Here are some important key terms you should know if you are planning to study in Australia.
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF):
Australia’s education system uses the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).This framework outlines standards for each qualification level so that they can be recognised by employers and education providers across Australia and internationally.
- Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE):
A document that will be issued by your education provider that verifies your enrolment in a specific course. The CoE will be sent to you after you have accepted your Letter of Offer and paid your deposit.
- Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS):
This is the official Australian Government website that lists all Australian education providers that offer courses to people studying in Australia on student visas and the courses offered.
- Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act: The ESOS Act 2000 is the primary Australian legislation regulating education for international students on student visas. It ensures quality education, protects student rights, provides tuition fee protection, and strengthens visa integrity. The framework requires providers to be on CRICOS, the official register.
- Genuine Student (GS):
As announced in the Migration Strategy released on 11 December 2023, the Australian Government has replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement with a Genuine Student (GS) requirement. The GS requirement is a set of questions within your student visa application that you must answer.
- Group of Eight (Go8):
It’s a coalition of Australia’s leading research-intensive universities known for academic rigour, global recognition, and strong industry connections. The Group of Eight Members are University of Melbourne, Australian National University (ANU), University of Sydney, University of Queensland, Monash University, University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), University of Western Australia (UWA), University of Adelaide.
- ImmiAccount: An ImmiAccount is the official, secure online portal provided by the Australian Department of Home Affairs to manage visa, citizenship, and migration applications. It allows users to apply for visas, check status updates, attach documents, pay fees, and update personal details online.
- Letter of Offer:
If your course application is successful, you will receive a Letter of Offer from your chosen education provider. It will include your course details, enrolment conditions and fees you will need to pay if you accept the offer.
- Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC):
As an international student in Australia, you must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of your stay. If you don’t provide proof that you have this insurance, your student visa application will be refused.
- Subclass 500 Student Visa:
With this visa you can participate in an eligible course of study in Australia, travel in and out of Australia and work up to 48 hours a fortnight when your course of study or training is in session (students studying a masters by research or doctoral degree, and their families, have no work limit).
- Technical and Further Education (TAFE):
TAFE is a government-run system in Australia that provides education after high school in vocational areas like beauty, design, childcare, accounting, business, recruitment, IT, and many more. While university teaches a broad range of theories, TAFE focuses on specific skills for a particular workplace.
- Vocational Education and Training (VET):
Australian VET courses are designed and taught by industry experts. They provide practical knowledge and technical skills for hundreds of trade and industry roles. Australian vocational education and training (VET) is also known as ‘Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET)’ and ‘skills training’.
- Work Integrated Learning (WIL): A program that integrates academic learning with real-world work experience is referred to as a work-integrated learning program (WIL program). Students in a work-integrated learning program participate in internships, cooperative education, apprenticeships, or other kinds of experiential learning that are incorporated into their program of study.
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