Study in Australia Blog

Thinking about studying abroad? There’s no shortage of amazing places out there, where you can deepen your knowledge and discover a totally different part of the world.

The decision to study overseas is a big one for so many reasons, especially when it comes to the country or city you choose to call home.

Whatever your criteria for choosing a new base, Australia ticks all the boxes. Here are seven reasons why we think you should consider studying in Australia...

1. Australia is really, REALLY beautiful

When you think of Australia, you probably imagine golden beaches trimmed by surf-perfect swells, the burnt orange of the Outback, and trendy young cities with their iconic man-made landmarks (here's looking at you, Sydney Opera House!)

Well, what you’re picturing is pretty much the reality. Australia is incredibly easy on the eyes, from its lush, tropical rainforests to open pastoral plains. Plus, there’s SO much of it to see! You'll never get bored looking at these landscapes.

DID YOU KNOW: Australia is the sixth largest country in the world?

2. Our universities are tops

Australia’s lifestyle is hugely appealing to exchange students, but the quality of our universities also plays a big role in attracting knowledge-hungry visitors from across the globe.

Six Australian universities are ranked among the Top 100 Universities in the world: The Australian National University, The University of Melbourne, The University of Sydney, The University of New South Wales, The University of Queensland, and Monash University.

(QS World University Rankings 2016-2017)

3. You can cuddle koalas!

Koalas! Who doesn’t love our plump, furry, leaf-eating friends? However, don’t expect to have a family of koalas living in the gumtrees outside your apartment when you decide to study in Australia.

These little guys (which you should never call koala 'bears', by the way) are quite shy and not easy to spot in the wild, but you can have your very own koala encounter at places like Australia Zoo or Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.

While your options to actually cuddle a koala might be limited to certain zoos, you can expect to come across an array of adorable wildlife such as kangaroos, possums and even the smiling quokka.

4. We embrace diverse cultures

Australia is as multicultural as they come. Just over a quarter of Australia’s population were born overseas, with a further 20% having at least one parent born outside Australia.

Because of this diversity, you’ll have no trouble finding a community of expats when you study abroad in Australia – especially if you live in a capital city like Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide or Perth. Best of all, with diverse culture comes diverse cuisine!

5. You can work while you study

Being an international student can be a costly experience. Luckily, Australian student visas allow you to earn while you learn.

There are a couple of rules (e.g. you can only start working once you’ve started your course, and the amount of work you and your spouse can do depends on what you’re studying), but the ability to work while you study goes a long way in paying for your tuition, living expenses, and must-do travel experiences while you’re in Australia.

6. The weather is usually pretty great

Okay, so there’s the occasional cyclone up North and the tar on the roads has been known to bubble in the height of Summer but, for the most part, Australia is blessed with A+ weather– especially along coastal regions, which is where 98% of the population reside.

Don’t forget how big Australia is, though. While winter in Queensland can mean a minimum of 20 degrees Celsius, it will be snowing just across the border in New South Wales. 

7. We love international students...

... and they love us! The 2015 International Student Survey revealed 80% of international students in Australia were either satisfied or very satisfied with their experience here.

Australia is also the third most popular destination for international students in the world. We think it’s pretty easy to see why!

 Australia is a land of extremes. It's big in size, with a sparse population; it's blisteringly hot, and welcomes tonnes of annual snowfall; it's one of the youngest countries, but home to one of the world's most ancient peoples. 

Here are 12 fun facts about Australia to give you an idea about the size, scale, and sense of humour here in 'Oz'. They might come in handy for your first Australian trivia night too!

1. There are more than 10,000 beaches in Australia

If you visited a new beach every day, it would take 29 years to see them all. Challenge accepted!

2. You can send a postcard from the middle of the Great Barrier Reef

There’s a post-box located on the Agincourt Reef Platform floating in the Coral Sea, accessible off the coast of Port Douglas in Far North Queensland.

3. Australia is as wide as the distance between London and Moscow

Our wide brown land is approximately 4,000 kilometres from east to west.

4. Australia was the second country in the world to give women the right to vote

All the way back in 1902. New Zealand was the country to beat us to the punch, by the way.

5. A cattle station in South Australia is larger than Belgium

Anna Creek Station is 34,000 square kilometres and is the largest cattle station in the world. As far as Australia facts go, this is a big one (pardon the pun). 

6. Canberra was chosen as Australia’s capital city to settle an argument

With rival cities Sydney and Melbourne vying for the title, Canberra was chosen in 1908 to settle the dispute. It’s now Australia’s largest inland city and our political epicentre. 

7. More than 200 different languages and dialects are spoken in Australia

That includes 45 Indigenous languages!

8. The Australian Alps receive more snowfall than Switzerland

Also known as the Snowy Mountains, the peaks run through New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory, spanning more than one million hectares.

9. There are 60 designated wine regions in Australia

The most well-known being the Barossa in South Australia, Hunter Valley in New South Wales, the Yarra Valley in Victoria, and Margaret River in Western Australia.

10. Australia is home to the longest fence in the world

It stretches 5,614 kilometres and was initially built in the 1880s to stop the spread of rabbits, but was rebuild in the 1900s to prevent wild native dingoes attacking sheep. It's now know as the Dingo or Dog Fence.

11. Melbourne was once the richest city in the world

In 1880, thanks to the glittering gold rush. Talk about your interesting facts about Australia! Ka-ching!

12. Australia is home to 19 World Heritage-listed sites

Including three cultural sites (like the Sydney Opera House), 12 natural sites (like the Great Barrier Reef), and four mixed sites (like Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park), with two more sites on a tentative list. Fingers crossed!

Now you know all about Australia! All the fun stuff, at least.