Tag Archive for: Immigration Visa

Overseas Students in Australia records another double-digit growth

Australia is set for another record reaching double-digits with 720,150 students enrolled across various sectors as of September 2019.

Overseas student numbers in Australia set its record by 11.4% in 2018 and 12.6% in 2017.

The overseas student population was comprised of the growth from the higher education and vocational (VET) sectors, contributing 12% and 17% year-over-year increases, respectively. ELICOS increased with 3% growth while there was a small decrease recorded for schools and non-award programs having -4%.

Here are the top countries where overseas students are sourced out:

  • China (28% of the total)
  • India (15% of the total)
  • Nepal (7% of the total)
  • Brazil (4% of the total)
  • Vietnam (3.5% of the total)

While student visa holders in Australia are focused mainly on study options, they also are entitled to work rights. They are entitled to work up to 40 hours per fortnight or 20 hours per week while their course is on-going while they can also work full-time during term breaks or holidays.

Education agents are one of the major players of this growth in which they source out overseas students to study in Australia. With over 20 partner education institutions offering over 100 different courses in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, MEI can help you choose a course and a college that suits your career and life ambitions. Our qualified counselors will provide you with expert guidance, based on your goals and circumstances. We listen to you and provide personal advice that will help you navigate your way to success.

Why Australia’s Hospitality industry thrives over the years

In the latest international visitors survey released by Tourism Research Australia (TRA), the recorded international visitors from January to June 2019 is 8.6 million arrivals – 3% more than the previous year.

This growth continues to be led by education in which education visitors were up 5% to record a total of 586,000.

Overseas students have been attracted to Australia as one of the best study destinations: hence, the rising number of international visitors aspiring to begin their overseas education journey in Australia is inevitable.

As there is a growing demand for graduates who are equipped with entrepreneurial and innovative thinkers globally, Australian education providers are committed to preparing them with practical skills and knowledge to help them succeed in your chosen industry.

The more the hospitality industry creates jobs on a global scale, the more it thrives all over the years because it attracts both onshore and offshore students to enroll in hospitality courses.

The hospitality sector in Australia is looking for graduates who will join the workforce; from the growing accommodation industry supported by an increasing number of international visitors to thriving wine tourism and any other jobs all over the country.

On the other hand, education agents like Migration Education International (MEI) can help you in applying to study hospitality courses. MEI’s partner schools provide modern facilities to hone their skills, design a conducive environment for them to learn and thrive in the industry.

Few hospitality courses such as Certificate III in Hospitality, Certificate III in Hospitality – Industry Streams, Certificate IV in Hospitality, Diploma of  Hospitality Management, Advanced Diploma of  Hospitality Management can offer hands-on and practical training from industry placements that is valuable to overseas students once they will join in the workforce.

Top tips for international students while entering Australian colleges

Known for its diverse communities and quality education, Australia has become a popular study destination for international students over the years.

With topnotch education providers having 37 of its institutions landed in the 2019 World’s Best University Rankings, international students not only have the opportunity to study at some reputable universities but they also gain quality education and training that are valuable and recognized all around the world.

Here are some useful tips for international students as they embark their journey to Australia for the first time:

Embrace your new environment

Being immersed in a new environment can be a challenge but embracing it will make it easier for you to adapt to the lifestyle, culture and the warmth of its people. The onshore students you’ll encounter are friendly and accepting of any race and ethnicity; since Australia is known for being multiculturally diverse.

Socialize

Aside from quality education, one of the best things about being an international student in Australia is that you have a chance to meet people from all around the globe inside the campus; sharing the same goals and passion that you have. Fear of being alone and the way of coping with anxiety matters during the course of your study greatly affects your holistic being. To overcome these anxieties, you need to get involved with social activities such as club teams, culture immersions, and community services.

Seek for support networks

Always make sure to know where to get the right information with regard to the institution’s support services. You will need this in instances that you have questions regarding the course you are taking, the campus and other study-related questions you have in mind.

Always make a D-I-Y planner and manage your expenses

Being alone and independent in a foreign country will demand responsibility especially in your studies. To do this, you have to make a calendar of your to-do’s and make sure that all sure assignments are done on time to avoid pile-up tasks that would lead you to procrastinate. You also need to manage all your expenses from your accommodations, tuition fees, etc.

Take some time to breathe

Spend your spare time during term breaks and downtime to travel and explore the beautiful country with plenty of things to do and see. Aside from its beautiful beaches and natural landscape, Australia also has a rich history with restaurants, museums and art galleries.

Studying in Australia for Chinese Students

Studying abroad is fairly popular among Chinese students, with over 20,000 studying around Australia. This is crucial as it can be intimidating for you to be immersed in a culture that is far from your own. Understanding what you’re in for goes a long way towards putting you at ease, though. So, here are everything that you need to know if you’re considering advancing your studies abroad to help make your transition smoother.

Before You Leave

As with any other country, there are visa requirements that need to be met. You specifically need to get an Australian Student Visa. Costing around CNY 2,730 and lasting for five years, the visa also requires you have health insurance and be at least six years of age. You also need to be already accepted in an educational institution in Australia—that’s easy enough to accomplish as many of the best allow for applications online.

A Shorter Road

In spite of the fact that it’s almost 9,000 km from Beijing International Airport, the flight time to Australia—Sydney specifically—is only a manageable 12 hours at most. These are direct flights provided by Air China. This means that it is easy enough to fly home for vacations or when you get homesick. Again, you can opt for the scenic route and enjoy a few stopovers along the way.

The High Cost of Living

You need to be very careful when it comes to spending in Australia, however, as prices are generally higher in Australian cities. This covers the range of critical spending from rent to meals and even groceries. Meals are more expensive by roughly CNY 60, while average rentals can be costlier by up to 115%. The difference isn’t so big when it comes to simpler groceries and supplies where the it falls between CNY 4-10 at an average.

Making a Living in Australia

The good news is that if you do choose to eventually work in Australia, you can expect income that is almost 11 times what you would get if you apply your skills in China. For a profession like nursing, for example, can earn up to CNY 35,000 in China whereas in Australia, that salary cap comes out to around CNY 420,000! That even applies to more basic jobs that you can get while studying or as you are still a fresh graduate after your five-year stay.

Finding Support

With nearly 166,000 Chinese students at any given time in Australia, you will never completely feel homesick. In fact, this large number has meant many different student organizations have been put together to provide everything from study help, emotional support, and even job placements. The biggest of these includes the Australia-China Youth Association, Sydney University Chinese Student Association (SUCSA), and the University of Melbourne’s Chinese Students and Scholars Association—and there are many more in other bigger Australian educational institutions.

It’s a Celebration (or Not)

Admittedly, there also aren’t that many holidays in common between the two countries. Chinese New Year, however, is one that the thriving Chinese community in Australia does celebrate with street festivals, Chinese markets, local entertainment programs, and firecrackers. Note, however, that this isn’t celebrated as a non-working holiday, though some Chinese businesses will close down.

Apart from specifically student groups, there is a thriving community of Chinese immigrants in Australia. That means that any student will feel just as home while there for studies. The higher prices might pose a challenge but this is offset by much higher income potential.

Living and Working in New Zealand

Why Study in Australia? A Guide for International Students

In spite of the fact that it has a smaller population than bigger nations on the list, Australia ranks third in the whole world in terms of being a popular international student destination. This is complemented by the fact that the country is ranked 9th in the world in terms of its University System ahead of Germany and Japan. Add to that the fact that 5 out of the 30 best student cities in the world are located in Australia, and it’s not so hard to understand why that’s the case.

Money Matters

Those numbers only tell part of the story, however. Another thing that many people consider is that the relative cost of education in Australia is much lower than in the United States and the United Kingdom. That and the fact that most Asian countries are close neighbors makes Australia more potent in terms of its ability to pull in more students annually. All in all, this number of students from neighboring Asian countries comes up to about 550,000—and that appears to grow constantly as the years wind forward.

Getting There

The various embassies of Australia in many Asian nations have helped greatly in their promotion of study to their country. This is greatly reflected in the relatively affordable requirements. A five-year Student Visa costs AUD 560 and only requires comprehensive health insurance coverage as well as acceptance in an Australian educational institution. This latter bit is much easier given that many such institutions offer easy enrollments online with guidance and assistance to those who are interested.

Culture, Community, and Cost

One reality that many students have to face is that the cost of living is generally higher than in their home countries. These, in fact, can go as high as twice or even thrice the price in terms of general commodities and rent. Fortunately, however, there are also thriving communities per nationality across the major cities of Australia. These communities provide essential support and culture that allows students to seek ways to live smarter in the country. They often also offer part-time work to help offset these costs of living.

A Matter of Celebration

Australia prides itself on being culturally diverse and that’s reflected in the warm acceptance of peoples of different nationalities. This translates to lively celebrations on holidays that are similar across different nations—like Christmas and New Year’s Eve and Day. That also means, however, that even if the holiday isn’t particularly celebrated by Australians, the various international communities are more than welcome to their own festivities. This is perfect for students who are particularly prone to feeling homesick.

Greater Potentials

Education in Australia is certainly an investment. Over the course of the study, students can expect to spend quite a lot to get to the end of their journey. This more than pays off however in the work opportunities available to graduates in Australia. These fall in some of the most popular fields of work in Asian countries—like management, IT, healthcare, and others. Best of all, these come with salaries that are twice or thrice—at least—what graduates can expect in their home countries.

If you’re looking for a better means with which to advance your career, studying in Australia is one of your best bets. It’s an investment, for sure, but it more than pays for itself with the quality of work and income potential with jobs you can get in Australia. The prominence of many Asian communities in Australia’s cities makes it just as easy to feel at home.