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• How safe is Australia?

• Are students welcome?

• How many students come to Australia?

• Is my course of international standard?

• Which is the best university in Australia?

• Where will I live?

• What if I get sick?

• Can I practise my religion?

• Are there foods from different countries?

• Who will show me around?

• What if I get homesick?

• What if I have financial problems?

• Can you help me migrate?

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How safe is Australia?

Australia is very safe, with a low crime rate, political stability and a harmonious society. The incidence of robbery and assault is relatively low and Australia has strict anti-gun and drug laws.

Australia is an open society, based on equality for all people. The Australian Government is democratically elected and is not ruled by the military nor based on religion. Australia is part of the British Commonwealth.

or more details, see the safety section.

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Are international students welcome?

International students are an integral part of Australian campus life. They make up a quarter of the total student population.

Many overseas students are surprised by the friendliness of Australians, often telling stories of strangers helping them on the street.

To Australians, cultural diversity is part of their national identity. The country thrives on the contributions different cultures have made to society, commerce, sport, arts and education. Australia has a history of international education, and has been welcoming students from other countries for many years.

The people of modern Australia come from more than 140 different countries. Around 23 per cent of Australians were born in another country; 25 per cent have at least one parent who was born in another country; and 15 per cent speak a language other than English at home.

Equal opportunity laws protect people from unfair treatment based on their culture, gender, religion or sexuality. Women are equal to men by law.

Student comment “I love living here. In Taiwan, you never say hello to a stranger but here you greet and smile at people you don’t know, which I think is nice.”

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How many students come to Australia?

Australia is the third most popular study destination in the English-speaking world, with over 450,000 international students enrolled in Australian institutions in 2007.

International students come from all over the world to study in Australia.

Education is important to Australia. Each year, the Australian Government invests billions of dollars in further developing Australian education and university research.

Australian institutions have an international focus in their courses and activities. They exchange staff with institutions overseas, participate in international forums, and have partnerships and joint projects with overseas institutions and international research centres.

Australia’s universities have made breakthroughs in modern technology and science, and Australian researchers have won six Nobel Prizes in areas of health, medicine, chemistry and physics.

Australia’s vocational training system, which is based on industry standards, is being used as a model for other Asia-Pacific countries.

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Is my course of international standard?

The Australian Government ensures the quality of Australian institutions and courses in several ways.

• Institutions must meet academic, financial, managerial and ethical standards to be accredited.

• Courses offered to international students must be approved and listed on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

• Qualifications offered to students must fit the Australian Qualifications Framework , which gives guidelines on the level of knowledge and skills a student must gain under each qualification. Guidelines are updated regularly to ensure qualifications are relevant to the marketplace.

• National agencies monitor teaching, learning, administration and research in institutions. Universities are audited every five years by the Australian Universities Quality Agency. Vocational education and training institutions are audited by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

If your question has not been answered here you can also contact us.

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Which is the "best" university in Australia?

There is no official ranking system of Australian universities. Our counsellors can help select the best institution for you depending on your qualifications, grades and courses.

When choosing a course and university, you must also take into account your budget, existing visa regulations, location, climate and lifestyle preferences.

Our counsellors are happy to discuss any questions you have about which universities best meet your individual requirements. Contact your local IIEC office.

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Where will I live?

Most international students in Australia live in rented accommodation. There is a range of options, both on-campus and off-campus to suit your needs.

Your local IIEC counsellor can help arrange your accommodation in Australia before you leave home.

Most Australian institutions have an Accommodation Officer or International Student Officer (or both) who can help you find a place to live. Your IIEC counsellor can help you contact your institution directly.

See also Accommodation.

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What if I get sick?

Australia has a very high standard of medical care. Your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) will help pay for your medical care, ensuring you have access to services when you need it. OSHC is compulsory for all international students coming to Australia.

The large universities have medical facilities on campus; some even have specialist doctors. Smaller institutions and schools have trained first-aid staff.

Medical centres and hospitals are in all cities and towns. You can ask to see a male or female doctor at any medical centre. There are also many bilingual doctors throughout Australia.

If your question has not been answered here you can also contact us.

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How can I practise my religion?

Australia is an open, democratic society where all religions are accepted.

Across the cities and towns, you’ll find places of worship for many religions including Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, Sikhism, Catholicism, the various Protestant churches, Assembly of God, Seventh Day Adventism, Jehovah’s Witness and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Many institutions have prayer rooms where students can worship their own religions, as well as a chaplain to provide spiritual support. Some universities have special facilities for Muslim students.

If your question has not been answered here you can also contact us.

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Are there foods from different countries?

Australia is a multicultural society which embraces food from all cultures.

There are Asian grocery stores and European delicatessens in most cities and towns, as well as shops for vegetarian, vegan or kosher food, and butchers who prepare halal meat. The larger supermarkets also provide kosher and halal foods.

You’ll find restaurants of all cuisines including Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Indian, Malaysian, Turkish, Italian, Japanese, Russian, French and Mexican.

Institution residences, boarding houses and cafeterias usually serve some vegetarian dishes and dishes from a variety of cultures. You can make special requests if required.

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Who will show me around?

You can arrange for a staff member from your institution to meet you at the airport when you first arrive in Australia and take you to your accommodation. Students going to homestay accommodation are usually met at the airport by their host family. Many institutions offer an orientation service, taking you through the city or town and around campus to help you become familiar with your new surroundings.

IIEC also offers airport pick-up and orientation tours in certain cities. Check with IIEC Australia for details.

All universities and many vocational institutes have Orientation Week or 'O Week', which starts the week before classes begin. O Week helps you to familiarise yourself with your institution. It's an informational and social week, so you will also make friends!

Many institutions also have an international office, social and sports clubs. These groups often host city tours, social barbeques and some sightseeing trips. Get involved and you’ll have a great time.

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What if I get homesick?

Adjusting to your new living and study environment can take time and many students feel homesick at first.

Institutions have counsellors who are trained to help international students with homesickness and other personal issues. Counsellors can give you free, confidential advice and introduce you to support groups.

Many institutions have international student associations and clubs for people from particular cultures or religions. In these clubs, you can talk with peers who have experienced similar challenges. A good way to deal with homesickness is to talk about how you’re feeling, make friends and get involved with new activities.

Australian institutions recognise the importance of keeping in touch with your family and friends at home, and many institutions offer free or subsidised email accounts so you can contact home whenever you need to.

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What if I have financial problems?

For many students, living in Australia means living independently for the first time and you may have to learn new budgeting skills.

The international student office or student services unit at your institution can advise you on banking in Australia and how to budget your money to avoid financial troubles.

Many universities and large institutions have a bank branch on campus. The tellers in these branches can give you advice.

Your family can deposit money directly into your Australian account from home, which allows you to access the money more quickly than a cheque or bank draft sent in the mail. These transfers usually take around three days to clear. Most banks enable phone banking and internet banking.

Some larger institutions offer emergency finance loans but funds are strictly limited and you must repay all the money plus interest.

To be granted a student visa into Australia, you must have the finances you need to cover all tuition fees and living costs for the length of your stay. You should therefore not have major financial problems during your studies.

See also Banking, Work, Living Costs and Accommodation

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Can you help me migrate?

IIEC can provide advice about your education options, applying to an institution and preparing student visa applications. Our counsellors in Australia can help with extending your visa or applying for a new course. But we cannot give you assistance with migrating to Australia.

The Australian Government has a skilled migration program for specific areas needed in Australia’s workforce. When you apply, points are awarded for applicants with Australian qualifications. About half of the people who apply are international students. For more details, see the booklet on skilled migration.

If you want professional advice and feel you need assistance, you can contact a registered migration agent.

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