Beautiful national parks, unique flora and fauna, coastal beaches, coral reefs, northern rain forests and a relaxed and sophisticated lifestyle make Australia an exciting place to visit at anytime. For those seeking to study, Australia's safe environment, high quality educational standards, cultural diversity and excellent climate make it a must to come and visit. Sydney, the capital of New South Wales (NSW), is the largest city in Australia and excelled as the host of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

The Technical and Further Education Commission of TAFE NSW is the largest provider of technical and vocational education in Australia. It is owned and operated by the NSW State Government. TAFE NSW has provided quality vocational education and training for over 100 years and currently has an annual enrolment of over 400,000 local and international students. Courses are available for international students from Certificate to Advanced Diploma level. These courses take from six months to two years to complete. English programs are also available and vary in length from 5 to 50 weeks. All courses are registered on the Australian Government Commonwealth Register of International Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) and are respected internationally.

• South Western Sydney Institute has specialist facilities including high-tech laboratories, computer facilities, training restaurants, engineering workshops and modern libraries. The Institute has purpose-built facilities for graphic design, computer laboratories and a new English language facility
• Accommodation is easy to get, much cheaper than other regions, and the everyday cost of living is also very reasonable
• Fast transport takes you to the 'Centre of Sydney' and all suburbs quickly and cheaply. The Institute is close to many of the interesting and enjoyable places you will wish to visit in NSW. The beautiful Blue Mountains, the south coast beaches and the Australian snowfields are just a bus and train ride away
• Are you keen on sport? The South Western Sydney region is home to many first-class sporting and recreation venues - including sites used for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games
• Our local area has the widest range and most diverse mix of cultures anywhere in Australia. In this truly multicultural nation, you won't have to go too far to find your own language spoken - or the food you are used to enjoying
• Our Teaching Staff are specialists in their fields with industry experience as well as relevant academic qualifications

There are over 400 courses offered through South Western Sydney Institute. International Students can only study full-time programs where attendance is over 20 hours per week and registered with the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) which are approved for issuing visas. Click here for international courses offered by South Western Sydney Institute.

Your accommodation options include:

• Homestay with local families (South Western Sydney Institute can help arrange this for you)
• Small furnished apartment with private kitchen and bathroom
• Larger apartment or house with share facilities
• Private boarding house or hostel
• Staying with relatives.

Although this depends on your individual lifestyle, we estimate that living expenses for a single international student are approximately $AUD11,000 - 12,000 per year.

TAFE NSW courses start twice a year, February and July. Students need to apply at least 3 months in advance to allow for processing applications and issuing you an offer to study. At least six weeks is needed for the Australian Immigration post to process your visa.

Course durations vary based on the course award. In general, certificate courses are offered from one to two semesters (half a year to one year). Diploma and Advanced Diploma are generally two years. Check the Course Information details for the exact duration of the course you wish to study.

The qualifications you receive are based on the successful completion of your selected course. TAFE Awards are; Certificate I, Certificate II, Certificate III, Certificate IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma.

The minimum English level for entry to TAFE NSW courses is IELTS 530 for certificate courses and IELTS 550 for diploma programs.

If you are from a non-English speaking country you need to submit IELTS results with your application. If you have sat for the IELTS exam and scored less than 550 but over 450 you can apply for the 20 weeks English for TAFE course at the TAFE International Education Centre in Liverpool. On completion of the English for TAFE course you can go directly into a TAFE NSW course without sitting for another English exam.

Your qualifications will be assessed by an education officer at the TAFE International Business Unit for entry into TAFE NSW courses. If you have previously completed subjects you believe are equivalent to those offered in the program, you can apply for recognition and exemptions. A qualified officer will study your claim and process exemptions where appropriate.

TAFE has credit transfer arrangements with most Australian universities. Diploma and advanced diploma program graduates can gain one to two years credit towards a degree. The amount of credit varies depending on your area of study and the grades you receive.

International students can apply for a work permit upon arriving to Australia. The permit is not granted automatically and are subject to DIMIA's guidelines. For further information on the rules applying to student visas, refer to the Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs website

The area is very well suited to overseas students. There are many shopping areas where all types of food can be bought from the shops, cafes and restaurants. In the heart of the area is the largest Indo Chinese community in Australia. There are Turkish and Lebanese communities, Indians from both Fiji and the sub continent, and eastern Europeans. There is also a growing South American community, which is now adding a new dimension to the area. All of these diverse communities have added their own markets, food stores and flavour to the areas in which they have settled.

Although this depends on your individual lifestyle, we estimate that living expenses for a single international student are approximately $AUD11,000 - 12,000 per year.

Please click here for further information.

Please click here for further information.

Yes. All International students need to take out medical insurance. Information will be sent to you by TAFE with your acceptance offer.

The temperature in Sydney ranges from 18°C to 26°C in summer (December - February), with some hot days over 30°C. Humidity in summer ranges from 60% - 70%. Winter (June - August) temperatures range from 8°C to 22°C.

• Summer: T-shirts, cotton shirts/blouses, shorts/dresses, light sandals, sports shoes, a swimming costume and a hat
• Autumn: Light jumpers/sweaters, light jackets, jeans or long pants and sports shoes (or other closed shoes)
• Winter: Wool jumpers/sweaters, thick jackets, raincoat, thick socks, gloves, warm shoes or boots
• Spring: Light jumpers/sweaters, light jackets, jeans, long pants and sports shoes (or other closed shoes).

Have with you your passport (containing your visa for Australia), your Confirmation of Enrolment form, and evidence of financial support (such as your bank statement, or a letter from your sponsor).

Australian Customs is very strict on the import of food items. Do not try to bring any meat or plants with you into Australia. Please ask at the Australian Embassy or Consulate in your home country if you need more information. You can buy food and groceries from almost every country in the world in Sydney.

There are a number of options for you:

1. By Bus There are three Airport Express Buses: number 300, 350, and 352. They are all yellow and green and all of them will take you to Central railway station in the city. The buses cost about AUD$7.00 one way. Buses leave the airport regularly every day from 06:00am until 11:00pm.
2. By Taxi A taxi from the airport to the city centre is approximately AUD$18.00 to AUD$25.00. A taxi from the airport to the south western Sydney area is approximately AUD$50.00 to AUD$60.00. It is not compulsory to tip (give extra money) in Australia. You decide whether or not to give a tip and how much to tip.
3. TAFE's airport pick up arrangements If you have asked South Western Sydney Institute to arrange someone to meet you at the airport, you should look out for a board with TAFE NSW and your name on it. You will need to complete the Airport Pickup Request form for this service. You need to give South Western Sydney Institute at least two weeks notice. You must inform South Western Sydney Institute of any changes to your arrival details (date, time, flight number and airline), or you may have to pay for an extra pickup if someone goes to meet you and you are not on that flight.
4. By train (to south western Sydney area) Catch the train from the International Airport to the city. Change at Central or Town Hall for a train to Bankstown, Campbelltown, Cabramatta, Lidcombe, Liverpool, Macquarie Fields, Padstow and other local stations.

Shopping centres There are large shopping centres in Sydney. Most are open 7 days a week with opening hours between 09:00am and 05:30pm and (10:00am to 04:00pm on Sundays). There is late night shopping every Thursday and shops are open till 09:00pm. The centres include one or two large supermarkets, department stores, clothes stores and other shops. Services available include banks, locksmiths, hairdressers, dry-cleaning, florist, take-away food and restaurants. They may also have a medical centre.

Supermarkets Sydney has many supermarkets, and many of them are open from 08:00am to 10:00pm. Some are open 24 hours a day during the week. The larger stores such as Coles, Woolworths and Franklins generally have many types of food, and lots of fresh foods such as fruits, vegetables, meat and fish. They also have many types of international foods.

Department and Variety Stores Department stores sell clothes, shoes and accessories, gifts, furniture and jewellery. The two major department stores in Sydney are MYER and David Jones. Variety stores such as K-Mart, Big W and Target sell products from both department stores and supermarkets. They have various foods and groceries (usually snack foods, personal needs, cosmetics, etc), stationery supplies, audio and video products, clothing, gifts, things for your house, and small items of ready-to-assemble furniture.

Bargaining is not a common practice in Australia but it can be possible in some circumstances. Bargaining is usually more effective in smaller stores than in the large department stores and in market places.

Second hand (used) goods Look in the classified advertisements of local and major newspapers or The Trading Post newspaper for a wide variety of second hand goods such as household, furniture, cars and other miscellaneous items.

Markets A number of weekend markets operate in and around Sydney. A wide range of goods from clothing, accessories, novelties, art and craft items, food and fresh produce are displayed in stalls. You can bargain with prices at the markets. Most markets open around 9.00am and close around 4.00pm.

Sydney is a multicultural society and provides a wide variety of cultural and sporting activities, with world class opera, music and theatre, art galleries and museums. Following is a very brief list of some of the attractions of Sydney and Australia. You may also wish to find more detailed information (available in a range of languages) at www.australia.com.

Sydney Harbour Sydney has one of the most beautiful harbours in the world, and you can get there by train, or by ferryboat from Parramatta or from the city. The Sydney Opera House, the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the beautiful Botanic Gardens all are on the harbour.

The Sydney Opera House Tours of the Opera House are conducted regularly. It also has world class operas, ballet and concerts.

The Rocks The Rocks is the historical heart of Sydney and the site of many historical buildings and cultural events. There is regular live entertainment in the Rocks, from buskers to large-scale international performances. Don't miss the Rocks markets for art, handcrafts and foods from all over the world.

The Botanic Gardens The Sydney Botanic Gardens feature a wide range of Australian native plants and is one of Sydney's most beautiful and relaxing sites. There are picnic areas and tours.

Museums Some of Sydney's museums are:

• The National Maritime Museum
• The Powerhouse Museum
• The Australian Museum
• The Museum of Contemporary Art
• The Art Gallery of NSW

National Parks The Royal National Park in the Sutherland district is the oldest National Park in the Southern Hemisphere. The Georges River National Park and The Blue Mountains National Park are also easy to get to by public transport from Sydney.

Mt Kosciusko National Park features the NSW ski fields and snow skiing in winter. The area features world class trout fishing, extraordinary wildflowers and, of course, horse-riding adventure tours in the warmer seasons.

The 'Outback' There are many working farms operating in New South Wales, which welcome tourists to stay and join in the farm activities. Guided tours are also available to visit the unique Australian 'Outback'. Travel agents in Sydney offer a range of options for you.