- The number of Australians having weight loss surgery to shed kilograms has escalated 20-fold in the past two decades, a study of West Australians suggests.
The increase is a combination of rising obesity rates and more extremely overweight people opting for the radical surgery option to lose their extra kilos. - The statewide study is the nation's longest running analysis of trends and safety profile of obesity surgery.
Researchers at the University of Western Australia looked at results between 1988 to 2004 and found the rate increased from 1.2 to 24.2 procedures per 100,000 people. - Surgery patients had the same survival rates as the general population - a good sign as obesity is known to increase death rates.
Ninety per cent of patients got lap band surgery, which involves reducing the amount of food that the stomach can hold, causing a feeling of fullness. - Study leader Fiona Smith, a PhD candidate at the university, said the technique had a better safety profile than the other most common procedure, gastric bypass.
"Within the 30-day post-operative period, mortality was low and less than 10 per cent of patients experienced complications," Ms Smith wrote in the Medical Journal of Australia. - "Patients who underwent the less common gastric bypass procedure were more likely to be readmitted within 30 days of their operation."
Overall, she said bariatric surgery was a safe procedure that "poses low short-term risk in an otherwise high-risk population".
But, she warned, candidates for bariatric surgery should continue to be carefully selected and counselled on the potential risks they face.
The researcher also stressed the most important intervention against obesity was the work of public health professionals to stop people gaining weight in the first place.
At present, bariatric surgery is only recommended for people with a body mass index (BMI) over 30 who have failed to shift their weight with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise.
The procedure costs about $9,000 privately and is not widely available in public hospitals.
- As Australia’s leading international education and development organisation, IDP is recognised globally as a first-choice partner in education and development. In those countries where IDP has offices, one in every five students who choose to come to Australia utilises the services of IDP. Wherever in the world Australia is the first choice destination for an international educational experience, IDP is the first choice for students who are seeking advice and assistance.
- IDP’s counsellors guide students, as well as their family and friends, through the entire process of studying in Australia. IDP helps with everything from selecting a course and institution to ensuring students arrive safely in Australia at their chosen destination. Many of IDP’s counsellors have studied in Australia, or visited institutions, and can give practical advice about studies and life ‘down under’.
IDP offices have internet access and CD-ROM resources, course directories, free publications about student life in Australia and study options. Offices also provide handbooks and brochures from Australian institutions and audio-visual resources to show students what Australia is really like.
IDP’s trained counsellors can:
- Provide comprehensive information on the Australian education system
Give personalised counselling on study options
Communicate with Australian institutions on the student’s behalf
Process applications for a course
Process visa applications
Help organise Overseas Student Health Cover
Process tuition fees
Offer general advice on Australia and the lifestyle
Help find accommodation
- Every year IDP coordinates or participates in many international education exhibitions and events across dozens of countries around the world. Last year more than 400,000 students from around the world visited one or more of these promotional events.
IDP also has an office in Sydney, Australia, to help international students throughout their time in Australia.
As well providing face-to-face counselling for students through IDP’s offices in many countries around the world, IDP also has a virtual support and advice service through the website at www.idp.com. Students can find out online information about courses, apply for courses, gain additional information and locate their nearest IDP student office.
The Australian Universities have become very favourite target for students from all over the World and you do not have to expect only Australian students in the classes except for special Sydney Institutes of Australian Universities for education of students from overseas mostly from Asia. The studies are specialised for particular field, which student has chosen and duration of the Bachelor Degree course is usually 3 years, duration of Master`s Degree course is another 2 years. Quite favourite combination among students might be studies at private schools following by university studies. Many of private schools have contracts with universities that accept completed subjects at pre-university studies. It is quite possible but also individual that student after finishing 2 years diploma course will get accepted 1 full year at University. It depends on accreditation of particular university.
- Australia is the world’s smallest continent and the largest island. It is like nowhere else in the world. It has an area as big as mainland of the United States but has a population of only 20 million people.
It’s a friendly, young, adventurous and stylish nation that welcomes international students. The entire country has unique animals and a fabulous climate. Aussies like the great outdoors, they love sport, worship their beaches, having BBQs with their mates and eating out at the 1000’s of multicultural restaurants.
- The population is comprised of over 130 nationalities which makes Australia one of the most multicultural countries in the world. This broad ethnic mix has created a rich cultural blend of languages, fashions, architecture and cuisines..
The Aboriginal people have lived in Australia for over 50,000 years and it is believed they are the oldest,
continuous civilisation in the world. You can enjoy a tour with an Aboriginal guide to learn about their unique relationship with the country and listen to their stories that have been handed down for generations.
You can also view their rock art which is the oldest in the world. When Aussies go to the beach they try and wear as little as possible.
Australia is a land of extremes so make sure you come prepared. Up in the mountains down in the southern part of the continent its cold and snows from June to October).
Up further north its hot and humid from November through to March. Sharpen your spirit with an Australian adventure.
- There are literally endless adventures you can take including a boat ride in the tropical rivers where you’ll see crocodiles as you cruise by. You can drive for days through the red deserts in the outback where kangaroos, lizards and emus thrive.
Along the coastal plains you can visit the rainforests where there are prehistoric plants like the 200 million year old Wollemi Pine.
The tree is thought to be one of the world’s oldest and rarest plants dating back to the age of the dinosaurs.
There are less than 100 trees known to exist in the wild. The remarkable discovery of the Wollemi Pine in the Blue Mountains near Sydney was an essential factor in the park being created as a World Heritage area in December 2000.
If you’re into adventure travel you can do a vast range of thrill seeking activities like rock-climbing, white water rafting, bungy jumping, ballooning, abseiling, skydiving, scuba diving, para-sailing and horse riding.
Australia is vast with over 46,000 kms of coastline, over 3,000 national parks and 15 World Heritage sites.
Many beautiful national parks are quite close to the major cities like the Blue Mountains National Park which has incredible mountain trails, flora and fauna and is only an hour away from Sydney. Tours run to almost all the national parks downunder.
The wildlife is often thought of as quite frankly - weird. Australia has kangaroos which bounce along at a rapid clip, wombats which look like big ungainly dogs, cuddly fluffy koalas who spend most of time asleep in gum trees, platypus that live in rivers and have a duck-like beak and fur, wild dingos, emus which are a peculiar looking animal with a long neck and a funny haircut!
There are over 1000 bird species in Australia with one of the most famous being the kookaburras which laughs almost like a human, and pretty pink galahs.
Because Australia is so multicultural you will notice there is a very sophisticated cafe society just like in Europe. Aussie restaurants provide outstanding food, wine and service. You can walk down the street and see a Thai restaurant next to an Italian trattoria alongside a Greek food house with a fish and chip shop.
Starting at the budget level there are endless accommodation options including hostels, backpacker lodges, motels, cabins, camping grounds through to boutique hotels and resorts and onto major international hotel chains.
You can also get away from it all staying in wilderness lodges, romantic tropical island resorts, B&Bs and very friendly farm and home stays.
If its entertainment your after you wont be disappointed. This is after all the country that produced such
singing greats as Cold Chisel, Silverchair, Midnight Oil, INXS, AC/DC and Kylie Minogue. Its film stars include Mel Gibson, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman,Cate Blanchett, Bryan Brown, Toni Collette, Anthony LaPaglia and Eric Bana
Australia is truly a gem in the South Pacific with its amazing natural and man made icons such as Uluru (Ayers Rock), the Great Barrier Reef, Kakadu National Park, the Daintree rainforest, the Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge which you can walk right over the top of, the ever-popular Gold Coast and the amazing Skyrail near Cairns.
- So, you would like to do some studying overseas, but you aren't quite sure where you'd like to go. If, like most students you are looking for somewhere with a high standard of quality education in your area of interest; somewhere different with a touch of mystery about it; somewhere that won't drain your money supply in one month; and somewhere that you feel safe about going…then I have just one word for you… Australia.
- Increasing numbers of international students are choosing Australia as their overseas study destination. Each year we welcome 80,000 international students from all over the world. The standards of academic excellence in our universities, institutes, colleges and schools are recognised internationally. Additionally, Australia is an attractive and safe place to live and we enjoy a very high standard of living.
Australia's major cities all have something special to offer. Brisbane and other cities in Queensland boast the best weather, welcoming and friendly people, competitive living and tuition costs, opportunities for adventure tourism and modern cities with thriving arts and cultural scenes, brilliant sunsets and great beaches.
Australia's major cities all have something special to offer. Brisbane and other cities in Queensland boast the best weather, welcoming and friendly people, competitive living and tuition costs, opportunities for adventure tourism and modern cities with thriving arts and cultural scenes, brilliant sunsets and great beaches. - Sydney is our biggest city with bright lights, great people and an exciting lifestyle built around the magnificent Sydney Harbour. Having hosted the 2000 Olympics and the 2003 Rugby World Cup - and being the home of the famous Opera House and Bondai Beach - Sydney is an excellent city with many varied options for entertainment. More and more exciting things will be happening in this already vibrant city.
- Melbourne is literally littered with international restaurants and street cafes, and produces some of Australia's best musicians. Melbourne is actually quite European in its flavour with a distinct multicultural population. This is reflected again in the variety of restaurants around Melbourne and the cultural displays that are present everywhere. Melbourne also celebrates its diversity in festivals throughout the year.
- Tasmania has a tranquil, scenic beauty that even Australians marvel at. Certainly, if you are looking for a peaceful haven, then Tasmania would be your destination.
- Adelaide is cultured in its wine production, exudes good taste along the famous Rundle Street and is surrounded by lovely parklands.
Finally, Perth seems to have al little bit of everything and claims to be the world's biggest kept secret. Situated on the Swan River, Perth is famous for its cleanliness and great weather. Certainly, Perth and Melbourne and Brisbane have proven to be very popular choices for international students.
Even once you have chosen a city, Australia is travel friendly. You can see our great country by bus, train, car or plane and take advantage of the excellent variety of accommodation that awaits you in every port of call. Weekend getaways are a favourite with Australians and has therefore prompted a boom in inexpensive weekend retreats to beaches, the countryside or islands just off the Queensland coast. Also, you couldn't leave Australia without going to see Ayers Rock in the Northern Territory. You can get there by train and bus, sleep under the stars, climb the famous rock and watch the desert go through a rainbow of colour changes as the sun slowly sets.
If it is wildlife that you are after, then you can't go past Australia for variety and oddity! Although we have some beautiful animals, we also have some weird looking ones that you won't find anywhere else. Kangaroos, koalas, wombats, dingoes, wallabies, emus, dolphins, turtles, penguins, pelicans, the list goes on and on. For diversity in scenery there are rain forests, deserts, beaches, big cities, country towns, waterfalls and more.
I can hear you saying now…"Well that sounds great, but Australia is just so far away!" However, when you consider what you are getting and the memories you will have, I'm sure you will agree that Australia is definitely worth a second look. The lower cost of living will help your money last a lot longer than in other countries you may have been considering. In these economically difficult times, Australia is an even better choice for your money. You'll be able to stay longer and experience more!
One of the most common responses from students in Australia is about the people. Australians are a very relaxed and casual group of people. Students have reported time and time again how Australians will take the time to talk to them no matter how busy they are.
Within this site you will find all the information you require to make an educated and informed choice for your overseas experience. Australian education providers in all states have really opened their doors and welcome the chance to show you the Australian lifestyle and to learn from their visitors too.
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- Australia has been considered a popular destination for international students for many years, offering a laid back lifestyle and a wealth of opportunities. It is for these reasons that growing numbers are opting to apply for a student visa and head down under.
- Recent reports however have shown great concern for the Australian Government as rising amounts of visa holders have been reported not complying with the immigration laws surrounding their student visa.
In order to study in Australia an overseas student must first obtain the correct study visa, which is sub-divided in categories. An applicant can then only be granted a visa upon securing a confirmed place on a course from a bona fide Australian educational institution. Despite this it seems that the current rule which limits those whom are in the country on a study visa to working 20-hour weeks is the fundamental rule which many are breaking.
Highlighting this problem Immigration and Citizenship Minister Chris Evans recognised that a new trend in particular of such students acquiring jobs as taxi drivers is emerging. It is thought that those in such labour positions are nearing double the restricted labour hour's commitment as laid out by the government. Evans said "Taxi owners, like all employers, are responsible for ensuring that overseas workers including students abide by their visa conditions."
Despite official warnings to taxi business owners threatening hefty fines and up to two year jail sentence for those employing students whom are in breach of their visa restrictions; cab advocacy bodies revealed that the industry was largely ignoring the law.
In response to the governments publisised concerns the National Liaison Committee (NLC) for International Students in Australia say that it is because of fundamental economic pressures that students are being forced to exceed their allocated working hours.
President of the NLC Eric Pang said "The working hours should be up to the students and the institutions…If the student can study full time and is performing well then, yes, they can work more than 20 hours. The new Government should be reviewing this policy but the aim should be to provide more flexibility and more rights in terms of how much students want to work and how much they want to study."
