirement centres around: the enrollment on course that is acceptable on international course of study; the students’ ability in the English language along with the financial status or one's ability to support oneself while studying in Australia.

Elizabeth Campbell, first Secretary on Immigration, however, says that students must abide by certain conditions. “The main one is the work permission which is limited to 20 hours a week while students are having their regular classes. On vacations they can work for unlimited hours.

It is important for the overseas students have a maximum attendance and good performance during the period. If an international student is not performing adequately against what the institution requires for that particular course, it is violation of the visa conditions. Their visa can thus be cancelled and they may be asked to leave the country.”