Take a professional undergraduate or graduate course abroad, live with a new language, learn about new cultures and still have the financial support of the local government to pay for your studies. Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it?
Australia, which is a country with diverse incentives for the population and exchange students, recently announced, through its Department of Education, Destination Australia, a government student incentive program that awards scholarships to students from all over the world.
In this post, we’ll show you how Destination Australia works, its benefits and what it takes to get a scholarship. Follow up!
How does the program work?
Students who intend to participate in the program need to contact the participating institutions directly – each Australian university publishes the entry requirements on its website, as it is up to each one which rules will be applied for the selection of candidates and distribution of scholarships.
In total, within Destination Australia, 35 universities and vocational technical education institutions currently participate in the program. To submit the application, it is necessary to be aware that universities and educational institutions are located in destinations outside the most popular cities in the country, in areas called “regional”.
The program ranges from technical education to master’s degree and contains more than 1,000 scholarships in total. It is usually necessary to send some documents such as diplomas already obtained and a certificate of proficiency in English – for example, IELTS, Cambridge CAE or TOEFL.
Some universities also request letters of recommendation, and for master’s or doctoral programs a research proposal may be requested.
According to information from the Australian government, currently, there are more than 25,000 Brazilians residing in the country, mainly enrolled in English and vocational courses. Brazil is currently the fourth largest exchange student market in Australia.
What are its benefits?
For those who meet entry requirements and are selected, the Destination Australia program offers an annual scholarship worth up to AU$15,000 (for up to four years). The amount can be used by the student to pay for studies, their stay in the country, food and other necessary expenses.
Application deadline varies by universities and courses. However, educational institutions usually leave applications open throughout the year, and new scholarship holders are admitted at the beginning of each semester.
If the registration is made on a date very close to the deadline, it is recommended to wait and register for the next academic term, but if it is projected, the ideal is to send the application about 4 months before the start of classes. As informed by the Australian Government, scholarships will be offered constantly through the 2022-2023 school year.
What are the advantages of living in Australia?
Australia is one of the most sought after study destinations by exchange students around the world, according to the educational quality and the various employability possibilities for the local population and immigrants. The country is one of the few in the world where exchange students – who have a stay of more than 3 months – can study and work legally.
In addition to educational incentive programs, such as Destination Australia, the country has a unique quality of life and the highest minimum wage in the world. Education in Australia is one of the three most profitable activities, second only to coal and iron ore.
In terms of health, Australia has an impeccable system of care, in which only government bodies handle emergencies. Its population is one of the most hospitable in the world, and all maintain a relationship full of friendship and respect for others. The climate is very similar to the Brazilian standard, with a tropical aspect most days.
It ranks second in the list of countries with the highest HDI (Human Development Index), has the best quality of life and the happiest citizens in the world. Melbourne and Sydney are among the ten friendliest cities on the planet, according to a survey by Conde Nast Traveler magazine, and the two cities are also on the list of the 20 best to live in, according to Mercer consultancy.
In terms of technology, Australia is a very advanced country with an industry in constant progress. In other words, it is a great center of innovation and technology. It is one of the safest countries in the world, with enviable urban security.
Australian culture is made up of a mix of European and indigenous references, which contributed to the formation of an extremely multicultural country. Local culture and customs are celebrated on two dates throughout the year. January 26 is “Australia Day” and April 25 is “Anzac Day”, which honors Australian and New Zealand soldiers who lost their lives in World War I.
On a large scale, the most used means of public transport in Australia is the bus. Australian cities are often connected by bus lines, which connect from the center to the outermost regions. It is clean, punctual and air-conditioned transport.
In larger cities, such as Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, there is also the railway, with trains and “trams”. In Sydney alone, there are over 150 train stations in operation. Just like the bus, this transport stands out for its punctuality and comfort for longer journeys.
In this article, we show you how the Destination Australia program works, what the application requirements are, and the many benefits of living in Australia. As we have seen, this is a country rich in natural beauty, with an above-average quality of life, excellent infrastructure, safety, excellence in teaching and respect for others, no matter if you are a native or an immigrant.