More than 455,000 international students enrolled in the Australian education system in 2007, and the numbers continue to increase. The education system has an international reputation for excellence and offers an expansive range of courses for students. Australia also takes special considerations for international students to ensure they receive a quality learning experience and have access to all student services through the Education Services for Overseas Students Act.
Australia is home to sports, art, music and entertainment, with a mix of home-grown Aussie talent and world-class acts found throughout the country. Melbourne is known as the cultural and sporting capital of Australia. Music, art and film festivals are held year-round, and Australian rules football takes over the city from March to September. In Sydney, Australia's largest city, rugby reigns from March to October alongside cultural events at the iconic Opera House and throughout the city.
Australia is about the same size as the continental United States, and students have many trips and tours to consider when university is not in session. Adventure tours through the outback, skydiving, wine tasting tours, scuba diving and snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef, and a relaxing vacation at one of Australia's 10,000 beaches are just a few options. Cheap airfare is easy to find for domestic flights throughout the country, and travel destinations such as New Zealand, Fiji and other countries in the South Pacific and Asia are never too far from major Australian cities.
Thanks to Australia's isolation from other continents, more than 80 percent of the native flowering plants and mammals can't be naturally found outside Australia. These mammals include the kangaroo, platypus, echidna, wallaby and koala.
All visitors to Australia are required to apply for a visa. Students who plan to be in the country for less than three months can enter Australia on a visitor or working holiday visa. A student visa is required for courses that last three months or longer. A student visa allows the holder to access student health insurance and work part time. Students should contact their local Australian embassy for more specific information on visa requirements, applications and fees.