Campus Life

If you don’t meet the entry requirements to get into the course you want in Australia, there are many pathways that can help you reach your goal. This might include studying in an Australian school, taking English language preparation or studying a vocational education and training course. Another pathway may be Foundation Studies – one-year intensive preparatory courses available through the majority of institutions. These will give you the skills you need to enter an undergraduate (Bachelor Degree) course.

Foundation Studies
If you don’t meet academic requirements, there are a few options to prepare you for further study. Depending on your previous studies and the final qualification you want to study, you can enrol in secondary school or Foundation Studies.

Foundation Studies is usually a one-year intensive preparatory course that will give you the skills you need to enter an undergraduate course at a university or higher education institution. These studies are usually divided into streams such as business studies and science studies, and offer both compulsory and elective subjects. English language support is usually available.

Many schools, vocational education and training institutions, and universities offer Foundation Studies courses. The common feature of Foundation Studies is that a university allocates a provisional place in an undergraduate program assuming you achieve the prescribed grades.

Information sourced from: http://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au
© Commonwealth of Australia 2013.

Australia offers a diverse range of study options for international students, with more than 1,200 institutions and over 22,000 courses to choose from. You can study at all levels of education from primary and secondary school, to vocational education and training (VET), from English language courses to higher education (including universities). And regardless of what you are studying or how long you are studying for, Australia’s laws promote quality education and protection for international students. This includes the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 (opens in a new window) and the National Code of Practice (opens in a new window) for Registration Authorities and Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2007 (National Code). These provide nationally consistent standards for providers of education and training for international students.

As an international student on a student visa, you must study with an institution and in a course that is registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). CRICOS registration guarantees that the course and the institution at which you study meet the high standards expected by international students. You can search for courses and institutions here on the Study in Australia website.

Along with the ESOS Act and National Code, there are also regulatory and quality assurance organisations for higher education and VET institutions. These government organisations are responsible for registration/re-registration of institutions and accreditation/re-accreditation of courses. These organisations are:

• Higher education – Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) (opens in a new window)
• VET – Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) (opens in a new window)

So no matter the type of course you want to study, how long you want to study for or where you want to study, you can be assured that in Australia you will have a high quality and rewarding study experience.

The Australian education system provides primary, secondary and tertiary education.

School education (Primary and Secondary)

School education is similar across all of Australia with only minor variations between states and territories. School education (primary and secondary) is compulsory between the ages of six and sixteen (Year 1 to Year 9 or 10). School education is 13 years and divided into:

• Primary school – Runs for seven or eight years, starting at Kindergarten/Preparatory through to Year 6 or 7.
• Secondary school – Runs for three or four years, from Years 7 to 10 or 8 to 10.
• Senior secondary school – Runs for two years, Years 11 and 12.

Tertiary education

Tertiary education includes both higher education (including universities) and vocational education and training (VET).

Language of instruction

English is the official language of Australia and the main language of instruction in the education system. Many schools offer bilingual programs or programs in other languages.

Australian Qualifications Framework

The Australian education system is distinguished from many other countries by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). (opens in a new window) The AQF was established in 1995 and is a national policy that covers qualifications from the tertiary education sector (higher education and vocational education and training) in addition to the school-leaving certificate; the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education.

The AQF has 10 levels and links school, vocational and university education qualifications into one national system. This allows you to move easily from one level of study to the next, and from one institution to another, as long as you satisfy student visa requirements. It allows for choice and flexibility in career planning. All qualifications in the AQF help prepare you for both further study and your working life.

If you are studying an AQF qualification, you can be sure that your institution is Government-authorised and nationally accredited, and that your degree or other AQF qualification will be genuine.

Our institutions are linked across the country and across the world, which makes it easy to move throughout the education system between courses or institutions and formal agreement and recognition frameworks mean every step of the path will contribute to your future no matter what your study or career goals.

Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act
The Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) framework protects the rights of international students studying in Australia, including:

• Your right to receive, before enrolling, current and accurate information about the courses, fees, modes of study, and other information from your institution and your institution’s agent.
• Your right to sign a written agreement with your institution before paying fees, setting out the services to be provided, fees payable, and information about refunds of course money. Make sure to keep a copy of your written agreement.
• The Tuition Protection Service (TPS) is a placement and refund service for international students, which is activated in the event that your institution is unable to teach your course. Read more about this service on the Tuition Protection Service website.

The institutions’ responsibilities
The ESOS framework sets out the standards that Australian institutions must meet in offering education and training services to international students. These standards cover a range of information you have a right to know and services that must be offered to you, including:

• Orientation and access to support services to help you study and adjust to life in Australia.
• Contact details of officers available to help international students.
• If you can apply for course credit.
• When your enrolment can be deferred, suspended or cancelled.
• What your institution’s requirements are for satisfactory progress in the courses you study and what support is available if you are not progressing well.
• If attendance will be monitored for your course.
• A complaints and appeals process.

Your responsibilities
As an overseas student on a student visa, you have responsibilities to:

• Satisfy your student visa conditions.
• Maintain your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the period of your stay.
• Meet the terms of the written agreement with your institution.
• Inform your institution if you change your address.
• Maintain satisfactory course progress.
• If attendance is recorded for your course, follow your institution’s attendance policy.
• If you are under 18, maintain your approved accommodation, support and general welfare arrangements.

Academic year dates in Australia
The academic year in Australia varies depending on the type of study you are undertaking.

Many institutions also offer a mid-year, or second semester start. Start dates and the number of semesters vary by course and institution, so please check directly on your institution’s website for details.

Below is a general guide on the academic year for the different levels of study in Australia:
Schools

• Length – 13 years in total (Kindergarten/Preparatory to Year 12)
• Semesters – 4 (usually called terms’)
• Starts – Late January/early February

English

• Length – From 5 weeks to 1 year
• Semesters – The year is split into weeks
• Starts – Throughout the year

Foundation

• Length – 1 year
• Semesters – The semester breaks will depend on your course
• Starts – February but can vary by course and institutions

Vocational Education and Training

• Length – 1 to 4 years
• Semesters – Two
• Starts – February, but can vary by course and institutions

Undergraduate

• Length – Typically 3 years (4 years for honours degree)
• Semesters – Two, although some institutions offer three semesters (trimesters)
• Starts – Typically March, but can vary by course and institution

Postgraduate

• Length – 1 to 2 years
• Semesters – Two, although some institutions offer three semesters (trimesters)
• Starts – Typically March, but can vary by course and institution

Doctoral

• Length – 3 years
• Semesters – As most doctoral candidates do not attend class, there are usually no formal semester
• Starts – Your start date will be negotiated with your supervisor

Information sourced from: http://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au

© Commonwealth of Australia 2013.

After your graduation, you have several options available to you whether you stay in Australia or head home. You may be able to continue your studies in Australia to pursue a higher level qualification or another field of study, you may be eligible to undertake post study work to put your newly gained knowledge to use and gain work experience in Australia, or you may choose to go home to undertake further study or work there.

If you decide you want to undertake further study or work in Australia you will need to check whether your visa allows this or whether you need to apply for a new visa. You can go to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) (opens in a new window) website to check your visa conditions and find out what your options are.

Wherever your path leads, think about joining an alumni group from your institution. It will help you stay in touch with your classmates, and can provide you with great benefits and opportunities.

Preparing for home
If you’re returning home after study, here are some steps to consider:

• Shipping goods back home.
• Getting exam results, which aren’t part of your academic qualification, from your institution.
• Claiming the security bond back from your rental accommodation.
• Joining relevant alumni organisations.

Many institutions run information sessions or seminars with advice on returning home and adjusting to life outside of Australia. Ask your international student support staff for more information.

Alumni groups

Alumni associations and networks are a great way to stay connected with friends and classmates.

You can find and join alumni associations both in Australia and back home based around your particular institution, the course you studied, or other students from your country. Most groups and clubs are online, so it’s easy to be an active member.

Some of the reasons to join an alumni group are:

• Keep in contact – After study, you and your classmates will join the workforce or go on to further study all over the world with your Australian qualifications, and regular social events will allow you to stay touch.
• Support – Family and friends at home will welcome you home, but an alumni network is full of people who’ve been where you are and have grown from the experience personally and professionally.
• Employment and career – Fellow alumni who work in your field can be a great resource when you’re establishing your career. They can provide guidance on your industry and who’s hiring through alumni newsletters and publications.
• Benefits – Your provider is home to services that will still be valuable when you graduate. Whether it is libraries and laboratories or the coffee shop, alumni membership often gets you a discount.
• Give Back – Alumni groups are great to match peers and mentors among former and current students, and being an alumnus gives you the chance to help another student navigate life and study the way you once did. Alumni groups organise many charity and community activities, so being a member makes it easy to take part.

Employment

Your Australian qualification will make you an attractive employee, not just to employers at home, but those in Australia and around the world as well.

If you are considering staying in Australia and working after your current visa expires, you’ll need to get a new visa that lets you do this. There are a number of options, so work out what best fits your situation.

If you completed a Bachelors, Masters or Doctoral degree, you may be eligible for the Post-Study Work stream of of the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa.

Alternatively, a new employer may be able to sponsor you for a new visa– talk to their Human Resources or Recruitment staff.

If you want to stay in Australia independently of employer sponsorship for a longer term or professional career, you can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect (opens in a new window).

You can find out more about your visa options at the Department of Immigration and Border Protection website (opens in a new window).

Wherever your post-graduation path leads, think about joining an alumni group from your institution. It will help you stay in touch with your classmates, and can provide you with great benefits and opportunities.

Information sourced from: http://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au
© Commonwealth of Australia 2013.

Studying English in Australia is about much more than reciting words in a classroom. Our teaching approach focuses on critical thinking, as well as group and project work – all drawn from real-life experiences, which means you will not only be learning the language, you will be learning how to use it in everyday life.

By studying English in Australia, you will gain a huge range of life skills you cannot get at home. Invaluable skills like problem-solving, leading diverse teams of people, and applying your English to real-world situations – abilities you will draw on for the rest of your life. With a multicultural mix of students in our educational facilities, you will learn the world’s language in a truly international environment.

Our English language teaching maintains a consistently high quality – no matter where you study or what course you choose. As the only country in the world with mandatory national standards and a comprehensive, industry-led quality support framework (see English Australia) you can be confident that you’re getting the very finest English education.

Types of English training
Australia offers a range of English courses to suit a range of study needs.
General English

• Your Goal – To improve general proficiency to access higher level courses; to improve your English for everyday use; to improve your English for travel; to improve your English for work purposes or to do casual work in an English speaking country
• Course description – Focusing on communication skills with emphasis on speaking and listening

English for Academic Purposes

• Your Goal – You want to study in an Australian school, vocational college or university
• Course description – Preparing you for study at an English-speaking university, higher education or vocational institute

English for Specific Purposes (ESP)

• Your Goal – You want to learn the spoken and written English needed for a specific context and perhaps want to consider an internship
• Course description – Focusing on practical English for specific course areas such as business, aviation or tourism

Examination Preparation

• Your Goal – You plan to take an exam such as IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, or the Cambridge First Certificate
• Course description – Preparing you for English language proficiency examinations

English for Teaching

• Your Goal – You want to teach English in schools in your own country
• Course description – These courses include TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, EfTC (English for Teaching Children.)

Study Tours

• Your Goal – You want to have a short holiday, study English and have fun or study English and undertake work related training
• Course description – These courses are a combination of General English with sporting, social, tourist, cultural or professional training activities.

Our quality assurance
Australia has national regulatory and quality agencies for international education – the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) (opens in a new window) and the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). They were established by the Australian Government to monitor quality, and regulate university and non-university education providers against a set of independently developed standards to regulate courses and education and training providers to ensure nationally approved quality standards are met. These two bodies share responsibility for monitoring national standards for English language colleges.

In addition, the following student rights are protected by law under the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS):

• The wellbeing of all international students.
• The quality of students’ education experience.
• The provision of up-to-date and accurate information.

English Australia
English Australia is the national peak body for the English language sector of international education in Australia. English Australia represents over 100 member colleges throughout Australia that provide quality English language programs to students and professionals from around the world.

English Australia’s focus is on:

• Delivering the highest quality English language programs;
• Providing a range of support services for a secure learning environment; and
• Assuring tuition protection for students of all visa types

Information sourced from: http://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au
© Commonwealth of Australia 2013.

There are many consumer protection and support services available for international students. This includes services provided directly by institutions as well as those provided by a range of state, territory and federal government departments.

Consumer Protection
Australian has a strong consumer protection framework to protect the rights of Australian consumers, including international students in Australia. The Australian Consumer Law includes a national law guaranteeing consumer rights when buying goods and services. You should contact the relevant government trade and consumer agency in your state or territory, if you:

• Would like information about your consumer rights.
• Have a problem with a consumer good or service that you have bought or are considering buying.
• Would like to know how a business should behave under the law.
• Would like to make a complaint about a business.

Visit australia.gov.au (opens in a new window) or www.consumerlaw.gov.au (opens in a new window) to find the relevant government agency for where you are living and studying.

Overseas Students Ombudsman
The Overseas Students Ombudsman (OSO) investigates complaints about problems that overseas students have with private education and training institutions in Australia. The Ombudsman’s services are free, independent and impartial. You can find out more about this service on their website: www.oso.gov.au (opens in a new window) The OSO also produces an email newsletter for international students. You can subscribe to the newsletter on the OSO (opens in a new window) website.

If you are studying at a public institution, such as TAFE colleges and many universities and schools, you should contact the Ombudsman in the state or territory in which you are studying to lodge a complaint. You can find details of what the Ombudsman can investigate on their website. Below is a list of the Ombudsman websites for all states and territories in Australia:

• Australian Capital Territory Ombudsman – www.ombudsman.act.gov.au (opens in a new window)
• New South Wales Ombudsman – www.ombo.nsw.gov.au (opens in a new window)
• Northern Territory Ombudsman – www.omb-hcscc.nt.gov.au (opens in a new window)
• Queensland Ombudsman – www.ombudsman.qld.gov.au (opens in a new window)
• South Australian Ombudsman – www.ombudsman.sa.gov.au (opens in a new window)
• Tasmanian Ombudsman – www.ombudsman.tas.gov.au (opens in a new window)
• Victorian Ombudsman – www.ombudsman.vic.gov.au (opens in a new window)
• Western Australian Ombudsman – www.ombudsman.wa.gov.au (opens in a new window)

Tuition Protection Service
The Tuition Protection Service (TPS) is an initiative of the Australian Government to assist you if your institution (referred to as ‘Education Provider’ under the TPS) is unable to fully deliver your course of study. The TPS may also assist you if you have withdrawn from, or not started, your course and are eligible for a refund of tuition fees and the institution has not paid them.

The TPS will make ensure that you are able to either:

• Complete your studies in another course or with another institution, or
• Receive a refund of your unspent tuition fees.

Under the Tuition Protection Service international students have a number of rights and obligations. For more information visit the Tuition Protection Service (opens in a new window) website.

Support services

Institution support services
Student support forms a large part of Australia’s education system. Institutions provide specialist services to help international students adjust to life and study in Australia, and to achieve their goals. This includes student services such as:

• Language and academic support.
• Designated international student advisers.
• On-arrival reception and orientation programs.
• Childcare, health and counseling.
• Student accommodation.
• Employment services.
• Prayer and worships rooms.
• Banking, shopping and food outlets.
• Clubs, societies, sport and fitness facilities.

Many Australian education institutions are like mini communities, so not only will you be able to undertake your studies amid world-class learning facilities, you will also be able to enjoy the social side of studying as well. You can join a club or society, improve your health and fitness in the gym, join a sports team, attend a social event, or volunteer for community service. To find out full details of what your institution provides please check their website directly.

Student associations
Australia has a number of student associations representing and assisting students from Australian institutions. National associations include:

• Council of International Students Australia (CISA) (opens in a new window) – national peak student representative body for international students studying at the postgraduate, undergraduate, private college, TAFE, ELICOS and foundation level.
• Australian Federation of International Students (AFIS) (opens in a new window) – assisting international students in maximizing the scope and potential of their experience living and studying in Australia.

Most institutions in Australia also have their own student associations – you can visit your institution’s website for more information.

Disability support
Australia has laws that protect individuals from discrimination in many areas of public life, including education. A person with a disability has just as much right to study as any other student. This means that institutions cannot:

• Refuse admission on the basis of disability.
• Accept a student with a disability on less favourable terms than other students (for example, asking for higher fees).
• Deny or limit access to a student with a disability (for example, not allowing access to excursions, or having inaccessible student common rooms or lecture facilities).

Many institutions offer services for students who require assistance with their studies because of a disability or chronic medical condition. These may include voice-recognition software, hearing aids or note-taking services. You should contact your institution several weeks before you arrive to make the appropriate arrangements for your specific needs.

Institutions must make every effort to accommodate a student with a disability. However, the institution is not legally required to make modifications if the changes involve major difficulties or unreasonable cost. The institution has to prove the changes are unjustified and, before making such a claim, must have direct discussions with the student and seek expert advice.

If you are experiencing a problem with your institution, you should first talk to staff at your institution. If informal discussions do not resolve the problem, you have the option of lodging a formal complaint. Institutions are required to have a process for students to register complaints. If you feel you have a legitimate complaint that is not being recognised by your institution, you should approach the Australian Human Rights Commission. Confidential enquiries can be made by telephone but a formal complaint must be lodged in writing before the commission can take action. Find out more about disability rights in Australia at the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission (opens in a new window).

Childcare
While many larger institutions have childcare facilities with trained staff, there are also a wide variety of private and not-for-profit childcare centres available around Australia. The Australian government provides financial assistance to help parents with childcare costs. International students who receive direct financial assistance from the government, through a government scholarship, may be eligible to receive the child care benefit. To find out if you are eligible for child care financial assistance, read more at the Australia.gov.au (opens in a new window) website.

Other support services
Some other support services that may be useful to know while you are studying in Australia are:

Emergency matters

• Contact details – 000
• Service details – Life threatening situations, such as a car crash or a fire.

Local police – non urgent matters

• Contact details – Call 131 444 (everywhere except Victoria). In Victoria you need to call your local police station (consult your local Telephone Directory)
• Service details – Police attendance for non-urgent matters.

Lifeline (opens in a new window)

• Contact details – 13 11 14
• Service details – Lifeline provides crisis support, suicide prevention and mental health support services across Australia. These can include stresses from work, family or society and physical and mental wellbeing. Lifeline offers support services by phone or through their online chat available on their website.

Kids Helpline

• Contact details – 1800 551 800
• Service details – If you’re between 5 and 25 and you’re feeling depressed, worried, sad, angry or confused about things like your studies personal relationships, Kids Helpline offers free 24 hour, 7 day telephone counseling support (anonymous if you prefer).

Poison Information Centre

• Contact details – 131 126
• Service details – Provides advice on the management, assessment and treatment of poisonous products including non-prescription pharmaceuticals, household and industrial chemicals, and plant and animal venom.

Sexual Assault counseling service

• Contact details – Search online for ‘rape crisis centre’ in your home state
• Service details – If you, or anyone you know, has experienced or is at risk of sexual assault, call one of the state-based sexual assault counseling services. These provide a free 24 hour, 7 day a week telephone counseling service (anonymous if you prefer). Many are connected to hospitals or government health departments to help you if the assault has left you with injuries.

Information sourced from: http://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au
© Commonwealth of Australia 2013.