The land down under is known for its stunning beaches, unique wildlife, and a welcoming community. Australia is also the third most popular English-speaking country for international students. In this article we’ll explore the process of applying to study in Australia as an international student, and answer some of your frequently asked questions.
Please note: Always review the program requirements before submitting an application to be sure it is complete. Applications may be rejected due to missing documents.
Step 1: Review the Application Requirements
Admission into a study course is dependent on the student’s past academic performance. Each institution specifies the minimum grades/marks or cumulative averages (GPAs) it will accept—please be sure to check what the application requirements are for the specific program and institution that you’re applying to.
- Entry requirements vary between schools depending on the state or territory the student will be studying in.
- Students in high school need to provide certified copies of their school reports from the last two years of study.
- A reference letter may also be required.
Please note: When applying for admission, international students also need to complete a questionnaire, known as the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) assessment.
Genuine Temporary Entrant Assessment
When applying for admission, international students also need to complete a questionnaire, known as the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) assessment. GTE is used to demonstrate that the student is coming to Australia for genuine study purposes and has a realistic prospect of returning home once their studies have finished. The questionnaire asks a series of questions to identify applicants who are using the student visa program for motives other than gaining a quality education.
Students need to complete their GTE questionnaire before they can accept their offer of admission. Some institutions will send students the link to complete the GTE questionnaire once they apply, while others may ask the student to complete the GTE questionnaire when they send a conditional offer of admission.
Statement of Purpose
Along with the GTE questionnaire, students need to submit a Statement of Purpose, discussing their background, current study plans, and future career aspirations. Some of the things that should be discussed, include:
- Previous study, and gap in previous study (if any)
- Current employment (if any), and potential employment in home country after graduation
- The value of chosen course to the student’s future
- Ties to home country or country of residence (evidence of financial, family or social ties to show they have significant incentives to return home)
- Situations in their home country or country of residence (the reasons for not studying there, and their ties that support their intention to return)
- Immigration history
Visa officers pay close attention to information in the Statement of Purpose when making the visa decision. Learn more about what students should cover in their Statement of Purpose.
Interview
Education providers will also invite the student for an online or in-person interview after the student submit the GTE questionnaire. In some cases, the institutions may forego the interview.
There are three different options when looking at studying abroad in Australia: Vocational Education and Training (VET), Undergraduate Courses, and Graduate Courses. Below we will look at each of these.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) Courses
VET courses, also known as vocational education, provide education and training to enter into a new field of study, develop skills for a specific job, or learn new skills as you enter the workplace. In most cases, there are no entrance exams for VET institutions. However, some courses require students to have previously studied specific subjects or completed work experience.
Undergraduate Courses
To gain entry into an Australian undergraduate course, students need to have an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (Year 12), or the overseas equivalent. In addition, students may be required to have completed prerequisite courses in certain subjects, or provide other supplementary requirements—such as a resume.
Graduate Courses
Completion of a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA requirement is typically required to gain entry into an Australian graduate course. Institutions may take research ability or relevant work experience into consideration when granting admission. Applicants may also need to provide supplementary information with their application.
Step 2: Review the English Language Requirements
Since English is the primary language of instruction in Australia, students applying from a non-English speaking country need to demonstrate English proficiency through an English language test as part of the admission process. Standardized English language tests evaluate students on their reading, listening, speaking and writing skills.
The following tests are commonly accepted for entry into degree-level courses:
- English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- Pearson PTE Academic
- Cambridge Assessment English (CAE)
Language test score requirements vary by institution and by program. Some institutions only look at the overall scores, while others have cut-offs for scores in each of the four skills sections.
Typically, students applying to an undergraduate course need:
- IELTS scores between 6.0 and 6.5, with no band less than 5.5 or 6.0, or
- TOEFL (internet-based test, iBT) scores between 60.0 and 90.0 overall, or
- PTE Academic score between 50 to 64 overall, or
- CAE score between 169 to 176 overall, with no less than 169 in each category.
Graduate courses will likely have higher minimum language requirements, while VET courses may have lower requirements.
Note: The Australian government requires students to meet its own English language requirements, which may differ from the scores required by the institution the student is applying to.
Step 3: Gather Supplementary Requirements
Depending on the nature of the program, students may need to provide supplementary non-academic documents or test scores to support their admission application. These could include:
- Personal statement
- Resume/CV
- Portfolios
- Interviews
- References
Step 4: Review Application Deadlines
Those interested in studying in Australia can apply for admission multiple times in a year. Most institutions in Australia have two or more terms in a year, and accept new students each term.
Major intakes occur in February (Autumn Session) and July (Winter Session) and a few universities also offer intakes in October/November (Spring Session).
The exact application deadlines vary by institution and by program as each institution has its own admission cycle. Courses that have a higher demand have quicker application deadlines, while other courses remain open until they fill up. In general, the final application deadlines are roughly two months before the start of the academic term.
Some schools do have intake deadlines, so be sure to check out the details for each Australian school .
Step 5: Apply With Hfe Immigration
Once the student has ensured that they meet the criteria for admission and have gathered all required documentation it’s time to submit the application through HFE Immigration Pvt Ltd.
NOTE : If you would like HFE to assist you please book your appointment or CLICK HERE FOR FREE ASSESSMENT
