International students can study at schools (government or private), vocational education institutes ( government or private), universities (38 government & 3 private) and English language centres/colleges (government or private). Australian Education International classifies international students into five sectors. These are:

• Higher Education – undergraduate and postgraduate university students 
• Vocational Education and Training (VET) – includes Technical and Further Education (TAFE) and related institute students 
• School – kindergarten, primary, secondary (junior and senior) students 
• English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) – English language intensive students. 
• Other courses outside the above categories – foundation & bridging courses, non- award and enabling courses.

Most of the international students in Australia are studying in the higher education sector, followed by the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector, the English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) sector and the schools sector.

Students can gain a range of qualifications such as senior secondary certificate of education from school(completion of year 12), certificate I- IV qualifications and diplomas from VET sector and diploma and degree qualifications from government and private universities (for more information refer to the AQF qualification by sector table under AQF Tab).

As an international student you can begin education in Australia at any level of the AQF given your academic and English language proficiency match the minimum entry requirement of the education provider. If you do not meet the minimum criteria, there are specific pathway programs for you to eventually reach the level you want to study at. These programs have a variety of names but they all provide entry into another course of a higher level. There are four types of pathway programs that are designed for international students, namely, Foundation programs, Diploma programs, Off-shore programs and Bridging courses(for more information refer to Education Pathway Tab)

Australia offers a wide range of English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS). These courses are designed to meet the varying needs of students with different reasons for learning English language. There are five major categories of English language courses generally offered in Australia to international students: 

• General English
• English for Academic Purposes (EAP)
• English for Secondary School Preparation
• Examination Preparation
• English for Specific Purposes (ESP)
• IELTS & TOEFL preparation
• Cambridge test preparation 

Often ELICOS courses are taken in sequence with formal courses of study in other sectors. They are packaged together with one or more courses. Sometimes these further courses are offered at the same institution. Full-time ELICOS courses tend to have these features:

• Their duration generally ranges from 4 to 48 weeks 
• They are taught at all levels of proficiency from beginners to advanced 
• They comprise of at least 20 hours of study each week
• They usually have flexible commencement dates, so students can enrol at any time during the year

Typically ELICOS courses are offered by secondary schools, TAFE institutes, universities, private colleges and specialist English language centres (for more information refer to English Courses Tab) .

To study in Australia you’ll need to apply for both admission to an institution and also for a student visa from the Australian Government. There are a number of steps you must go through including:

• Deciding on your preferred course and institution.
• Submitting your application to the institution.
• Receiving and accepting a Letter of Offer.
• Receiving your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE).
• Applying for your student visa.

There is a range of entry requirements that you will need to meet both for your institution application and your visa application. This can include:

• Academic requirements.
• English language requirements.
• Evidence of funds to support your study.
• Overseas student health cover.

If you’re already living or working in Australia, you may still be able to apply to study here as an international student.

You are exempt from providing evidence of English language proficiency with your visa application if you fall into one of the following categories:

• You have completed at least five years of study in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa or the Republic of Ireland
• You are a citizens and passport holders of the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland
• You have successfully completed the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education or study at Certificate IV level or higher in Australia within two years of applying for a student visa
• If you are enrolled full time in school studies as a principal course (including secondary exchange programs), postgraduate research or a standalone ELICOS program
• If you are a Foreign Affairs or Defence sponsored students.

All other students will need to provide evidence of English language proficiency

Your required level of English language proficiency will vary depending on your desired institution and level of study, your country of citizenship and whether you plan to complete an ELICOS course upon arrival in Australia. For student visa applications, the table below outlines the minimum scores accepted for each test.

It’s important to note that while these are the minimum scores required for a student visa, you will likely need a higher score to gain entry to your course. Minimum scores vary considerably between institutions and levels of study, so it’s important to check with individual providers before you apply. Certain courses, such as nursing, education or law programs, tend to have stricter requirements, while requirements for Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses are usually lower. If you don’t meet English language requirements, you may consider completing an ELICOS program to improve your English language skills.

To be eligible for a visa to study in Australia, the applicants must: 

• Be of good character and meet the health criteria. 

• You have acceptable health insurance through the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for yourself and members of your family unit accompanying you to Australia

• You have no outstanding debts to the Commonwealth of Australia, or have made arrangements acceptable to the Minister to repay such a debt

• Where you are under 18 years of age, acceptable arrangements for your accommodation, support and general welfare are in place

There are a range of documents that you will need to supply both for your education provider application and visa application. These can include:

• Confirmation of enrolment with an education provider
• Confirmation of academic qualifications 
• Confirmation of English language proficiency score
• Evidence of funds to support your study (course fees)
• Evidence of funds to support living expenses
• A personal statement (stating that you are a genuine and temporary entrant for the purpose of education) 
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

• You must remain enrolled in a registered course (unless you are an AusAID/Defence student or secondary exchange student in which case you must maintain full-time enrolment in your course of study or training).
• You must maintain satisfactory attendance in your course and course progress for each study period as required by your education provider.
• You must continue to satisfy the requirements for grant of your student visa. This means, for example, that your main course of study must continue to be a course in the education sector that matches your student visa.
• you must continue to have sufficient financial capacity to support your study and stay in Australia.
• You must maintain adequate arrangements for health insurance during your stay in Australia.
  This means that you must maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). 

It is very important to abide by these visa conditions for the duration of your study in Australia. Failure to do so may result in the visa being cancelled and a requirement to leave Australia.

Yes you can, in most circumstances you will need to be enrolled in a course to apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL) and there is often a charge for the service. The process is one of matching what you already know against the learning outcomes of the course you want to study. All higher education and vocational education and training providers have policies regarding pathways between qualifications and recognition of previous learning and/or experience that you may have. You will need to provide evidence of your previous study and any relevant work experience to your current education provider for assessment . 

If you want to change to a new course at the same institution you are currently studying and at the same level of qualification, you will have to apply internally with the education provider. If your application is approved you do not need to contact the department of immigration regarding your student visa unless the end date of the new course is later than the original course. If you are thinking of moving to a different institution after completing 6 months of education you should speak with your current institution to get appropriate information on how to this.  If you want to change your AQF level of qualification, for example from a Diploma to a Bachelor Degree, you may need to apply for a new student visa.

If you want to change institutions before completing the first six months of your main course of study, you must obtain a letter of release from the current education provider. The government regulations restrict institution from enrolling you if you have not completed 6 months of the main course of study (at your current institution) for which your visa was granted. If you are thinking about doing this you must contact the Department of Immigration for visa advice (in some instances you may have to apply for new visa). 

You are not permitted to change your AQF level from higher to low unless you are changing from doctoral degree (level 10) to a masters level (level 9).

You can withdraw from enrolment before commencement of your course without any financial penalty. If you have commenced your studies and decide to withdraw before the census date you will not incur any academic or financial penalty. But if you withdraw from your course after the census date, you will incur both financial and academic penalty. You will not be entitle for refund of course fees paid. 

If you withdraw from your course, you must notify the Department of Immigration of your actions and discuss your visa options. Unless you apply for another kind of visa or enrol at a different institution, the Department may cancel your student visa within 28 days of your withdrawal.

You can complain about your education agent or provider if you believe that you’ve been treated unfairly. You can also complain about the quality of your education or training.  Complaints might be about: 

• refusing admission to a course
• fees and refunds
• course or provider transfers
• course progress or attendance
• cancellation of enrolment
• accommodation or work arranged by your provider
• incorrect advice given by an education agent.

Course fees vary greatly depending on the AQF level of the course and/or the institution and the location of the course provider

There are several accommodation options for international students such as boarding schools, homestay, farm stay and share or rental accommodation. Many non-government secondary schools provide boarding for international students including meals and laundry services. Tuition fees are in addition to the boarding fees. Home stay is popular with younger students and those studying short-term English courses. Farm-stay offers the same or similar services as a homestay, but in a rural setting. It can be suitable for short stays. Students over 18 may share or rent an apartment or house.

You cannot work until you have commenced your course in Australia. Once your course has commenced you are permitted to work a maximum of 40 hours per fortnight when your course is in session , and unlimited hours when your course is out of session. Work that is formally registered as part of your course is not included in the 40 hours per fortnight limitation. 

If you are a postgraduate research student you can work a maximum of 40 hours per fortnight during any preliminary courses you undertake. If you have commenced your masters by research or doctoral degree in Australia, there is no limit on the number of hours you may work. 

You must obtain a Tax File Number to be able to work in Australia. This is available from the Australian Tax Office.

Australia’s living standards are among the best in the world. It is also an expensive place to live. International students must understand that it is not possible to cover all their living expenses and course fees through part-time work.

Every year we observe that a large number of international students coming to Australia are either unaware of, or misinformed on, how it’s education and student visa system works. Sometimes they are unaware of the strict conditions attached to a student visa, and the importance of maintaining their relationship with the original education provider to maintain compliance. We have met many students who were of the impression that they could freely “course hop” without any consequences once they arrive in Australia. Some of them seem to understand very little about the correct processes and procedures which need to be followed to successfully attain the intended academic outcomes whilst maintaining visa compliance. There is some confusion and misunderstanding amongst international students on how and when to plan further education and/or explore future work opportunities in Australia. Students are often unaware of important support networks and services available to them through the system to plan for their future. Ill-informed decision-making could mean that students miss out on opportunities to get the best out of their education, miss out on applying for a post-study work-visa, and/or miss out on possible migration to Australia.

It is a common observation that most international students are not properly briefed about their journey ahead in Australia before they depart their homeland. It appears that they have either not been given adequate information during recruitment, or have been referred to inaccurate/misleading information at any time during the academic process. It could also mean that the students themselves have not paid enough attention to critical information during the early decision-making process and/or during studies in Australia.

Conversely we have seen thousands of success stories where international students complete their education whilst enjoying life in Australia. We have often seen them joining the Australian workforce post studies and deciding to call Australia home down the track. 

Wide Open Education Australia is built upon a wealth of knowledge gained through formal education, industry related employment, and vast experience accumulated whilst living in Australia for 28 years. When we work with students we will ensure that we pass on all of our knowledge, thus enabling them to make informed decisions about their education in Australia. We guarantee that our students will be properly supported throughout the recruitment process and whilst in in Australia, ensuring that they get the best return on their investment