Your complete free guide to studying in Australia from the Philippines — nursing pathways, visa requirements, scholarships, and your road to permanent residency.
Australia is the third most popular study destination in the world for Philippines students, offering world-class education, work rights during study, and clear pathways to permanent residency.
Australia has 8 universities in the global top 100, including University of Melbourne (#33 world) and UNSW (#19 world in engineering).
Student visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during semester and unlimited hours during semester breaks.
After graduation, stay in Australia on a Subclass 485 visa for 2–4 years to gain work experience and build your PR pathway.
Over over 30,000 students from Philippines study in Australia. Major cities like Melbourne, Brisbane and Cairns have large, welcoming Philippinesi communities.
Australia's minimum wage is AUD $23.23/hour — one of the highest in the world. Part-time work can cover a significant portion of living costs.
Philippines nurses and aged care workers have one of the strongest PR pathways in Australia. Nursing is on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL), meaning faster visa processing and lower points requirements for permanent residency.
These courses offer strong employment outcomes, clear PR pathways, and are in high demand in the Australian job market.
Here is the exact process from deciding to study to arriving in Australia.
Use our Course Finder or AI Advisor to find a course that matches your qualifications and career goals.
The Philippines is an English-speaking country — Philippines students may be exempt from the English test requirement for the student visa. However, most universities still ask for PTE 50 or IELTS 5.5. Take our free PTE practice test.
Apply directly to the university. Receive your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) after accepting the offer.
Lodge your Subclass 500 visa online. Show financial capacity, health insurance (OSHC), and meet the GTE requirement.
Arrive, settle in, start your course. You can begin working within your 48 hours/fortnight limit.
Apply for the 485 post-study work visa, gain experience, and apply for permanent residency through the points-tested system.
The Australian student visa (Subclass 500) is the visa you need to study in Australia. Here are the key requirements for Philippinesi applicants.
| Requirement | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) | From your Australian institution | ✓ Required |
| English Proficiency | May be exempt (Philippines is English-speaking) — confirm with institution | Check per institution |
| Financial Capacity | Tuition + AUD $21,041 living expenses per year | ✓ Required |
| OSHC Health Insurance | Overseas Student Health Cover for full study period | ✓ Required |
| GTE Statement | Genuine Temporary Entrant — explain why you want to study in Australia | ✓ Required |
| NBI Clearance | National Bureau of Investigation (Philippines) clearance | Usually required |
| Health Examination | Medical check by DIBP-approved panel physician | Usually required |
These universities are popular among students from Philippines for their academic reputation, student support services, and strong employment outcomes.
Significant funding is available to help students from Philippines study in Australia. Here are the main options.
Answers to the questions we get asked most by students from Philippines.
Our education advisors are from Philippines and understand your journey. Book a free consultation — we'll guide you from application to arrival.
