Home » Study in Australia and New Zealand » How to Study in Australia after O-level for Sri Lankan Student?

How to Study in Australia after O-level for Sri Lankan Student?

If you’re looking to further your education after your O level, Australia offers a wide range of opportunities. Whether you choose to undertake a foundation program, a bachelor’s degree, an MBA, or even an English language course, Australia is difficult to beat in terms of academic excellence, the standard of living, and support for international students.

Australia and Sri Lanka have a long-standing history. Through the years, education has played a vital role in enhancing a robust bilateral relationship between these two countries. It, therefore, comes as no surprise that more and more Sri Lankan students are preferring to pursue their tertiary education here. Going to study in Australia for Sri Lanka Student would mean higher chances of employability, job security, and permanent residency options.

Why Study in Australia after O level?

Australia ranks highly as one of the most coveted education havens for many Sri Lankan students looking to extend their studies after the O levels. According to a recent report by DIPB, there are over 50,000 Sri Lankan students taking their studies in some of Australia’s best universities and colleges.

Some of the reasons why Australia has grown to become one of the leading destinations for outbound tertiary-level Sri Lankans include:

  • Australia exposes students to one of the finest higher education systems in the world
  • Australian cities are safe and ideal for international students
  • Students can experience a diverse, multicultural student population since Australia is a melting pot of culture and ethnicity
  • If you choose to study in Australia after O level, you’ll be joining ivy-league universities that are spread across a country with low crime rates and stern gun control laws
  • Australia has an option to extend the stay after study in Australia for Sri Lanka students. This is unlike the US and the UK that have stringent requirements for students looking for an opportunity to remain in the country after graduation
  • Australia is home to globally recognized Universities. In fact, 8 out of 100 world’s top universities are found here
  • The cost of tuition and living is considerably lower for overseas students as compared to what one would pay in the US or the UK
  • Australian institutions of higher learning offer a wide range of courses and degrees to suit the needs and aspirations of international students
  • There are thousands of scholarships available for Sri Lankan students
  • An abroad study in Australia for Sri Lanka Student ensures access to the many high-quality scientific research programs that are on par with the UK, US, and Europe
  • Easy accessibility to student visa

How To Study in Australia for Sri Lanka Student

Australia has transformed itself as a #1 study destination for Sri Lankan students. In order to study in Australia after O level, Sri Lankan students need to first take up standardized tests such as PTE, IELTS or GMAT depending on the study program that one desires to pursue.

Here are a few steps that you’ll need to follow to gain enrollment to Australia education institutions.

1. Take a test

Different Australian universities and colleges have different academic requirements that can be found from the institutions’ websites. Some of these institutions will require students to have completed an English proficiency test such as PTE, IELTS or GMAT.

2. Shortlist & Apply

After passing your proficiency tests, take time to shortlist your institute of choice early on. Go for an institution that meets your budget and academic profile. It always a wise decision to apply to several institutions to spread your chances of acceptance. You’ll also be required to apply for a course that suits your strengths and aspirations.

Here are some of the most popular courses among Sri Lankan students in Australia:

  • Teaching
  • Automotive
  • Engineering
  • Nurshing
  • Health and Science
  • Information Technology
  • Hospitality and Tourism
  • Business and Management
  • Accounting
  • Bioscience

3. Apply for a Student Visa

Once you’ve been accepted to join your institution of choice, you’ll need to apply for an Australian visa subclass 500.

Visa Requirements to Study in Australia after O level

In order to study in Australia, Sri Lankan students must have a student visa – subclass 500. You must prove to the Australian Department of Home Affairs that you meet certain requirements, including:

  • Financial requirements
  • Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement
  • Health and character requirements
  • English proficiency requirements

When applying for your visa, you must submit the following scanned documents to the online ImmiAccount application system:

  • Completed Australian student visa application form (157A)
  • Certificate of enrolment (CoE)
  • Copy of passport biodata page
  • Criminal record check results
  • Evidence of health insurance cover
  • Evidence of sufficient funds
  • Four recent passport-sized photographs
  • English proficiency test results

The visa application process can take up to 4 weeks. You should, therefore, make your application well ahead of time to avoid the last-minute rush.

A visa to study in Australia for Sri Lanka students is usually valid for the duration of the study. Under some circumstances, you may apply to extend your visa through Australia’s Home Affairs website.

The Australia visa allows you to:

  • Enter the country up to 90 days before your course’s commencement date.
  • Work up to 40 hours per fortnight during term time and as many hours as you like during course breaks. Remember to apply for a Tax File Number from the Australian Taxation Office before you start looking for a job.
  • Work on a full-time basis when taking a master’s or a Ph.D. program

All student visa holders must comply with certain obligations such as:

  • Remain enrolled in a CRICOS-registered and approved course
  • Attend classes regularly
  • Make satisfactory course progress
  • Maintain an active OSHC insurance with an approved Australian health fund.

How Much Does It Cost To Study in Australia for Sri Lanka Student?

There is no silver bullet answer to this question. When looking at the cost of studying in Australia, there are a few pointers to keep in mind:

1. Tuition Fees

The tuition fees will depend on the program you’ll be enrolled in and the institution you opt for. The average tuition fees for tertiary institutions can range from AUD7, 800 to AUD$30,000 a year. A foundation program in some of the leading institutions can range anywhere between AUD 15,000 – 37,000 per year. Be sure to consult with your local education consultant or with your university of choice to know how much it will cost you to study in Australia after O level.

Here is a sneak-peak on some of the most affordable Australian universities:

  • Flinders University
  • IPAG Business school
  • University of New England
  • University of Wollongong
  • Victoria University

2. Student Visa Costs

The Australian student visa comes with its own cost. You’ll be required to pay around AUD 500-600 for the visa. The visa application process also requires one to have an Overseas Student Health Care (OSHC) from an approved health fund to cover you in case of an emergency. This also comes at a cost.

3. Accommodation Costs

Accommodation costs vary from one city to another. Some Australian cities are more expensive to live in than others. Also, various accommodation facilities such as homestays, private rentals, purpose-build student villages, and share-houses have different accommodation costs. Here are some average costs for some of the popular accommodation options:

  • Shared-houses: 380 – 850 AUD/month
  • Homestay: 450 – 1,200 AUD/month
  • Student halls of residence: 440 – 1,100 AUD/month
  • Private Rentals: 750 – 1,700 AUD/month

4. Cost of Living

Australia’s cost of living is considerably higher than that of Sri Lanka. Be sure to keep aside enough money for your grocery, social activities, and emergency situations. Most Australian institutions advise students to set aside at least UD $20,290 a year for living expenses.

Let’s look at some of the popular cities for students and their approximate living costs:

  • Adelaide: starting at 1,300 AUD/month
  • Canberra: starting at 1,400 AUD/month
  • Brisbane: starting at 1,400 AUD/month
  • Melbourne: starting at 1,500 AUD/month
  • Sydney: starting at 1,900 AUD/month

4. Transportation Costs

Australia has a pretty efficient and elaborate public transportation system. You can further bring your transportation costs down by using a bike instead of the public transport system. Some universities also provide busies to ferry their students hence significantly reducing your transportation costs.

Scholarships & Financial Aid to Help You Study in Australia after O level

You can bring the cost of studying in Australia by seeking scholarships and financial aids for international students. The Australian government has multiple scholarships for international students under the Australia Awards scheme.

Australian universities are also a great place to look for scholarships. Some of the institutions where Sri Lankan students can apply for scholarships include:

  • University of Westminster
  • Curtin University
  • The Queensland University of Technology, among others.

The Bottom Line?

Given Australia’s impressive educational environment for international students, choosing to study in Australia for Sri Lanka Students is with no doubt a smart career move. The country has a variety of world-class institutions and courses to choose from.

If you’re looking to Study in Australia after O level, you can start by enrolling for a foundation program in one of the leading Australian universities. This will allow you to gain easy access to some of the high-quality degree programs that will ultimately equip you with highly sought-after skills. Start your application process today for a chance to study in one of the most culturally diverse education destinations in the world.