Choosing to study in Australia is a big step, and the process can feel overwhelming—from selecting the right course to managing visa applications. At Studyaway, we specialize in helping international students study and build long-term futures in Australia. Our team offers tailored guidance for everything from education pathways to permanent residency options, making your journey seamless and stress-free

What is an Education Agency, and why do you need one?

An Education Agency is a company whose guide and support system simplifies the complex process of studying abroad. 

Navigating the international education landscape can be daunting. Education agencies offer several advantages:

• Personalised Guidance: They offer tailored advice based on your specific needs. Such as your study goals and strengths
• Expert Knowledge: They have expertise in education systems, visa requirements, career advice and universities worldwide.
• Save Time and Stress: They manage paperwork, allowing you to focus on other essential aspects of your move.
• Increased Success Rate: Agencies enhance your chances of acceptance into your preferred program and visa approval

At Studyaway, we focus on pathways to permanent residency (PR) through courses in high-demand industries.

Not all education agencies are the same. Understanding the differences between agencies based in your home country and those in your destination country, like Australia, is essential.

The Difference Between Home Country Agencies and Australian-Based Agencies

Home Country Agencies:

• It can be convenient to visit in person, but they often provide basic support for applications and visas.
• Can lack detailed, up-to-date knowledge about studying in Australia and Australian migration pathways.
• They are not bound by Australian Consumer Law, which means they may not be held to the same ethical or legal standards as Australian-based agencies.
• Provide limited support once you arrive in Australia, essentially leaving you alone for the rest of your journey.

Australian-Based Agencies (Like Studyaway):

• Regulated by Australian Consumer Law: You benefit from ethical practices and accountability.
• Ongoing Support: We are with you throughout your time in Australia, offering guidance on everything from course changes to pathways for permanent residency.
• Lived Experience: Our team understands life in Australia firsthand and can provide practical advice to help you settle and succeed.
• Tailored Expertise: We specialize in courses on the Medium- to Long-Term Skilled Occupation List, designed to align with migration pathways like skilled migration and graduate visas.

Education Agent vs. Migration Agent vs. Migration Lawyer: Understand the Differences

Understanding the distinctions between these roles in Australia is crucial to ensuring you receive the right advice and support for your needs.

Education Agent: ​​registered with the Qualified Education Agent Counsellor (QEAC), provides advice on

• Provides advice on courses, institutions, and student visa applications.
• Cannot offer migration advice beyond student visa-related queries.

Migration Agent:

A Migration Agent is a professional registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA).

• Applications for various visa types, including student, work, family, and skilled migration visas.
• Managing visa-related paperwork and compliance requirements.
• Representing clients in immigration-related matters with the Department of Home Affairs.

Migration Lawyer:

Specialising in Australian immigration law and regulated by the Australian Legal Profession

• They provide legal representation in complex cases, such as visa disputes or appeals in immigration courts.
• Advice and assistance with judicial reviews or immigration-related disputes

Studyaway’s team comprises education agents, migration agents, and migration lawyers who ensure you get the best advice throughout your journey.

How do you choose the RIGHT Education Agency?

Choosing the right education agency is important when planning to study in Australia. A good agency will help you with your student visa and course selection and support your long-term goals. Here are some key things to look for:

Proven Track Record:

Select an agency that works with trusted and recognised Australian education providers. A strong association with reputable institutions shows their credibility.

Specialisation in Your Goals:

Choose an agency that understands your goals, like finding courses that lead to pathways for permanent residency (PR) or skilled migration.

Transparent Fees:

Make sure the agency is upfront about its fees and what services are included. Transparency can help you avoid unexpected costs later.

Clear Communication:

Look for an agency that responds quickly, provides clear updates, and explains everything simply. Good communication is essential, especially if English is your second language.

Long-Term Support:

Australian-based agencies, like Studyaway, offer ongoing assistance while you’re in Australia. This is important because home-country agents often stop supporting students once they leave for Australia.

Positive Reviews:

Check online reviews and testimonials from real students. This can help you determine the agency's effectiveness and reliability.

Compliance with Australian Laws:

Ensure the agency complies with Australian Consumer Law and operates ethically. Agencies based in Australia are legally required to maintain high standards of service.

What Makes Studyaway the Best Agency For You? 

Studyaway is an Australian education agency that helps international students achieve their academic goals by providing a range of seamless study abroad services.

• Qualified Education Agent Counsellor: Our counsellors are certified QEAC granted by the Australian Department of Education. We have completed a recognised training program and demonstrated our knowledge and understanding of the Australian education system and student visa processes.
• Comprehensive Course Counselling: We'll help you choose the right course and institution based on your interests and career aspirations.
• Education Provider Application & Enrollment
• Expert Visa Preparation and Lodgement: Our experienced team will assist you with your student visa application, ensuring a smooth process. 
• Health Insurance: We have access to the cheapest and best health insurance policies for all visa types
• Accommodation Assistance: We'll help you find suitable accommodation options, from student housing to homestays. 
• Single Payment Options: Allowing you to pay one single invoice for all your costs, saving you time and money on transfer/ exchange rate fees
• On-Arrival Support: Our team in Australia will provide support and guidance to help you settle in and adapt to your new environment. 
• On-going Partnership: Our team focuses on maintaining a steady collaboration over time rather than being a one-time or long-term arrangement.

Comprehensive Course Counselling

Studyaway Staff are all Qualified Education Agent Counsellors, meaning they have completed the Education Agent Training Course (EATC), an industry-recognised online course on the Australian education system. 

Studyaway provides a FREE consultation meeting to understand your study goals in Australia. We try to understand your

• Strength and weaknesses
• Employment and Study History
• Your budget 
• Future goals for returning or staying in Australia for post-study work

Studyaway will suggest courses based on your goals and provide requirements for each. Course programs are available in the following streams:

• ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students)
• Vocational Education and Training (VET) - Certificate III to Advanced Diplomas
• Bachelor's Degree
• Post-graduate Certificates to Diplomas
• Master's Degree or PhD Research Study

Application and Enrolment Support

Studyaway partners with over 50 education providers across Australia’s major cities and smaller towns, offering enrollment support and completing the application process for free. 

Studyaway will do the following: 

• present courses and colleges that align with your goals, interests and strengths
• Apply for enrollment on your behalf and coordinate with you
• Ensure all documents are signed and submitted efficiently and compliantly

Expert Visa Guidance, Application and Lodgement:

Once you complete your Enrollment application and payment, Studyaway will confirm your enrollment and secure your spot in your chosen course and college. We’ll help ensure all documents are submitted correctly. Here’s more about the Student Visa and its requirements:

Student Visa (Subclass 500)

You'll need a Student Visa (Subclass 500) to study in Australia. This visa allows you to:

• Study full-time in a registered course.
• Bring eligible family members with you.
• Work for up to 48 hours per fortnight while studying.
• Travel in and out of Australia during your visa validity.

Key Student Visa (subclass 500) Visa Requirements

To be granted a Student Visa (Subclass 500), you'll generally need to meet the following requirements:

• Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE): You must genuinely intend to study temporarily in Australia and then return home.
• Financial Capacity: Show evidence of sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees, living expenses, and return airfare.
• English Language Proficiency: Meet your chosen course's minimum English language requirements.
• Health Insurance: Obtain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of your visa.
• Character Requirements: Meet specific character requirements, including a police clearance certificate.

Studyaway will guide you through the visa application process, boasting a 90% approval rate for student visas.

Health Insurance

Overseas Student Health Cover is mandatory for your Student Visa Application, and you must submit a policy at visa lodgment. 

Studyaway helps you compare several providers to find the cheapest and most compliant health insurance for your studies in Australia.

We also have health insurance for families and temporary visitors.

One-Payment Solution: 

Studyaway simplifies the Student Visa Application by allowing students to make a single payment covering all associated costs. We handle the payments and provide receipts, eliminating the hassle of exchange rates and multiple accounts so you can focus on what matters. We will process the following payments:

• Enrolment and Application Costs
• Health Insurance
• Accommodation deposit
• Visa lodgment payment 

Students will still need to cover payments in their home country, such as;

• Costs for producing visa documents
• Biometrics and Medicals
• Departure airfares

Accommodation Assistance

Should you not have any family or friends based in Australia, Studyaway has access to pool options for you:

• Homestay Australia
• Hostels and Temporary accommodation

Pre-Departure Checklist: 

After your visa is approved, you're set to leave your home country. To help with the process, we offer a checklist of things to bring and preparations to make.:

• Documentation
• Funds
• Completing online applications 
• Ensuring that your accommodation is prepared to receive you
• Airport pick-up, if required

On Arrival Support: 

Once you arrive in Australia, it can feel overwhelming. Study Away can help you set up everything you need to get started.:

• Getting a Tax File Number
• Setting up a Bank Account
• Australian Mobile Number
• Learning to Budget
• Starting your course
• How to find a job in Australia

Ongoing - Support and Goal Partnership:

Studyaway stands out from other agencies in Australia by maintaining regular contact with our students and offering support for any challenges they encounter while studying here.

• Questions and queries about their Studies and abiding by visa requirements
• Changing Colleges or Courses
  • Change in interest
  • Changing their states or moving into a different area
• Family visa applications (adding a partner or bringing relatives to Australia)
• Extending their Student Visa
• Health Insurance changes or extensions

Post-Study Visa Support:

Studyaway will keep you updated on your visa status and requirements. We have discussed your study goals and potential plans for staying in Australia longer, and we’ve outlined the visas you may want to pursue after your studies. Here are some popular options for student transfers:

Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) is popular among international students because it allows them to Live, work and study in Australia after graduating. The Visa has two streams (vocational education, Higher Education) :

1. Length of Stay - 18 months to 4 years
2. Pathways to PR: can provide pathways to permanent residency through several routes: Skilled Migration Visas, Employer-Sponsored Visas, and Skilled Regional Visas

Training Visa (407) This visa allows you to participate in workplace-based occupational training activities to improve your skills for your job, area of tertiary study, field of expertise, or professional development training program in Australia.

1. Length of Stay -  Up to 2 years (depending on the length of the training program)
2. Pathways to PR: Limited direct path to permanent residency (PR) with the training visa; holders usually need to transition to other visas, like a skilled visa, for PR.

Skills in Demand Visa (subclass 482) This temporary work visa allows skilled workers to come to Australia and work for an approved employer in an occupation listed on the relevant skilled occupation list.

• Length of Stay: allows for a stay of up to 4 years. However, under the TSS 482 visa, the length of stay varied depending on the stream:

1. Core Skills Stream—A stay of up to 2 or 4 years is allowed if an International Trade Obligation (ITO) is applied.
2. Specialist Skills Stream - Allowed for a stay of up to 4 years.
3. Labour Agreement Stream - The length of stay varies depending on the specific labour agreement.
4. Subsequent Entrant - You can stay as long as your visa is valid. 

• Pathways to PR: The Skills in Demand visa can be a pathway to permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa. 

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) Must be nominated by an approved employer, have a relevant skilled occupation, possess a suitable skills assessment, be under 45, and meet English language requirements.

• Length of Stay - 5 years
• Pathways to PR - The visa grants permanent residency through the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Permanent) visa (subclass 191) after holding the 494 visa for at least 3 years and meeting specific criteria.

Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) must be nominated by a state or territory, have an occupation on a relevant skilled occupation list, have a suitable skills assessment, be under 45 years of age, and meet English language requirements 

• Length of Stay - Permanent residency (PR)
• Pathways to PR - This visa provides permanent residency in Australia, allowing individuals to live and work indefinitely based on state or territory nomination. Visa holders can apply for citizenship after meeting residency requirements.

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) Must be invited to apply, have a relevant occupation, have a suitable skills assessment, be under 45, and meet English language requirements. Requirements.

• Length of Stay - 5 years
• Pathways to PR - This visa permits a 5-year stay in a designated regional area. After 3 years and meeting particular work and income requirements, holders can apply for the Skilled Regional (Permanent) visa (subclass 191) for permanent residency.

Skilled Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) Must be nominated by an employer, have a relevant skilled occupation, a suitable skills assessment, be under 45, and meet English language requirements.

• Length of Stay - Permanent to residency
• Pathways to PR - It allows applicants to live and work in Australia indefinitely and, after fulfilling residency requirements, can lead to Australian citizenship.

Other Services Studyaway provides:

Studyaway is skilled in supporting complex issues for International students in and out of Australia:

• Refused or Cancelled visas
• Extending Student Visas
• Transferring to training or employer-sponsored visa

Will you have to keep paying to use Studyaway? 

Absolutely not. Studyaway is more than an education agency. We’re your partner in achieving academic success and long-term career and residency goals in Australia. With our tailored guidance, industry expertise, and commitment to your success, there’s no better choice for international students seeking a future in Australia.

Throughout your Student Visa journey, we provide free support with changing courses and advocate for you with your education provider. 

Once you are eligible for another visa, our Migration Agent team can take over and provide all services at a heavily discounted rate!

Our Motto: Go all the way with Studyaway…

Our motto means that we are with you every step of the way to achieve your goals in Australia.

Many students feel their relationship with their Education Agency ends once they arrive in Australia, often leading to additional fees or the need to find a new agency, which wastes time. At Studyaway, we understand your limited time and offer ongoing support, setting us apart from other agencies.

Need Help with Your Visa Application?

Navigating the visa process can be complex. Consider getting help from an agency like Studyaway for expert guidance.

Apply for your visa today and discover the opportunities waiting for you Down Under!