Many people who visit Australia on a Working Holiday visa normally find themselves so addicted to the place they want to hang around longer, maybe even for good. So if you’re one of these people, you’ll be happy to know there are several avenues you can take to stay in Australia, one of which is studying.
Obtaining a student visa is a way to increase your skills and expand your education while also getting to stay in the wonderful land of Oz.
“A student visa allows you to stay in the city of your choice and comes with ‘multiple entry’ in and out of Australia for the duration of the visa,” says Acacia Education Australia’s Melanie Duncan.
As well as studying, the visa allows you to work 20 hours per week during semester and as much as you want during holidays so you can keep your wallet relatively full while your head is in the books.
Studying in Australia can also make you more attractive to prospective employers and help you along your way to permanent residency through skilled visas or business sponsorship.
And you don’t have to put your head down for a full-time, long term year degree either. “After investigating their study options, working holiday makers often choose to enrol in university `pathway’ programmes,” Melanie says.
Pathway programmes can be a good choice because they’re a more affordable option, shorter in length and will slowly ease you back into the world of study. There’s also opportunity to experiment with several different fields without committing to one course.
In February, the Australian Immigration Department announced some new changes to the conditions of obtaining a general skilled migration (GSM) visa which may affect international students.
The changes will only affect you depending on when you applied for your visa and if you’re still in the country.
Your best bet is to check out the http://www.immi.gov.au/students[Department of Immigration and Citizenship website] or give them a call to discuss the finer details and then buy yourself a pencil case!