| Many international students wonder what the best | | | | into trouble if your qualifications are at a very different |
| course is to choose if they are interested in staying on | | | | level – for example, if you do a certificate |
| permanently after they finish. We have compiled a list | | | | qualification in hairdressing, then do a Masters in IT, the |
| of our top 5 tips in making the choice: | | | | Department of Immigration may not accept that a |
| 1. Study Something You are Genuinely Interested In | | | | Masters level qualification in IT will be useful to you in |
| Many students are tempted to study a course only | | | | your career as a hairdresser. |
| because it improves their chances of qualifying for | | | | 4. Right Qualification Level |
| permanent residence. This is in general not a good idea | | | | Only the following qualifications can be counted |
| for the following reasons: | | | | towards the 2 year study requirement: |
| - Study in Australia is expensive – you might as well | | | | - Degrees: this includes Bachelor degrees, Graduate |
| study something which is going to be useful to you in | | | | Diplomas, Masters and PhDs |
| your future career | | | | - Diplomas: generally this would be a 2-year |
| - It’s very difficult to pass a course you have no | | | | qualification |
| interest in | | | | - Trade certificates: Certificate III or higher in a trade |
| - You obtain extra points if you work in your | | | | occupation (Group 4 in ASCO) |
| occupation after completion of your course | | | | Completion of the following qualifications would not in |
| 2. 2 Years Study | | | | themselves suffice for the 2 year study requirement: |
| To get the full benefit of study in Australia, you will | | | | - Graduate Certificates (In general, these are 6-month |
| need to complete a course or courses which are | | | | courses and are equivalent to half a graduate diploma) |
| registered for at least 92 weeks on CRICOS. If you | | | | - Associate Degrees (2 year qualifications leading |
| are studying a one-year course, you may consider | | | | towards a degree) |
| studying a second year to complete the 2 years of | | | | - Certificates I and II in trade occupations (eg |
| study, but the courses must be closely related to your | | | | Certificate II in Hairdressing) |
| occupation | | | | - Certificates I, II, III and IV in non-trade occupations (eg |
| 3. Closely Related Studies | | | | Certificate IV in Business) |
| There are a couple of issues to consider in looking at | | | | However, if you have completed lower qualifications |
| closely related studies: | | | | on the way to completing a qualification which can be |
| - The subject matter needs to be relevant to your | | | | counted, the period of study at the lower level might |
| occupation; and | | | | be counted towards the 2 year study requirement. For |
| - The level of the qualifications needs to be | | | | example, if you have completed a Certificate IV in |
| appropriate to your occupation | | | | Business and this gave credits towards completion of |
| In terms of subject matter, the Department of | | | | a Diploma in Business, then it may be possible to count |
| Immigration is relatively flexible when it comes to | | | | the time taken to compete the Certificate IV towards |
| generic business and IT courses – for example if | | | | the 2 year study requirement. |
| you are studying a trade such as hairdressing, it may | | | | 5. Masters or Honours Years |
| be possible for you to count business studies on the | | | | If you are completing a bachelor degree in Australia, |
| basis that the business studies will be useful to you in | | | | then you may consider completing an honours year or |
| starting a business as a hairdresser. | | | | masters qualification after you finish. |
| In terms of the level of the qualification, you can run | | | | |