Studying in Australia

Finding a Course

• The Program international students should take must be aligned to your academic or professional background.
• If you have worked in an industry for more than 2-3 years and that is related to your academic attainment, you should be applying to programs that are related to your current work experience.
• In the Philippines, our schools are being categorized to section 1, 2, and 3. If you graduated to a section 1 school, you cannot down grade; therefore, you can not apply to Vocational Programs. A Master Program is suitable for your or Graduate Diploma programs or Bachelor Degree. If you graduated from a section 2 or 3 schools, you can apply for Vocational Programs or Bachelor Programs.
• Take note, if you are PRC Licensed, you are considered as a section 1 applicant.
• 28 years old and above are encouraged to apply for a Bachelor, Graduate Diploma, Master, or PhD program in order to pass the visa officer’s assessment. Most schools nowadays assessed students by their age as well.
• Section of your Philippine Institution will be assessed by the Education Consultant once your resume is provided.

Budget

• Prior to leaving Australia, prepared budget ranges from PHP 350,000 to PHP 750,000 depending on the program you are qualified.
• Budget includes first semester tuition deposit, OSHC, visa online fee, medical exam and biometrics fee.
• Pathway to Aus offers FREE processing assistance.
• Disclaimer: this computation is for Single Applicants only.

Finding a Location

• Pathway to Aus offers diverse programs in multiple locations such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Gold Coast, Darwin, and even regional areas.
• If we cannot provide you your preferred location, we will recommend the nearest city/campus.
• Studying in the regional areas is highly recommended. There is a +5 points in PR assessment and regional sponsorship for migration can take place.

English Proficiency Tests

• IELTS Academic Certificate, PTE Academic, English Medium of Instruction Certificate or English Placement Test of the institution.
• Most of our partner Vocational Institutions offer their own English Placement Test.
• Only a few institutions accept English as a Medium of Instruction Certificate that includes Griffith University, Academic International, AMCA, and Lead College.
• Level 3 Australian Institutions require IELTS/PTE Academic as part of their admission assessment. This is also mandatory during Visa Application process.
• Disclaimer: this can change every March and October of the year.

Show Money

• Level 1 and Level 2 Australian Institutions do not require Show Money; however, you may still present proof of funds if you want to strengthen your visa application.
• There are a few Levels 1 and 2 institutions that require Show Money during school application process. For example, Canberra Institute of Technology and AAPOLY.
• Level 3 Australian Institutions require proof of funds during school and visa application process.
• Disclaimer: this can change every March and October of the year.

Scholarships

• If you are looking to study in Australia, there are many scholarships, grants and bursaries which can assist you financially while you study in Australia. It can be merit based, academic attainment, regional scholarship, or welcome scholarships; however, universities tend to provide these.
• Oftentimes, VET providers do not offer scholarship.

Work Rights

• International Students are now eligible to work 48 hours every fortnight.
• International Students can work full-time on semester breaks or holidays.
• International Students under Master of Research and PhD can work full-time all throughout his/her study duration.
• Dependent of the International Student can work 48 hours at all times, if the primary applicant (international student) is taking up a VET Program or Bachelor Degree.
• Dependent of the International Student can work full-time if the primary applicant (international student) is taking up a Master or PhD Degree.

Brining your Dependents

• International Student can bring their de facto or spouse/ child or children regardless of their level of study. Make sure to purchase couple or family insurance as part of the requirement of your student visa. All of the depends will be under the same subclass visa which is Subclass 500.
• Child/Children age 5 years old and above must be enrolled in an Australian institution.
• Highly Recommended: for international students applying for Vocational Program, it is best to process your dependents as subsequent applicants.

De Facto Requirements

• Pathway to Aus can only process De Facto dependents if they have proof/evidence that they have lived in together for more than 1 year, and provide the following documents:
• Affidavit of Relationship (Witnesses)
• Proof of Relationship
• Joint Bank Account for more than 1 year
• IDs with the same addresses
• Billings with the same addresses
• Flight tickets with both names *if applicable
• Assets and investments that your both names are indicated such as insurance, condo, car, etc. *if applicable
• OSHC COUPLE = AUD 8, 500+
• SHOWMONEY (Financial Evidence for a COUPLE) = PHP 2.5M up

NOTE: You can choose not to show money during the visa application process but the risk is there.

Overseas Student Health Cover

• International Students are required to purchase Overseas Student Health Cover during the visa application process. The current cost of the OSHC ranges from AUD 750-850 per year.
• Pathway to Aus’ VISA Team will be assisting all students in purchasing the OSHC. The VISA Team will send you the link where to purchase and the correct duration of the OSHC based on your Certificate of Enrolment.
• Couple Applicants purchasing single OSHC for visa application is not recommended by Pathway to Aus’ Visa Team due to claiming health benefits such as hospitalization/accidents or health check-ups.

Switching Programs

• Some vocational institutions allow international students to switch program internally (within the same college) upon or before arriving in Australia. Selected Vocational Institutions offer this internal program switch.
• However, if you try to switch courses to another provider, you must have studied at least 6 months of your main course.
• Switching programs are not allowed under Master and PhD levels.

Changing your course

If you want to change to a new course at the same institution, you are currently studying and at the same level of qualification, you do not need to apply for a new student visa unless your current visa is about to expire.

Changing your level of qualification

If you want to change your level of qualification, for example from a Diploma to a Bachelor Degree, you will need to apply for a new student visa because your visa subclass may change. Visit the Department of Home Affairs website for more information.

Changing your institution

• If you are thinking of moving to a different institution, speak with your current institution for information on doing this. In most circumstances the new institution will be restricted from enrolling you if you have not completed a minimum six months of the main course of study (at your current institution) for which your visa was granted.
• If you want to change institutions before completing the first six months of your main course of study you must contact your current institution for permission. You will require a letter of offer from the new institution in order to apply for a letter of release from your current institution.

Deferrals

• Programs can be deferred to the next intake date if students cannot make it on time.
• International Students who have their visas grants seeking deferrals may pay for a deferral fee. Moreover, another visa application process will take place the remaining study duration.

Accommodation in Australia

• International students can choose variety of accommodation providers in Australia. It can be On Campus, Short-term accommodation, Homestay or Rentals. Pathway to Aus Student Support Team can assist international students after they get their visa grant notice.
• Popular accommodation providers in Australia are Unilodge, Urbanest, Iglu, Atira, Scapes.
• You can also visit these websites for further information: https://flatmates.com.au/ and https://www.gumtree.com.au/.

Graduate Work stream

• This visa is for international students who have recently graduated with skills and qualifications that are relevant to specific occupations Australia needs. It lets you live, study and work in Australia temporarily.
• Usually up to 2 years for a trade course

Post-Study Work stream

• This visa is for international students who have recently graduated with a degree (Bachelor, Master or PhD) from an Australian institution. It lets you live, work and study in Australia, temporarily.

Usually between 2 and 5 years, depending on your qualification.

Required Documents for School Application

• Passport
• High School Diploma
• College Transcript
• College Diploma
• Employment Certificate/s
• Resume
• Proof of English Proficiency: IELTS Academic Certificate, PTE Academic, English Medium of Instruction Certificate or English Placement Test of the institution
• Statement of Purpose
• PSA Birth Certificate
• Questionnaire Form – digitally encoded
• Other Relevant Documents such as license, assets, investments as your hometies, and the like can be submitted during the Visa Application process.