International Study in Australia: Study on the Gold Coast

STUDY ON THE GOLD COAST

Do you wish to live and study in Australia? Study Online Australia can make it happen.

Why study on the Gold Coast?

Affectionately known as “the Goldy”, the Gold Coast, QLD, is fast becoming one of the top study destinations in Australia. This hit tourist spot has so much to offer and is loved by beachgoers, surfers and sunseekers the world over.

The Gold Coast is Australia’s sixth-largest city, located approximately 42km south of Brisbane, and has a population of around 687,500. The subtropical climate is warm year-round, with an estimated whopping 300 days of sunshine. Better yet, the water temperatures average at 22 degrees Celsius all year - what’s not to love?

In addition to the 57km of golden, sandy beaches, the Gold Coast is nearby to the spectacular World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests - the largest collection of rainforest reserves in the world, totalling an impressive 366,500 hectares.

Breathtaking natural scenery and glorious weather aside, the Gold Coast plays host to a number of tourist attractions, including the infamous Surfer’s Paradise, theme parks, nightlife and shopping complexes. For international students studying at a Gold Coast, Australia, university or college, living on the Gold Coast may feel like an extended vacation, and who wouldn’t like that?

Take a look at course options on the Gold Coast and find out everything you need to know about getting a student visa in Australia with Study Online Australia!

Study on the Gold Coast as an international student

SStudying in Australia is a great opportunity for international students. With a student visa in Australia, you can live, work and travel in and out of Australia as much as you like, meaning you can make the most of everything the country has to offer.
Anyone above the age of 6-years-old can study in Australia as long as they hold a valid student visa (Subclass 500). Student visas are temporary and can be granted up to 5 years.
International students in Australia have the chance to enrol in many different courses. Most college courses have relatively easy entry requirements and flexible timetables, and this means that you can choose to study at a time that suits you - morning, afternoon, evening or weekends. What’s more, most courses require that you attend face-to-face contact sessions just once or twice a week.

The length you are permitted to stay in Australia on a student visa will equate to the length of your course, with a bit of additional time at the end of your studies. For example, if your course duration is 10 months or longer, you will usually be granted an additional stay period of 2 months after the completion of your course. Or, if your course duration is 10 months or less, you will be granted an additional stay period of 1 month.

However, if you want to get a longer student visa in Australia you can opt for a package course meaning you enrol in more than one course at once (e.g. a Certificate III + Certificate IV), which means the length of your visa will be longer.

Studying on the Gold Coast on a budget

The Gold Coast is a great place to study and a bonus is that it has a cheaper cost of living than other cities in Australia such as Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. However, living on a budget can still be difficult, but it isn’t impossible...

For tips on how to study in Australia as an international student on a budget, keep reading.

What’s the cheapest course I can do on the Gold Coast?

If you’re looking to study in Australia on a budget, you have a lot of options. As long as the course you are enrolled on is on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS), you can study at a Gold Coast, Australia, university or college.

The Gold Coast offers courses in many professional fields, including Hospitality, Trades and Cookery. Courses in Early Childhood Education, Accounting, IT, Project Management, Tourism, and many more. For example, if you want to explore nutrition courses, the Gold Coast has options!

The cheapest courses are vocational education and training or VET level courses (i.e. Certificate III, Certificate IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma). These are much more affordable than the courses at a Gold Coast, Australia, university - Griffith University School of Dentistry and Oral Health, Bond University and Southern Cross University.

Can I pay for my course in instalments?

Yes! When you enrol in the course you must pay for the 1st term and enrolment fee upfront, as well as any fees for materials, but the rest of the course fees are flexible, meaning you can pay every 2 or 3 months depending on the college and payment policy.

English courses can be paid in 2 instalments if the length of the course is more than 24 weeks.

Living on the Gold Coast as a student

You can find cheap student accommodation on the Gold Coast on Unilodgers, Flatmates, Facebook groups and Gumtree (both long-term and short-term room lets).

The conditions of a student visa (Subclass 500)

The student visa (subclass 500) has a number of conditions:

8105 - Work limitation
8202 - Meet course requirements
8501 - Maintain health insurance
8516 - Must maintain eligibility
8517 - Maintain education for dependants 8532 - Under 18 approve welfare
8533 - Inform provider of address

Condition 8015: How many hours am I allowed to work on a student visa in Byron Bay?

The student visa working restrictions are very strict. Whilst international students in Australia are permitted to work in any type of job, they are only allowed to work 40 hours per fortnight during term time, and no more. However, students are permitted to work unlimited hours in term break times. (Note: you cannot begin working until your course has commenced.)

Breaking this rule means that you risk forfeiting your student visa altogether. It’s advised to keep a diary of the hours you have worked so that you don’t risk breaching the visa.

It’s worth noting that, for most students, working just 40 hours a fortnight is not enough to live comfortably in Australia, and so students are expected to arrive in Australia with money to pay for rent and for course fees or have financial help from family.

For more information on student visa working conditions, read Study Online Australia's guide.

Condition 8202: How many hours do I have to study

All courses for international students are full time with 20 hours per week, which means you can’t study part-time in Perth. However, the colleges offer flexible timetables so students can choose whether to attend sessions in the morning, afternoon or evening.

What happens if I don’t attend my course sessions?

In order to stay on your student visa in Perth, you must complete the course as required. If you don’t attend your sessions or complete your assignments, you risk losing your visa and, therefore, your right to live and study in Australia.

Can you do an online course on a student visa?

No. Unfortunately, in order to get a student visa in Australia students must enrol in courses that require face-to-face contact, even if the course does involve some e-learning. However, many courses require minimal contact sessions - as little as one or two times a week.

Can I start my course at any time?

Most courses offer various intake dates throughout the year - some colleges have up to 8 intake dates a year! However, university courses in Perth usually have only 2 main intake dates a year (Jan/Feb and July).

Will I get a job once I’ve completed my course?

While it is possible that international students can get hired by companies following the completion of their course, it’s not a simple process due to recent changes to Skilled and Independent visas (Subclass 189 and Subclass 190) making it harder to sponsor non-Australian citizens.

For advice and guidance on getting a job in the hospitality industry, read our blog..

The Student Visa Application Process

The student visa application process can seem complicated and long-winded, but with the help and guidance from Study Online Australia, it is simple and quick.

What is the student visa application process and how long does it take?

International students can only enrol in full-time study at a recognised educational institution and the courses need to be under registered under the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS), which allows international students to lodge their student visa.
Once you have chosen a course to study, you must submit an application and receive a Letter of Offer which details your start and end dates as well as a payment plan. Then, once you have made the necessary payments to the college (usually a first instalment and enrolment fee) you will receive a Confirmation of Enrolment (COE). Only then can you begin to lodge your student visa application.

The student visa application process is long-winded and complex, and getting it wrong could risk your visa being delayed or denied. However, at Study Online Australia, we are on-hand to lodge your student visa on your behalf, for free!

Here is Study Online Australia’s step-by-step guide on the student visa application process from start to finish:

You choose the course you wish to enrol in and the intake date
You send us the required documents so that we can begin the enrolment process. See the list of required documents below:
1. The completed course application form
2. A copy of your passport
3. A copy of your current visa (if you’re applying onshore)
4. A copy of academic document/proof of the highest level of education completed (if not in English, translation is required)
5. If non-English speaking, an English test recommended by the Department of Home Affairs must be completed
Once we have received the necessary documents we can organise a Letter of Offer from the college within 48 hours
To secure your place on the course, you must pay the first instalment and enrolment fee (all payment terms and conditions will be specified in your Letter of Offer)
Once you make the payment you will receive your Confirmation of Enrolment within 5 days. We can then start to put together your student visa application
We will send you the student visa application to form to fill out, and you must write a Genuine Temporary Entry letter (read our GTE guide here)
Once you have completed the above and paid the student visa (Subclass 500) cost, we will lodge the visa on your behalf
Your visa gets accepted and you prepare to study in Australia!

With guidance from Study Online Australia, the process can take just a matter of weeks, from start to finish.

How much does a student visa cost?

The cost of student visa in Australia is $620.

How much does OSHC cost?

The cost of compulsory Overseas Medical Student Health Cover (OSHC) is dependent on the length of study in Australia, but usually ranges from $480 - $550 for a single person cover for one year.

Can you apply for a student visa whilst you’re in Australia on a Working Holiday Visa?

Yes! A Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417 or Subclass 462) has no impact on a student visa, and you can apply for a student visa whilst in Australia on your WHV. Just be sure to lodge your application with plenty of time so that there is no gap between visas and you are legally allowed to be in Australia at all times.

Cheap courses on the Gold Coast

Career outcomes: Business Advisor; Business Analyst; Business Development Manager; Administrative Assistant; Office Administrator Assistant; Accounts Clerk; Data Analyst.

Certificate II in Business
It develops a broad range of skills required in a professional business or office environment.The course provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to secure an entry level position in the corporate world and contribute effectively to the successful running of a business. Students develop sound underlying knowledge and skills in:

Computer operation, writing routine business documents and record-keeping
Professional customer service and effective business communication
Workplace health and safety
Working effectively with cultural and individual diversity
Planning a work schedule and identifying opportunities for improvement

Duration: 30 wks
Timetabled sessions: Flexible timetables confirmed upon enrolment
Location: Gold Coast
CRICOS registered
Course code: 089755K

Certificate IV in Marketing
It's offering practical, engaging training in all areas of the marketing industry, including international marketing and e-marketing. This course develops the marketing and communications skills you need to succeed in the ever-expanding marketing industry, including:

Leading teams to conduct effective marketing campaigns
Communicating effectively in a team environment
Analysing consumer behaviour and developing product knowledge
Articulating, presenting and debating ideas
Profiling the market and effectively promoting products and services
Reviewing advertising options and optimising digital media impact

Duration: 52 wks
Timetabled sessions: Flexible timetables confirmed upon enrolment
Location: Gold Coast
CRICOS registered
Course code: BSB42415

Certificate IV in Accounting
It can help you improve your career prospects with vital accounting knowledge and real-world accounting skills.Qualified and experienced trainers will develop your understanding of core business practices in the financial services industry, including financial records, budgets, tax requirements, general business skills and effective communication.This course meets the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) educational requirements for registered Business Activity Statement (BAS) agents. *

Get vital accounting knowledge and real-world accounting skills
Improve your career prospects in the accounting field
Become a certified bookkeeper or registered BAS agent - experience criteria applies
Diverse mix of international and domestic students
Qualified and experienced Accounting Trainers teach and assess this course
Interest free and flexible payment plans available
Free literacy and English support available for all students
Flexible learning options including online and face to face
Duration: 52 wks
Location: Gold Coast
CRICOS registered
Course code: FN40217

Diploma of Human Resources
This course provides the knowledge and managerial skills you need to maximise employee performance in service of an employer’s strategic objectives and ensure that Human Resources functions are conducted effectively.It is a comprehensive introduction to Human Resource Management, taking a strategic approach to employee management to help your organisation gain a competitive advantage. It develops essential skills and knowledge, including:

Compensation and benefits
Staffing, recruitment and selection
Labour relations
Training and Development
Workplace Health and Safety
Planning, mediation and arbitration
Industrial relations and recruitment
Influence of government legislation on industry
Human rights legislation and employment equity
Duration: 40 wks
Location: Gold Coast
CRICOS registered
Course code: BSB50618

Certificate IV in Leadership & Management
Taught by experienced industry experts, this nationally recognised qualification provides a broad knowledge base and develops interpersonal and technical skills including problem solving, communication and evaluation. The Certificate IV in Leadership and Management develops the skills you need to provide leadership and direction to others and successfully contribute in a wide variety of management contexts, including:

Showing leadership and promoting innovation
Communicating effectively in a team environment
Implementing strategies for customer service
Building client relationships and business networks
Developing work priorities and implementing operational plan
Implementing Workplace Health and Safety policies, procedures and programs
Duration: 52 wks
Location: Gold Coast
CRICOS registered
Course code: BSB42015

At Study Online Australia, we are experts on student visas and are dedicated to helping international students study in Australia.

Get in touch with Study Online Australia today to enquire about student visas in Australia and for more information about courses.

Study on the Gold Coast