Australia

Situated between, and isolated by, the Indian and Pacific Oceans, Australia has many animals and plants, which are unique to the planet. The surface geology is typically old and flat.

Climate

Nearly a third of Australia is in the tropics and the rest is in the temperate zone. The highlands and tablelands of Tasmania and the south eastern corner of the mainland are the coldest areas. Summer is from December to February; autumn from March to May; winter from June to August; and spring from September to November.

Multiculturalism

The British influence originating in Australia’s colonial origins has evolved over two centuries into a dynamic multiculturalism with invaluable contributions from migrants from all parts of the world.

Almost a quarter of today’s 18 million Australians were born in another country. There are nearly one million Asian-born Australians. About 2 per cent are of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent. More than 100 different ethnic groups are represented in Australia, making Australia one of the most ethnically diversified countries in the world.

Language

Although English is the official language, a host of other languages are spoken in Australia.

Religion

Australia is predominantly a Christian country, however, all religions are represented in the community. Devotees will find churches, mosques, temples and synagogues located in most major cities.

Culture
Australia is rich in the arts. There are eight professional orchestras and a national opera company. Within Australia there are more than 1000 museums preserving and displaying Australia’s diverse cultural heritage.

Australian films are winning international acclaim and many Australian film directors, actors and technicians have been acclaimed in Hollywood at the highest level.

Australian authors have received international recognition particularly with the Booker Prize, won twice by Australians and with Patrick White winning the Nobel Prize for literature. Novelists, dramatists and poets are internationally accepted by their peers as having made a substantial contribution to world literature.

Australians traditionally have provided strong support for theatre, from regional amateur troupes to polished professional companies.

In music, Australia has developed a fertile environment that supports a great range of musical tastes ranging from the most avant-garde experimental to folk, from the youthful sounds of chart-busting pop to the unique music of the
Aboriginal people.

Painting in Australia has a history that can not only be traced back over forty thousand years of Aboriginal culture but also is represented in the major museums and galleries of modern and avant-garde art, worldwide.

Sports and Recreation

Australians are very keen on sport and outdoor activities. Australia has more than 120 national sporting organizations and thousands of state, regional and club bodies. It is estimated that 6.5 million people, about a third of the population, are registered sports participants. While there are over 120 sporting organisations, Australians also take part in bushwalking, fishing, boating and water sports.

Australia has a world wide reputation for sports and outdoor activities. This is endorsed by the Olympic Committee’s selection of Sydney to host the Olympic Games in the year 2000.

Electricity

The electrical current in Australia is 240/250 volts AC, 50 cycles. The Australian three pin plug is extremely safe. Adaptors are usually required for most foreign appliances. A transformer may be required if you bring an appliance from overseas that operates on a different voltage.

Transport

Australia has an extensive public transport system that includes trains, buses, tramways, ferries, two major national airlines and a number of regional airlines. Metropolitan areas are divided into zones and your ticket type and cost depends on which zone you are going to travel in and for how long. Tickets can be bought at train stations, on buses and trams and at news agencies.

Tourist students may drive in Australia on a valid overseas drivers license but if the document is not in the English language the visitor must carry a translation with the permit. An international driving license is not sufficient by itself.

Metered taxicabs operate in all major cities and towns. You will find taxi ranks at transport terminals, main hotels or shopping centers or you can hail taxis in the street. A light and sign on the roof indicates if a cab is vacant. There is a minimum charge on hiring and then a charge per kilometer traveled. Taxi drivers do not expect to be tipped.

Every month on average about 6,000 men, women and children permanently immigrate to Australia to begin a new and prosperous life. On average another 120,000 people every month receive a Temporary Visa and are able to start a business or enjoy a working holiday in Australia. And 111,000 more are granted a Study Visa and learn highly paid skills and professions that are urgently needed here. When you have completed a 12 month study course in Australia you can also apply here for a Graduate Student Permanent Visa. The cost of applying for a Permanent Visa is between AUD$1,000 and AUD$4,500(Approx). If you fail the Australian Government Points Test for gaining entry you lose your entire application fee.

The reasons, for Australia being the first choice destination of these students are many, the most common being the fact it is an English speaking friendly country providing globally recognized quality education at considerably a lesser cost than UK and USA. Another attractive feature for students going from abroad for higher studies in Australia is the protection of their interests provided by the government through Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act. The act ensures protection of international students in matters such as tuition fees and provides for grievances to be addressed and service to be guaranteed all such educational institutions

Admission Tests
For entry into any course falling under `higher education? Category a student is required to have a score of six or more on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) conducted by British Council. For Vocational Studies and Training courses as well as for secondary school courses an overall score between 5-6 is required, depending upon the choice of course. A score of 213/300 and above in TOEFL is also accepted. Some Universities also accept Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (Grades A or B). Most postgraduate applications have to be referred to Faculties and may take 6 weeks to process.

Cost and Fees
Tuition fees vary from AUD 6000 to AUD 7000 for a six-month graduate certificate course to over AUD 30000 per annum for a medical degree. Most full time degree and post graduate degree cost between AUD 10000 to 20000 per annum. In vocational education and training, costs vary from AUD 3000 to 4000 for a 20-week certificate course to over AUD 12000 per annum for laboratory or computer intensive advanced courses. The Australian government requires that international students and their families pay for health insurance in Australia through the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) Scheme. Health care costs in Australia can be quite expensive. The cost of health insurance may be around $300 for a single person. Australian education cost assessment

Each state government manages the school system within their state. This means that they provide funds and regulation for their schools. Both public schools and private schools exist in each state. The curriculum taught in each state or school may vary but the learning areas are the same in all.
Each state has a Vocational Education and Training (VET) or Technical and Further Education (TAFE) system. VET prepares people for work in a career that does not need a university degree. Each state manages their system and meets at a national level to coordinate their effort. VET is transferable between all states. Study done in one state gains the same status in another state. Typically, a VET/TAFE course takes two years of study.

The national government provides the funding for universities in all the states. Each is independent in its governance. They set their courses and course content. A professional body must endorse a course for it to run. Typically, a university course takes three or four years of study.
In the work place employers use agreed courses and outcomes to set standards of training for employment. Many parts of industry and business provide ongoing work place training for their employees. Some of this training can count towards a qualification

The figure below shows the Australian qualifications framework.

1. Primary and secondary schools: This is equivalent to 10+2 education in India. Certification at the end of schooling is by continous assessment within the schools or by a combination of internal assessment and public examinations.These procedures form the basis for qualification for entry to universities or other tertiary institutions.
   
   
2. Foundation Studies: Foundation studies give international students the knowledge and skills for a smooth transition from learning in their home country to undergraduate studies in Australian universities. Foundation Studies are usually one year in duration and students are assessed and examined by their lecturers. Foundation studies are divided into various streams like arts and science studies. The common feature of foundation studies is that a university allocates a provisional place in an undergraduate course for a student who achieves the prescribed grades.
   
   
3. English Language Schools (ELICOS): These are specifically for people who come to Australia to study English either for educational purposes or for other reasons. The Australian system of English language training is known as English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS). There are a range of courses including General English; English for Special Purposes; Vacation Courses; and Examination Preparation. The starting dates of courses are fairly frequent and they generally run from 4 to 10 weeks. Many universities and TAFE institutes have ELICOS centres attached to their campuses.
   
   
4. Vocational Education and Training Institutes: Vocational education and training (VET) gives students practical skills for their careers.
   
   The VET sector is divided into two sections: a nationally recognised government system of Technical and Further Education (TAFE); and private providers. TAFE is the largest provider of tertiary education courses in Australia with about 250 institutes and over a million students including about 41,000 international students.
   
   The awards in VET sector are: certificates, advanced certificates, associate diplomas, diplomas. Studying at TAFE level is also a way of gaining entry - termed a pathway - to Australia's universities.
   
   Most TAFE institutes have arrangements with specific universities, enabling students to gain credit for a portion of their study undertaken at TAFE. The VET courses include computing, design, pilot training, business managemnet, hospitality and tourism and many other courses.
   
   
5. Universities (higher education): There are 37 public universities and two private universities in Australia which offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The most popular courses of study for international students have been in the fields of Business, Administration and Economics, followed by Science, then Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
   
   University study can lead to the following awards: Undergraduate - Bachelor Degrees, Bachelor Degrees (with Honours), Undergraduate Diplomas, Associate Diplomas; Postgraduate - Doctoral Degrees, Masters Degrees, Graduate Diplomas, Graduate Certificates.