How to match your background with the Right Australian Course
Choosing the right course in Australia isn’t just about what sounds interesting—it’s about aligning your past education, skills, experience, and goals with what will both fulfill you academically and open up opportunities (visa, work, career) afterward. Below are steps & tips to help you make a wise choice.
- Reflect on your background
- Academic Record & Subjects Taken
What subjects did you excel in? What was your academic performance? If you did well in mathematics, science, or languages, these may suggest you’re suited for related courses. If your school/university subjects are unrelated to what you now want to study, check if the prerequisite or bridging courses are required.
- Work Experience and Skills
Even non‐academic experiences count—volunteer work, previous jobs, hobbies. Skills like communication, problem‐solving, leadership, or technical skills can help you shift or adapt to courses that build on those strengths.
- Identify Your Interests and Long-Term Goals
- Ask yourself: What do I enjoy doing? What kind of work do I want after graduation? Do I want to stay/work in Australia?
- Consider what fields are in demand in Australia (e.g., health, IT, engineering, trades). Choosing a course aligned with those areas can help with future work opportunities and possibly post‐study work permissions.
- Research Courses & Institutions
- Use tools such as Study Australia’s Course Search to explore courses, entry requirements, fees, duration, and location.
- Check whether the course has prerequisites (certain high school or undergraduate subjects, or English proficiency levels).
- Investigate whether the institution offers support like pathway courses, foundation/bridging programs, if your academic background doesn’t fully match the entry requirements.
- Match Course to Visa & Migration Outcomes (If Relevant)
- If your goal includes staying in Australia after studies (or working), choose a course that aligns with occupation demand and possibly the Skilled Occupation Lists. These help with visa/migration pathways.
- Also important: ensure that your course choice looks credible in your visa application. If the course does not reasonably follow from your past background or stated goals, visa officers may question your Genuine Student Intent.
- Assess Practical Considerations
- Cost & Funding: Tuition + cost of living + travel. Some locations are more expensive than others.
- Duration & Mode of Study: Full-time vs part-time; whether the course offers flexible or online components.
- Support Services: English‐language support, academic counseling, internships.
- Living Environment: City vs regional Australia; proximity to family or other support; lifestyle.
- Seek Guidance & Use Tools
- Talk with education counselors, alumni, or people working in the field you aim for. Their insights can help clarify what the course is really like in terms of workload, opportunities, and challenges.
- Use available online tools & resources. For example, VisaEnvoy provides tips on choosing courses that suit your background. Grace International Group lists popular or “best” courses to study in Australia, with info on job prospects, study costs, etc.
Key Takeaways
- Don’t pick a course just because it looks good—make sure it builds logically from your background, skills, and goals.
- Be aware of visa/migration implications; choosing courses in high‐demand fields may help.
- Consider more than just academics—costs, location, support, and whether you’ll enjoy the learning process matter a lot.
👉 Come talk to us at AMVPS—we’ll help you figure out the right course that best matches your background and goals.
References:
Grace International Group. (n.d.). What are the best courses to study in Australia? Retrieved from https://graceintlgroup.com/what-are-the-best-courses-to-study-in-australia/
VisaEnvoy. (n.d.). How to choose the best course to study in Australia. Retrieved from https://visaenvoy.com/how-to-choose-the-best-course-to-study-in-australia/
Study Australia. (n.d.). How to apply to study. Retrieved September 17, 2025, from https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/en_in/plan-your-studies/how-to-apply-to-study