AUSTRALIA

For many years Australia has remained one of the most attractive destinations for studying abroad — a mild climate, an exceptionally high quality of life, strong universities and the chance to stay and work after graduation draw hundreds of thousands of international students. In recent years, however, significant changes have taken place: the government has introduced caps on the number of new international students, sharply increased visa fees, tightened language requirements and shortened the duration of temporary post-study visas. Despite this, interest in Australia remains high, and degrees from local universities are still valued all over the world. Since 2024 the Australian government has also introduced a number of laws protecting the rights and well-being of international students, including improved support and counselling mechanisms.

What students typically come to study

For school students. Students come to Australia for secondary education at private boarding schools. The system covers Years 7 to 12 (usually ages 12 to 18). Some schools admit children from the lower years, but for international students such options are rare. The academic year is divided into four terms and begins in January–February. At school, students can follow the local curriculum of a particular state, as well as the Advanced Placement (AP) programme. The Australian secondary school certificate is recognised by every university in the country and by many universities abroad. Tuition and accommodation for international students at a private boarding school in 2026 may range from 30,000 to 50,000 Australian dollars. Admission generally requires a language test and an interview or entrance assessment, if the child is entering the senior years.

For university students. Australian universities have traditionally attracted international students with their high quality of education, comfortable lifestyle and the opportunity to obtain a temporary work visa after graduation. A student visa allows international students to live and study at all levels of education — from school through to doctoral studies. According to 2026 data, the national intake is set at 295,000 new international students, which is 25,000 more than in 2025. However, given the tightening of migration policy, the actual number of new students may turn out to be lower than this cap. The most popular fields are IT, business, engineering, medicine and nursing.

What studying is like

Secondary education. Life at Australian boarding schools follows a clear routine: lessons in the morning and afternoon, compulsory sports training or creative activities after lunch, and supervised homework time in the evening. On weekends there are excursions, sports tournaments and volunteering projects. Students live in residences, most often two to a room, with single rooms possible in the senior years. Nurses and school doctors work on campus, and each student is assigned an academic tutor. Classes are small — 10–15 students — which ensures an individual approach. Many schools offer comprehensive support to international students: dedicated English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, advice on choosing a university and help with visa matters.

If a child comes to study without their parents, schools often require accommodation in the on-campus boarding house to ensure safety and full immersion in school life. Sometimes there is also the option of living with a host family or with an adult guardian, but boarding remains the most popular choice.

Higher education. Australia has two types of institutions: universities (which provide academic education) and colleges (focused on practical skills — the so-called Australian Technical Colleges). A Bachelor's degree at university usually takes 3 years, and a Master's — 1–2 years (a research Master's may take longer). A flexible credit system allows students to choose courses from different disciplines and even change their specialisation during their studies. Great emphasis is placed on practice and research (especially within the so-called «G8» — the «Group of Eight» leading universities).

The academic year in Australia begins in February (the main intake) and July (an additional one). The country operates the national AQF standards system, which ensures recognition of qualifications across the whole territory and simplifies transitions between levels of education. The application process for universities for international students takes place through the Study Australia platform or directly via the university's website. You will usually need confirmation of previous education (a school certificate or diploma), an English language certificate and possibly completion of a Foundation Year (preparatory courses), if 11 years of schooling is not sufficient for admission.

Visa requirements

For studies longer than 3 months, a student visa (subclass 500) is required. The application process involves several stages.

• Main requirements in 2025–2026:
• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) at an Australian educational institution
• Proof of finances: the student must show that they have 29,710 Australian dollars per year for living costs alone (plus funds for tuition and a return ticket)
• English language proficiency: the minimum score has been raised to 6.0 (previously 5.5), and to 6.5 for post-study work visas
• Meeting the Genuine Student (GS) criterion — applicants must convincingly explain why they chose Australia and this particular course, and how it relates to their career goals
• OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) medical insurance for the entire period of stay

Timeframes and cost: The processing fee is 2,000 Australian dollars. On average, processing time for the university sector is from 21 days to 4 months, and for the vocational (VET) sector — from 5 to 6 months, due to stricter checks against the GS criterion.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• High quality of education — eight Australian universities are among the world's top 100, and their degrees are valued everywhere.
• A favourable immigration policy — after your studies you can obtain a temporary visa (subclass 485) and stay to work.
• A safe and comfortable environment — Australian cities regularly feature in rankings of the best places to live.
• The opportunity to work part-time during your studies — up to 48 hours every two weeks, which helps to cover expenses.
• A mild climate and high quality of life make the country attractive for long-term living.
• After two years of study on a student visa, you can apply for independent immigration through the «General Skilled Migration» (GSM) system, if your profession is on the list of in-demand occupations (SOL).

Cons:

• Graduate Visa durations have been shortened: Master's graduates can now stay only 2 years instead of 3, and PhD graduates — 3 years instead of 4.
• The high cost of living in major cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane). Renting accommodation in Sydney for one person can reach 500–800 Australian dollars per week.
• The remoteness from the rest of the world (long and expensive flights, time differences).
• A high risk of expulsion for poor academic performance or breaching visa conditions (for example, working more than the permitted hours).