What major should one study for overseas study in Australia? This is a question that many international students in Australia are continuously concerned about. As one of the most livable countries in the world, Australia has become a dream destination for many students studying there, with numerous individuals hoping to successfully immigrate to Australia after completing their studies. Under such circumstances, if you study in a popular major, your chances of successfully applying for immigration to Australia will be significantly increased. Let’s take a look at the majors that are most beneficial for immigration through study in Australia!
1. Conditions for Australian Skilled Immigration
The most common pathways for applying for immigration to Australia include employer-sponsored immigration, skilled immigration, and investment immigration. Among these, skilled immigration has a lower cost and is the primary method by which international students apply for immigration to Australia. The main factors for assessment in Australian skilled immigration include age, English proficiency, educational qualifications, professional skills, and work experience.
1. The applicant's occupation must be on the Skilled Occupation List for Australian immigration;
2. Obtain an assessment for the relevant occupation;
3. The applicant's age must be below 45;
4. Meet the minimum English language requirement (IELTS score of 6 in all four components);
5. Achieve the score required for the invitation (at least 60 points);
6. Meet health and character requirements.
2. Which Majors are Good for Immigration to Australia
Australia has a rich array of educational resources. In addition to 8 research-intensive universities, there are 31 teaching-focused universities, offering over 700 majors. Australia’s immigration policy places significant emphasis on the field of study. If students choose majors that are in high demand in Australia, they can also benefit from additional immigration points. The following categories of majors have been favorable for immigration over the past two years:
1. Accounting Major
According to reliable data, in recent years, many successful applicants for Australian skilled immigration have come from the accounting field. However, recent changes in immigration policy have increased the difficulty of skilled immigration for accounting professionals, which may lead to a decrease in the number of students pursuing this major. Overall, Australia’s immigration policy remains relatively stable, and the demand for accountants continues to be high, so this major will still be appealing in the short term. The average pre-tax income for full-time accountants in Australia is approximately AUD 70,000. The combination of a high annual salary and decreasing job vacancies makes the employment competition even more intense.
2. Mining Major
Australia is rich in various mineral resources, resulting in a high demand for advanced engineering professionals skilled in development and construction. Graduates from mining programs often successfully enter multinational companies, government agencies, consulting firms, and others, with starting salaries of AUD 60,000 to AUD 80,000 after tax, which is 2-3 times higher than for other graduates. It is worth mentioning that the mining engineering program at the University of New South Wales ranks first in Australia for teaching quality, student satisfaction, and employment rates, receiving high praise in the market.
3. Education Major
Teachers are currently one of the most in-demand professions in Australia. With the increasing number of newborns, there is a growing shortage of early childhood educators. Moreover, secondary school teachers and special education teachers are also in high demand, offering strong employment and immigration prospects, making this a highly recommended major in Australia. However, this profession has high language requirements, and candidates' IELTS scores need to meet the teaching requirements. Personality-wise, those who are caring, patient, and good communicators will have an advantage.
4. Nursing Major
The job vacancies for nursing professionals in the Australian labor market are also steadily increasing. Currently, there are approximately 240,000 registered nurses in Australia, with projections to reach 280,000 by 2109, indicating a shortage of 40,000. The average pre-tax weekly salary for registered nurses is AUD 1,289, with an annual salary of AUD 67,028, which is quite competitive. It is important to note that Australia has certain language requirements for nurses, and if these are not met, graduates will not be able to obtain their registered nurse certification. Therefore, students with insufficient IELTS scores need to make extra efforts.
5. IT Major
The IT field has always been vibrant in the Australian job market and is currently one of the fastest-growing industries. The most popular directions within the IT major include software engineering, network engineering, cybersecurity, information systems, and e-commerce. The high quality of IT education in Australia is not only well-regarded locally but also known internationally within the IT industry. Students graduating from IT master's programs generally obtain higher-level certifications recognized in the industry. As for recommended institutions, the Australian National University stands out as it serves as the national center for computing infrastructure and is a pioneer in establishing Australia’s national information and communications technology.
In addition to the above, other majors conducive to immigration through study in Australia include construction management, design, communications, and mechanical engineering. While there is no definitive answer to the question of “What major is good for immigration to Australia?”, considering that Australia’s immigration policies are unlikely to change suddenly, these recommendations are still of considerable reference value and are hoped to be helpful to everyone.