Queensland is the second largest state of Australia that has a population of 4.7 million people and covering a land area of around 1,72,27,000 square kilometres. Also known as the sunshine state, Queensland boasts the best weather in Australia and is home to the fastest-growing city Brisbane.
With its pristine golden beaches, vibrant sea, tropical rainforests and wildlife, Queensland has become the favorite destinations for people from all over the world. So if you are someone who’s looking forward to studying in Queensland, then you should know that it is a gateway to limitless learning experiences.
Read this article to know more about the sunshine state.
1. Studying in Queensland
Queensland provides a wide range of education opportunities for domestic as well as international students. The metropolitan institutions in Queensland are known for offering Australian university courses in various fields like business, arts, hotel management, human movement, and more.
However, regional Queensland offers courses in specialised areas such as tropical agriculture, marine science, management and hospitality.
There are approximately 300 registered institutions for international students in Queensland including:
More than 100 Australian vocational education and training colleges
More than 100 Catholic, state and independent schools
More than 50 English Language schools
10 universities
7 x TAFE (Technical and Further Education Institutes)
Queensland is also a leader in research with the following major research centres:
More than 40 medical and health research centres
20 design and manufacturing research centres
18 nature and environment research centres
14 agricultural and food research centres
9 mining and energy research centres
9 information, multimedia, and communication technology research centres
7 space, defence, and aviation research centres
Besides the well-known institutes, Queensland as a study destination has various other advantages:
It provides free schooling to children of PhD students and 576-visa holders, depending on the public school's requirements.
It offers local transport concessions to international students who have chosen accredited courses.
PhD and Masters degree students may be nominated and considered for Australian permanent residency by Business and Skilled Migration Queensland (BSMQ).
2. Major Universities in Queensland
3. Living in Queensland
With its gorgeous natural environment, popular tourist attractions and relaxed lifestyle, Queensland is the most famous Australian city that attracts visitors from all around the world. The tourism industry contributes a huge amount to the state economy.
It’s not just international visitors who fall for the beauty of Queensland but also over half a million Australians from different states have relocated here.
Queensland is a friendly and relaxed place with a glorious subtropical climate that promotes a healthy outdoor lifestyle. The natural environment of Queensland makes it a must-visit destination. The Daintree Rainforest, nestled in the far north of the state is the oldest rainforest of the earth and is home to incredible wildlife.
Just a little further south, you’ll find the Great Barrier Reef – the world’s most unique and biologically diverse ecosystem. The reef stretches along the Queensland’s coastline for over 2,000 km and is also world-renowned for its amazing scuba diving locations.
You’ll get to see the mining sites, enormous sheep and cattle stations in the Queensland’s outback. And when you move closer to Brisbane, on the southeast coast lies Moreton, Stradbroke, and Fraser Islands.
Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, is Australia’s third largest city after Sydney and Melbourne. Brisbane’s subtropical climatic conditions attracts international and interstate students.
There are around 100,000 university students living in the city. Brisbane is a multicultural, friendly, and a safe place with plenty to explore like gardens, parks, art galleries, museums, recreational facilities, convention facilities, shopping centres, cafés and restaurants. It is ranked fourth amongst the seven best student cities in Australia.
4. Climate
Queensland has a subtropical climate with two seasons, a dry season from June to October, and a humid and rainy season from October to May. Brisbane has mild winters and hot summers.
The average temperature during winter is 21°C and 29°C in summer. In regional Queensland, the summers are humid with high rainfall. In Cairns, the maximum temperature in summers may reach 31°C, while in the Gold Coast and Townsville it is around 30°C.
5. Housing
The average weekly rent for a house in Brisbane is AUD $420 and $375 for a unit. Whereas, in the regional areas of Queensland like the Gold Coast and the Far North Queensland the rental price for a house may drop down to $400 and $360 respectively.
It’s important to note that these prices may vary depending on the location you choose. The rental market in Queensland is very competitive, you can visit your institution’s housing service for any advice or referral.
6. Transport
Queensland has the best public transportation in Australia. All full-time time students get a public transport concession card. You can also use an electronic ‘go card’ on bus, ferry, and train services in southeast Queensland. In Brisbane, trains, Night Link buses, and Flat Fare taxis operate on Friday and Saturday nights.
Getting around by bike is also a good option. Most of the regional areas in Queensland have local buses, but access to personal transportation might be required.
To get more information about public transport in Queensland, you can visit TransLink.
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