A Guide to Studying in Australia for Malaysian Students

Where To Study

2023-03-16 | 12 MINS READ

You have always dreamed of pursuing your education overseas, and Australia is one of the places that captured your heart.  

Whether it is the magnificence of the Sydney Opera House, the breathtaking view of the Great Barrier Reef, or the opportunity to meet the playful kangaroos, Australia has many unique traits that make it a hot spot for international students. 

This guide will explain the important points and familiarise you with the process of studying in Australia.  

Why Study in Australia 


Experience Top Quality Education 

1. High-ranking Universities 

Australia is a popular destination for students as it is home to a number of prestigious institutions ranked among the top 100 universities in the world. You can rest assured that the Australian education system can help you attain a high-quality qualification and secure your future. 


InstitutionWorld Ranking
Australian National University (ANU) 
30
University of Melbourne 
33
University of Sydney 
41
University of New South Wales 
45
University of Queensland 
50
Monash University 
57
*Based on QS World Rankings 2023 

2. The Group of Eight (Go8) Universities 

The Group of Eight (Go8) comprises Australia’s most research-intensive universities: 

  • University of Melbourne 
  • Australian National University 
  • University of Sydney 
  • University of Queensland 
  • University of Western Australia 
  • University of Adelaide 
  • Monash University  
  • UNSW Sydney 

Go8 universities are highly established in Australia and are ranked among the world’s top 150 universities according to the QS World University Rankings, making them an attractive choice for students all over the globe. 

Explore a Country with Different Geography and Seasons 

1. Estimated Flight Time 

If you are looking to study overseas but prefer a country that is closer to home, then nothing is better than Australia. The distance between Malaysia and Australia is roughly 4,738 kilometres. Furthermore, travelling to Australia by air is more convenient and faster compared to other countries. For example, a non-stop flight from Malaysia to Sydney takes about 8 hours 20 mins, and 7 hours 55 mins to travel to Melbourne. 

2. Seasons 

Generally, Australia has four seasons across most parts of the country. 

Spring: September - November 

Summer: December - February 

Autumn: March - May 

Winter: June - August 

December and January are the hottest months, with average temperatures of 29°C, while July and August are the coldest months, with average temperatures of 13°C. Due to the large size of Australia’s continent, each region has its own climate patterns, so it is best to check the weather of the city you are interested in to make adequate preparations. 

*Fun Fact 
Due to having seasons opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere, Australians celebrate Christmas on 25th December, which occurs during summer vacation. This gave rise to a number of unique traditions embraced by Australians, so don’t be surprised if you see people going to the beach and having a good old BBQ or picnic with families and friends to celebrate this festive occasion! 


Education System in Australia 


Semester System 

The majority of Australian universities operate on a semester system that involves two teaching sessions per year. Your schedule may look something like this: 

Semester 1: February – June 

Semester 2: July – November 

Summer Semester: December – February 

In most cases, the summer semester is optional. Students can use this semester to complete extra courses. Otherwise, they can use this holiday to travel inside and outside Australia, visit family back home, or even work and earn some income (we’ll get to this in the later part of the article). 

Honours Degree 

In Australia, honours is generally a 1-year long qualification that you can complete at the end of your undergraduate degree. A general bachelor’s degree is 3 years long, but pursuing honours would add an additional 1 year to your studies. 

Honours typically involves a combination of coursework and independent research project, allowing students to focus on a specific area of interest and equipping them with robust research skills which are advantageous for postgraduate studies. Not everyone can take up honours as entry requirements can be tough. Due to this, the qualification of an honours degree is considered higher than a general bachelor’s degree. 


Pathways to Study in Australia 


There are several routes available if you want to pursue an Australian qualification, with each route having its own pros and cons. 

a) Australian Matriculation / Pre-U in Australia -> Degree in Australia 

If you can’t wait to start your new academic life in Australia, you can consider enrolling in an Australian Matriculation or Foundation at an Australian college after SPM or O-Levels, and then use your Pre-U qualification to progress to an undergraduate degree. While this is the costliest pathway, it allows you to gain a head start and adapt better to the education system and life in Australia. 

b) Australian Matriculation / Pre-U in Malaysia -> Degree in Australia 

Thinking about staying in Malaysia for longer before heading off to Australia? In this case, you can opt to study Australian Matriculation (SACE International or WACE) or other Pre-U courses like A-Levels in Malaysia before going to Australia for your undergraduate studies. 
 
c) Australian Matriculation / Pre-U in Malaysia -> Degree in Malaysia -> Transfer to Australia 

If you want a more cost-saving option, consider this pathway. Start your Pre-U course in Malaysia, progress to a degree programme at a local university, and then transfer your credits to an Australian university and complete your studies there.  

Many private universities in Malaysia have transfer programmes with partnering Australian universities. For example, a 2+1 transfer programme allows you to complete 2 years of study locally and finish the remaining year in Australia. By choosing this pathway, you can save money and still gain an unique experience of studying overseas. 


Cost of Living and Tuition Fees in Australia 


Living Costs 

Just like Malaysia, the cost of living in Australia depends on the city and state. This makes it difficult to pinpoint the exact figures. Nevertheless, there is a way to get an estimate of living expenses to study in Australia.  

The Department of Home Affairs requires international students to demonstrate evidence of financial capacity during visa application. As a single student, you must show that you can cover the living cost of at least *AUD21,041 per year. 

With this as a guide, you may require at least AUD1,754 per month to cover costs for accommodation, food, utilities, etc. The actual costs will depend on your own needs. 

*Based on data found from the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website in 2023 

Education Costs 

Your education costs will depend on several factors, such as your choice of course, university and study location. Tuition fees for international students can begin at around AUD20,000 per year, with the average fees exceeding AUD30,000 per year. 

University & Visa Application Process 


If you are ready to start applying for university, here is a brief guide highlighting the major parts of the process. 

Step 1: Choose Course and University 

The first step is to find out the courses and universities you are interested in and compare them before making a decision. Aside from tuition fees, it’s good to consider other factors that can influence your experience, such as study location, rankings, academic and student support, living costs and campus environment.  

Step 2: Submit University Application 

Once you have decided on your course and university, it is time to start the application process. Check the university’s website to find the international application checklist and submit your application form and the necessary documents. 

Step 3: Accept Letter of Offer 

You will receive a letter of offer from the university once your application is successful. A letter of offer is basically a contract between you and the university and includes instructions on how to accept the offer.  

Step 4: Get Your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) 

The university will send you a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) once you have accepted your offer. A Confirmation of Enrolment is required for your student visa application through the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs. 

Step 5: Apply for Student Visa 

After all that is done, you can now focus on applying for your student visa. 

Some of the documents needed for your application include but not limited to: 

  • Identity documents 
  • Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) 
  • Evidence of financial capacity 
  • Overseas Student Health Cover certificate 
  • Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement 
  • English language requirement (approved tests are as follows):
    - IELTS
    - TOELF IBT
    - Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) Test
    - Pearson Test of English Academic
    - Occupational English Test 

Your application should be complete as any application with missing documents may be delayed or even refused. So make sure to refer to the Department of Home Affairs website and go through the requirements carefully. 


Working on a Student Visa 


The good news is that as an international student in Australia, you can work a limited number of hours while studying on a student visa.  

During school sessions, you are allowed to work 40 hours per fortnight (up to 20 hours per week). You are also permitted to work an unlimited number of hours during school vacation. Do note the week begins on a Monday and ends on a Sunday.  

If you work more than the limitation, you may risk having your visa cancelled, so make sure to follow the rules. 


Work After Graduation 


So... What’s next after graduation for you? 

If you are looking to extend your stay in Australia, then why not apply for the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485)? It is a temporary visa that allows international students to live, study and work after finishing their studies. 

This visa is divided into 2 streams (choose 1): 

1. Graduate Work Stream 

This visa is for international students who have finished at least 2 years of study in Australia and have a qualification relevant to an occupation on the skilled occupation list. It allows you to live, study, and work in Australia temporarily. 

With this visa, you are allowed to stay up to 18 months (temporarily increased to 24 months for visas granted from 1 December 2021). 

2. Post-Study Work Stream 

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

With this visa, you are allowed to stay between 2 to 4 years, depending on your qualification. 


Another option to consider is the Skilled Recognised Graduate Visa (Subclass 476), which allows international students who have engineering qualifications from a specified educational institution to live, work or study in Australia for up to 18 months. 


Conclusion 


It can be daunting to study overseas, especially if this is your first time (or the first person in the family to do so). We hope that this article gave you some insights to help you make an informed decision and start your education journey.
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