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Guides & Advice

Independent guides on Australian migration, study, home loans and the NDIS. No sponsored content. No advertisements.

The Study Abroad Checklist: Everything to Sort Before You Fly

Studying overseas is a hundred small tasks strung across a year. Here's the whole thing as a timeline — what to do 12 months out, right down to your first week.

CompareMyAgents Editorial18 July 20262 min read

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24 articles

Education

Can You Change Your Education Consultant Mid-Application?

Unhappy with your agent, or found a better one? You're not locked in. Here's how to switch education consultants cleanly — and the one thing to sort first.

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⭐ Points Calculator 📋 Visa Checklist 🚩 Scam Alerts

CompareMyAgents Editorial

18 July 2026

2 min read

Education

IELTS Speaking: How to Actually Reach Band 7

Band 7 in speaking isn't about big words or a perfect accent. Here's what examiners really reward — and the habits that quietly cap students at 6.5.

CompareMyAgents Editorial18 July 20262 min read

Education

IELTS Writing Task 2: How to Hit Band 7

Task 2 is where most IELTS scores are won or lost. Here's what examiners reward, a structure that works, and the band-6 traps that catch strong writers.

CompareMyAgents Editorial18 July 20262 min read

Education

Is the Duolingo English Test Accepted for Australian Study?

The Duolingo English Test is cheaper, faster and taken at home — which is exactly why students ask if it counts. The honest answer: it depends. Here's how to check.

CompareMyAgents Editorial18 July 20262 min read

Education

The Real Cost of Studying in Australia (and How It Compares)

Tuition is only the headline. Here's what actually makes up the cost of studying in Australia, where the hidden money goes, and how the country stacks up.

CompareMyAgents Editorial18 July 20263 min read

Education

English Test Exemptions for the Australian Student Visa

Not everyone has to sit IELTS or PTE for a student visa. Here are the main ways you might be exempt from the English test — and why you should confirm before you assume.

CompareMyAgents Editorial18 July 20262 min read

Education

How to Explain a Study Gap on Your Australian Student Visa Application

A gap in your studies isn't a dealbreaker — but leaving it unexplained can be. Here's how to address a study gap honestly and convincingly.

CompareMyAgents Editorial18 July 20262 min read

Education

Extending Your Australian Student Visa: What You Need to Know

Course running longer than your visa, or moving on to further study? You can't "extend" a student visa — you apply for a new one. Here's how it works.

CompareMyAgents Editorial18 July 20262 min read

Education

The Australian Student Visa Document Checklist

A student visa comes together document by document. Here's the core checklist — and the theme that ties it together: consistency.

CompareMyAgents Editorial18 July 20262 min read

Education

Australian University Intakes: February, July and Beyond

Australia's academic year runs on two main intakes, with some extras. Knowing them — and planning backwards from your start date — is half of getting in on time.

CompareMyAgents Editorial18 July 20262 min read

Education

IELTS Academic vs General Training: Which One Do You Need?

Sit the wrong IELTS module and it may not count for your purpose. Here's the difference between Academic and General Training — and which one Australia wants from you.

CompareMyAgents Editorial18 July 20262 min read

Education

Common Mistakes International Students Make in Australia (and How to Avoid Them)

From blowing the budget to breaching work-hour limits, the same avoidable mistakes catch international students every year. Here are the big ones — and how to stay clear.

CompareMyAgents Editorial18 July 20262 min read

Education

Finding Accommodation as an International Student in Australia

On-campus, sharehouse or homestay — where you live shapes your budget and your first months. Here's a plain guide to the options, the costs, and the rental scams to dodge.

CompareMyAgents Editorial18 July 20262 min read

Education

Changing Your Course or College as an International Student in Australia

Chose the wrong course, or want to switch providers? You can — but there are rules, and getting them wrong can affect your visa. Here's how it actually works.

CompareMyAgents Editorial18 July 20263 min read

Education

How to Write a Statement of Purpose (SOP) That Actually Works

Your SOP is where a strong application is won or lost. Here's what it needs to prove, a structure that works, and the mistakes that get applications set aside.

CompareMyAgents Editorial18 July 20262 min read

Education

Education Consultancy Scams: The Warning Signs to Watch For

Every year, students lose money and visas to dishonest agents. The scams follow patterns — here are the red flags, and how to protect yourself before you pay anyone.

CompareMyAgents Editorial18 July 20263 min read

Education

Australian Student Visa Refusals: The Top Reasons — and How to Avoid Them

Most student visa refusals come down to a handful of avoidable issues. Here are the big ones and how to keep your application out of the reject pile.

CompareMyAgents Editorial17 July 20263 min read

Education

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): What It Is and Why You Can't Skip It

OSHC is compulsory for your student visa — here's what it covers, how to choose a policy, and the mistakes that leave students underinsured.

CompareMyAgents Editorial17 July 20263 min read

Education

How to Prove You Have Enough Money for an Australian Student Visa

"Show funds" is where many student visas come unstuck. Here's what financial capacity means, what evidence actually works, and the traps that cause refusals.

CompareMyAgents Editorial17 July 20263 min read

Education

Studying in Australia: A First-Timer's Guide for International Students

Choosing a course, applying, the student visa, and landing on your feet — the international-student journey in one clear guide, including the questions most students forget to ask.

CompareMyAgents Editorial17 July 20264 min read

Education

Are Education Agents Actually Regulated in Australia? What 'Registered' Really Means

Unlike migration agents, education agents in Australia hold no government licence. Here's what actually governs them, what QEAC and PIER mean, and the checks that genuinely protect you.

CompareMyAgents Editorial16 July 20266 min read

Education

How Education Agent Commissions Work — and Why "Free" Advice Isn't Always Neutral

Most education consultants cost students nothing because institutions pay them commission. That model works — but only if you understand the incentives behind the advice.

CompareMyAgents Editorial12 July 20263 min read

Education

The Genuine Student (GS) Requirement: How to Answer It Properly

The GS requirement replaced the old GTE statement for Australian student visas in March 2024. It is a set of targeted questions — and template answers are the fastest way to a refusal.

CompareMyAgents Editorial12 July 20263 min read