Known as the "Sunshine State", Queensland is the second largest State in Australia and has a strong tradition of providing quality education and training to domestic and international students alike. The standards of academic excellence in Australian universities, institutes, colleges and schools are recognised internationally. Queensland also offers a wide range of quality lifestyle options, a comfortable subtropical climate, friendly, welcoming people from an incredibly diverse range of ethnic backgrounds and cosmopolitan cities with a thriving arts and cultural scene.

Each year, Queensland welcomes more than 140,000 international students from all over the world to a wide range of educational opportunities. These include both government and private primary and secondary schools, vocational and technical education institutes and colleges, universities and English language training institutions.

With almost 300 education and training institutions specifically equipped and registered to provide education and training to international students, Queensland offers a wealth of courses to cater for student needs. Australia is the only country where there is both central and State legislative control of the standards of education. The Queensland Government is responsible for ensuring accreditation of educational institutions in Queensland to Australia-wide standards. An educational institution must receive both accreditation and registration to provide courses for international students.

The Education System

Queensland’s educational system is designed to allow students to move easily between courses, levels of study and disciplines by providing credit for experience and previous study. Whatever you choose to study in Queensland, our system is flexible enough to meet your requirements.

Schools in Queensland consist of seven years of primary school, followed by five years of secondary school. In Queensland you must study until the age of 15, and if you wish to proceed to tertiary studies, you must complete an additional two years to Year 12. The school year generally runs from January/early February until December.

Vocational Education and Training consists of the Government Technical and Further Education (TAFE) sector and private providers, such as private colleges, community providers, professional associations and schools. Vocational education and training will prepare you for future employment, supplement previous training, provide specialised training in particular aspects of job skills and prepare you for your undergraduate studies through bridging programs.

Higher education in Queensland has a reputation for excellence and quality. There are nine university institutions in Queensland offering a full range of academic and professional disciplines. Queensland universities offer two levels of study: undergraduate which includes associate diplomas and bachelor degrees; postgraduate which includes postgraduate certificates and diplomas, and master's degrees by either course work or research and doctorates.

English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) are available at a variety of Queensland Government and private institutions. There are English courses designed to prepare you for further studies in Australia, as well as courses for specific purposes. Many English courses offer a wide variety of short courses and some can even be combined with travel packages.

Queensland education and training institutions are subject to both State and Commonwealth legislation. The Queensland Government can provide an assurance that the courses offered by these institutions are accredited to the highest international standards.

Student Requirements

Accommodation, food, public transport and educational costs are generally lower in Queensland than in the rest of Australia or in cities in the United Kingdom or North America. An average student would require around A$10,000 (US$6,700) per year to live comfortably.

Students usually lodge an application for a student visa after they have enrolled in a Queensland Educational institution. The type of visa you require will depend on your length of stay and program of study. Application forms and information about particular institutions and visa arrangements may be obtained from your closest australian Education Centre or Australian Embassy/High Commission.

International students may work part-time up to 20 hours per week while studying in Australia and 40 hours per week over semester breaks. This is a good way to meet people and improve language skills. Reliable employment or work that complements your studies cannot be guaranteed, unless it is to ensure you have sufficient funds to cover tuition and living expenses.

Living in Queensland

Queensland’s cities are clean and safe and have a relatively low crime rate compared to other large cities. The three international airports are part of the modern, efficient public transport facilities.

Wherever you are in Queensland you can guarantee that you will find yourself in the centre of a vibrant cultural environment. Diversity is the word of the day when it comes to Queensland lifestyle and this diversity is reflected as much in the people themselves as it is in the landscape, music, food and arts. One day you could be walking peacefully around the Queensland Art Gallery in Brisbane, the next experiencing all the thrills of the Laura Aboriginal Dance and Cultural Festival in Northern Queensland.

Due to Queensland’s multicultural population, there are many supermarkets and restaurants which cater for all tastes. You will be able to buy almost every product you have at home including halal meats, Chinese vegetables, American style burgers, pizza and takeaway meals. In Brisbane alone, according the City Council there are over 2000 food establishments ranging from Thai to Turkish and whether you choose to be seated in a luxurious restaurant or under the shady umbrella of a bustling roadside street cafe watching the world go by, the cuisine is sure to be satisfactory.

Winter in Queensland is a dry season with the most mild and sunny weather appearing during June, July and August. Summer is typically warm and in some areas the weather can be similar to South-East Asia and the South Pacific regions. Whatever the season, the climate in Queensland is ideally suited to those that look to the great outdoors for entertainment. People in Queensland enjoy a range of leisure activities including golf, swimming, scuba diving, tennis, football, cricket, volleyball, soccer, white water rafting and, of course, surfing. With the bountiful waters of the Pacific Ocean lapping at Queensland's shores the fishing is also fantastic whatever your preference in seafood..

One of the great aspects of life in Queensland is the high level of personal freedom that comes with a truly multicultural society. People in Queensland have a wide variety of beliefs, philosophies and practices and live harmoniously with personal freedoms and rights protected by law.

You can find out more about the many options for pursuing your education, training and professional development needs in Queensland by contacting:

Department of Economic Development and Trade

100 George Street, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia 4000

Fax: (+61 7) 3224 4297

Email: studyqld@dedt.qld.gov.au

or your nearest Australian Education Centre, Australian Embassy or High Commission

Author: Rachel Goodwin, Senior Research Officer, Department of Economic Development and Trade, Queensland Government

This article first appeared in TransWorld Education