LIVING IN AUSTRALIA

One of the most individual and iconic countries in the world, Australia is also home to some of the world’s leading educational institutions. With a warm climate, over 50000 km of coastline and a reputation of being one of the friendliest countries in the world, it’s easy to see why it’s a popular destination for international students

WHY STUDY IN AUSTRALIA ?

Australia is a young and vibrant country that has an impressive international reputation for education and is renowned for it’s laid back lifestyle and friendly people. Australia has much to offer to international students, with its safe environment and high standard of living.

International recognition and quality

Australia is known around the world for its quality education and research producing 8 Noble Prize winners. Your teachers will be experts in their fields and you will learn many skills alongside your qualification, which will be recognised around the world. There are many strong links between the vocational education and training sector (VET), higher education sector on one side and the business and the industry on the other side.

Support

Education institutions in Australia are among the best in the world offering modern and innovative facilities that will ensure your time as a student will be a positive and valuable, preparing you for a successful career in your chosen field. Australia provides international students with a rigorous consumer protection scheme. In the year 2000, the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 was adopted. This means that institutions must meet specific requirements for facilities, support services, education and marketing in or to be able to enrol international students. The eligible institutions are listed on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

Student support forms a large part of Australia’s education system. Institutions take their responsibility to student welfare seriously. They provide specialist services to help international students adjust to life and study in Australia to achieve their goals. Student services include:
– language tuition;
– designated international student advisers;
– on-arrival reception and orientation programs; and
– health, counselling, accommodation and employment services.

Friendly people

The Australian people are known for being friendly, fun and laid back. You will receive a warm welcome and will find many opportunities to make lost-lasting friendships. All religions and faiths are accepted in Australia as long as they are not breaking the law.

Quality of life

Australia is often said to have one of the best lifestyles in the world, and its cities often feature in “the most liveable cities” in the world list. Australia has low crime rates, strict gun control laws and limited political unrest. The cities are safe and clean, there is a strong economy and a low unemployment rate. The weather is generally warm and sunny.

LIVING COSTS

Before deciding a study in Australia, you should consider you living costs, especially as you must show evidence of you ability to support yourself whilst studying. Student visa applications require you to prove that you have access to at least $18610 per year. Additional funds will be required for family members (see http://www.border.gov.au/ for details)

This figure is indicative only and your living costs may be higher or lower depending on factors such as location, lifestyle and hobbies. You living expenses might include rent, bills, clothing, food, toiletries, books and materials, travel and socialising.

Here are some average costs (in $AU) of everyday goods to give you an idea of how much your living expenses might be:

Travel

Travel costs will depend how, and how much you travel, but on average, around $15-$20 a week if using public transport. As an example, a single bus fare is around $2-$3.

Food and household

An average food bill per week should be between $80-$150, depending on your tastes. Average costs are approximately:
– A loaf of bread – $3
– Milk (2 litres) – $2
– Shampoo – $2.5 to $4.5
– Chicken – $7
– Takeaway meal – $6

Bills

– Electricity and gas bills, depending on usage, should be around $15-$25 per week, combined;
– Telephone – around $30 a month

Social activities

– meal at a mid-priced restaurant- around $15
– a cinema ticket – around $15
– a pint of bear in a pub – around $4

Banking

Make sure you research the different banking options available to you. Ask the welfare officer or one of your HELLO AUSSIE counsellors for recommendations and also speak to friends to find out about their experiences with different banks. Also, remember to shop around, as different banks offer different incentives for opening accounts.

It is a good idea to open a bank account with a bank that has a branch close to where you live and find out things like whether you can withdraw cash from other ATMs and whether you will have access to an overdraft. Many banks will offer an account specifically designed for international students.

Some banks allow international students to open account before arriving in Australia, enabling you to transfer funds prior to departure. If not, students are advised to open an account within 6 weeks of arriving in Australia.
Students are advised to open a student checking account for the duration of their studies in Australia. The Australian banking system is regarded internationally as a safe and stable system and there is a good choice of banks fr students to choose from.

Make sure you research the different banking options available to you.

Ask the welfare officer or one of your HELLO AUSSIE counsellors for recommendations and also
speak to friends to find out about their experiences with different banks. Also, remember to shop
around, as different banks offer different incentives for opening accounts.

WORKING IN AUSTRALIA ?

The majority of students with a student visas are permitted to work and undertake work placements/voluntary work, under certain conditions. You may not start work in Australia until your course has started.

How many hours per week can I work?

Most students are permitted to work up to 40 hours per fortnight during term time and an unlimited amount during vacations/holiday periods. Voluntary work does not count as part of the 40 hour limit, in certain circumstances (find out more at Post-study employment

A student visa does not give you any rights to permanent residency. However, the Australian government’s skilled migration programs targets young people who have skills, an education and outstanding abilities that will contribute to the Australian economy. International students with Australian qualifications account for half of the people assessed under the skilled migrant programme. Some students will be eligible to apply for certain permanent and temporary visas whilst they are in Australia.

According to the table of recommendations on DIBP website, as a result of the Knight Review of the Student Visa program, all graduates of an Australian university Bachelor degree or Master degree, who have spent at least two academic years studying that degree in Australia, and who have complied with their visa conditions, should receive two years work rights. Master by Research graduates should receive 3 years post-study work rights and PhD graduates, 4 years.