Living and studying abroad
can be an exciting and adventurous thing to do. Sometimes though, it can be
difficult and frustrating when you must find accommodation, find your way
around, eat different food, adjust to the climate and understand the Australian
ways doing things.
Students arriving in Australia for the first time often experience some degree
of "cultural shock", particularly in relation to their new living
arrangements.
Our advice to you in the early months of your stay is to give yourself time
to orient to Australia, don't try to do everything at once, get plenty of
rest.
However, our professional student welfare officers can help you arrange for
an accommodation etc. before you arrive. Please talk to us if you experience
any problem, as we will always try to help and will also keep any discussion
with you confidentially.
Accommodation
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There are various choice open to you:
Australian Homestay
Cost A$155-$200 per week. You live with an Australian family. The cost generally
include 2 meals (breakfast & dinner) during the week and 3 meals on the
weekends, electricity, a furnished room that can be single or share with another
students. Homestay is great idea to practice spoken English and learn about
the Australia culture and customs.
University Residential
College/Boarding
Cost: A$155-$250 per week. Generally found at older universities or Secondary
School and usually on campus so it saves you the
transportation fee. The college provides all facilities and services you
will need, normally include all meals, cleaning, tutoring, sporting
facilities, electricity, a furnished room that can be single or share with
another student. This type of accommodation is more popular for students attending
university or Secondary study.
Renting a Flat or House
Cost: start from A$80 per week. It is a more independent type of
accommodation, flats can be furnished or not depending on the budget
you would like to spend but most flats/houses are equipped with a stove
for cooking and a dryer. You should allow about 2 weeks to find a flat
that suits your needs, beside that you also need to pay a bond as a
security deposit, which is usually about 4-6 times the weekly rent. The
cost of electricity, gas and telephone is usually not included in the rent
and you need to arrange for these facilities to be connected and also
pay for the connection fee security deposit. The rent varies depending
on the size and condition of the flat or house and also its location.
Public
transport
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Australia has an extensive and modem public transport system which
includes trains, buses, trams/light rail train, ferries, monorails, taxis
and water taxis. Unfortunately, overseas students are not entitled to travel
concession cards. You will be fined up to $100 if you are caught.
You can buy the TravelTen or Weekly Pass to save money on traveling
on buses, trains and ferries. You will need a red, blue, yellow or brown pass
depending how far you need to travel overseas or to other States
in Australia.
Driving
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Overseas visitors need to carry their own National driving license or an International
Driving Permit. The driver and all passengers must wear seat belts at all
times, and there are heavy penalties for non-compliance.
All children and babies must have an approved child restraint-car rental companies
should be able to supply these upon request.
Cars in Australia are right - hand drive and travel on the left - hand side
of the road. The general speed limit in NSW is 60 km/h (35mph) in residential
areas and increases to 100 km/h on open country roads.
Other speed limits may apply to school zones, arterial roads and expresswaysand
will be indicated by sign where relevant.
Climate
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The climate ranges from tropical to temperate. It is coldest in the highlands
of the southeast and Tasmania, the only places where snow falls regularly.
January and February are generally the hottest months the wettestmonths are
March to May and the coldest month is July.
Time
difference
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Most cities of Australia are 2-3 hours ahead of Asia. 9-10 hours ahead of
Europe and 16-20 hours ahead of USA.
Daylight saving (summer time) also operates in the majority of states from
generally the last Sunday in October to the First Sunday in April.
Health/OSHC
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Australia has a high standard of health and hygiene, and it is unlikely
that you will encounter any health hazards. Overseas student must
organize for an Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration
of the visa in Australia. OSHC will help you to pay for any medical and hospital
care you my need as specified on their brochure while studying in Australia.
Medibank Private administers it, a government run private health insurance
agency. OSHC premium for students; 1-3 months A$74, 3-6 months A$ 148,6-9
months A$ 212,9-12 months $274.
Once you commence your course in Australia, you will be given
an application form and your ABOC & AA numbers. Please fill in the
form and take your passport to the Medicare Private office. A
membership card will be sent to you within four to six weeks. When
visiting a doctor, payment for services is made at the time of consultation
and then claimed back from the OSHC scheme at a Medibank office
by filling in a Claim Form and showing the doctor's receipt.
Banking/Business
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There are many banks to choose from and all are registered under
Australian Government regulations. The four main Australian Banks
are National Australia Bank, Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, ANZ Bank and St.
George Bank. Banks are generally open 9.30am - 4pm Mon. - Thurs, to 5pm on
Friday. General office hours are 9am-5pm weekdays. Post offices are open the
same hours.
To open a bank account, you will need two or three forms of identifications,
for example, a passport, student card, driver's license etc.
If you have any difficulty opening a bank account talk to MTT Students
Services student consultants.
Taxation
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Overseas student are considered to be residents for tax purposes if they are
here on a full-time course at a college or university for six months or more.
Forms to register for a Tax File Number (T.F.N.) are available from the Taxation
Office. (100 Market St., Sydney) or at MTT Students Services Office. Please
fill out the application form and provide the following documents when applying
for T.F.N.: passport, copy of C.E.O.S. and proof of address in Australia such
as Bank Statement
or driver license.
There is not cost to apply for T.F.N. and you will receive your T.F.N. approximately
within four weeks after you lodge in an application.
Standard
of Living and Shopping
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The life style in Australia is considered to be safe and friendly with a
high degree of social life.
There is a wide range of shopping facilities in Sydney that offer a large
variety of goods at competitive prices. You may have to shop around to get
the best price.
Normal shopping hours are usually 9am until 5.30pm Monday to Saturday, with
late night shopping each Thursday or Friday until approximately 9.00pm. Most
supermarkets open for twenty fours a days seven days a week.
Electricity
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Domestic electricity is 230 to 250 volts/50 cycles. AC plugs are three pin
and transformers and adapters are easily obtainable.
Telecommunication
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Two main telecommunication companies in Australia are TELSTRA and OPTUS. Australia
has a sophisticated telephone system.
Public phones with overseas dialing facilities are available at all Post Offices,
most shopping centers, schools, railway stations, streets corner and many
more places. The cost for local a call is 40 cent. International calls can
vary from 80 cents per minute to approx. $2.50 per minute depending on the
countries you are calling.
Religion
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There is complete religious freedom in Australia and all faiths and denominations
are represented in Australia's by many ethnic group