Australia has remained a popular destination when it comes to studying abroad for many Nepali students.“14,000 Nepali students went to Australia last year,” states Dr Peter Nolan, Counselor for Education and Science at the Australian High Commission in New Delhi.

In town for the one-day Australian Education Exhibition on September 8, Dr Nolan spoke to Republica before the education fair.Looking for a diploma in accounts and then a two-year Bachelor’s degree in IT is Sushan Shrestha, a recent graduate of NASA International College. Sushan, 18, was waiting patiently to talk to the Counselor from the University of South Australia.It’ll be cheaper for me this way. I learnt about the University of South Australia from my IELTS tuition center, and I’ll not be visiting any other desk,” he said.

“Australia offers the best in education and is very safe for students. There are many international students in the universities there, interacting with whom Nepali students will definitely benefit,” Dr Nolan expands on the reasons why the country should remain one of the top choices for Nepali students. With seven out of 100 best universities in the world, according to a website based in Australia, it is no surprise that many students opt to go there for quality education.

According to Dr Nolan, Engineering, IT and Commerce are popular choice of subjects for Nepali students.Manjita Bista, 24, holding a BBA degree from Kathford International College of Engineering and Management, also wants Australian education.

“I’m deciding on a post-graduate degree either in Professional Accounting or Business Administration. Nepal does have good institutions, but the education is largely theoretical. Australian education should be more practical-based, and the practical exposure will be beneficial for me,” says Manjita.

Once a student decides on a particular course and the university, they should go through the visa rules and regulations. There are many educational consultancies in Nepal offering easy respite from the hassles of college applications, visa rules and the formal requirements of migrating for study abroad. However, the Australian High Commission suggests that it is best if the student visits websites and understands the implications of the requirements themselves.

Students can check whether they are eligible for Streamlined Visa Processing (SVP) through which fewer documents are required and the time for the issuance of the visa are shorter. A number of universities, such as the University of Sydney, University of Canberra, and Monash University, are eligible to direct their new enrollments to the SVP.

Students looking to pursue a Bachelor’s or a higher degree can place his application for the streamlined visa after receiving a Confirmation of Enrollment letter from the Australian university. Short courses, including those at the postgraduate level, and recipients of the AusAID scholarships will not be considered.

If the tuition fees seem steep, then there are also scholarships available to assist academically deserving students. The Australian Government’s AusAID scholarships cover tuition, airfare, living and health expenses, and after the first six months into their stay, their family can also join the recipients. The family members can work for any number of hours they want. Interested applicants can check the website (www.ausaid.gov.au) to keep track of the opening date for the scholarship application.

Each university will provide on-campus accommodation where international students can reside, or they can also share apartments with others.A student’s annual living expense should be covered within 18,600 Australian Dollars, informs Ben Nicholls, First Secretary, Immigration-Integrity at the Australian High Commission. Also, a student can support himself by opting to work part time for 20 hours per week or for any amount of time during school break. Notice boards on campus, job websites or simply contacting the university’s international student support group can make job hunting easier.

Part-time jobs will include working in supermarkets, restaurants, and fruit picking.On graduating from university, a student can choose to study further, take up a job offer or return home. Always check your visa to ensure you have the permission to stay on for studies or work.

“More queries are coming in about the Permanent Residency visa,” says Melissa Brodie, Senior Migration Officer at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), Australian High Commission in New Delhi. She explains that any student who has completed a two-year or longer course can apply for the Skilled Permanent Residency Visa which gives one an unlimited work permit in Australia. A skill assessment result is a must for this visa, for which the applicant must apply within six months of completing his education.

It is important to note that a work visa is imperative for all international students in order to work in Australia. The application at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship is conducted online and should be done prior to at least three months from the expiry of the student’s visa.

Vice Chairperson of the Association of Nepalese Alumni from Australia (ANAA), Ram Sharan Pathak, was in Australia from 1990 to 1996 on a United Nations Population Fund fellowship. Now a Professor and the Head of the Central Department of Population Management at Tribhuvan University, he says, “I studied in one of the best universities, Australian National University, and Canberra was a quiet city then. The environment was just right for students and I completed my postgraduate and PhD degrees there.”

Go through www.studyinaustralia.gov.au and www.immi.gov.au to get the best and more detailed information about study and life in Australia.

source:Rai, Pramila(2013),"Australian education and beyond at a glance", republica,10 Sep 2013