Australia with its most unique geographical location and structure is still one of the famous destinations in the world that offers many educational and career opportunities. Study in Australia for Pakistani Students: From Application to Visa Guide, providing comprehensive support for a seamless journey to world-class education and a brighter future.
If you’re a student planning to study in Australia from Pakistan but are still unsure of many things, then you are in the right place. In this article you will find a complete roadmap and guide to your 5Ws regarding study visas in Australia for Pakistani students.
Why Choose Australia?
The smallest continent in the world and with almost 40% of the land that is inhabitable, Australia still stands as one of the most urbanized countries in the world. It is also one of the countries that offer the highest living standards and opportunities for its residents. For that reason students all over the world prefer Australia as their top study destination.
Let’s look at what Australia has to offer to the Pakistani and other international students
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World Class Education
The Australian education system is known for providing world class education to its local as well as international students. Australia is also known for housing globally ranked universities on the basis of quality education, student satisfaction and overall global reputation. Infact Australia has seven of the top 100 universities in the world and offers over 22,000 courses across 1,100 institutions.
World Ranking Universities
- University of Melbourne – Parkville Australia
- Australian National University (ANU) – Canberra Australia
- University of Sydney – Sydney Australia
- University of Queensland – Brisbane City Australia
- University of New South Wales (UNSW) – Sydney Australia
- University of Adelaide – Adelaide Australia
- University of Monash – Melbourne Australia
Top Affordable Universities For Pakistani Students
Study in Australia for Pakistani students is a big dream but while applying the students here prefer to look for more affordable study plans. Here is a list of relatively affordable universities that albeit offering inexpensive study plans, provide top class education:
| The University of Southern Queensland | Queensland, Australia | AUD 26,000 – 33,000 |
| Charles Sturt University | New South Wales | AUD 20,400 – 60,800 |
| Federation University | Brisbane, Australia | AUD 21,900 – 32,700 |
| University of Sunshine Coast | Queensland, Australia | AUD 24,200 – 29,600 |
| Torrens University | Sydney, Melbourne and more | AUD 24,250 – 32,800 |
| Victoria University | Melbourne Australia | AUD 25,600 – 38,200 |
| Melbourne University of Technology | Melbourne | AUD 17,500 – 23,340 |
| Charles Darwin University | Casuarina, Darwin | AUD 17,100 – 28,900 |
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Scholarships For Pakistani Students
Other than offering affordable study programs, the Australian government and educational sector also provide easy and generous scholarships.
- Australia Awards Scholarship: The Australia Awards is a programme offered by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT), the Department of Education and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). It aims to promote easy and affordable education to international students including Pakistani students. Applications for this programme are available from 1st February – 30th April every year.
For more info visit: https://australiaawardssouthasiamongolia.org/scholarships/
- Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP): Previously known as International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (IPRS), this organization offers research scholarships for postgraduate students
For more information: https://www.education.gov.au/research-block-grants/research-training-program/research-training-program-frequently-asked-questions-students
- Carnegie Mellon University Scholarship: This Scholarship programme is for the students who wish to pursue Master’s Degree after completing their Bachelors. The value if offers is up to 20,000 dollars.
For info: https://www.cmu.edu/sfs/financial-aid/types/scholarships-and-grants/
A few other scholarship programs Include:
- Melbourne Research Scholarship
- The University of Queensland Scholarship
- The University of Sydney Scholarships
- Macquarie University Scholarships
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Work Privileges For Pakistani Students
Australia, unlike many countries, allows its international students to work part time during semester and full time during vacations. This is very beneficial for the students as they can make extra cash to help their accommodations or other expenses and also adds extra experience in their resumes.
The Australian student visa also serves as a work permit. It provides the fundamental employment rights for its international students. The average pay rate for working students is around $20 – $30.
Pakistani students who apply for studying in Australia can work in part-time jobs like:
- Delivery Driver
- Tutor
- Admin Executive
- Delivery
- Personal trainer
- Babysitter
- Cleaner
- Customer service representative
- Retail Assistant
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Opportunities after Graduation For Pakistani Students
Once students are done with their bachelors or any study program they applied for in their student visa, they can apply for Temporary Graduate visa after that. This allows them to work in Australia for a period of 18 months to 4 years.
This allows the students to gain practical knowledge, real world experience and skillful expertise in the field they completed their degree in. This facility by the Australian government paves a way for successful career opportunities for Pakistani students and proves to be a fruitful return on the money they invested to study in Australia for years. This visa also opens the door for exploring possibilities for permanent visa in Australia
Australia can provide career opportunities in information technology, medical field, engineering, media and marketing, hospitality and other relevant fields depending on the student’s chosen field.
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Attractive Spots and Leisure Time Activities
One of the main attractions for students while applying for an international study visa is what the country has to offer in social terms i.e the kind of leisure time activities, the famous spots or the fun activities they can explore while studying.
Let’s be honest, students need that! When you have to live in a place for such an extended amount of time you have to take into consideration these things as well. However, in this case Australia offers you many places and spots that are very interesting, mesmerizing and most importantly very instagrammable.
- Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge
- Parliament House
- Great Barrier Reef
- Twelve Apostles
- Three Sisters
- Uluru – Aboriginal Iconic Culture
- Wave Rock
- Bondi Beach
- Salamanca Market
- Rottnest Island
Visa Application Process
Pakistani students who applied and scored admissions in a recognized higher education institution of Australia can apply for student visa which is also known as Subclass 500, which costs around AUD1,600 at present. The Visa can be applied at Australian High Commision branches located in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore.
- For the students of Sindh and Balochistan apply in the Karachi center.
- For the students of KPK, Kashmir and upper Punjab apply in Islamabad.
- For the students in Central Punjab apply in the Lahore office.
You can also submit your visa application through Gerry’s centers in Pakistan.
http://www.gerrys.com.pk/news/Gerrys_partners_with_Australian_High_Commission.html
Required Documents for Applying for Australian Study Visa
To apply for the subclass 500 visa in Australia, you’ll need to bring the following documents:
- Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE): A CoE from your university is mandatory to apply. This confirms that the student has scored a place in his/her chosen course.
- Visa Application Fee Payment Receipt: Proof of payment for the visa application fee.
- Proof of Financial Capacity: It is usually a bank statement which proves that the student can cover tuition fees, living expenses (AUD 29,600 per year), and travel costs.
- Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE): A personal statement or statement of purpose proving student intention to study in Australia and return to their home country after the course.
- English Language Proficiency: PTE or IELTS certificates that were also submitted to university during the admission process.
- Health Insurance (OSHC): A mandatory Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), also known as Health insurance. It helps cover medical expenses, doctor visits, and hospital stays during student’s stay in Australia.
- Valid passport: A 6 months valid passport is required at the time of application
- Health and Police clearance: Students may need to undergo a health examination and provide police clearance certificates at the time of visa submission. It depends on student nationality and residence.
Process of Applying for Australian Student Visa
- Apply for visa as early as you can, minimum 8 weeks before the start of a study program
- Gather the documents listed above
- Write a GTE statement for Department of Home Affairs
- Register for an ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website.
- Pay the Application fees
- Submit an online visa application with required documents
- Monitor and track the status of your visa application through your ImmiAccount
- Stay updated for any changes in visa policies or applications on Department of Home Affairs website and keep checking your mails for any required additional information by the immigration authorities
- Wait for the response. The student visa application (Subclass 500) are processed between 80 days to 4 months time in Australia
You’re All Set to Apply!
Applying for international programmes and student visas is one of the most overwhelming processes you will have to go through. And this article aims to ease the process of applying for study visas in Australia for Pakistani students.
If you have given this article a proper read and follow the guide we have prepared for you can turn this daunting process into a hassle free task. However, you just have to be patient and confident through each and every step.
