Dreaming of a world-class education and stunning landscapes? Australia is calling! This guide is designed for ambitious Filipino students like you. Let’s turn your Aussie study dreams into reality.
Why Australia Stands Out Among Other Countries
Australia offers excellent value and a high quality of life. With more living expenses and tuition fees than the UK and the USA, it is also more powerful in several academic areas, such as technology.
With over 1,000 higher education institutions providing over 20,000 quality programs across various subjects, students can study nearly any field they choose. Some of the reasons include:
- Leading Universities and Educational Excellence
- Affordable Study Experience
- High Quality of Life
- Prime Study Locations
- Global Connectivity - Australia is truly a multicultural country
- Post-Study Work Opportunities
- Pathways to Permanent Residency
Key Requirements for Filipinos to Study in Australia
1. Student Visa (Subvlass 500)
- Visa Application: To study in Australia, you must apply for a Student Visa (Subclass 500). This visa allows you to stay in Australia for your course, provided you meet all requirements.
- Basic Eligibility:
- Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE): You must first apply and be accepted into an eligible course at an Australian educational institution. Once accepted, you will receive a Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE), which is required for the visa application.
- English Language Proficiency: You must demonstrate proficiency in English by submitting one of the following test scores (or an equivalent):
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System): Typically, a score of 5.5 to 6.5, depending on the course.
- TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language): A score between 46 and 79 is usually required.
- PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English): A score of around 50–58.
- Other recognized tests may be accepted, depending on the institution.
- Financial Capacity: You must prove you have enough funds to support yourself while studying in Australia. This can include showing sufficient bank balances, a financial guarantee from a sponsor, or other proof of financial support. Typically, the required amount is:
- AUD $21,041 for living expenses for a year
- Plus, travel and tuition fees
- Health Insurance: You must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) to be eligible for the visa. OSHC covers the cost of medical treatment in Australia. Major OSHC providers in Australia:
- Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) Requirement: You must satisfy the Australian government that you genuinely intend to study in Australia temporarily and will leave after completing your studies.
- Character and Health Checks: To ensure you meet the health and character requirements, you must undergo a medical exam and provide a police clearance certificate.
2. Documents Needed for a Student Visa (Subclass 500):
- Valid passport
- Birth Certificate and National Identification Documents
- CoE (Confirmation of Enrollment) from an Australian educational institution
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Proof of sufficient funds (bank statements, affidavits, etc.)
- Statement of Purpose (Genuine Student Requirement)
- OSHC health insurance coverage
- Visa application fee (around AUD $1500 for the principal applicant)
- Police clearance and health check (if required)
How Student Visas of Australia Assessed
Student Visas are approved based on several criteria, such as whether the prospective student is able to prove that they:
- Can financially support themselves and maintain their studies in Australia - by proving they have access to adequate funds before leaving their home country.
- They fulfil the Genuine Student Requirements, which broadly state that they are entering Australia for the sole purpose of Studying and not otherwise (i.e. working primarily or for marriage or other illegal activities)
Is it Easy for Filipinos to Get an Australian Student Visa?
While each application is assessed individually, Filipinos can get visa approval if they meet all the requirements and demonstrate a genuine intention to study as per the Genuine Student Requirements
Post-Graduation Pathways to Further Stay in Australia
After completing a course in Australia, international students can apply for post-study or graduate visas to stay and work in Australia. Sometimes, these can lead to pathways to permanent residency (PR).
Not all courses are eligible for further Study Visas. The job outcomes from the chosen courses must align with the Skilled Occupation Shortage List. These are the jobs that Australia considers in demand or a shortfall, and it is willing to bring in employees from other countries.
Top Courses for Skilled Migration in Australia
Courses that match Australia's Skilled Occupation List (SOL) or Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) enhance the chances of obtaining a Permanent Residency through skilled migration.
- Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Software, Environmental)
- Healthcare (Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Physiotherapy)
- Information Technology (Software Development, Cybersecurity, Data Science)
- Accounting and Finance (Accounting, Financial Planning)
- Teaching (Early Childhood, Primary, Secondary, Special Education)
- Trades (Electricians, Plumbers, Carpenters, Chefs)
Post-Study Visas Explained
Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 500)
The Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) is a popular visa for international students who have completed their studies in Australia. There are two streams within this visa:
- Graduate Work Stream:
This visa permits an 18-month stay for work experience for international students with qualifications related to Australia's Skilled Occupation List (SOL).
- Post-Study Work Stream:
This is for international students who completed higher education in Australia. It allows a 2–4 year stay based on qualification level (e.g., 2 years for a bachelor’s, 4 years for a PhD).
Eligibility for Subclass 485:
- You must apply within 6 months of completing your studies.
- You must have held a valid student visa during your studies.
- Your qualification must be on the eligible list of occupations for the Graduate Work Stream or a recognized Australian qualification for the Post-Study Work Stream.
General Tips for PR Pathways
- Skills Assessment: Depending on your occupation and assessing authority, many PR pathways require verifying that your qualifications and work experience meet Australian standards.
- State Sponsorship: Some Australian states and territories nominate skilled workers for PR. Check the requirements for your chosen state.
- Your occupation must be listed on the Skilled Occupation List.
- Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186)
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa (subclass 187) - Temporary Residence Transition Stream
- Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) – Points-tested stream
- Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
- Training visa (subclass 407)
- Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) – Core Skills Stream
- Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) – Post-Vocational Education Workstream
- Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489)
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 494)
Managing Finances As A Filipino Student in Australia
Work Limitations (48 Hours/14 Days)
- International students on a Student Visa (Subclass 500) can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during term time and full-time during breaks.
- Typical part-time jobs include retail, hospitality, delivery, or tutoring.
- The minimum legal wage in Australia is PHP893 per hour.
The hourly rate is considered high. However, Australia is heavily taxed, and the cost of living matches the high minimum wage. Here is an outline of typical costs:
Rent & Cost of Living
- Rent in cities like Sydney or Melbourne can be high, ranging from PHP7,400–to PHP18,500 per week for shared accommodation.
- Whole unit apartment or home rentals can cost PHP20,300 - PHP44,450 per week
- Many students opt for shared housing or student dorms to reduce costs
- Tuition fees: Typically PHP370,490–PHP1,667,200/year, depending on the course.
- ELICOS and VET Courses = PHP33,300 - PHP66,600 per Month
- Bachelors Courses = PHP66,600 - PHP111,150 per month
- Post Graduate (Masters, PhD) = PHP74,000 + per month tuition Monthly Repayments can be
Financial Strategies
- Savings: Many students save before arriving and use part-time work earnings to manage day-to-day costs.
- Scholarships: Check with universities for potential scholarships.
- Family Support: Students use and pool family funds and assets to fund their studies in Australia or take out a loan in their home country
Why Partner with Studyaway?
Studyaway is an Australian agency that offers various services to help international students achieve their academic goals by studying abroad.
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- Course Counseling: We can help you select the right course and institution based on your interests and career goals.
- Visa Assistance: Our expert team helps with your student visa application, ensuring a smooth process.
- Accommodation Help: We guide you in finding the right accommodation, whether student housing or homestays.
- On-Arrival Support: Our team in Australia provides support to help you settle in and adjust to your new environment.
- All-in-One Service: We simplify the entire study abroad process with a complete support package.
- Ongoing support - Studyaway provides students with onshore support in Australia to help them make it to their next post-study visa if their goal is to remain in Australia. This means that you will only need to work with one Education and Migration Agency for your entire stay. We will keep you updated and informed of any changes that can occur during your studies.
Ready to Make Your Aussie Dream a Reality? Contact Studyaway today, and let's get started!
Here are some readings for you:
- Find the Best Education Agent in Australia: Why Studyaway Stands Out!
- Choosing the Right Course to Study in Australia: A Guide for International Students
