{"id":3821,"date":"2026-08-04T12:14:40","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T15:14:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.australianway.es\/?p=3821"},"modified":"2026-08-28T05:04:28","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T08:04:28","slug":"estudiar-en-australia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.australianway.es\/en\/study-in-australia\/","title":{"rendered":"Studying in Australia: the three routes and how to choose yours"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Studying in Australia is more than an English course. Here's the whole picture: programmes, costs, schools, and what the year really looks like.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are three routes to study in Australia, all on the same Student Visa: English, vocational training and university. Most people start with an English course, and if you already have the level or want to go a step further, vocational training or university can be another option. This guide is here to save you time: what you can actually study, what it costs, where to do it, and how to choose the school that genuinely fits you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What \"studying in Australia\" means<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are three routes to study in Australia, all on the same Student Visa: <strong>English (ELICOS)<\/strong>, <strong>vocational training (VET\/TAFE)<\/strong> and <strong>higher education (universities)<\/strong>. Each route has its own length, its own cost and its own requirements. Choosing your starting point well matters because it shapes the length of your visa, your city, your work and your budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The path most students follow:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>English (ELICOS).<\/strong> From 12 weeks to a year or more. The easiest way in, with no prior English certificate and courses starting every Monday of the year.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>VET\/TAFE (vocational training).<\/strong> From 6 months to 2 years. Hands-on training in areas like cookery, IT, marketing, business and early childhood education. The most affordable option for a longer stay.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Higher education (university).<\/strong> 3 years or more for a bachelor's degree, 1 or 2 more for a master's. Internationally recognised, an official English certificate is required, and it sits in the highest tuition bracket.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A common path is to start with English, move on to a VET\/TAFE course and finish with a university degree, renewing your visa from inside Australia at each step. You don't have to plan the whole route from day one; you do need to know it exists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/new.australianway.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/wes-hicks-4-EeTnaC1S4-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4211\" srcset=\"https:\/\/new.australianway.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/wes-hicks-4-EeTnaC1S4-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/new.australianway.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/wes-hicks-4-EeTnaC1S4-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/new.australianway.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/wes-hicks-4-EeTnaC1S4-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/new.australianway.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/wes-hicks-4-EeTnaC1S4-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/new.australianway.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/wes-hicks-4-EeTnaC1S4-unsplash-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/new.australianway.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/wes-hicks-4-EeTnaC1S4-unsplash-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The three routes in detail<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">English (ELICOS)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">ELICOS stands for <em>English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students<\/em>: the technical name for English schools accredited to teach international students. It's the route with the fewest barriers to entering Australia. You don't need an English certificate to apply, the placement test happens on your first day of class, and you can start from beginner level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Weekly tuition sits around $300\u2013450 AUD depending on the school and the city. Courses run from 12 weeks (the minimum for the Student Visa) up to a year or more. Classes usually have between 12 and 18 students from all over the world: your classmates come from Brazil, Korea, Italy, Argentina and Vietnam, so English quickly becomes the only shared language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most students combine ELICOS with a part-time job. The Student Visa lets you work 48 hours per fortnight during term time, which covers rent and food in most cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">VET and TAFE (Vocational Education and Training)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">VET (Vocational Education and Training) courses lead to a recognised qualification: Certificate III, Certificate IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Graduate Diploma. Areas include cookery, hospitality, IT, marketing, business, education, fitness, automotive, construction and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">TAFE (Technical and Further Education) courses are the public version of VET, with a bit more academic prestige. They're well regarded by Australian employers, present in almost every city in the country, and some let you transfer credits if you later want to move on to university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tuition sits around $5,000\u201315,000 AUD a year for private VET and $8,000\u201318,000 AUD a year for TAFE, paid by term rather than upfront. Courses run from 6 months to 2 years depending on the level. Most VET schools run an internal English test before you start, so you don't necessarily need an official certificate; the test does set the minimum level you can enter with. For TAFE you do need an official certificate with a high level of English.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">VET\/TAFE is the most flexible route. You can chain courses together to extend your stay, switch areas between courses, and classes are in English, so you keep building your professional vocabulary while you study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Higher education (university)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">University courses follow the usual international model: 3 years for a bachelor's degree, 1 or 2 more for a master's. Tuition for international students sits around $20,000\u201345,000 AUD a year, with the highest prices in business, engineering and medicine. The English level required is higher, usually IELTS 6.5 or equivalent, and you pay by semester rather than by term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">University is the biggest investment and the most academically demanding route. It's also the slowest to get started: most universities have two intakes a year (February and July), so timing matters more than it does for ELICOS or VET. Months can pass between the offer letter and the CoE, so it pays to plan ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/new.australianway.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/pexels-german-suarez-2985952-37648131-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4213\" srcset=\"https:\/\/new.australianway.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/pexels-german-suarez-2985952-37648131-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/new.australianway.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/pexels-german-suarez-2985952-37648131-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/new.australianway.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/pexels-german-suarez-2985952-37648131-767x511.jpg 767w, https:\/\/new.australianway.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/pexels-german-suarez-2985952-37648131-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/new.australianway.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/pexels-german-suarez-2985952-37648131-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/new.australianway.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/pexels-german-suarez-2985952-37648131-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What it costs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tuition is only part of it. This is the full cost of studying in Australia for a year, route by route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Tuition.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>ELICOS: around $15,000\u201322,000 AUD a year ($300\u2013450 AUD a week \u00d7 ~50 weeks).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>VET (private): $5,000\u201315,000 AUD a year.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>TAFE (public): $8,000\u201318,000 AUD a year.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>University: $20,000\u201345,000 AUD a year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>OSHC (compulsory health cover).<\/strong> $600\u2013700 AUD a year for a single student. The two providers we work with are Bupa and Allianz. For couples or families, the cost roughly doubles or more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Visa fee.<\/strong> Around $2,000 AUD plus a bank charge of about $28 AUD. The fee is reviewed every July, so check it before you apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Cost of living.<\/strong> $1,500\u20132,500 AUD a month depending on the city. Rent is the biggest variable: beach suburbs and city centres cost more, university areas and outer suburbs are more affordable. Food, transport and the odd weekend out sit in similar ranges across all the cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Financial proof for the visa.<\/strong> The Australian government asks to see about $29,700 AUD in your account, or a guarantor's, before granting the visa. It's money you need to show, not money you spend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The hidden costs.<\/strong> Translations, certifications, a medical exam (if your country requires one) and the first month or two of OSHC paid before you arrive. Allow $500\u20131,000 AUD for these.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What work gives back.<\/strong> Most students offset a good part of the cost with part-time work. With the Student Visa's cap of 48 hours per fortnight and casual hospitality rates of about $33 AUD an hour, that's roughly $725 AUD gross a week, or $2,800\u20133,100 AUD a month. Enough to cover much of the cost of living in most cities once you're working, so your starting budget is mostly tuition, health cover, the visa fee and your first two months of rent and food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All these figures are reviewed yearly. Use them to plan, not as a final quote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where to study<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Australia has hundreds of CRICOS-registered schools across the country. The seven cities we work with most are Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Byron Bay. Each has a different mix of schools, a different cost structure and a different feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sydney.<\/strong> The largest school network in the country and the most diverse international student community. The Australian city the world knows best.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Melbourne.<\/strong> Capital of art, food and multiculturalism. Speciality coffee, live music and one of the Australian cities with the most international students.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Gold Coast.<\/strong> Beach-and-surf student life, with a job market centred on hospitality. Outdoor living sets the weekly rhythm for most students.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Brisbane.<\/strong> Subtropical climate, a growing student community, and a good balance between school choice and lifestyle.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Perth.<\/strong> A smaller study scene, a west-coast distance from the rest of the country, but a lower cost of living and an easier job market.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Adelaide.<\/strong> The smallest of the big student cities, very affordable, with a strong food and wine scene and nature close by.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Byron Bay.<\/strong> Surf and yoga culture with a smaller pick of schools, but a lifestyle that hooks you if it matches how you want to live the experience.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Within each city, schools vary a lot in price and teaching style. The school you choose shapes your year as much as the city does, so it's worth taking the time to choose well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Australian Way helps you<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Seventeen years, more than 12,000 students, three countries. Choosing your programme and school is one of the first things we work through with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We start with the free 15-minute call. Country, city, course, timing, budget. No commitment. By the time you hang up, you know what your plan looks like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then we sit down with you to choose the school. We've worked with schools in every city we cover, and we tell you what we know about each one. Including the ones we don't recommend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We handle the back-and-forth with the school so your CoE arrives right the first time. Then we sit down with you to apply for your visa, through every form and every supporting document.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your situation changes mid-course (you want to extend, switch areas, or move from English to VET) we work through the renewal path with you from inside Australia. Most students end up doing more than one course. We plan for that with you from the start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you land, someone from the team meets you in your destination city. They're there to welcome you, help you open a bank account, or have a first coffee with you while everything still feels strange. A real person, in your city, all year round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>What everyone asks us on the first call.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Do I need to know English to study in Australia?<\/strong> Not for ELICOS courses: the school gives you a placement test on your first day. For VET, schools usually run an internal test to set your starting level. For university, you need an official English certificate (usually IELTS 6.5 or equivalent).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How long can I stay in Australia on student visas?<\/strong> The overall maximum on student visas is five years. Within that window you can chain several courses: each new course needs a new visa application, but the total time can come close to those five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Can I work while I study?<\/strong> Yes. The Student Visa lets you work 48 hours per fortnight during term time, and unlimited hours during official school breaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What's the difference between VET and university?<\/strong> VET is practical and focused on one specific area: courses in cookery, IT, marketing, business and childcare. University is broader, more academic, and leads to internationally recognised degrees. VET is usually cheaper and shorter; university is the bigger investment and the longer road. Many students do both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Can I switch from one course to another?<\/strong> Yes, but each new course needs a new visa application. We help you plan the timing so there are no gaps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What's the cheapest way to study in Australia?<\/strong> VET courses are generally the most affordable option, with lower tuition than university, English courses or TAFE. Once you're in Australia, you can offset a good part of the cost with the work your visa allows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Are Australian qualifications recognised internationally?<\/strong> Yes. CRICOS-registered courses follow the standards of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), accepted in most countries for professional recognition. Universities are also recognised through standard global academic frameworks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How do I choose a school?<\/strong> Think about the city, the area you want to study, the school's reputation and the timetable, because some run weekdays only and others include evenings. It also depends on the lifestyle and career path you want. We work through it with you on the call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What if I want to bring my partner or children?<\/strong> The Student Visa lets you add a partner and dependent children to your application. There are extra fees and higher financial proof requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How far in advance should I start my application?<\/strong> Three months minimum before your course start date. Earlier if your country has slower visa processing times, or if you're enrolling at university, which is planned further ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What's the easiest way to start?<\/strong> For most students, an ELICOS English course is the easiest way in: no prior English certificate, courses starting every Monday, and a quick application. From there, you can decide whether to follow on with VET or university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Can I study in my field if I'm already a professional back home?<\/strong> Often, yes, through VET. Engineering, IT, business, healthcare and the trades all have VET-level qualifications you can use to keep building your CV in Australia. Some fields require formal recognition before you can practise, but the study itself is open to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ready to start?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A 15-minute call. We talk through the country, the city, the course, the visa and what your study year looks like. By the time you hang up, you'll have your study plan clear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Estudiar en Australia es m\u00e1s que un curso de ingl\u00e9s. Aqu\u00ed tienes el cuadro entero: programas, costes, escuelas y c\u00f3mo se ve el a\u00f1o en realidad. Hay tres rutas para estudiar en Australia, todas con la misma Visa de Estudiante: ingl\u00e9s, formaci\u00f3n profesional y universidad. La mayor\u00eda empieza con un curso de ingl\u00e9s, y si [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3817,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3821","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-australia"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.australianway.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3821","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.australianway.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.australianway.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.australianway.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.australianway.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3821"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/new.australianway.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3821\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4214,"href":"https:\/\/new.australianway.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3821\/revisions\/4214"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.australianway.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3817"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.australianway.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3821"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.australianway.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3821"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.australianway.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3821"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}