26 Sep
AUSTRALIAUNIVERSITY
CONNECT
For the first time in Surat, connect in person with top Australian university admission experts
7th October 2026Wednesday
Lords PlazaDelhi Gate, Ring Road, Japan Market, Begampura, Surat, Gujarat 395003
11 AM – 3 PMWalk in anytime
Your Australian university journey starts in Surat
Skip the travel and the guesswork. Sit face to face with admission experts, get honest answers on courses, fees, scholarships, intakes and visas, and leave with a clear plan. Registration is free.
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Surat's first big Australia education event
Australia University Connect brings Education Centre of Australia (ECA) and its partner Australian universities under one roof at Lords Plaza, Ring Road. Families from Surat and South Gujarat no longer need to travel to Ahmedabad or Mumbai to meet university representatives.
Whether you are finishing 12th, a graduate planning a Master's, or a working professional planning a career switch, you can shortlist universities and courses in a single afternoon.
Australia is the highlight, but ECA's network of 350+ partner universities means our counsellors can also assist with study options in other popular destinations.
0Partner universities worldwide
FREECounselling and registration
0Australia event of this scale in Surat
0Of direct expert access
Why you should attend this event
A university fair is the fastest way to turn "maybe Australia" into a real plan. Here is what you gain by walking in on 7 October.
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Talk to university admission experts, not a brochure
ECA's partner universities and other leading Australian universities are joining. Ask about entry requirements, course structure, scholarships and campus life, and get answers specific to your marks, backlogs, gap years or work experience.
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Free one-to-one counselling
Profile assessment, course and city selection, university shortlisting and application steps, at no cost and with no obligation.
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A separate education loan desk
Understand eligibility, documents, collateral rules and the timeline before you commit, so your funding plan is ready before your application is.
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Save weeks of back-and-forth
Questions that take days over email are answered in minutes. Many students start their application right after the event.
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Compare countries in one place
With 350+ partner universities, you can compare Australia with other destinations honestly and pick what suits your budget and goals.
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Get the latest 2026 visa clarity
Rules on the Genuine Student test, funds, work rights and provider caps have changed. Our team explains what applies to your case.
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Bring your parents
Parents can ask about safety, cost of living, work rights and careers directly, which builds trust and speeds up decisions.
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Early-bird application support
Students who register and attend can plan for the upcoming intakes early, when course seats and scholarships are more open.
Benefits of studying in Australia
Australia consistently attracts students from India because it combines respected degrees, a strong lifestyle and a clear link between study and career.
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World-class universities
Australia has 40+ universities, and several regularly appear among the top global rankings. Degrees are recognised by employers and universities worldwide, and quality is monitored by national regulators.
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Practical, industry-linked courses
Many programmes include internships, placements, capstone projects and industry partners, so you graduate with experience and not only theory.
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Work while you study
Most student visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during term and full-time in scheduled breaks. This helps with living costs and builds local experience.
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Post-study work options
Eligible graduates can apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) to gain work experience. Duration and eligibility depend on your qualification and current rules.
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Multicultural and safe
Australian cities are diverse, welcoming and well known for student support services, including academic help, counselling and international student offices.
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Lifestyle and climate
Beaches, parks, cafes, sport and festivals make everyday student life enjoyable. Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra each offer a different feel.
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Scholarships and fee reductions
Many universities offer merit-based scholarships or tuition discounts for international students. Amounts and rules differ by university, so ask at the event.
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Shorter, focused degrees
Master's courses are often 1.5 to 2 years, and Bachelor's are usually 3 years. You enter the workforce sooner and pay for fewer years.
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Health cover built in
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is mandatory for the full visa period, so students have access to medical care from the start.
Australia intakes: when can you start?
Australian universities run several start dates a year. The right one depends on your course, your results and how early you begin the process. Tap each intake to see details.
Main intake · Semester 1
February / March intake
This is the biggest intake in Australia. Nearly every university offers the widest range of courses, the most seats and the most scholarship options for this start. It also gives you time to settle in before the academic year gets busy.
- Best for: Bachelor's and Master's students who want maximum course choice.
- Start applying: around June to October of the previous year.
- Why plan now: if you attend this event in October, you are in a good window to apply for the 2027 start.
Second main intake · Semester 2
July intake
The July intake is the second major start and is popular with students who complete their final exams in spring or need extra time for English tests and funds. Most courses are available, though a few programmes only start in Semester 1.
- Best for: students who missed the February intake or need extra preparation time.
- Start applying: around December to April.
- Tip: confirm that your chosen course has a July start before you shortlist.
Limited courses · Trimester 3
November intake
Some universities run a third trimester or a November start, mostly for selected Master's, diploma and pathway programmes. It suits students who want to start quickly, and it is one of the closest options after this event.
- Best for: students with results, English scores and funds ready now.
- Availability: only some universities and courses, so check quickly.
- Tip: speak to our counsellors at the event to see if seats are still open.
Flexible
Other starts: VET, pathway and English courses
Vocational (VET) colleges, foundation and pathway programmes, and English language courses often have multiple start dates across the year, such as January, April, May, September and October. Universities may also offer study periods or trimesters that begin at other times.
- Best for: students who need a pathway into a university degree, or a skills-based course.
- Start applying: usually 2 to 4 months before the start date.
- Tip: dates change every year, so we will share the latest calendar of each partner university at the event.
Intake dates and course availability differ by university and year. Confirm your target university's academic calendar before applying.
Australia student visa: rules to know for 2026
The student visa (subclass 500) has become more structured over the past two years. Here is a plain-English summary of what applicants should expect.
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Genuine Student (GS) test
The older Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test was replaced by the Genuine Student requirement. You answer questions about your study plan, why this course and provider, your ties to home and your future career. Clear, specific and honest answers matter.
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Proof of funds
You must show you can pay tuition, travel and 12 months of living costs. The widely cited living cost figure is about AUD 29,710 a year for a single student. Funds can come from savings, an education loan or a sponsor, and the source must be genuine and verifiable.
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Visa application charge
The subclass 500 charge is reported to be AUD 2,500 for the main applicant for applications lodged from 1 July 2026, up from AUD 2,000. Additional applicants pay extra. Always pay on the official government site only.
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English language
Most degree courses require a recognised test such as IELTS, PTE, TOEFL or Duolingo (where accepted). Required scores depend on your course and university. Some courses may accept alternatives or offer English pathways.
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OSHC health cover
Overseas Student Health Cover is compulsory for the whole visa period. The cost depends on the insurer, length of stay and family members.
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Work rights
Up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, across all jobs, and unlimited hours in scheduled course breaks. Some research students have different conditions. Never exceed the limit.
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Provider caps and processing priorities
The government sets a National Planning Level for new international students (295,000 places for 2026) and allocates it across universities and colleges. Visa processing also follows a priority direction that can affect timelines depending on how full a provider is. Practical advice: apply early, choose your provider carefully and keep every document consistent.
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CoE and CRICOS
You must hold a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a CRICOS-registered provider before you lodge your visa. It confirms your course, fees and dates.
Visa fees, financial thresholds and policies are reviewed by the Australian Government and updated regularly, and published sources sometimes differ on figures. This summary is for general guidance only. Our counsellors will confirm the latest amounts with you, and you should always verify on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before applying.
Estimated first-year costs in Australia
Costs vary widely by course, university and city. Use this as a starting point and get a personalised estimate at the event.
| Expense | Indicative range (AUD) | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition: Bachelor's | 20,000 to 45,000 a year | Depends on the university and field, and medicine or dentistry costs more. |
| Tuition: Master's | 22,000 to 50,000 a year | Business, IT and engineering vary a lot between universities. |
| Tuition: VET / diploma | 4,000 to 22,000 a year | Shorter, skills-based courses at lower cost. |
| Visa application charge | 2,500 (reported, from 1 Jul 2026) | Paid online to the Australian Government. |
| Living costs (visa benchmark) | About 29,710 a year | Real costs depend on the city and lifestyle. |
| OSHC health cover | Roughly 500 to 1,000 a year | Required for the entire visa period. |
| Return flights | Approx. 1,000 to 2,000 | Book early for better fares. |
Amounts are indicative only, are not offers of admission or funding, and change every year.
Popular fields of study
Australia is strong across many areas. Discuss which courses best match your background and career goals.
Information TechnologyData Science & AICyber SecurityEngineeringBusiness & ManagementAccounting & FinanceNursing & HealthPharmacyHospitality & TourismDesign & MediaEducationLawAgriculture & EnvironmentTrades & Skills
Education loan desk: plan your funding early
Funding is one of the biggest questions for families. A dedicated loan desk at the event explains the process in simple steps, so you know what to prepare before you apply.
You can learn about the types of education loans, who can be a co-applicant, the documents typically needed, how collateral works and how a sanction letter supports your visa evidence. Bring questions about interest, moratorium and repayment as well.
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Check eligibility and course cost
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Choose co-applicant and collateral
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Prepare documents
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Get sanction letter for visa
Your path from event to Australia
Here is a simple roadmap to follow after you meet us on 7 October.
Attend the event and get counselled
Meet universities, shortlist courses and understand your options, costs and intakes.
Prepare English test and documents
Book IELTS, PTE or TOEFL if needed, gather marksheets, passport and work experience proofs.
Apply to universities and receive an offer
Submit applications with your documents. Accept your offer and pay the deposit to get your CoE.
Arrange funds and loan
Finalise savings, sponsor documents or an education loan sanction to meet the financial requirement.
Write your Genuine Student response and apply for the visa
Lodge your subclass 500 visa online with OSHC, CoE, funds and health and character documents.
Pack, fly and start your Australian life
Arrange accommodation, forex, flights and orientation, then begin your course.
Event venue in Surat
Easy to reach from Ring Road, Delhi Gate and Surat Railway Station.
Lords Plaza
- 📍 Delhi Gate, Ring Road, Japan Market, Begampura, Surat, Gujarat 395003
- 📅 7 October 2026
- 🕚 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- 🎟️ Free entry with registration
Questions before you come
Is the event really free?
Yes. Registration, entry and counselling are free.
Who should attend?
Students after 12th, graduates, working professionals and parents who want to study in Australia or another country.
Which intake should I target after this event?
For most Bachelor's and Master's courses, February/March 2027 is the biggest opportunity. Some universities and courses also offer a November 2026 start and a July 2027 start. Our counsellors will match an intake to your profile.
Will other countries be covered?
Yes. ECA works with 350+ partner universities, and our team can assist with options beyond Australia.
Can I get help with an education loan?
Yes. A separate loan desk will explain the process, eligibility and documents.
What should I bring?
Latest marksheets, passport if available, English test score if you have one, and any work experience letters. Documents help but are not compulsory.
Do I need to stay for all four hours?
No. Walk in at any time between 11 AM and 3 PM.
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Counselling slots are limited. Reserve yours today.
Register now so our team can plan your time with the right university experts. It takes less than a minute, and it is free.
Reserve your free spot
Fill in a short form. Our team will confirm your visit and help you prepare.
Open registration form Free entry · 7 October 2026 · 11 AM to 3 PM
