Are you looking to study abroad? Australian borders are now open for students
After two years, Australia is welcoming back international students and finally also fully vaccinated tourists. Everyone with a valid visa and their double vaccine shots will be able to travel to Australia. This means those looking to study in Australia can now do so in person.
The government is also currently offering refunds for Student visa fees for those who held valid visas (subclasses 500, 560, 571, 572, 573, 574, or 575) and arrived in Australia before 19 March.
Australian Student visa regulation updates
Student visa holders can now also work more than 20 hours per week. Student visa holders and secondary Student visa holders (those enrolled in a secondary school) will have no limit on the amount of hours they can work or the sectors they can work in. This went into effect immediately following the announcement on 19 January 2022. The government will review the arrangement in April 2022, presumably to consider extending this agreement. This gives students the chance to earn more money and help industries that have struggled during the lockdowns.
The six top reasons to choose Australia as international student
1. Australia is an English-speaking country
Australia consistently ranks as one of the top destinations for international students. While there are many reasons for this, one of the main draws is that Australia is an English-speaking country, and can offer countless opportunities for students to further hone their English and professional skills.
Moving to another country can be unnerving for other nationals, and learning a new language can add to that stress. Traveling to a country with English as the first language is an ideal option for other nationalities that also have English as the first language or a good common ground for people with English as their second language.
For Filipino students, Australia is an ideal destination as most Filipinos have already been taught English at school, making the transition much easier.
2. Australia is multicultural
The country is home to 270 ancestries, with around 25% of the population born overseas. It is not uncommon to meet people from different backgrounds and hear different languages when you walk in the streets, especially when you are in the cities.
Australia’s rich cultural diversity is regarded as a strength, and racial discrimination is against the law. The Racial Discrimination Act of 1975 dictates that no one can discriminate against anyone on the basis of race, skin color, and ethnicity.
Hence, moving to Australia to study as an international student should not be daunting. You’ll be able to find many different people and cultures living together and won’t feel alone.
3. Australians are friendly
Australians are famously known for their friendliness and laid back nature. It is also quite common to be greeted and drawn into conversations with strangers, which may be confusing for foreigners. So if someone approaches you and talks about the weather or strikes up a conversation, it’s totally normal, and yes, they are talking to you!
In addition, locals also like putting shortcuts in their words, which is probably a way for them to sound much more approachable. For example, breakfast is brekky, afternoon is arvo, a cup of coffee is a cuppa, and so forth. If you’re feeling lost, you can learn more Australian slang with our Aussie slang: The Newbie Guide.
4. Diverse set of schools
Australia is home to 1,100 educational institutions, including 43 universities and over 22,000 courses that you can choose from. Unlike in the Philippines, colleges and universities are treated differently. Colleges are popular vocational schools where students can learn a wide range of practical and technical skills meant to be useful in the workplace. Universities are considered ‘higher education’ and have a holistic approach to education, with academic research and practical subjects as part of the curriculum.
Depending on what you are looking for or your long-term goals, you could select to undertake a vocational course. This may be more suited to you than getting a university degree. Read the Top Study Options For International Students in Australia to get an idea of the education system and what might be the best option for you and your interests.
5. Australia pays one of the world’s highest minimum wages
Australia has consistently had one of the world’s highest hourly minimum wages. In 2020 it was ranked number one and was only beaten by Luxembourg in 2022. Most people will get a minimum of AUD20 per hour or around USD 12.14 per hour working in Australia, but this depends upon age and skill level and could increase depending on hours worked.
On a student visa, you can normally work up to 40 hours per fortnight in any type of job you would like and unlimited hours during official school breaks. Currently, the Australian government has temporarily relaxed this condition and allowed all student visa holders to work unlimited hours until April 2022.
6. Australia is one of the world’s best countries to live in
Australia ranks at number five overall among the ‘best countries in the world’, with quality of life, openness for business, cultural influence, and a variety of other factors as part of the criteria. The country is also generally safe and is a safer option than the US. Melbourne has consistently been ranked high in terms of liveability, ranking first for seven years. Now, Melbourne has dropped to the eighth spot, but Adelaide, a city in South Australia, has now grabbed the highest spot for an Australian city.
The country also puts emphasis on a work and life balance. Starting a family is also easier in Australia, as maternity leaves usually last a year. Overtime work is also less prevalent in the country compared to others, and employers are usually quite understanding when you need to take leave due to family concerns.
What are you waiting for? Start your study abroad journey in Australia now.
Want to explore studying in Australia? Contact us at info@sableremit.com, and one of our education consultants will get back to you as soon as possible.
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