Ready for study in Australia? Prepare yourself for admissions

What you look out for

• Colleges/universities in Australia
• Admission requirements
• COVID-related guidance

Colleges/universities in Australia

Once you have made up your mind to study in Australia, the next thing that matters besides getting an Australia study visa is which colleges/universities are best for your field of study. Here are some things you keep in mind when going for university or college admissions in Australia:

• Australian universities rank among the top 50 in a wide range of areas of study including:
  • Arts & Humanities
  • Engineering & Technology
  • Physical Sciences
  • Clinical, Pre-Clinical & Health
  • Life Sciences
  • Social Sciences
• Australia has 6 of the world’s top 100 universities.
• Australia’s higher education system is outstanding with over 22,000 courses across 1,100 institutions.
• The Australian government has invested more than AUD 300 million in scholarships for international students.

Admission requirements

The admission requirements to study in Australia for higher education or vocational education and training differ between educational institutions.

You can apply to an Australian university in 3 ways:

• Through an agent/representative of the educational institution
• Through a local university
• Apply all by yourself via the website of the university

Here is a set of typical criteria for joining an Australian university:

For diplomas, advanced diplomas, or certificates

• Have the required basic qualification earned overseas in the said field, that is equivalent to the Australian standards.
• Achieve the required level of language proficiency in the English language viz.
  • IELTS (Academic) – Overall score must be 5.5 with no band less than 5.0.
  • TOEFL – Overall score must be 55 with scores in different sections be at least:
    • Speaking – 16
    • Listening – 9
    • Writing – 18
    • Reading – 10
  • PTE – Overall score from 42 to 49 with no section’s score less than 40.
  • CAE – Overall score or 162 with no individual band less than 154.
  • EAP – Level 4.

For bachelor's degrees

• Complete a secondary school education which has an equivalent in the Australian education system.
• Achieve the required level of language proficiency in the English language viz.
  • IELTS (Academic) – Overall score must be 6.0 with no band less than 6.0
  • TOEFL – Overall score must be 67 with scores in different sections be at least:
    • Speaking – 18
    • Listening – 12
    • Writing – 21
    • Reading – 15
  • PTE – Overall score from 50 to 57 with no section’s score less than 50
  • CAE – Overall score or 169 with no individual band less than 169
  • EAP – Level 5

For graduate diplomas and graduate certificates

• Complete a UG course that can be compared to an Australian Bachelor’s degree.
• Achieve the required level of language proficiency in the English language viz.
  • IELTS (Academic) – Overall score must be 6.5 with no band less than 6.0
  • TOEFL – Overall score must be 79 with scores in different sections be at least:
    • Speaking – 19
    • Listening – 19
    • Writing – 22
    • Reading – 18
  • PTE – Overall score from 58 to 64 with no section’s score less than 50
  • CAE – Overall score or 176 with no individual band less than 169
  • EAP – Level 6

For master's degrees

• Complete a UG course that can be compared to an Australian Honors degree, graduate diploma, or bachelor’s degree.
• Achieve the required level of language proficiency in the English language viz.
  • IELTS (Academic) – Overall score must be 6.5 with no band less than 6.0
  • TOEFL – Overall score must be 79 with scores in different sections be at least:
    • Speaking – 19
    • Listening – 19
    • Writing – 22
    • Reading – 18
  • PTE – Overall score from 58 to 64 with no section’s score less than 50
  • CAE – Overall score or 176 with no individual band less than 169
  • EAP – Level 6

For research programs

• Complete any one of the following:
  • an Honours degree
  • a Master’s degree by coursework with a research component
  • a qualification equivalent to a Canadian degree from an approved university
• Achieve the required level of language proficiency in the English language viz.
  • IELTS (Academic) – Overall score must be 6.5 with no band less than 6.0
  • TOEFL – Overall score must be 79 with scores in different sections be at least:
    • Speaking – 19
    • Listening – 19
    • Writing – 22
    • Reading – 18
  • PTE – Overall score from 58 to 64 with no section’s score less than 50
  • CAE – Overall score or 176 with no individual band less than 169
  • EAP – Level 6

COVID-related guidance

• International students must keep themselves updated about the COVID protocols prevalent in Australia for migrants in general and students in particular.
• Be clear about the COVID-related updates from the educational institution you are going to join.
• Check if your course offers you the option to do distance learning online.
• Some of the COVID-related protocols in a typical institution are as follows:
  • Wear a face mask when indoors.
  • Practice social distancing without fail.
  • Use the sanitizing stations and maintain good hygiene at all times.
  • Stay home and get tested if you feel sick.