Indian Student Life in Australia

Australia has been always one of the top choices for international students with more than 1,200 educational institutions offering 22,000 courses to opt from. Owing to quality education, training and opportunities to work in a multicultural environment, educational institutions in Australia have seen a surge in the number of applications from Indian students in recent years.

It has been observed that most Indian students look for study programs in the fields of business management, followed by IT, hotel management, healthcare, and accounting while applying for universities and colleges in Australia. Some of the business schools in Australia have been ranked as premier business schools across the globe and hence, heading to Australia for getting an MBA degree is an obvious choice for many Indian students.

Visa for International Students in Australia

An Australian student visa offers permission to work and hence, it is easy for international students to earn while studying. There are various types of visas to accommodate students applying for programs with shorter as well as longer study durations. However, there are certain requirements before applying for a student visa in Australia.

• A student needs to enrol for a study program registered under CRICOS framework (Commonwealth Register of Institutions & Courses for International Students).
• The letter of offer or the confirmation of enrolment (COE) issued by the Australian university or college where the student is enrolling is required before applying for a student visa.
• Other documents such as compliance with student visa program, evidence of finances to cover tuition and travel expenses and living costs during the course duration, certificate of an English language test, overseas student health insurance cover are also mandatory before filing student visa application.

During the visa interview, students are usually asked about their prior education, the course they have applied for, their decision about choosing Australia for higher studies, career plans after finishing the course and others. 

Tuition Fees & Scholarships

The education system in Australia is one of the most expensive ones and hence, students are asked to furnish details about their means to cover tuition fees and other expenses while filing visa applications. On an average, tuition fee for undergraduate bachelor degrees is in the range of AU$ 20,000 – AU$ 45,000 and that for postgraduate masters degrees is in the range of AU$ 15,000 – AU$ 60,000. High-value courses such as medical and veterinary have higher tuition fees.

There are various grants and scholarships to help international students financially during their course of studies. Some of the major scholarship programs available for international students include Australia Awards, Destination Australia Program, Australia APEC Women in Research Fellowship, and the Australian Government Research Training Program.It is also advised that Indian students invest in a travel insurance for international travel, in order to protect their finances from unexpected events.

Staying in Australia as an Indian Student

On-campus accommodation, hostels, guesthouses and shared apartments are usually preferred by international students pursuing a course in Australia. Depending upon cities, the rent of hostels can range between AU$90 to AU$150 per week while shared rentals can cost somewhere between AU$85 to AU$215 per week.Further, investing in travel insurance in India before departure can help safeguard the students against any unforeseen events during their stay. The minimum cost of living for international students in Australia is AU$20,290 per year as calculated by the Department of Home Affairs, Australia.

Work Opportunities for Indian Students in Australia

In Australia, a student visa allows individuals to work up to 20 hours per week or 40 hours per fortnight while school is in session. This limit includes any kind of unpaid and volunteering work but does not extend to any training or work that a student needs to undertake as part of studies. During academic breaks, there is no limit on the number of working hours for international students. It is important to know that international students cannot start working before their academic courses have started.

Dependent family members accompanying international students in Australia can also work up to 20 hours per week or 40 hours per fortnight at all times. It is important to note that this restriction of work hours for dependent family members is not applicable for students pursuing a masters or doctoral degree.

Before taking up any paid work, it is important to go through visa restrictions as flouting those restrictions might lead to cancellation of visa and deportation. Most international students prefer working part-time in the following industries while pursuing their study programs:

• Hospitality: Working at bars, cafes, and restaurants after classes.
• Agriculture: Fruit picking and farming.
• Tourism: Working at motels and hotels.
• Retail: Working at department stores, supermarkets, and clothing stores.
• Administration/ Clerical Roles:
• Sales & Marketing:
• Tutoring

Further, paid and unpaid internship opportunities in creative and financial industries are also available. Information about work opportunities is usually posted on online job portals and notice boards on campuses. International students can also directly get in touch with their institution’s international student support staffs.  

It is a busy life for students pursuing an international degree while working part-time to gain industry experience. Amid all of this, Care Health Insurance’s student travel insurance plan can take care of any unforeseeable expenses during a time of crisis. Call or mail us today to get a quote while you fill out college application forms.