Hi everyone, your weekly Study Australia bulletin is here right on schedule. This week it is written by education consultant Channy. Before we get started, some good news to share: the Australian Department of Health has updated its website to confirm that, from 11 March, Australia will scrap the COVID-19 PCR test certificate for travellers departing China (including the mainland, Macau and Hong Kong) to enter Australia — entry returns fully to normal once again!

This week at a glance:

– Going for BBKing: UNSW reaches the World Chinese Debating Championship final

– UTS 2023 Dr Chau Chak Wing Scholarship opening soon

– ANU 2023 nationwide in-person sessions: East China leg

– A guide to applying for UWA’s 2023 International Excellence Scholarship

– 15 March visa-expiry peak: a range of renewal options to choose from

– Australia’s lowest-rent areas revealed

– This week’s offer show from top universities

Going for BBKing: UNSW reaches the World Chinese Debating Championship final

Li Zijiang, a debater from UNSW’s Chinese Debating Society, was named Best Speaker for her outstanding on-stage performance, and together with her fellow society members powered into the final to face the formidable Peking University at the summit.

Founded in 1995, the UNSW Chinese Debating Society has now been running for more than 30 years. Cohort after cohort of its members have represented the university across the major international arenas and built an outstanding track record. At this World Chinese Debating Championship, the team broke through with a 2-1 record to make the final, having finished 2022 ranked second in the world for the year and 11th in the world overall.The Huaxia Cup International Chinese-Language Debating Championship that they host has also grown into one of the highest-calibre and most influential Chinese-language debating events in the world.

UTS 2023 Dr Chau Chak Wing Scholarship opening soon

The 2023 University of Technology Sydney Dr Chau Chak Wing Scholarship – KTP master’s degree opens for applications this March. Recipients not only receive a tuition-fee reduction for their UTS master’s studies, but also receive a living allowance of AUD 10,000 per semester funded by Dr Chau Chak Wing.

Renowned Australian-Chinese entrepreneur Dr Chau Chak Wing donated AUD 20 million to build the Dr Chau Chak Wing Building, home to the UTS Business School. With its distinctive design resembling a crumpled brown paper bag, it has become one of UTS’s landmark buildings.

The aim of the Dr Chau Chak Wing Scholarship is to build and develop a long-term educational partnership with China by funding students to study at UTS, giving them a rich and broadening educational experience.

Eligibility criteria:

– A citizen of the People’s Republic of China (applies to mainland China)

– Admitted as a master’s student at, or currently enrolled in a master’s programme at, one of Beijing Institute of Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Shanghai University or Southern University of Science and Technology

– Nominated by your home institution

– Strong academic results, good character and a positive, motivated attitude

– Meets the credit-point and English entry requirements for the UTS master’s programme

– For the duration of the scholarship, the recipient must remain enrolled full-time in their chosen UTS master’s programme and comply with the relevant scholarship conditions

ANU nationwide in-person sessions – East China leg

The Australian National University’s 2023 nationwide in-person sessions head next to East China, meeting outstanding prospective ANU students and their parents face to face to offer professional study-abroad advice.

Stop 2: Nanjing, 21 March, 7pm-9pm

Stop 3: Suzhou, 22 March, 7pm-9pm

Stop 4: Shanghai, 25 March, 2.30pm – 5.30pm

Those who attend an ANU nationwide in-person session can enjoy:

– Direct conversations with ANU China Centre staff and the latest information

– A clear application timeline

– Better guidance on course choice and entry requirements

– Advice on student life

Founded in 1946 and known as ANU, the Australian National University is located in Australia’s capital, Canberra, and is a world-leading institution. As Australia’s first research university, it is a member of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities, the International Alliance of Research Universities and Australia’s Group of Eight (Go8). It is the only institution established by an Act of the Australian Federal Parliament and the sole university to hold national-university status across Australia.

A guide to applying for UWA’s International Excellence Scholarship

The University of Western Australia (UWA) International Excellence Scholarship is a scholarship for both undergraduate and postgraduate students, available across selected UWA courses. The exact scholarship amount is determined by the student’s ATAR, UWA Weighted Average Mark (WAM) or equivalent results.

Scholarship eligibility criteria:

– Students of Chinese nationality

– Applying for a selected UWA undergraduate or postgraduate course in 2023

– Meeting the scholarship requirements

Eligible students who apply will automatically be awarded the corresponding scholarship amount by the university.

15 March visa-expiry peak: a range of renewal options

15 March is the standard annual visa-expiry date in Australia. Students should always keep a close eye on their exact visa dates, and prepare in good time to renew or apply for their next visa.

To check whether your visa has expired, you can use VEVO to check your visa status in real time

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/already-have-a-visa/check-visa-details-and-conditions/check-conditions-online

The following situations that call for a renewal are fairly common — see which one fits you:

1. Because of the pandemic you took a leave of absence, failed a unit or changed major, and so cannot complete your studies before your current visa expires. You can choose to renew your student visa onshore. The key step is to obtain a new CoE from your institution — only with this document can you lodge the visa application.

2.You have now graduated and want to work in Australia. You can choose to apply for the Subclass 485 / Graduate Work (PSW) visa. You must have completed a CRICOS-registered course of two years or more, with an actual study duration of at least 16 months; meet IELTS overall 6 with no band below 5, or PTE 50 with no band below 36; have held a student visa within the six months before lodging; and apply within six months of the completion date stated on your completion letter.

3.You have graduated and plan to stay a little longer in Australia, or need time to attend your graduation ceremony. In this case you can apply for a visitor visa onshore, for a period of 3-6 months.

4.You currently have a job but do not qualify for a work visa, and want to keep working in Australia. In this case you can apply for the Subclass 408 / Temporary Activity (pandemic) visa. The biggest advantage is that there is no visa fee, and it can be granted for up to one year.

Every situation is different — if you cannot assess yours yourself, get in touch and we will assess it for you free of charge!

This week was another bumper week for offers from top universities. Below is a selection of our offer show! We collected offers from the University of New South Wales, the University of Technology Sydney, the University of Canberra, Curtin University and Bond University and more top universities!

The fields of study covered include finance, social work, mining engineering, translation and property development and more!

2023