Australia

Q:Higher education in Australia?
Ans:There are 35 public universities and two private universities with a total student population of more than 600,000 made up of full-time, part-time and external students. More than 150,000 international students choose to study in Australia.

Australian universities offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs in a range of subject areas including Information Technology, Business, Engineering, Architecture and Design, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Agriculture, Biotechnology, Food Sciences, Media Studies, Hospitality and Tourism, Aviation, Maritime Studies, Psychology. There are more than 10,000 courses to choose from!

Universities vary enormously in size, in their location and in their research and teaching interests. There is also diversity in the structure of courses and research programs. University study can lead to Doctoral degrees, Masters degrees, Graduate diplomas and Graduate Certificates (all postgraduate Programs), Bachelor degrees, Undergraduate diplomas and Associate diplomas (all undergraduate programs).

Q:What are the minimum entry criteria for Australia?
Ans: English Proficiency
All students have to demonstrate a minimum level of proficiency, with an IELTS score of at least 6.0. Please note that the TOEFL score is not acceptable and IELTS is compulsory for getting a student’s visa for Australia.

Academic Qualifications
Undergraduate Programs: A good score in your higher secondary examination. The cut off marks (best 4 Subjects) varies according to the course and university. For entrance to certain courses, prerequisite studies are also very important. For example, if you want to enter a course in computing you must have completed appropriate studies in mathematics and physics.

It is important to note that certain university courses, such as Law and Medicine, are very competitive and students will need more than the minimum academic requirements to gain admittance. An alternative entry path to undergraduate course is to successfully complete a Foundation studies program or enter via a diploma course offered by TAFE/ private college.

Postgraduate programs: A good first class degree or an upper second class in your undergraduate degree completed from a recognized university. Some professionally oriented postgraduate courses, such as the Master of Business Administration also require minimum of 2 years work experience.

Q:What does it cost to study in Australia?
Ans: Course Fees:
Costs vary considerably depending on the program and the institution. Some costs are outlined for you below:

Under Graduate/Post Graduate Degrees & Diplomas

In addition to the above-mentioned tuition fees, you will have to pay for student association membership, library and laboratory fees, and sports facility fees. These additional charges range between A$100 and A$300 per year.

Cost of Living:
According to the Australian High Commission and Department of Immigration, the cost of living per year is A$12000 (Rs. 3.0 lacs) for a single person. Students planning to take their families have to index this up. Depending on the life style, this cost could be considerably less or slightly higher. On an average most single students end up spending around half this amount only.

Medical Insurance:
All students and accompanying family members are required to take medical insurance in the form of Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC). These cost around A$ 325 per year. You will also need to maintain OSHC throughout your stay in Australia.

OSHC helps pay for medical and hospital care you may need while in Australia. OSHC will also help pay for most prescription drugs and emergency ambulance transport.

Q:Can I work while studying in Australia?
Ans:International students at the higher education level can work on a casual basis (up to 20 hours a week) during course time and full-time during vacation periods, provided this does not interfere with their study program. Universities and TAFE institution have careers Offices that regularly posts employment vacancies.

Q:Are scholarships available for studies in Australia?
Ans:The Australian Government provides about 300 International Postgraduates Research Scholarships (IPRS) each year. The IPRS program targets PhD and master level students who will undertake research in areas of Australian national interest. IPRS covers tuition fees.

Q:What is the pre-visa assessment for Australia (PVA)?
Ans:PVA is the policy whereby students applying offshore have their genuineness as a student assessed on the basis of a letter of offer before obtaining an eCoE certificate from the education provider. They are required to demonstrate a high level of proof that they are a genuine applicant for entry and stay as a student.

Q:What are the employment options after graduation in Australia?
Ans:Following are the options available to overseas students who wish to remain in Australia for employment purpose following completion of their studies:

Temporary Entry
The Temporary Business (long stay) Visa enables overseas students who have completed their course to gain work experience in Australia. Relevant criteria for entry under such a visa includes having successfully completed a course at diploma level or higher and sponsorship by an employer. The sponsor may be required to demonstrate that an Australian citizen or permanent resident is not available to fill the position unless the position is in high demand or highly specialized (like the IT sector).

Permanent Entry
The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) allows employers to nominate overseas students who have successfully completed their studies for permanent entry. Applications nominated under the ENS must meet the definition of a “highly skilled person” which requires that they hold a relevant format qualification of at least three years.

Skilled Migration
To be eligible under the General Point Test, the applicant must satisfy minimum threshold requirements for skills, skilled employment experience, age and English language proficiency in order to pass the points test.

Applicants who have completed a degree, diploma or trade qualification in Australia as the result of at least two years full time study, do not need to meet the recent work experience requirements if they lodge their application within 6 months of completion.

It is possible to be granted a visa for further stay in Australia on the basis of having lodged a skilled migration visa application.

Offer letter from University/Institute.
Educational Documents (Original).
Work experience (If applicant is working, should be on his company's letter head).
Photographs.
Passport valid for at-least 6 months.
IELTS score, (mandatory for all applicants) as per the minimum requirement mentioned for each course.
Bank draft of Rs.11300 favoring Australian High Commission Islamabad. Can be made from any bank. Please note it is non-refundable.
Bank statement for at least 12 months, immediately preceding the lodgment of visa application. Minimum balance should not be less than the figure mentioned below for respective program for the period of last 6-months. For Masters program required balance should be maintained from last 3 months.

a. Vocational program (TAFE) Rs. 1.4 Million
b. Higher studies (Bachelors course) Rs. 2.7 Million
c. Post Graduate Rs. 1.2 Million

(This is a rough estimate and can vary as per the particular course)
Bank statement should be computerized (Preferably) and transactions should reflect periodical inflow of funds. Moreover, the source of income shown with the savings should be consistent with the amount of savings.
Bank courtesy letter from bank manager stating that A/C holder has been maintaining account in this bank since a specific period satisfactorily. (Bank phone numbers should be mentioned on the letterhead).
Fixed deposit of at least last 6 months are as well acceptable. For Masters program deposits from last 3 months required. Saving certificates attested by issuing bank / financial institute. Covering letter with deposit details & yield. Deposits can be in the form of Saving Certificates, Special deposits, Term Deposits etc.
Affidavit, from Sponsor mentioning his relation with applicant and also undertaking that he / she will bear all the financial expenses of applicant's Studies (Tuition + lodging boarding) on Rs. 50/- stamp paper.
Purpose Statement.
For Master program only 3 months bank statement from any sponsor is acceptable effective November 1, 2002.

The Recent Visa reforms
Australian immigration has significantly changed student Visa requirements effective from 1st July 2001. For further information please visit www.immi.gov.au

Please note that for Masters level anyone can sponsor however close relatives preferred.

STEP 2
Once you have received the letter of offer, prepare visa documents as mentioned below and submit to Safir Global for further processing. We recommend that you don't pay any tuition fees to the institution until you know the decision from the Australian High Commission in the form of pre-visa assessment (PVA).

STEP 3
On advice that your PVA has been approved, pay the tuition fee for one semester or as advise by the High Commission and your Overseas Student Health Cover insurance premium. The institution will then forward CONFIRMATION OF ENROLMENT (COE) that your payment has been received and that you are enrolled.

STEP 4
We will submit COE to the High Commission and you should proceed to nominated doctor for Medical checks which is the mandatory requirement for all students.

STEP 5
After two weeks your passport will be received from the Australian High Commission upon clearance of medical and other checks. Safir Global will assist you in accommodation and airport pick through the respective institute.

Q:How can Safir Global assist me for higher studies?
Ans: We provide complete assistance starting from course selection, admission, visa approval, to pre and post departure arrangements. To save time offer letters may be received through fax within twenty four hours.

Q:When does the courses commence in Australia?
Ans: Australian Universities accept applications twice a year for classes commencing from July or Feb. The applicant must apply for Visa at least three months prior to course commencement date.

Q:Where should I lodge my admission and visa application?
Ans: You have to lodge your admission and visa application form at Safir Global office. We will arrange admission and visa for you.

Q:Do I need to take IELTS?
Ans: Yes, it is necessary to obtain a minimum band required by the institute generally following bands are acceptable:. 5.5 for Diploma 6.0 for Undergraduate degree 6.5 for postgraduate However, if you are unable to get the desired score, you will have to do English Language Classes for Overseas Students (ELICOS), but not otherwise.

Q:How much does it cost to study in Australia?
Ans: The approximate annual tuition fees are as under: Diploma A $ 8000 - 10,000/year Bachelors Degree (App) A$ 12,500 - 14000/year Masters Program A$ 11,000 - 15000/year Boarding & Lodging A$ 10,000 per annum Airfare one-way Rs. 28,000 (approx.)

Q:What are the courses offered by the Universities?
Ans: The Universities and (TAFE) institutes offer a wide range of courses from certificate level to post doctorate level including:

Q:Are students allowed to work?
Ans:YES, they are allowed to work 20 hours/week during session and no limitation during vacations. Students are strongly recommended not to rely for tuition fee on income generated from Australia.

Q:What is the minimum qualifications required for entry into a undergraduate program?
Ans: The minimum criteria for Bachelors/Diploma program is FA/FSc with at least 70% marks or "A" levels with 5 passes. Generally speaking, a Pakistani Masters degree considered equal to a bachelor's degree in Australia and a bachelor degree can count towards one or two years of University study. The Universities in Australia will assess a degree individually depending on which Pakistani Universities awarded it and the division obtained. In addition, the University would consider, the requirements of the course you wish to study and whether your qualifications are suitable for studying that course. If you do not meet the requirements, a "Bridging" or Foundation course may be necessary before the commencement of the main course. Normally Foundation courses run for a year before the actual course starts.

Q:Can I get admission into Masters programs after BA/B.Sc. (2 years) degree from Pakistan?
Ans: Since Australian Universities don't accept two year Bachelors degree from Pakistan as equivalent to their Bachelors degree(3 years), hence ineligible to commence Masters programs. However, some university's have introduce Qualifying programs as prerequisite to Masters You may also enroll in Graduate Diploma course of 1 or 2 semester in selected universities In specific fields followed by a Masters program. Alternatively, you may commence bachelor degree program and seek exemption from the subject(s) you have completed from Pakistan, exemptions or credit transfer are granted by the respective faculties hence no prior confirmation can be give unless application is lodged and assessed.

Q:Do you facilitate in obtaining visa?
Ans: Yes! We provide complete guidance based on High commission's requirements and forward your application to the Australian High commission and do necessary follow up to ensure in time departure.

Q:What are the financial requirements from sponsors by the High Commission?
Ans: You have to provide documentary evidence (Bank Statements of the last 12 months, Fixed deposits or business documents etc) showing that your sponsor has financial capability to support at least one year of your tuition and boarding/lodging expenses (net savings p.a Rs 600,00).

Q:Does our documents are Checked?
Ans: Safir Global ensures that the documents submitted to the High Commission/Institute are genuine in all respects. In addition to this all the degrees and transcripts submitted are verified from the issuing authorities . Furthermore, Safir Global ensures the bonafide of all the students before lodgement of visa application, applying through Safir Global will reduce processing time as well as risk of rejection as we don't solicit incomplete or dubious applications.

Q:Do I have to appear for an Interview?
Ans: Due to large number of applications generally applicants are not interviewed and applications are assessed on the basis of supporting documents. We strongly urged in order to avoid disappointment you must provide all relevant documents with the application and make sure information provided are true as insufficient supporting material invariably results in rejection.