Why Study in Australia for an Undergraduate Education Degree?
Why study in Australia as a bachelor’s student? Australia is one of the best places in the world to get an undergraduate education. The numbers reflect this - more than 780,000 international students were in Australia in just 2023. Experts project these numbers will only continue to grow in the future.
Some of the top universities in the world call Australia their home. You will find courses that pique your interest taught by the best professors in their fields. Better yet, these programs’ outcomes align with the country’s booming job market. Australia has a fast-growing economy, with several thriving sectors and attractive graduate opportunities. Let’s look into why Australia is a great destination for higher education abroad.
1. Excellent Standards of Education
First things first, without any doubt, Australia provides world-leading education through some of the best universities in the world. 38 out of the 41 universities in Australia rank among the global best. This includes three universities in the global top 20!
Among these world-ranking universities are Australia’s esteemed Group of Eight (Go8) institutions. The Go8 universities rank at the very top of Australian higher education providers and are the country’s leading research-intensive institutions. Have a look at some of Australia’s – and the world’s – best universities below:
| University Name | QS World Ranking 2024 |
| The University of Melbourne (Go8) | #14 |
| The University of New South Wales (Go8) | =19 |
| The University of Sydney (Go8) | =19 |
| Australian National University (Go8) | =34 |
| Monash University (Go8) | #42 |
| The University of Queensland (Go8) | #43 |
| The University of Western Australia (Go8) | #72 |
| The University of Adelaide (Go8) | #89 |
| University of Technology Sydney | #90 |
| Macquarie University | =130 |
| RMIT University | #140 |
| University of Wollongong | #162 |
| The University of Newcastle | =173 |
| Curtin University | #183 |
| Queensland University of Technology (QUT) | =189 |
2. Career-Focused Programs Aligned to Growth Sectors
Why study in Australia for career readiness? Australia is one of the world’s strongest economies and powerhouses of industry and business. Currently, jobs are opening up every year in various sectors of the Australian economy. The best part of this is that Australian university programs are very responsive to its biggest growth sectors and job market trends and needs.
This makes Australia an attractive destination for students who want to fast-track into their future careers. Most universities craft their programs to be relevant to the job market. This means you will be ready to jumpstart your career as you finish your undergraduate degree. Some of the top program areas to consider for career readiness in Australia are:
Health Care and Social Assistance:
● Australia's largest employing industry
● Comprises around 14% of Australian workers
● Popular roles: Nurses, aged care, disability support, child care workers
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics):
● Highly sought-after courses with diverse opportunities
● STEM jobs will increase by 11.6% from 2019 to 2024, according to experts
Education
● Around 9% of Australian workers are in education
● High demand for teachers
Construction and Trades:
● Popular courses with practical vocational training
● About 9% of Australian workers are in construction
● Top employing occupations including carpenters, electricians, and construction managers
By staying responsive to the job market’s needs and trends, Australian universities have high graduate employability rates, too. In fact, in 2023, full-time employment rates for international graduates rose by almost 15 percent, reaching a record high! According to Times Higher Education, the following are Australia’s top universities for graduate employability:
1. Australian National University
2. University of Melbourne
3. University of Sydney
4. University of Queensland
5. UNSW Sydney
6. Monash University
7. University of Technology Sydney
8. Macquarie University
9. Queensland University of Technology
3. Student Life in Australia
Quality of life is a big thing when you move to a new country for an undergraduate degree. Since you’ll be living here for 3-5 years, a great student city can make all the difference. Fortunately, reasons why study in Australia continues to rapidly gain in popularity include its excellent student-friendly cities. Australian cities are some of the best in the world for students. Below are Australia’s top cities according to QS Universities’ Best Student City rankings:
| City | QS Ranking of Best Student Cities |
| Melbourne | #4 |
| Sydney | #7 |
| Brisbane | =22 |
| Adelaide | #26 |
| Canberra | =30 |
| Perth | =34 |
| Gold Coast | #87 |
These rankings reflect an excellent overall experience for international students. Factors like the quality of education, desirability, student mix, youth employment, etc. are all metrics informing these rankings.
Australian cities are hubs for international students. Especially around universities, you will find communities of diverse, multicultural individuals. In fact, undergraduate education in Australia is very popular among Indian students. Over 120,000 Indian students are currently studying in Australia. These communities can help make your transition into a foreign land easier. Large international student bodies also mean universities and cities with experience in supporting overseas students. Since everyone speaks English, communication is also not a concern in Australia.
Another of the reasons why study in Australia appeals to prospective international students is the climate. The Australian seasons are warm in the summer and not too cold in the winter. You may find it quite similar to south and south-east Asian countries! Unlike countries like Canada and the UK, you won’t have to worry about extreme weather conditions.
4. Opportunities to Earn While Learning
The Australian government recently increased part-time working hours for student visa holders. According to these updates, you can work part-time up to 24 hours per week (48 hours per fortnight). In comparison to destinations like Canada and the UK, these extensions are among the reasons why study in Australia is increasingly popular among international students.
Part-time jobs in Australia can range from telephone operators to superstore jobs. A wide variety of options are available for international students. The minimum wage in Australia is AUD 23.23. You can also get higher-paying jobs depending on the role you’re taking on, the sector, your employer, etc. You may have access to both on- and off-campus work opportunities.
| Part-Time Jobs On-Campus | Part-Time Jobs Off-Campus |
| Teaching assistant | Barista |
| Receptionist | Delivery driver |
| Administrative clerk | Receptionist |
| Research assistant | Server |
| Server/sales assistant (on-campus businesses) | Dog sitter |
| Library assistant Sales assistant | Sales assistant |
5. Internships and Work Placements
Your part-time work rights as an international student are definitely a perk. But we can’t wrap up the reasons why study in Australia is increasingly popular among international students without discussing internships and work placements.
These are work experience opportunities built into your Australian undergraduate degree. In other words, completing a period of hands-on practical experience in the professional world is part of your curriculum. Generally, your university will support you in looking for internship opportunities in your field. Thanks to universities’ rich professional networks in diverse industry sectors, you have the chance to graduate with relevant work experience already under your belt.
6. Post-Study Opportunities
As a bachelor’s degree holder from an Australian university, you can qualify for the Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) visa! This lets you bring the skills and knowledge of your program, aligning with the Australian job market, into the Australian workforce. The duration of the post-study visa varies depending on the nature of your program:
| Degree | Duration |
| Bachelor’s Degree with Honors | 2 years |
| For Indian passport holders: Bachelor’s Degree with first class honors in STEM and ICT |
3 years |
| Some specified Bachelor’s Degrees with Honors | 4 years |
Career Opportunities for Temporary Graduate Visa Holders
Temporary graduate visa holders are eligible for a number of employment roles in Australia. These include the skill shortage areas that the Australian government is keen to address. The skilled occupations list includes roles open to Subclass 485 holders such as:
● Accountant
● Geotechnical Engineer
● ICT Business Analyst
● Management Accountant
● Neurologist
● Social Worker
● Tennis Coach
● Zoologist etc.
You can also extend your stay by applying for a second post-study work visa. These visas, and the work experience and time you spend living in Australia, can open doors to longer-term immigration as well.
7. Attractive Global Scholarships
Worried about the cost of studying abroad for your bachelor’s degree in Australia? Universities in Australia are keen to encourage international students to enroll in their programs. One of the ways they do this is through generous scholarship programs.
These scholarship programs make sure that finances are not an obstacle for ambitious students. You will find several scholarship programs from the universities of your liking – below is just a peek into your options.
| University | Scholarship Program | Scholarship Value |
| Monash University | Monash University International Merit Scholarship | Up to AUD 50,000 |
| University of New South Wales | India’s Future of Change Scholarship | AUD 10,000 per year |
| University of Wollongong | University Excellence Scholarship | 30% waiver |
| Charles Darwin University | Vice-Chancellor's International High Achiever Scholarship | 50% waiver |
| James Cook University | JCU International Excellence Scholarship |
25% waiver |
| RMIT University | Foundation Academic Scholarships | AUD 5,000 |
| University of Southern Queensland | International Student Support Scholarship | 10% tuition fee reduction |
| University of Tasmania | Tasmanian Access Scholarship | 15% waiver |
Rounding Up
If your question coming into this blog was ‘Why study in Australia’ – well, we hope we settled your doubts. Australia comes out on top for all the qualities that make up an excellent study abroad destination. From world-class universities to career-focused programs, Australia’s academic standards are incredibly high. Add to that its benefits for international students, from amazing student cities to work and post-study opportunities, and Australia easily sits at the top of the list of great options for your undergraduate degree.
