Yes, I know that online lessons are possible, I was curious about the comment, I would not go to China to learn Chinese ...
Anyway ... in response to original poster - you may want to look for 'Confucius Institute' - the People's Republic of China has funded a number of these all over the world, some are in Australia, some are located close to universities.
My comment is in regards to standard of living and lifestyle. China major cities are very congested, polluted, and everything is crowded. The food supply is toxic unless you buy imports, which is not cheap. Commuting on public transport is shear masses of people. I lived there, my wife is Chinese. It is a decent at best place to visit as a tourist, unless you are in rural areas and the countryside, then its nicer.
You don't need to go to China to learn Mandarin.
If you do want to go to learn Mandarin, I suggest you first get your TEFL English Teaching certificate, then go there with a work contract for $2000 Mo, teach english, which is high demand, and use that to get your living expenses paid for, and learn Mandarin on the side, with your students.
You won't need to know Mandarin in 20 years, as all kids in high school, and college in business careers will be fluent in English...China is preparing the next generation already the last decade, most under 30 years old in major cities speak english. My wife is 40 and all her friends and peers are fluent in English, when we visit yearly, I have no issues with conversation with them in English.
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