Maximum length of stay for any kind of Chinese visa

What is the maximum uninterrupted length of stay I can get as an Australian citizen going to China? Which visa type offers the longest stay? I would like to stay in China for at least one year and will probably be studying Chinese for most of that time and traveling for some of the time. Can I get a student visa (X) for one year? Or would it be better to try and get a work visa (Z) or business visa (F)? Or will I just have to get a multiple entry visa and leave and return every 60 days?