Research the course you want to study or do a general course of what you are interested in.

I have come to realise that this is a very tricky bit for a young student coming to study. My advice is, don’t do a course because your friend is doing it, that’s not a good reason at all. Parents will often get their children to do a specific course they think is good for them. If this is your case, and you feel strongly passionate about something else, negotiate with them so that you study the course you genuinely love. I have found that students thrive when they study a course they are genuinely interested in. If you don’t know what you want, take some time to do your own research. Let google and youtube be your best friend, google various courses and the careers they lead you to. If after a long think you are still unsure; do a general course that can lead you to multiple fields and with time you will know which of those fields you will pursue. For instance if you are interested in technology; go for a general IT degree, if interested in societal issues and how they influence people; sociology, social sciences, social work, if interested in human behaviour and development; study psychology, or if interested in working internationally with NGOs or governments you could consider diplomacy or international relations. etc. Just put some thought into it.

Using an education agent

Most universities require a student to use an agent while making an application. I too recommend using an agent as they understand the lengthy and complex application process and assessment and they will guide you through it. They are also best suited to do your student visa application, you do not want to mess up a visa application because it affects your future international travel to most countries forever, so let the professionals do it for you.

Some misconceptions about education agents. In regards to study course, an agent can assist you explore the available courses that you can study, but they are not responsible to make the decision for you. So do your own due diligence. Also, an education is not a migration agent, they do not give you advice about course that will lead your to become an Australian Permanent residence, a registered migration agent does this. An education agent’s job ends as soon as your visa is granted, however some like Options Education Agency will be able to assist you when you need during the course of your study.

Do you want to live in Australia after your studies or go back home?

This question has become undeniably important for students to know the answer to. To have the option to remain in Australia permanently after your studies, your course needs to be in the Australian skills occupation list. This list is provided by the government to guide skilled migrants who want to live and work in Australia. International students, having studied in Australia tend to be the most obvious candidates who eventually permanently migrate after their studies. The skills occupations list changes every year and it is not guaranteed that if your profession is on it one year, it will be there the next. Hence my suggestion earlier, if you are doing a course, do it for the right reasons, that you are genuinely interested or passionate about it so that at the end of 2, 3 or 4 years you haven’t wasted thousands of dollars.

Post-study work or Graduate visa

When you complete your studies, your student visa will also run out. If your degree was two or more years long, you get an option to remain in Australia for 2 or 3 years depending on whether you attended a regional or a city campus. A post-study work visa is important because it gives you an opportunity to find work in your field of study and get to work in Australia before you return home or decide to remain in Australia permanently. Seek legal advice from a registered migration lawyer about this towards the end of your studies.

Studying in Australian regional area or in city campuses

Since last year, due to the over populated Australian cities, the government began a plan to depopulate the big cities, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The plan included, creating incentives to attract students to states and areas considered regional. Some of the places considered regional include all of the following states; Western Australia (Perth), South Australia (Adelaide), Tasmania (Hobart), Northern Territory (Darwin), and other selected regions such as the Gold Coast, Cains, Townsville in Queensland, New castle, Armidale, Wollongong in New South Wales, and Geelong, Waurnambool, Ballarat in Victoria. All of these regions have university campuses. If you choose to study in a university campus that is located in these areas, you will get a 3 year post study work visa.

Make your international experience epic

Besides increased global career opportunities the other reason you might choose to study in Australia is so that you can have an international experience. It is important to have links with people from your home country as they provide a great sense of familiarity, cultural connection and community but at the same time, I highly recommend you seek out the opportunities to interact with Australian locals and people from other countries. You get to learn new things about other cultures, new ways of thinking and doing things, which adds depth to you. Also, travel around your state, interstate and even internationally during the holidays or when you want to take a break. Just have a good time.