AUSTRALIA

Australia is proud of the quality of its education and training Students from all over the world come to Australia for its world-class higher education. progressive vocational education and training (VET), excellent schools an its international English courses. All institutions and courses have to be registered by the Australian Government, which takes a strong interest in maintaining the quality of education for Australians and international students alike. With its very sophisticated education and training system, students are not only exposed to world-class courses of study but also specialist support services

Over 200,000 Malaysians have attended Australian institutions to date and Australia continues to be the first choice destination of many Malaysian students

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)

The Australian Qualifications Framework (also commonly known as the AQF) is a unified system of national qualifications. The Framework links qualifications including senior secondary school education, vocational education and training and university educator- Unlike in many other countries with unconnected qualifications. Australia has a single comprehensive system of 13 qualifications The system is especially useful to international students, because as long as students meet visa requirements, they can have their prior learning recognized within the AQF and accredited to their course to attain any of the 13 AQF qualifications.
AQF is based on a national system endorsed by the Australian Government. therefore an AQF qualification s recognized all around Australia and by ether countries. This framework sets the context for credential. credit transfer, articulation between institutions and courses, and student mobility within and between the sectors. While qualifications can exist outside the framework. registered training organizations operate with the framework.

Higher Education

Vocational Education and training (VET)

Schools

Australian university awards have wide international acceptance Depending on courses and current needs within the workforce of various industries. Australian universities set their own academic requirements within legislative guidelines. Additional to that, they structure their professional courses to satisfy the requirements of the relevant professional bodies. The Australian Government provides more than half the funds for the 39 public-funded universities in the Australian higher education system.

The higher education sector provides courses that vary in format, delivery, duration, entry requirements and methods of assessment Higher education awards include doctoral degrees, master's degrees, graduate diploma, graduate certificate and bachelor's degree.

The Australian government has worked together with various industrial sectors to build an effective national vocational education and training (VET) system in response to increased trade competition and the need for a high-performance workforce. A wide variety of training, ranging from preparatory and entry level through to operator, technician and professional levels is available within the VET system.

The sector consists of government-funded Technical and Further Education (TAPE) institutes and private training organizations, including private colleges and industry training centers. Australian VET system qualifications are based on the attainment of industry competency standards. Qualifications are awarded according lo what people can actually do. rather than how long they have spent in training VET p-ovide's issue Ihe following qualifications:
The VET sector offers Certificate I, II, III, IV. Diploma. Advanced Diploma and Associate Degree The course may take from six months to three years to complete depending on the level of qualification and recognition of prior learning.

There are two broad categories of schools in Australia: government schools (which enrol the majority of students) and non-government schools (which include schools with and without religious affiliation) Government schools operate under the direct responsibility of State Education Departments. Non-governmental schools operate under conditions set by the State government registration authorities lo ensure appropriate educational standards and satisfactory premises.

Schooling is compulso'y in Australia from age six to 15 or 16. This compulsory schooling is diviced into two levels' primary schools and: secondary schools and colleges Children can start primary schcol at the age of five, when they enrol m a preparatory or kindergarten year, after which primary education continues for either six or seven years, depending on the State. Students usually start their secondary schooling at 12 or 13. and finish it by 17 or 18 years of age.

English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS)

Foundation Studies

To live and study in Australia, international students need a sound grasp of the English language. Australia offers high-quality language services which are word-renowned and at an affordable price

The ELICOS system includes six major categories of language services: General English. English for Academic Purposes, Secondary School Preparation, Examination Preparation, English for Special Purposes and Study Tour Programs which runs between four and 40 weeks. ELICOS providers certify proficiency against the major internationally recognized tests, including Cambridge test. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The IELTS is the most popular test with students aiming at further education in Australia and the preferred test for entry into Australian universities.

Foundation Studies is a course designed to help international students make a successful transition from school in their home country to universities in Australia Foundation Studios are divided into streams such as Science. Commerce and General Studies, with a balance of compulsory and elective subjects. The subjects taught in these streams have been designed to prepare students for studies at a tertiary level The standard length of Foundation Studies is one-year full time However, some courses are offered at an accelerated pace cf between 5 - 9 months. Principal intakes are at the beginning of the year and mid-year. However, intakes can vary, so it is important to check the availability and commencement dates with the individual Australian institution.

Australian Academic Year

The academic year varies from institution to institution and from sector to sector. Some institutions may have one or several intakes per year, while other's (particularly ELICOS and VET institutions) may have multiple / various entry.

University courses begin early in March and finish late in November. The year is divided into two semesters. Some universities run summer schools from December to February.
The standard academic year in Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutes is from February to December. The duration of TAFE programs ranges from short courses to full-time courses lasting three years. Many courses have a mid year intake.

The secondary college and school academic year is divided into four terms and runs from late January / early February until December.

Cost of Living

As a guide, a single student will need between AUD9,000 to AUD12.000 per year (or AUDI.000 per month) for living expenses. This includes rent. food. local transport, telephone, gas / electricity, school stationery, a small clothing allowance and limited entertainment. The amount quoted is an average and does not include air fares and course / tuition fees. Bear in mind that living costs will be more in larger cities such as Melbourne and Sydney than in non-metropolitan areas. The amount of money required will also be affected by your lifestyle, interests and the type of accommodation chosen.

If you are taking your family, then allow an extra AUD3.000 for your spouse and AUDI.700 per year ;or each child You may have to pay full lees for dependents attending school in Australia, which may vary from AUD8.000 to AUD12.000 per year.

University Apartments	Home stay or Farm stay	Full Board and Meals	University Residential Colleges
University Apartments these arc generally reserved for postgraduate students, visiting faculty and married students. They are usually self-contained and fully furnished	Home stay or Farm stay - an organized housing service which involves the student living with an Australian family Rooms may be single or shared and the price will range accordingly. This style of accommodation is popular with younger' students who are attending school, those studying short-term English courses and in other private colleges Farm stay offers the same services in a rural setting.	Full Board and Meals - similar to Home stay, this is a less formal arrangement organized through many university housing offices. Students will negotiate their accommodation with the family or tenant with whom they are staying.	University Residential Colleges are usually on-campus and provide accommodation with meals. They are slightly more expensive than university Halls of Residence. Sporting and social 'facilities, tutoring, libraries and (generally) computer access are also provided.

Work

International students are permitted to work on a casual basis (up to 20 hours per week during course time and tull-time during vacation periods) provided tins does net interfere with the study program. However, under new arrangements. overseas students and their dependents will be granted an initial student visa Doth onshore and offshore, with no work rights. Those who wish to access work rights will be required to apply for a visa with appropriate work rights at a cost of AUD60.00 alter the student has commenced his or her studies in Australia A letter from the institution confirming that the student has enrolled and commenced studies should also be submitted along with the application Casual work should NOT be used as a means for financing studies in Australia Not only are jobs difficult to find, there may be times when your study commitments mean you cannot afford the lime to work

Australian Scholarships is an initiative of the Australian Government to promote sustainable development and excellence in education in the Asia-Pacific region. The range of awards available will provide educational, research and professional development opportunities to support growth in the region and to build enduring links at the individual, institutional and country levels. Over five years, beginning in 2006. the number of awards available will double to 19.000 The initiative continues the spirit of the Colombo Plan which greatly enhanced common purpose and mutual understanding in the Asia-Pacific region. Malaysians are eligible to apply under the Endeavor Programme, which focuses on strengthening education linkages, skills and knowledge throughout the region and showcases Australia's excellence m education, science and training. For more information, please visit www.australianscholarships.gov.au

Lab Based Course	AUD13,000 - AUD40.000 per year
Non Lab Based Course	AUD8.500 - AUD25.000 per year
TAPE	AUD5.500 - AUD 18,000 per year
Foundation	AUD7.000 - AUD13.000 per course
Secondary School	AUD9.000 - AUD14,000 (not inclusive of boarding)
ELICOS	AUD2,500 - AUD3,000 per 10 week course