Citizenship and Education in Australia, Need Advice Please =)?

I'm 20 and from the United States. I want to become an Australian citizen, specifically a Queensland citizen. However, I also want to continue my education to become a RN and Mental Health nurse and I can't afford the tuition costs of a university. I'm really looking at the University of the Sunshine Coast. I have been reading up and I know that you need to be a resident for two years before attaining citizenship. I was wondering if it would be smarter to get a TAFE in Nursing and work as an enrolled nurse until I'm a citizen and then go on to a University. Would I then be elligable for some tuition assistance??? I was thinking of doing this on Gold Coast, but then I'm not sure I can afford that either. I don't have a lot of money saved up, and I have no family to help me, so it's just me on my own, but I want to get out of America!!! Any advice or help would be really appreciated =) Thank you

G'day,

Daz is right, and you also have the right idea by enrolling in TAFE for nursing and continue your uni study after getting the citizenship.

As a citizen, you may be able to get cheaper tuition fee. You may also 'borrow' some from the tax office, and pay later when your salary has reached a certain threshold.

However, you may need to apply for migration visa pretty soon, as I heard that the Dept. of Immigration is changing some regulations effective September 2007. I suggest you go to the nearest Australian Embassy to where you live and enquire.

Hope this helps. Good luck on your moving and study :)

I'm not sure of the visa requirements, but it's a smart move to go to TAFE before Uni. When you do finally get to Uni, you can use your TAFE qualifications as credit towards your degree.

Living on the Gold Coast isn't cheap, so you will need to find a job and probably share a house with about three other people to make ends meet at first.