Guides

Every guide on StudyAU — sorted by most recently updated.

• Subclass 190 State Nominated Visa: Permanent residency with state sponsorship

  2 Feb, 2026

  Subclass 190 State Nominated Visa grants permanent residency via points and state nomination. Lower points required than 189; each state sets occupations and priorities.

• Health Requirements for Australian Student Visa: Medical Exam, Tests, Panel Physicians

  31 Jan, 2026

  Health requirements for Subclass 500: chest X-ray, HIV test, panel physician. Which applicants must undergo medical exam. Australian health standards.

• Superannuation for International Students — How It Works and DASP Explained

  28 Jan, 2026

  Employers contribute 11.5–12% of your pay to superannuation. When you leave Australia, apply for Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP) to access it. Tax: 37% withholding.

• Foundation Programs, Diplomas, and Direct Entry: Who Needs Which Pathway

  24 Jan, 2026

  International students have three pathways to bachelor's degrees: direct entry, foundation programs (1 year), and diplomas (1-2 years). Understand when each is appropriate.

• Bachelor vs Honours vs Coursework Master vs PhD in Australia: Choosing the Right Level

  21 Jan, 2026

  Bachelor, Honours, Coursework Master, PhD in Australia: duration, cost, career outcomes compared. Choosing the right qualification level.

• Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa: Points-based permanent residency without sponsorship

  20 Jan, 2026

  Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa: points-tested PR visa, no sponsor required, 65-point minimum, practical score 85–95+, occupation on CSOL, 4-year processing.

• Switching from Visitor Visa to Student Visa: Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

  19 Jan, 2026

  Switch from visitor (600/651) to student visa. Pitfall: condition 8503 ('no further stay'). Must depart first. How to avoid common mistakes.

• Working Part-Time in Australia — Minimum Wage, Awards, Rights, and Fair Work

  16 Jan, 2026

  International students can work 48 hours/fortnight during semester (unlimited during breaks). Minimum wage is A$24.95/hour (2025-26). Casual loading +25%; know your award rate and rights.

• Understanding QS, THE, and ARWU Rankings: What Each Measures and How to Read Them

  12 Jan, 2026

  Three main university rankings (QS, THE, ARWU) measure different criteria. Learn what each prioritizes, how they differ, and how to interpret them when choosing Australian universities.

• Media and Communications Masters in Australia: Top Programs and Career Pathways

  10 Jan, 2026

  Master of Media, Communications in Australia: 1.5–2 years, AUD 42k–52k/year. Internship, broadcast, journalism, PR pathways. RMIT, UTS, Monash.

• Working as a Student in Australia: The 48-Hour Per Fortnight Rule and Exceptions

  23 Dec, 2025

  Student work limit in Australia: 48 hours per fortnight during term, unlimited during breaks. Condition 8105. Exceptions, monitoring, penalties.

• Australian Health System — OSHC, GP Visits, Prescriptions, and Medicare

  19 Dec, 2025

  OSHC is mandatory (A$650–$750/year). GP visits are bulk-billed (free). PBS prescriptions cost A$36–$42. After-hours calls: 13 SICK. Reciprocal agreements with UK, NZ, Sweden, etc.