Five Quick Points About Australia

• Incredibly beautiful country with a wide range of scenic and leisure opportunities
• The third-largest study destination worldwide
• Excellent pathway and articulation between programmes such as diploma to degree
• Competitive in terms of cost of living and study
• Multicultural, friendly society

Location and Geography

Australia is an island continent of approximately 7.7 million square kilometres, making it the sixth-largest country in the world. Located between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean, it is the oldest, lowest (apart from Antarctica), and driest continent. Because of its unique and varied geography, it is an archaeologist’s delight, with landforms dating back millions of years. Australia is mostly flat but has some notable mountains and long beaches. Canberra is the capital.

Climate

The climate ranges from tropical in the north to temperate in the south. The largest part of Australia is desert or semi-arid. Overall, Australian cities enjoy a mild climate, with maximum temperatures falling in a fairly narrow range (e.g., in the summer in Sydney, the temperature might range from 16° to 26° Celsius). However the continent is large, and international students should be informed about the individual climates of the regions they are interested in. They should also be aware that the Australian sun can be very strong.

History and Population

Aboriginal peoples settled in Australia about 60,000 years ago – there were many distinct languages and dialects, and customs varied greatly from region to region. British settlement began in 1788, and for a time Australia was actually used as a penal colony (the first fleet of convicts arrived on January 26, 1788, and the country still marks this occasion on that date with a holiday called Australia Day). The penal era ended in 1868. The settlement developed into six self-governing colonies which federated in 1901 to form Australia, a nation founded on ideals of egalitarianism, human rights, harmony, and democracy. Since the 1950s, large numbers of displaced people have immigrated to Australia, and this has had a profound effect on its society and culture.

The population is roughly 26 million and is highly urbanised. Just over 60% of Australians live in the main cities and almost 80% within 100 kilometres of a major city. Nearly one in four Australians were born overseas. Australia is predominantly a Christian country, with English as the official language. It is a member of the British Commonwealth.

Society and Culture

Australian society is safe, friendly, sophisticated, and harmonious. Many ethnic groups are represented in Australia, making it one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. The country’s proximity to the Asia-Pacific region also influences its culture, economy, and lifestyle. The government of Australia describes the values underpinning the Australian way of life as:

• Respect for equal worth, dignity and freedom of the individual
• Freedom of speech and association, religion, and a secular government
• Support for parliamentary democracy and the rule of law
• Equality under the law
• Equality of men and women
• Equality of opportunity
• Peacefulness
• A spirit of egalitarianism that embraces tolerance, mutual respect, and compassion for those in need.

There are many ways to take part in Australian culture, from enjoying the vibrant dining out scene to barbequing on a beach, and from taking in a world-class theatre event to throwing on a backpack and doing a scenic hike. Surfing and other water activities are also highlights of Australia. It’s been said that Australia is an easy place to be a tourist even on a limited budget.

Economy

Australia has a stable, advanced economy, and is a member of the G20 group of nations. It ranks among the world’s top 15 largest economies. As with other advanced economies, the service sector dominates, which represents more than two-thirds of GDP. Natural resources are also important: the agricultural and mining sectors account for more than half of the nation’s exports. The currency is the Australian Dollar.

Government

Australia is divided politically into six states and two territories, and is a stable, liberal parliamentary democracy (similar to the U.S. and U.K.), with three levels of government: federal, state, and local. Federal and state governments administer the laws that apply to education.

Living Conditions and Cost of Living

Living conditions in Australia are generally quite good. Australia consistently ranks in the top five when it comes to quality of life. Housing and accommodation is of good quality, public transport is available, food and water are high quality, and many public amenities are accessible. Students can experience a wide range of leisure and sporting activities, and can expect low crime rates and a safe environment.

Cost of living will vary by lifestyle and location. But by some estimates students will need an average of AUS$21,000 per year for living costs.

Undergraduate tuition fees range from AUS$20,000 to AUS$35,000 annually.

Education System

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), a unified system of national qualifications of schools, vocational training and education, regulates post-compulsory education and the higher education sector.

Post-secondary education comprises two sectors: vocational/technical education and higher education. Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) sector must meet the nationally agreed standards of the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF).

Down roughly 20% from a pre-pandemic high point, there were about 570,000 foreign students in Australia in 2021 – with about half of those enrolled in higher education.

There are 43 Australian universities, and many other recognised higher education institutions, located in capital cities and many regional centres. Australian courses are of very high quality and are recognised worldwide by employers and other institutions.

Immigration and Visas

An international student work visa allows students to work while in Australia; the Australian government provides details here: https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/english/employability

Australian Education Agent Training Course

Student counsellors wishing to specialise in Australia are advised to take the Australian Education Agent Training Course (EATC), designed for education agents who counsel and refer students to study in Australia. It is an online course contained within the wider group of PIER courses for international education professionals and is offered in partnership with Australia Education International (AEI) and the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).

The purpose of the course is to:

• Provide education agents with information about the Australian education system and Australia as a study destination, education quality assurance issues, and the Australian visa regulation system
• Keep agents abreast of changes and developments in international education services
• Encourage and support excellence in business service delivery, study, and career pathways and professional development.

It covers four areas:

• Australia, the AQF, and Career Trends (AQF)
• Legislation and Regulations (REG)
• Working Effectively in International Education (WEF)
• Professional Standards and Ethics (ETH)

More Information

• Study Australia website: https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au
• English Australia: https://www.englishaustralia.com.au
• Vocational education and training information: https://www.training.com.au
• Universities Australia: https://www.universitiesaustralia.edu.au/

More Useful Resources

www.studyinaustralia.gov.au – Official Australian Government site for studying in Australia
www.immi.gov.au – Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC)
www.deewr.gov.au – Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR)
www.aei.gov.au – Australian Education International
www.idp.com – IDP Education Australia (IDP)
www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au – Australian government culture portal
www.thesource.gov.au – Youth forum: Find information on schools
www.thesource.gov.au – Youth forum: Find information on schools
www.abs.gov.au – Australian Bureau of Statistics
www.bom.gov.au – Australian Bureau of Meteorology
www.dfat.gov.au – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
www.alga.asn.au – Australian Local Government Association
www.peo.gov.au – Parliamentary Education Office
www.gov.au – Australian, State and Territory and Local Governments
www.oshcworldcare.com.au – Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
www.neasaustralia.org.au – National ELT Accreditation Scheme Limited (NEAS)
www.englishaustralia.com.au – English Australia
www.englishcafe.com.au – Links to more than 150 English-language colleges in Australia
www.dest.gov.au – National Training Framework (NTF)
www.training.com.au – Vocational education and training information
www.ntis.gov.au – The National Training Information Service (NTIS)
www.australian-universities.com – Australian Education Network University and College Guide
www.goingtouni.gov.au – Higher education website
www.auqa.edu.au – The Australian Universities Quality Agency