FAQ's - Frequently asked questions

1. How students search for a Job?

It depends on what kind of job you want. Some shops or restaurants put a sign on their window (HELP WANTED!) and you can just walk in and ask about the job. You can ask around, see if your friends can offer you a job. A good place to start is your University’s Employment Centre (or Job Centre).

Many universities and colleges in Australia provide a special service called “Job Access” that helps students to find a good position in the job market. Apart from that students can also find the jobs in newspaper, online and from events and job fairs.

There will be Employment Officer in many universities to help students look for part-time work, most of which is non-professional, such as waiting on tables, cleaning or sales. Students may find casual work picking and packaging fruits and vegetables on local farms but such work is not guaranteed.

In Australia it is very easy and also difficult as well to get employed for the international students. Many students are able to get a job after spending certain time, if they are good in speaking English. If you are good in speaking English earlier, then you can obviously find good opportunities. It is for sure that only immigrants can acquire a full time job.

Many tertiary institutions have a career service. They advertise job vacancies, help their students to find work and give information on writing applications and approved payment rates. Employment centers at institutions advertise a range of jobs. You can also find work through newspaper advertisements, an employment agency or the government's national employment service, Job Network.

2. What is Tax File Number (TFN)?

TFN is an 8 or 9 digit number issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to each taxpayer to identify their Australian tax transactions. As an employee in Australia it is compulsory to apply for the tax number and pay tax for the income accordingly. You can apply for a Tax File Number through any newsagent or post office to work in Australia. It is better to contact the Australian tax office about their requirements and processes.

3. What is the weather like in Australia?

The climate across Australia does vary. Summer (December - February) temperatures would average between 26 and 34 degrees Celsius. Winter (June - August) temperatures would average between 12 and 24 degrees Celsius.

4. Can I get exemptions based on what I have already studied at diploma level?

Yes it is possible to get exemptions. We will need to send your course syllabus and transcripts to the institution in Australia, for the relevant academic faculty to decide on the number of exemptions that they will give you.

5. How much does it cost to live and study in Australia?

The cost of studying in Australia depends on the course you choose, and it's duration. The cost of living in Australia varies between A$12,000 - A$16,000 per year. This would include accommodation, food, public transport, and limited entertainment.

6. How do Australian institutions maintain quality?

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). 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 national and international marketplace.

National agencies monitor teaching, learning, administration and research in institutions. Universities are audited every five years by the Australian University Quality Agency. Vocational education and training institutions are audited by the Australian National Training Authority.

7. What is Australian Qualifications Frame work (AQF) ?

Educational qualifications certify the knowledge and skills a person has achieved through study, training, work and life experience. They are a measure of our “intellectual capital“ and increasingly important in a society where continuous upgrading is required in all forms of work and in day- to- day life.

Australia has developed what is called the Australian qualifications frame work (AQF) which links together different level qualifications in highly visible, quality assured national systems of educational recognition, thus promoting a seamless and diverse education and training system.

The AQF is a unified system of thirteen national qualifications in the school, vocational education and training and higher education sectors. As a result, Australia has a comprehensive national system helping learners, employers and education training providers to participate and navigate the qualifications frame work.

This allows students to start at the level that suits them and then enhance their qualifications as per their need and interests which develop and change over time,

The AQF assists learners to plan their career progression at what ever stage they are with in their lives and when they are moving either in Australia or Overseas. Work based qualifications and academic qualifications are now part of a single system, allowing minimum flexibility in career planning and continuous learning.

In this way the AQF supports national standards in education and training standards in education and training and encourages life-long learning.

The AQF makes a specific commitment to flexible, transparent and systematic learning pathways and to the removal of boundaries between educational sectors. It therefore encourages cross-sect oral linkage programs such as “Vocational Education and Training in schools” which allows schools to offer industry based units of learning that can contribute to both the senior secondary certificate of education and certificate I - IV qualifications.

8. What is eCoE - Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment ?

An eCoE is the certificate issued by the DIAC for the students to confirm the acceptance of their admission in the university. This certificate is required for the processing of the visas application or for the extension. Before the issuance of eCoE students have to undergo a Pre-Visa Assessment (PVA) based on the nationality and principal course of study. To get eligible for student visa, students have to enroll in an Australian university/institution and receive an eCoE. The eCoE form includes the crucial information such as the course starting date, ending date and other codes used by the DIAC that students have to be aware of. Typically eCoE will be issued after the university receives the student’s tuition fee. A copy of your eCoE must be submitted to your local DIAC office before a student visa can be issued.

9. Is there any conditions for Student Visa

Students going to Australia for education will be encircled by the laws of Commonwealth of Australia. Students have to strictly adhere to the set of rules determined by the host university. Australian government has provided a range of essential conditions that has to be abided by every student applying for Australian student visa. The following are some of them:
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Students have to pursue a consistent study program that is recognized by the Australian government.
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Students have to fulfill all the requirements of the study program.
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Students have to maintain a valid enrolment - attendance requirements may apply
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Students holding student visa can work without getting any additional permission.
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Students are not allowed to work for more than 20 hours a week during their semester, except any specific permission.
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Every student has to sustain their OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) all the time in Australia.
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Students under the age of 18 years have to arrange for their accommodation, support and general welfare provisions certified by the Australian government – DIAC. In case of changing the residence or other arrangements they have to get the written approval from the government. Students under the age of 18 years have to arrange for their accommodation, support and general welfare provisions certified by the Australian government – DIAC. In case of changing the residence or other arrangements they have to get the written approval from the government.
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Students are not allowed to stay in Australia beyond the visa expiry date, unless it is an extremely critical situation.
   
Source: www.studyinaustralia.gov.au / www.immi.gov.au