Complete Guide to Studying in Australia and New Zealand

The six stages of the journey

Studying in Australia or New Zealand follows the same broad path whichever country you pick: choose a course and university, meet and prove the entry requirements, apply and accept an offer, arrange your student visa, fund your studies, and (optionally) work during and after your course. This guide gives you the map; each stage has its own detailed guide on GlobalStudyBoard for the specifics.

The most important habit to build early is verifying everything on the official source. Tuition, living-cost figures, English-test scores, deadlines, and visa rules are all set by the university or the government and can change every year, so treat any number you read anywhere as a prompt to confirm it officially — not as a fixed fact.

Stage 1 and 2 — choose a course, then meet the requirements

Start with the course, not just the university. Decide your level (undergraduate, postgraduate coursework, or research), shortlist programmes that match your background and goals, and then compare the universities that offer them. Both countries have well-regarded universities across cities and regional areas.

Every programme lists its own entry requirements: an academic benchmark (your previous qualification and grades), an English-language requirement (commonly demonstrated through tests such as IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, or others the university accepts), and any subject prerequisites. The required scores and qualifications vary by university and course, so read each programme page on the official university website.

• Pick the course level and field first, then the university
• Check the academic and English-language entry requirements per programme
• Confirm accepted English tests and minimum scores on the official university page

Stage 3 — apply and accept your offer

International students generally apply directly to each Australian or New Zealand university through its online application portal, submitting transcripts, English-test results, a statement of purpose where required, and any references. Some courses have additional steps such as portfolios or interviews.

If an application is successful you receive an offer. For Australia, accepting and meeting the conditions of your offer leads to a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), which you need for the student visa. New Zealand universities issue an Offer of Place that supports your visa application. Watch each university's intake deadlines — both countries mainly run two main intakes a year.

Stage 4 — the student visa (general information only)

To study, you apply for a student visa: in Australia the Student visa (subclass 500), and in New Zealand the student visa administered by Immigration New Zealand. Both typically require proof of enrolment, evidence of sufficient funds, health and character requirements, and health-insurance arrangements (Overseas Student Health Cover, OSHC, is required for most student-visa holders in Australia).

This is general information, not immigration advice. Visa criteria, fees, processing times, and conditions are set by the government and change frequently — always verify the current rules on the official government source (the Australian Department of Home Affairs or Immigration New Zealand) before you act, and seek a registered professional if you need advice on your own case.

Stage 5 and 6 — fund your studies, then work

Funding usually combines personal or family funds, scholarships, and sometimes an education loan. Universities and governments in both countries offer scholarships with their own eligibility rules and deadlines — apply early and never pay anyone who "guarantees" an award, as no legitimate scholarship is guaranteed.

Many student visas allow limited paid work during study and there are post-study work options in both countries, each with its own conditions and time limits set by the government. Working rules and any caps on hours change, so confirm what your specific visa allows on the official government source before relying on it.

• Combine savings, scholarships, and (if needed) an education loan
• Apply for scholarships early; never pay for a "guaranteed" award
• Check work rights and post-study work options on the official government source

How to use this overview

Use this guide as your starting checklist, then open the detailed GlobalStudyBoard guide for each stage and each country. If you are deciding between the two destinations, read a side-by-side comparison first; if you have chosen a country, follow that country's step-by-step roadmap. Whatever you read, confirm the live figures and rules on the official university and government websites before you commit.