The beautiful continent-country- an island of Australia ranks as the 3rd most preferred destination for higher studies among students from India. Universities from Australia have witnessed a sharp growth in applications from India in recent years thanks to the multi-cultural environment, world-class educational facilities, opportunities for post-study work, and many other tangible benefits.

As per statistics, more than 37,000 students were granted student visas for Australia in 2018-2019, clocking a rise of 32% compared to the last year, as per the Australian Department of Home Affairs. Universities located in Sydney and Melbourne had the highest number of students from India, followed by other cities like Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, and many more. This is because of the numerous benefits of studying in Australia.

Why Australia?

Australia offers an extensive range of options of education for international students featuring over 1200 institutions that provide over 22,000 course options for study. Students can pursue studies at all levels of education from primary and secondary school to vocational education and training (VET), from courses in the English language to higher education such as research degrees, masters, and bachelors.

No matter what a student is studying and how long she is studying for, the laws of Australia promote the education of high quality and protect foreign students. Without a doubt, Australian cities have always been ranked high as the most student-friendly and liveable ones in the world.

The beautiful country of Australia features golden beaches, fascinating flora and fauna, much-varied entertainment and nightlife, a multi-cultural society with friendly locals, and the best quality education in the world. Thus, it has become the most popular choice with Indian students apart from the UK and USA. 

Benefits of studying in Australia

Australia features manifold benefits for the education of international students, and so, it has drawn many numbers of Indian students to its door.

There are several high-ranking universities in Australia offering a wide range of courses. Because the Australian government generates high revenue from international students, it is keenly interested in providing educational facilities of the best quality.

Additionally, with rising numbers of Indian students, Australian Universities are bent upon attracting more of them. The Australian government also has special considerations for Indian students who study in Australia with regard to scholarships and work opportunities. Indian students can take up part-time or full-time jobs, which can help finance their living expenses.

Following are the concrete benefits of studying in Australia:

• World-class education 

Australia features some of the best universities in the world, such as Monash University, University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, and many more. Additionally, because Australian qualifications enjoy global reputation and recognition, students of Australian educational institutions enjoy a jump start in their careers or even opportunities for higher education. Australia-trained international students find it easy to work for multi-national companies in all corners of the world. This is because most Australian universities stay updated with the latest knowledge and trends in education based on evolving industry standards. This ensures that the education of students is of a high standard.

The system of education in most Australian institutions and universities is regulated by the AQF (Australian Qualification Framework) recognized by the government of Australia. A nationally standardized system ensures the education of good quality and helps in the smooth pursuit of education for students. 

Thanks to AQF guidelines, students pursuing education in Australia can transfer credits with ease or shift among various institutions and levels of study.

Availability of scholarships

When you study abroad, one of your first concerns is as regards your expenses. But such concerns are less with Australian universities. Apart from gaining a world-class education, Australia provides several scholarships for Indian students. Fully funded schemes that cover living expenses, tuition fees, and other details are a boon for Indian students. Such scholarships are based on merit and other criteria.

Following is a listing of scholarships for education in Australia:

• AA (Australian awards): These are study and research awards provided to students from the Asia-Pacific region.
• Endeavour Awards: These are merit-based scholarships by the Australian government, which is meant for students of the Americas, Middle East, Europe, and the Asia Pacific.
• Postgraduate awards: These are awarded to students at their masters or PhD levels.
• Research awards: Awards are available for master’s degree research and postdoctoral research.
• Vocational training awards: These are awards for students pursuing an advanced diploma or associate degree.

Earn while studying

Those Indian students who are bent upon graduating from Australia can finance their tuition fees, living expenses, and travel funds through the undertaking of part-time or full-time work. Students are permitted to work for 40 hours weekly.

In recent times, the government of Australia has mandated that Indian students who stay for more than 12 months are eligible to use their Australian superannuation. Thus, all students with a student visa in Australia enjoy basic rights of work such as minimum wage, superannuation, holidays and breaks, and a secure and healthy work environment.

By working part-time besides attending classes, students can live a free life without worrying about living expenses. This income can be used in travelling, pursuing your passion, exploring new places and also, saving money for the future. A satisfactory income can boost your confidence.

The policy of post-work permit

As per guidelines of the Australian government, foreign students who have completed Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degrees become eligible for a post-study work permit. Using a temporary graduate visa, these students are permitted to stay back in Australia to gain practical experience.

Additional post-study work permit rules have been tweaked for Indian students. Because of the rising number of students in Australia, the Australian government has raised the time period of post-study work visas to 4 years. Also, the path to PR or citizenship after studying in Australia is easier than in the USA or UK.

Safe environment

Australia, with its low crime rate, is highly safe for Indian students. Most Australian cities are cosmopolitan, embracing students and settlers from diverse cultures. The government has a strong policy to protect and promote communal amity.

Job opportunities

The Australian economy features a low rate of unemployment and is quite robust. Thus, it is a good choice for students who wish to build up their careers. The country provides a high standard of living with most liveable cities like Sydney and Melbourne.

In sum, these are some of the reasons why Indian students are making a beeline to study in Australia.