  {"id":23172,"date":"2023-12-01T10:58:00","date_gmt":"2023-12-01T02:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/?post_type=advice&#038;p=23172"},"modified":"2025-12-08T09:33:36","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T01:33:36","slug":"what-do-i-need-to-know-about-applying-to-university-in-australia","status":"publish","type":"advice","link":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/advice\/what-do-i-need-to-know-about-applying-to-university-in-australia\/","title":{"rendered":"What do I need to know about applying to university in Australia?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Interested in studying in Australia? You\u2019re not alone! With its laid-back lifestyle and beautiful landscapes, Australia is a popular destination for international students. The benefits of studying in Australia include a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/media-release\/curtin-soars-to-highest-ever-result-in-prestigious-qs-global-rankings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">world-class education system<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/about\/reputation-rankings\/#:~:text=%231%20For%20graduate%20employment,(Good%20Universities%20Guide%202022).\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">excellent job opportunities<\/a> after graduation and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/students\/personal-support\/international\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">lots of support<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article, we\u2019ll discuss your course options, visa requirements and how to apply to university in Australia. Let\u2019s get started!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What are my study options?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you\u2019ve decided to study in Australia, it\u2019s time to pick your university. You have plenty of options. Australia is home to 43 universities, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/media-release\/curtin-university-in-worlds-top-one-percent-of-universities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Âé¶¹Ö±²¥<\/a>, which ranks in the top 1% in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are leaving high school, your next step is most likely an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/undergraduate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">undergraduate degree<\/a> or a pathway program (such as the English language pathway programs offered by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/curtin-english\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Curtin English<\/a>). If you already hold an undergraduate degree, you may be eligible to apply for a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/postgraduate-by-coursework\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">postgraduate degree<\/a> (depending on your qualifications).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"500\" data-id=\"23243\" src=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/INT2023-curtin-logo-apply-aus-article-1000x500.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23243\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/INT2023-curtin-logo-apply-aus-article-1000x500.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/INT2023-curtin-logo-apply-aus-article-740x370.jpg 740w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/INT2023-curtin-logo-apply-aus-article-480x240.jpg 480w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/INT2023-curtin-logo-apply-aus-article-1260x630.jpg 1260w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The length of your course depends on the study area. A Bachelor of Arts may take three years, while a Bachelor of Medicine may take up to seven.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>No matter what you choose to study, you\u2019ll be able to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">find a course<\/a> in Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How do I apply to study at an Australian university?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Now comes the fun part! Generally, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/applying\/international\/applying-via-curtin\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">applying to university<\/a> in Australia as an international student takes only a few steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Choose your course<\/strong> \u2013 Decide where and what you want to study. There may be certain requirements for your course, including subjects you need to have studied in high school or certain grades you must have achieved.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Get your documents ready <\/strong>\u2013 This includes your ID, high school transcripts, evidence of English language proficiency, letters of recommendation and personal statements.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Apply&nbsp; <\/strong>\u2013 You can apply directly via the Curtin website, by mail or by email.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Accept your offer&nbsp; <\/strong>\u2013 Yes, you got in! Your university will send you an offer for you to accept or reject. Once you have accepted and fulfilled the conditions of your offer, you will receive a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And that\u2019s it! Once you are enrolled, you\u2019ll be able to apply for a student visa; we\u2019ll talk more about this in the following section.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t forget that every university\u2019s application process is slightly different. It\u2019s best to visit your chosen university\u2019s website to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/applying\/international\/applying-via-curtin\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">understand its application system<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are not confident about applying on your own, you can use an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/applying\/international\/apply-via-an-agent\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">education agent<\/a> to guide you through the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For detailed tips that help international students prepare a stronger application, explore our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/advice\/international-application-advice\/\">international application advice<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What requirements do I need to meet as an international student?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Curtin-University-Campaign-2022-220215-294-1000x500.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23247\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Curtin-University-Campaign-2022-220215-294-1000x500.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Curtin-University-Campaign-2022-220215-294-740x370.jpg 740w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Curtin-University-Campaign-2022-220215-294-480x240.jpg 480w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Curtin-University-Campaign-2022-220215-294-1260x630.jpg 1260w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Curtin-University-Campaign-2022-220215-294-1520x760.jpg 1520w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Curtin-University-Campaign-2022-220215-294-1920x960.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you\u2019ve been accepted by an Australian education provider, you can apply for a <a href=\"https:\/\/immi.homeaffairs.gov.au\/visas\/getting-a-visa\/visa-listing\/student-500#Overview\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Student (subclass 500) visa<\/a>. This is going to be your ticket to pursuing your academic dreams in the land Down Under.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are just a few of the requirements you\u2019ll need to meet to be eligible for a student visa:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)<\/strong> \u2013 This is the document you\u2019ll need to prove you are enrolled in an Australian university \u2013 a requirement to get the visa.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>English proficiency<\/strong> &#8211; In general, you will also need to demonstrate your English skills by taking a test such as<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ielts.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> the International English Testing System (IELTS<\/a>) or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pearsonpte.com\/pte-academic\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pearson Test of English (PTE<\/a>), and achieving a minimum score. Passport holders from certain countries are exempt from this requirement; be sure to double-check if this step is required of you via the Department of Home Affairs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)<\/strong> \u2013 As an international student, you\u2019re required to have health insurance for your entire stay in Australia. You can buy OSHC from a variety of insurance providers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember: this is just an overview of <em>some <\/em>common student visa requirements. Take your time to review the rest of the conditions and ensure you meet all of them before you apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Important dates and timelines<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/students\/essentials\/academic-calendar\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Australian academic year<\/a> generally runs from February to November. For many courses, the academic year is split into two semesters: February to June, and July to November. There are regular breaks throughout the year plus a longer midyear break between semesters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other courses may operate on a trimester-based system. This means the academic year is broken down into three terms. Here at Curtin, the first trimester runs from January to April, the second from May to August, and the third from September to December, with brief breaks between each.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/applying\/application-deadlines\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Application deadlines<\/a> vary between universities and even between courses. At Curtin, applications open around May each year and close in early February (a few weeks before classes start). That might seem like a lot of time, but it\u2019s best to get in early to avoid any last-minute panic!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/INT2023-office-space-students-apply-aus-article-1000x500.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23245\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/INT2023-office-space-students-apply-aus-article-1000x500.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/INT2023-office-space-students-apply-aus-article-740x370.jpg 740w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/INT2023-office-space-students-apply-aus-article-480x240.jpg 480w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/INT2023-office-space-students-apply-aus-article-1260x630.jpg 1260w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/INT2023-office-space-students-apply-aus-article-1520x760.jpg 1520w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><br>Take a look at our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/students\/essentials\/academic-calendar\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">academic calendar<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Apply to study at Curtin<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Âé¶¹Ö±²¥ is home to over <a href=\"https:\/\/planning.curtin.edu.au\/stats\/overview.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">13,000 international students<\/a>, and we would love for you to join our academic community.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/applying\/international\/applying-via-curtin\/#apply-direct\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Apply to Curtin today<\/a> and experience the advantages of studying in Australia. If you\u2019re not sure where to start, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/applying\/international\/apply-via-an-agent\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">visit our website<\/a> for a list of experienced education agents who can help you with your application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup><strong><em>Disclaimer<\/em><\/strong><br><em>This post is correct as of 8 December 2025, but is subject to change by Âé¶¹Ö±²¥ (in its sole discretion). Âé¶¹Ö±²¥ may change the content, and its location or blog, post, and web address. This post contains general information only. Users should consider how it applies to their personal circumstances and seek specific advice. This blog, post, and our website are not intended as, and shall not be construed as legal, financial, tax, medical, health, or any other professional advice.<\/em><br><em>\u00a9 Âé¶¹Ö±²¥ 2025.<\/em><\/sup><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Interested in studying in Australia? You\u2019re not alone! With its laid-back lifestyle and beautiful landscapes, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4451,"featured_media":23305,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"_oasis_task_priority":"2normal","_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"4871,8172,8307,4688,7561,7027","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","wds_primary_category":3,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,114,87],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23172","advice","type-advice","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-campus-and-global-community","category-international-students","category-perth-campus"],"acf":{"post_options":{"":null,"additional_content":{"title":"","content":"","image":false},"related_courses":[{"title":"","qualification":"","link":"","description":"","faculty":""}],"credits":{"author":"","photographer":"","media":false},"display_author":true,"banner":{"image":false}},"post_components":false},"featured_image":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/INT2023-global-students-banner-image-1000x1080.jpg","author_meta":{"first_name":"Curtin","last_name":"University","display_name":"Âé¶¹Ö±²¥"},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/advice\/23172","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/advice"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/advice"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4451"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/advice\/23172\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23305"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23172"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23172"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23172"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}