Many students dream to go study English in Australia. But before going there to study English you might have a lot of questions. This guide will help answer them and give you extra information.
Why study English in Australia?
Australia is great choice for an adventurous journey. The wide-open spaces of the outback, the kangaroos, koalas and other endemic species of animals or the great barrier reef can make your trip unforgettable. But one of the most interesting reasons to study in Australia is that it has an excellent education system and a high standard of living, as well as very friendly locals.
It is always best to learn a language where it is originally spoken – like English in Australia!
Which visa do you need to study English in Australia?
Australia is a unique country and so nearly everybody needs a visa before going there. Only citizens of New Zealand are an exception: They can apply for a visa upon arrival in the country.
In general, there are visas for visiting and working and visas for studying. If you aren’t sure which one you need, you can use the Visa finder or get more information at you nearest Australian Embassy or Consulate. Here are the visas which could be right for you:
1) Student Visa (subclass 500): This is a visa for everyone who wants to study full-time in an education institution.
2) Student Guardian Visa (subclass 590): If you are a guardian of an international student you can stay up to five years in Australia.
3) Training Visa (subclass 407): This visa allows you to take part in a professional development training program or workplace-based training.
4) Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485): This is a visa for international students who have finished an educational institution in Australia and who want to live, study or work there.
Check out our article on visa requirements to study English in Australia for more information
What does it cost to study English in Australia?
Studying abroad can be a big cost so it’s best to calculate your budget in advance to see what you can expect and where you can save money. Here are the main costs:
- Getting to Australia
- Language school fees
- Accommodation
- Food
- Getting around the city (I.e. public transport)
- General spending
Thinking about money you should always think about the city you want to go. The most expensive cities in Australia are Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, they are also the biggest cities in the country. There are also smaller cities which could be interesting and a good place to learn English.
Getting to Australia
The easiest way to travel to Australia is by plane which can take a few hours. So it will be a long trip. Here are some examples:
A flight to Sydney takes …
- … 10 hours from Shanghai.
- … 21 hours from Paris.
- … 22 hours from London.
- … 11 hours from Mumbai.
- … 14 hours from Los Angeles.
- … 14 hours from Cape Town.
- … 20 hours from New York.
- … 10 hours from Tokyo.
- … 15 hours from Dubai.
And because of the long journey ticket costs around a few hundred euros.
How much does it cost to study English in Australia
The price of a language course depends on the city where the schools is located, the weekly hours, the language school itself and the course you want to attend. Accommodation is charged on top of tuition.
CourseFinders has more than 170 language schools to study English in Australia, so search now to check and compare prices between our schools to find the best one for you.
Where to stay when you study English in Australia
The language school you choose can help you find accommodation. You can also search by yourself. In Australia, you can find different options (both more expensive and cheap ones). To have a peace of mind book a room in advance – at least for the first few days. When you get there you can find a permanent place to stay.
Facebook groups, online advertisements or Google can also be helpful to find accommodation. Just be creative and search for different options. In all cases the price depends on the size, the district and the length of your stay.
What to eat when you study English in Australia
Some language schools can offer meals or have a canteen. You can also eat out or cook by yourself. Here are some exemplary costs: A basic lunchtime menu which includes a drink costs about AU$ 17, a combo meal in a fast food restaurant about AU$ 11.
Here are the costs of some basic products:
- 1 kg of potatoes: AU$ 3
- 1 kg of apples: AU$ 4
- 1 liter of milk: AU$ 1
- 5l domestic beer: AU$ 5
- 12 eggs: AU$ 5
- 1 bottle of red table wine (good quality): AU$ 18
Getting around the city (i.e. public transport)
The easiest way to get around the city is a monthly ticket for public transport. This cost is about AU$ 140.
General spending
General spending includes all costs in your free time. So, it always depends on what you would like to do. Here is a list with a few examples:
- basic dinner in a neighbourhood pub (for two people): AU$ 55
- dinner for two in a restaurant (including appetisers, main courses, wine and desserts): AU$ 100
- 2 tickets to the movies: AU$ 35
- 2 tickets to the theatre: AU$ 200
- a cocktail drink in a club: AU$ 18
- a beer in a neighbourhood pub: AU$ 9
- a cappuccino in a café: AU$ 5
- a monthly gym membership: AU$ 75
What should you do while studying in Australia?
Australia is a very big country and there is a lot to do. It might be hard to visit the whole country. So check your location, there are always things to do in the area:
Try Australian food
Australia is hip and so is its cuisine – there are a lot of different dishes which you have to try. Here are our suggestions:
- Chicken parmigiana
- Barbequed snags (sausages)
- Lamingtons (cake)
- Burgers
- Pavlova (dessert)
- Meat pies
- Barramundi (fish)
- Grilled kangaroo
Visit different cities
In Australia it’s not always easy to visit as many cities as possible because there can be long distances between them. If you have the chance to visit one of the following ones, don’t hesitate!
In Sydney, you can visit the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge or The Rocks.
In Melbourne, you can enjoy the Federation Square, the Royal Botanic Gardens or the National Gallery of Victoria.
In Brisbane, you can visit the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, the Sea World or the Cultural Precinct.
In Adelaide, you can visit the North Terrace, the Botanic Garden or the South Australian Museum.
In Perth, you can enjoy the Kings Park, the beaches or the zoo.
Get in touch with the culture
Australia is famous for its outback, the aborigines and the different endemic animals like kangaroos or koalas, that live only in Australia! Try to get in touch with the culture by talking to natives and exploring all that Australia has to offer.
Enjoying the culture by going to the theatre or talking to locals can be a great addition to your language school classes and will help you learn the language in the natural environment as well.
What are the best language schools to study English in Australia?
On CourseFinders.com, you can find more than 170 language schools to study English in Australia. Here is a small selection:
Languages Across Borders (LAB) – Melbourne
Languages Across Borders (LAB) in Melbourne offers a great place to learn in the heart of Melbourne, voted one of the most liveable city in the world. Along with leading edge educational facilities they offer a team of qualified, native speaking educators with ample experience teaching international students. They have small classes, flexible timetables, extra activities, full assistance with accommodation and job hunting, and a convenient location close to all shops, public transport and amenities.
More information: Languages Across Borders
Nan Tien Institute – Sydney
The English Language School runs General English courses from Beginner to Advanced. Completion of this program at Upper Intermediate level fulfils the English language entry requirement for many vocational training courses. The English college is run by Australians and employs English-as- first language speaking teachers.
More information: Nan Tien Institute
Sydney English Academy – Manly
SEA, The Sydney English Academy, is a language school located right in the centre of Manly, a beach-side suburb of Northern Sydney. The school itself is quite close to the picturesque Manly beach as well as downtown Sydney, making both destinations easy to enjoy. SEA offers intensive English language, FCE and CAE classes, as well as a wide variety of English plus Activities courses. The school possesses a unique atmosphere combining homely cosiness with a welcoming international environment.
More information: Sydney English Academy
Inforum Education Australia – Gold Coast
Inforum language school’s staff and management have a great experience in the English language teaching industry, not only in Australia but all over the world. We are all fully qualified, native English speakers who continue to train through Inforum Education’s intensive professional development programme. We are passionate about incorporating the latest techniques into our teaching, with a strong emphasis on communication, while supporting and challenging our students to achieve their language learning goals.
More information: Inforum Education Australia
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