Vocational Study in Australia

Australia offers a wide range of vocational studies through high quality technical and private colleges. Vocational education and training (VET) is delivered through a combination of courses and traineeships. Vocational traineeships often generate points towards permanent residency. The Australian Government periodically releases lists of Skills Shortages that international students can complete as a pathway to permanent residency. Look for the red hilites in the study courses!

Vocational study in Australia is an excellent option to higher education generally provided through universities.

The Courses and qualifications

Australian vocational education and training courses provide students with skills that employers have identified as important in the workplace. They are also generally considered to provide more practical, work-orientated skills than the higher education (university) system.

The types of qualifications that can be obtained through the VET system include:

• Certificate I–IV: These courses are designed to provide introductory skills and training. They provide industry-specific knowledge and skills in communication, participation, literacy and numeracy, and teamwork. Generally from a few weeks to 12 months in duration. Part time or full time options.

• Diploma: A diploma course prepares students for industry, enterprise and para-professional careers. Diploma courses can be completed at TAFE institutes and some private colleges. Generally 18 to 24 months of full-time study.

• Advanced diploma: An advanced diploma provides a high level of practical skills for employment in a specific career area, such as management, communitry services, fashion, and beauty / hairdressing. Generally from 24 to 36 months full and part time options.

VET courses, particularly at the diploma and advanced diploma level, can often provide pathways into higher education courses such as bachelor degrees. On the other hand, it’s increasingly common for higher education graduates to complete VET qualifications in order to gain practical, work-orientated skills to assist them to enter the workforce.

Average tuition costs

• $5500–$18 000 per year ($AUD)

Please note that course fees can vary widely depending on the course. Complete details are available by clicking on the Study Cours links above.

Australia: The country, the life and the culture

Australia is a blend of natural beauty and urban jungles. Australia offers a rich culture of literature, arts and crafts, music, theatre and dance. With over 23% of the total population being foreign-born, students and tourists are able to enjoy cuisine from around the world while studying in Australia.

At least two thirds of Australia lies in the temperate zone, while the rest is in the tropics. There are three time zones in the country. The months from September to November are spring months, while summer is from December to February, autumn is from March to May and winter is from June to August.

Getting around in Australia: Transport, money and work

Australian cities and towns have an excellent public and private transportation system which includes ferries and boats (in the coastal towns) along with trains, trams, and buses, apart from the other standard means of travel such as road and air.

It is easy for international students to access money in Australia using the large network of banks. There are many ATMs (automated teller machines) and EFTPOS (electronic funds transfer at point of sale) outlets in all the cities of Australia. Within 6 weeks of arriving in Australia, overseas students can open a bank account by simply showing their passport and supplying a postal address. After 6 weeks, the students would need to provide other forms of identification, such as birth certificate or an international driving license. Credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are also widely accepted along with travellers' cheques.

International students can apply for permission to work while they are studying, after they begin their course of study. Such a visa allows students to work for 20 hours per week on a casual basis and full time during vacations. In certain cases, family members or dependants of a student undergoing a masters or a doctoral course may also apply for work permission.

Study Front has accredited Migration Agent partners that can advise you on all issues regarding visas and immigration.

Australian system of recognizing educational qualifications

Australia has a unique system of recognizing qualifications which is beneficial for overseas students. The NOOSR (National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition) recognises the overseas qualifications and also promotes the recognition of Australian qualifications on an international platform. All the courses of study within Australia come under the review of the AQF (Australian Qualifications Framework) The AQF is a unified system of national qualifications in schools, vocational education and training (TAFEs and private providers) and the higher education sector (mainly universities). which simplifies the process of evaluation of the levels of study in all the universities, vocational education and training institutions and schools across Australia. The AQF allows a student to move from one level of study to another as long as visa requirements are met.

The AQF covers most of the courses taken up by overseas students in Australia. However, there are some courses which are not part of the AQF, which are known as Bridging or Foundation courses. These courses help a student meet the entry requirements for their further study and often lead to an AQF qualification.

General eligibility criterion for Australian Universities

English language proficiency is required. The Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs accepts the scores of the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test for the purposes of a student visa application. Most of the study courses in Australian institutions prefer a minimum overall band score of 5.5 - 6.0 in the IELTS or an overall band score of 5.0 in the IELTS along with a maximum of 30 weeks of ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students). The results of the IELTS tests are valid for 24 months.

Students who are planning to apply for a student visa must have been covered by the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

Funding and scholarships

Most Australian education providers usually do not give out any funding or scholarships while accepting students, and so the students have to be prepared to pay at least a semester's fees when they receive the letter of acceptance from a university. This will usually be detailed in the letter of offer from the education provider.

Basic VISA requirement guidelines for Australia

Normally, when an international student is accepted , he / she will receive a letter called an 'offer of a place in a course' from that education provider. The student should then apply for a preliminary visa assessment. This can be done though the Study Front Migration specialist who will assist the student to make sure the following are in place:

Once this information is collated, the preliminary assessment will be conducted. If the assessment is favourable, then the visa office will instruct the education provider to send the student a confirmation of enrolment (eCoE) certificate.

The student may then be asked to pay the OSHC premium and undergo medical tests.

Apart from these documents, you must be able to show that:

Once these requirements are met, and the Migration Agent is satisfied with the results, the student visa may be granted to the student.

Travelling to Australia: Some general tips

The baggage allowance will depend on the airline you fly. However, under normal circumstances, the baggage allowance for international flights is 20 kilograms for a person travelling in the economy class, 30 kilograms for business class and 40 kilograms for first class tickets. You can check this with your preferred carrier to be sure.

If you have arranged your accommodation and relocation through Study Front, then our relocation specialists will provide you with detailed information about travelling to Australia and what to do when you arrive.

Upon your arrival in Australia

Upon your arrival in Australia for your course, you are advised to attend the orientation programmes held by theeducation provider. These programmes usually include a welcome session, along with sessions for registration, and introduction to the life on the campus. Information is given out regarding the rules, procedures and timetables for your study course.

These induction programmes are often followed up by an end of orientation party, which is a great chance to get to know other students.

How to Enrol

Here is a step by step guide to enrolling

Step 1 Apply on line

Select the course that you want to enrol in and click on the 'Apply online now' button. You will be automatically emailed:

• a link to download the application form from the education provider
• login details to your Study Front Student Zone' where you will be able to track your application status, get migration and accommodation assistance plus more...

Step 2 Complete your application

Complete the Enrolment Application form that you have downloaded.

You will need the following supporting documents:

• Educational certificates and academic records
• Evidence of employment history (if course requires)
• English Language Testing Results - International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International Second Language Proficiency Rating (ISLPR)
• Copy of passport and Visa pages

You may be required to pay an Enrolment Application Fee (this is a non refundable fee to cover the costs of processing your application and preparing your Letter of Offer.) This varies from education provider to education provider.

Step 3 You will receive an offer of a place

If your application is successful, your offer may be a conditional offer on the basis that you meet certain conditions or requirements. These will be stated in the letter of offer. This offer will also include:

• The education provider's Refund and Transfer Policy and the Terms and Conditions of study.
• Firm tuition costs
• Payment details
• Available start dates

Step 4 Before the expiry date on the offer you should:

• Pay the tuition fees or deposit, by bank cheque, credit card or telegraphic transfer
• Read the Refund and Transfer Policy and Conditions which accompany your offer.
• If required by your education provider, return the signed copy of the Refund and Transfer Policy by fax, mail or email
• Provide evidence that you have met any conditions stated in your offer of a place.

Step 5 Receive your confirmation of enrolment

You will be sent the following items:

• Confirmation of Enrolment Letter (CoE)
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) brochure
• Receipt of payment of tuition fees or deposit

Step 6 Apply for your visa

Get assistance from our Accredited and experienced Migration Agent, or download a Visa Kit from your Student Zone, or visit your closest Australian Embassy.

You will be required to have:

• Proof of tuition fee or deposit payment
• Confirmation of Enrolment letter (CoE)
• Offer of a place

NOTE: you must have paid for your OSHC prior to arriving in Australia

Step 7 Arrange for accommodation

Get assistance from our friendly accommodation and relocation specialist through your Student Zone.