Australia, a Destination for the Future: Education, Employment and Everyday Life

Australia offers opportunities to study and work, but choosing it as a new destination requires an understanding of living costs and the rights attached to your immigration status. ElWijha introduces the key aspects you need to know, from education and scholarships to housing, healthcare and professional life.

Visa options vary according to your nationality, the purpose of your trip and the length of your stay, whether you are visiting, studying, working or joining family.

Not all visas grant the same rights. Your permitted length of stay and your work and study rights are stated in your visa grant notice. You can check them through the government’s online service for verifying visa details and conditions.

Admission requirements, language requirements, tuition fees and application deadlines vary by institution, subject and level of study. The university or institution’s website is therefore your main reference when choosing a course.

Make sure the institution and course are listed in the Australian government register of institutions and courses available to international students studying on a student visa.

University admission does not guarantee a Student visa, subclass 500; each has separate requirements.

Scholarships may cover all or part of your tuition fees and may also provide support for living expenses. Eligibility, funding duration and covered expenses vary by university, programme and the applicant’s nationality.

One option is the Research Training Program, which supports research master’s and doctoral students, including international students. Participating universities receive applications and select recipients.

Before relying on a scholarship, check its coverage and application deadlines with the relevant university.

Some pathways allow you to work with employer sponsorship, such as the Skills in Demand visa, subclass 482. Other skilled migration options include:

• 189: Skilled Independent visa.

• 190: Skilled Nominated visa, with nomination by a state or territory.

• 491: Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa.

Eligibility varies by pathway and may depend on your occupation, experience, language proficiency, skills assessment, and an invitation or nomination. Having your occupation on an eligible list is not enough on its own to obtain a visa.

Some occupations also require separate professional registration or a licence to practise.

Some graduates may qualify for the Temporary Graduate visa, subclass 485, which allows a temporary stay under the conditions of the relevant stream.

This visa is not automatically available to every graduate and does not guarantee permanent residency. Check its requirements before building your career plans around it.

Options for joining family depend on your relationship to the person living in Australia and their immigration status. Some visas allow eligible family members to be included, subject to specific conditions.

Starting a business or investing requires checking your right to undertake the activity and holding an appropriate visa. Registering a business does not automatically grant residency rights.

Expenses vary by city, housing type and lifestyle. Your budget should include rent, a rental bond, food, transport, energy, telecommunications and insurance, as well as tuition and travel costs for students.

Your actual expenses may exceed the amount required to demonstrate financial capacity for your visa application.

Calculate your budget according to your needs.

Housing options include university accommodation, shared housing, private rentals and homestays. Before committing, read the agreement and check what the rent includes and which payments are required in advance.

Student visa holders generally need Overseas Student Health Cover, subject to visa conditions and applicable exemptions. Check the required coverage period, especially if you will arrive before your course begins.

Read your insurance policy to understand the services covered, exclusions and any costs you may need to pay yourself.

The Australian public healthcare system does not automatically cover every visa holder. Eligibility depends on residency status and other specified categories.

Visa holders and migrant workers have workplace rights and protections, including pay and the entitlements applicable to their jobs.

If you experience exploitation or underpayment, you can contact the Australian government agency responsible for protecting workplace rights for information and assistance.

Yes, generally for up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. Research master’s and doctoral students are not subject to this limit once their programme has started, while remaining bound by the other conditions of their visa.

If your Student visa was granted outside Australia, you must not start working before your course begins. Specific exceptions apply to people who held a visa permitting work when they applied for their Student visa; check the conditions applicable to your situation.