First class education
Australia has world-class educational institutions and a proven reputation as a provider of high quality education to international students. Australia's reputation for technical innovation and academic achievement is recognized internationally, with Australia claiming seven Nobel prizes and having developed world class technologies such as the Cochlear bionic ear and the black box flight recorder. Graduates from Australia are very successful in finding jobs and hold prominent positions worldwide.

Lower study costs

Australia offers excellent value for money and a standard of living, which is among the highest in the world. The cost of living in Australia is comparable to the US.

It is estimated that you will need about US$9,500 a year, in addition to tuition fees, to cover living expenses such as accommodation, food, transportation, textbooks and entertainment. Australia’s favorable exchange rate means that you get more for your dollar – US$0.90 usually buys about AU$1(as at Nov 2007)

The cost of living in Australia varies according to the location of your host institution , the style of accommodation you choose and your lifestyle. In general, living costs are higher in urban centers and lower in regional areas. Not surprisingly, the Australian Bureau of Statistics has found that households in capital cities spend considerably more on housing, food, clothing and recreation than those in regional areas.
Tuition Fees

Australia offers lower tuition fees for many comparable programs in the US. Here is an example of the average tuition costs per program as compared with US programs:

Bachelor of Business / MBA
Australia (3 years) Bachelor of Business  is  US$60,464 / MBA (1.5 years)  is   US$33,856
US public (4 years) Bachelor of Business  is  US$119,882 /MBA  (2 years)   is   US$69,085
US private (4 years) Bachelor of Business  is  US$167,828/ MBA (2 years)  is  US$92,580         Exchange rate US$0.90c = AU$1 ( as at Nov 2007)

In addition, Australian undergraduate degrees are often three-year courses - unlike in the US, where many degrees take four years to complete. This means students in America must pay an extra year of tuition fees. Similarly, an Australian PhD degree can be completed in three years, compared with four years in the US. International students holding student visas are permitted to work in Australia on a casual basis for up to 20 hours per week during course time and full-time during vacations.

What you must have
a) Successful completion of one of the following: i) G.C.E. O Level ii) Polytechnic diploma iii) College of education certificate iv) University degree
b) Ability to pay for your school fees and living expenses
c) Be in good condition of health
d) Have a good character

Work in Australia

Australia needs skilled workers. Over 130,000 people currently migrate to Australia every year with 150,000 jobs being advertised weekly. The unemployment rate is the lowest in years. Salaries are increasing rapidly due to the short supply of skilled workers.

For example :Wages for Registered nurses in Australia are as follows:

REGISTERED NURSE - ANNUAL (AUD) as at July 2005

Year 1 $42,337.69 p.a

Year 2 $44,649.20 p.a

Year 3 $46,950.28 p.a

Year 4 $49,423.54 p.a

Year 5 $51,870.72 p.a

Year 6 $54,323.11p.a

Year 7 $57,114.66 p.a

Year 8 + $59,462.70 p.a

Salary rates are determined by years of experience with increases each year up to the eighth year of experience for registered nurses and the fifth year of experience for enrolled nurses.Further increments depend on the level of responsibility.

Shift Allowances
Employees working afternoon or night shifts are paid percentages of their salary in addition to the ordinary rate, as follows:

Afternoon shift commencing at 10.00 am and before 1.00 pm attracts an additional 10%
Afternoon shift commencing at 1.00 pm and before 4.00 pm attracts an additional 12.5%
Night shift commencing at 4.00 pm and before 4.00 am attracts an additional 15%
Night shift commencing at 4.00 am and before 6.00 am attracts an additional 10%.

Employees whose ordinary working hours include work on a Saturday and/or Sunday are paid for ordinary working hours worked between midnight on Friday and midnight on Saturday at the rate of time and one half, and for ordinary hours worked between midnight on Saturday and midnight on Sunday at the rate of time and three quarters.All salaries and other payments due to employees are paid weekly or fortnightly. Payment for any overtime worked may be deferred to the next pay day.

There are many visa options available for overseas` workers who wish to work in Australia.They are  broadly divided into two :1) Independent Skills Migrants .This programme is also known as the General Skilled Migration programme ,is for poeple who are not sponsored by an employer and who have skills in particular occupations required in Australia. 2)Employer sponsored programme.This is for workers who are sponsored by lawfully operating Australian employers.

What you must have
a) You must be between 18 to 45 years old
b) Have at least two years experience in your occupation
c) Be in good condition of health
d) Have a good character
e) Have required English language skills
f) Have your qualification accredited by the relevant Australian accreditation agency

Occupations in highest demand
1. Accountants
2. Health professionals (esp Radiographers, Doctors, Nurses,Dentist e.t.c)
3. Engineer & Computer scientists
4. Architects
5. Social Workers
6. Qualified tradespeople
7. Teachers
8. Sales Managers

About Australia

Economy
Australia has a stable economy within a democratic framework. It has an en viable Western-style capitalist economy with a per capita GDP($32,900) on par with the West European economies. Australian quality of life is one of the highest in the world. Average life expectancy is 80.5 years. Sydney has been voted the best city to live in in the world.

People
People Australia is an advanced, culturally rich and harmonious society with a population of over 2I million (including Indigenous Australians who inhabited the land for over 60,000 years). English is Australia's official language. Around 145,000 Australians were born in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands, including Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Sudan and Ghana.

Geography
Australia is located in the Southern Hemisphere, close to Indonesia, and New Zealand. Australia is a land with remarkable diversity and beauty. From wilderness areas to clean white beaches, rivers and lakes, mountains, extensive snow fields, and desert plains.

Climate
Similar to Africa, climatic zones range from desert to snow-caped mountains; from tropical rainforest to cool climates.