Australia

March 2010
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Destination Guide

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2 Contents

Contents
3. 4. 6. Australia Getting there and getting around Student visas Scholarships 7. English language tests Climate & clothing Time zones 8. 9. 10. 11. Money and banking Where will you live? Living costs Electrical appliances Health and wellbeing 12. 13. Personal safetly Part time work Public holidays 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. Application checklist Pre-departure checklist 5 things you MUST do 5 things you MUST see Map of Australia Legal Statement

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Australia / Fast Facts 3

Australia
From the long sandy beaches and buzzing rainforest wildlife to the red heart of the desert, theres no other country on earth like Australia. Studying in Australia offers much more than a highly regarded international education in an English-speaking country its a chance to explore the wilderness, learn to surf or scuba dive, or immerse yourself in the culture and excitement of cities such as Sydney or Melbourne. Despite all its differences, youll feel at home in Australia. It has a large multicultural community over 20% of all Australian were born in another country, and represent over 200 nations. Its also a very big country. If you want to explore it properly, youll need some time after you finish your studies, or between semesters. From the outback to the coastline, you can discover national parks with all their wildlife, learn to surf or dive, or even snorkel through the Great Barrier Reef. Studying in Australia may be quite different to home. Youll have the freedom to choose what and where you study, and where it will take you. Your teachers will expect you to take the initiative, participate in class discussions and come up with original ideas. You may study at a university or college in one of the state capital cities, such as Sydney, Melbourne, Perth or Brisbane. Or you may prefer the friendly small-town environment of regional Australia, where youll find highly respected degree programs and specialised research units. Wherever you go in Australia, it will be an adventure youll never forget.

Fast Facts
Population: 21,000,000 Currency: Australian Dollar ($), 100 cents = $1 Official language: English Climate: Nearly a third of Australia is in the tropics (Queensland, Northern Territory and north Western Australia); the rest is temperate (which means a pleasant climate year-round!). Victoria and Tasmania experience the coolest temperatures in winter.

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4 Getting there & getting around

Getting there and getting around

By air
Just about all travellers to Australia arrive by air. The country is vast so make sure you fly into the airport closest to your university every capital city has a major airport and there are also regional airports close to other major town centres. Air travel within Australia can be expensive compared to other regions such as Europe. This is partly because of a lack of competition the only domestic carriers are Qantas, Virgin Blue and Jetstar. Rex Air and Tiger offer a limited service to selected cities and regional areas. But when you consider that it take five hours to fly from Perth to Sydney, you can see that distance is also a factor. If you wish to fly between cities during your studies, book a flexible internal flight with your inbound international ticket it will usually be much cheaper. You can also keep an eye on last minute airfares on website such as www.webjet.com.au. When you land in Australia on an international flight, you will need to clear customs. Australia has very strict quarantine laws to protect its native species and crops from disease. You must declare all food, plant material and animal products. Its best not to bring any food into the country youll be able to buy everything you need once you get here.

By train

Most of the major cities have a good inner city and suburban train network, integrated with buses and (in Melbourne) trams. Its also possible to travel between some cities by country train the train journey from Sydney to Melbourne takes around 12 hours. Services are not frequent so book ahead. Transport is run by state governments, so youll find that the systems and fares differ greatly between cities. In Sydney and Melbourne, international students currently do not qualify for student discounts but in some other cities, such as Perth, they do!

By coach

You can also travel between capital cities by coach its a good way to explore the Pacific coast, for example, as there any many great costal areas to explore on the highway between Sydney and Brisbane, including the Hunter Valley, Bryon Bay and Port Stephens.

By ferry

The Sydney ferry is quite possibly the best way to commute in the world. Regular ferry trips take in Sydneys most iconic views, such as the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, for a fraction of the cost of a lunchtime cruise. Youll also find commuter ferries along the river in Brisbane and in some parts of Perth.

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Getting there & getting around 5

Travelling by car

Cars drive on the left side of the road in Australia. Driving in big cities can be stressful and confusing, so make sure you feel confident in your driving ability. Car hire can be expensive, and you cant hire a driver so youll be driving! If you need to go somewhere by car, try to share the car hire expense with some friends. If youre planning a big road trip, it may be worth pooling your money with some friends and buying a second-hand campervan thats transport and accommodation sorted! Remember youll need car (or van) insurance and put some money aside for a service or emergency repairs.

Australia has very tough laws on drink driving and police can require you to stop and be tested for alcohol consumption at any time of day. This is known as Random Breath Testing. Before you start driving in Australia, make sure you have an International Drivers Licence (and translation). You may also need an Australian drivers licence if youre staying (and driving) longer than 3 months. Find out more at www.rta.nsw.gov.au.

Travelling by bike

You can also travel safely by bicycle and you can buy a second-hand bike for as little at A$100. No petrol and no insurance required! But you must wear a bike helmet and be aware of road rules.

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6 Student Visa / Scholarships

Student Visa
If you are coming to Australia for a short course of 3 months or less, you may be able to enter Australia on a working holiday visa. Check with your local Australian consulate or at the web address below for eligibility first. If youre studying for longer than 3 months, you will need to apply for a student visa. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship only issues visas for courses registered with the Australian Government check if your course has a CRICOS provider code to make sure. You should apply for your student visa well before your departure date. Depending on your nationality, you may be able to apply online. Or you can apply in person, or post your application, with an Australian consulate. Your family members may also be able to apply for a separate visa if they need to travel with you you. There are different types of student visas, for each type of study (such as English language or post-graduate study). Your multiple-entry visa will let you travel in and out of Australia during your period of study. To qualify for your Australian visa, youll need to prove your English language ability (based on your IELTS score) and that you have enough funds to cover your living expenses - this amount is currently $18,000. Visit www.immi.gov.au/students/ for more information.

Scholarships
Your university or college may offer specific scholarships or bursaries for your course or your country of origin. There are also several external scholarships available, including: Ausaid www.ausaid.gov.au Endeavour awards www.endeavour.deewr.gov.au Australian Leadership Awards www.ausaid.gov.au/scholar Australian Development Scholarships www.ausaid.gov.au/scholar Check the Association of Commonwealth Universities website for more information for scholarships for postgraduate students from Commonwealth countries. www.acu.ac.uk

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English language tests / Climate & clothing / Time zones 7

English language tests

All courses in Australia are taught in English. Your course may have a specific language test result requirement to ensure you can start your studies with confidence as soon as you arrive. Undergraduate courses require an IELTS score Postgraduate courses require an IELTS score Top business schools will also require a GMAT test result Some institutions will accept a TOEFL score instead of an IELTS score - check first before you apply. If you are worried about your English ability, pathway programs are available in the Australia to help you prepare, or improve your IELTS result. TOELF scores are also accepted, but check with your chosen institution first.

Climate and clothing

The climate varies from north to south, so think about where youre studying and where you might be travelling to. If youll be visiting Melbourne, Tasmania, Sydney or Perth in winter, youll need a jumper (sweater) and possibly a coat. Otherwise you can expect to live in shorts and t-shirts most of the year. Dont forget your swimsuit, a sun hat or cap and some sunscreen! The sun in Australia is much stronger and if you have fair skin you may burn easily.

What do students wear in Australia?

Students dress casually jeans, t-shirts, shorts and jumpers. You might need a suit for job interviews or a formal event.

Time zones
There are three time zones in Australia, and not every state operates daylight saving. Eastern Standard Time (EST) NSW, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland Central Standard Time (CYST) SA and Northern Territory Western Standard Time (WST) Western Australia CYST is 30 minutes behind EST, and WST is 2 hours behind EST. But not in the summer months. WA, the NT and Queensland do not have daylight savings, so operate an extra hour behind EST.

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8 Money and banking

Money and banking

Youll need to open an Australian bank account soon after you arrive in Australia ideally within the first six weeks. Youll need your passport, student ID and proof of address to do this. Banks in Australia charge monthly fees for most types of accounts, so shop around for the lowest fee account available. Check whether loans or overdrafts are available, and the cost of international transfers, as well as any limit on the number of free ATM transactions per month. Your Australian bank will give you an ATM card which you can also use at most shops (this form of payment is called EFTPOS). It debits the money directly from your bank account. Check: How much will it cost to transfer money overseas? And to receive money from overseas? Do they have a dedicated Student Business Officer? How close is the branch to where you live and study? How easy is their internet banking system to use? Where is the nearest ATM to your home or campus? Using another banks ATM can cost you an extra fee each time. The following banks are guaranteed by the Reserve Bank of Australia: ANZ Bank Citibank Commonwealth Bank HSBC Macquarie Bank National Australia Bank St George Bank Westpac Bank

Beware of credit cards

You may be offered a credit card or store charge card. These can be very handy while youre studying and travelling, but you need to watch out for high interest rates and penalties for late payments.

Exchange rate

Keep an eye on the official exchange rate at www.xe.com

Student discounts

Finding your bank

Your student card may get you a discount at some shops and cinemas (usually 10%) or on public transport in some states. The Student Union also sells goods at a subsidized price, and you can join the Co-Op bookshop on university campuses if you want to buy discounted textbooks. It all helps with the cost of living!

Most universities have a branch office of one of the major Australian banks on or near their campus. Normal banking hours are 9.30am to 4pm, Monday to Thursday, and 9.30am to 5pm on Fridays. Some branches are also open on Saturday mornings.

GST

Most Australian prices include a General Sales Tax (GST) of 10%. When you leave Australia you may be able to claim that back on expensive items at the airport, such as a laptop, camera or mobile phone. Ask for the form when you make your purchase and find out what the time limit on that claim is.

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Where will you live? 9

Where will you live?

Most university students live in halls of residence when they first arrive. Living oncampus is a good way to make new friends and makes it easier to adjust to university life. Many Australian students choose to study at a university close to their home, and they live with their parents to save money. So youll usually find the halls of residence have a higher proportion of international students and students from regional areas. Its worth making the effort to meet the local students. Be brave and say Gday! They will be a valuable network while you study. As an international student you will usually be given preference for halls of residence accommodation but you need to let them know first that you wish to stay there. Places usually fill up very quickly, so start looking for accommodation as soon as you are offered a place. Halls of residence are large buildings on campus divided into single rooms or small flats. You may share a room with another student, and you usually wont have an en suite bathroom. Some halls have subsidised canteens where you can eat at set times, other have their own kitchens where you can cook what you want, when you want it. Depending on your budget, you may prefer to share a flat (apartment) or a house with other students. Youll need to sign a tenancy agreement, so make sure the lease terms are right for your needs. Youll have more choice and flexibility about who you live with, and what your accommodation is like, but its usually more expensive then living on-campus. Another popular option for international students especially for shorter courses - is a homestay. Youll have your own room and breakfast and dinner is provided. Its a great way to get to know an Australian family, meet their friends and neighbours, and experience real Australia.

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10 Living costs

Living costs
Your cost of living depends on where you live and what you like to do in your spare time. But wherever you live, when you add these costs up youll see why, when you apply for your visa, you need to prove you have access to $18,000 to cover your cost of living. Living in Sydney is more expensive than in Adelaide or Darwin. If you eat out a lot, like to go to the movies or music gigs, youll find your money disappears faster than if you can cook your own meals and watch TV at home. Typically, you can expect to spend the following each week: Accommodation Food Travel Entertainment Other (books, phone, clothing, laundry) A$150-$260 A$60-$80 A$25-$35 A$40-$80 A$30-$60 Youll also need to budget for one-off costs, including: Tuition fees (per year) Flights and transport to and from airport Overseas Student Health Cover Visa fee Mobile phone Books, laptop, internet access A$9,000 - $20,000 varies A$390 (per year) Varies $100-$400 (pay as you go) Varies

In general, Australia offers one of the highest standards of living in the world, at a much lower cost of living. Its expected that an international student will spend, on average, A$360 per week. Adelaide is considered to be the most affordable city to study in. Sydney has the highest accommodation costs.

These are average costs for a homestay student. If youre living in halls or sharing a flat your accommodation costs may be lower, but your food bill will be higher.

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Electrical appliances / Health and wellbeing 11

Electrical appliances
Australias electricity supply is 240v-50Hz AC. The 3-point plugs look like this:

Health and wellbeing

All international students must take out medical insurance (Overseas Student Health Cover, or OSHC). This insurance will give you a rebate on almost all medical treatment from seeing a local doctor (GP) to hospital treatment, specialist appointments and prescription medications. It does not cover you for dental expenses, optical charges, extra services such as physiotherapy, and over-the-counter medication. Australia has an excellent health system and you will be looked after if you fall ill. Your student advisor can help you find the nearest doctor.

If you bring any electrical goods with you, make sure you buy an adaptor before you leave your home country. A universal adaptor will work in many other countries too. Electrical goods can be quite expensive in Australia, so you may wish to bring small appliances with you such as a clock radio, hair drier, MP3 player or laptop.

Phones

Most students have mobile phones. Look for an inexpensive pay as you go option. You can also get a mobile phone for free as part of a monthly plan, but only if you want to a long commitment to that plan usually 2 years. Dont use your mobile phone to make international calls. Youll face a hefty bill! Long distance phone cards are cheap, and you can use them at any payphone or landline. Or you can use skype for cheap international calls and video links back home.

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12 Personal Safety

Personal Safety
Australia is generally a safe place to live, but like all places you need to stay alert and take precautions when youre out and about. Your university may have a student safety advisor who can help you with any questions and advice. Here are some tips to make sure you have a crime-free study experience in Australia: Avoid travelling alone at night and use well lit roads and pathways. You can pay for most things with your ATM card, so try not to carry too much cash with you at any time most students wouldnt have more than $50 in their wallet, for example. Same applies with jewellery late at night. If you have any valuable possessions like laptops, mobile phones or MP3 players, make sure you keep them with you at all times if you are outside or on public transport. And always make sure you have copies of any important files or documents with your family or friends in case anything is stolen. Do not throw out bank statements, mobile phone bills or anything with your personal details on it this will help to prevent identity theft. Lock your door, close your window and place valuable items out of sight when you leave your accommodation. Make sure your accommodation has working smoke alarms and you know where your nearest safe exit is. Make sure you know who to call in an emergency. In Australia dial 000 to contact the police, fire service or for an ambulance.

Tell the International Office your address and contact details in Australia and keep them up to date. Also make sure you tell your friends and family back home so they can get in touch with you. Always let someone know if you are planning to take a trip away, even if its only for one night. Tell your friend where you are going, how you are getting there and where you plan to stay a hotel, friends house and so on. When visiting new places, or at night, always try to stay in groups and do not walk anywhere unfamiliar by yourself.

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Part time work / Public holidays 13

Part time work

If you have a student visa, you are allowed to work 20 hours per week during term and fulltime during the holidays. If you are studying a Masters or Doctorate degree, your family members can work unlimited hours. See www. studyinaustralia.gov.au/Sia/en/StudyCosts/ Working for more details. There are many opportunities for students to work up to 20 hours per week. You may be able to find work nearby in a shop, caf, or as a language teacher, or even in an area related to your field of study. Your university may have work available on campus such as casual teaching or administration support. Make sure you chat to your campus careers office when you start your studies - they can give you great advice for parttime work and work after graduation. If youll be in Australia for more than six months and plan to find work, youre considered a resident for tax purposes. That means you need to apply for a Tax File Number. Your student support office will help you with this. Then you can register with a local employment agency, or with your universitys employment office. You may also find part-time work in the local newspaper. Working part-time is a good way to improve your language skills if English is not your native language. It looks good on your resume (CV), and of course it also helps pay for the cost of living in the Australia. But you should not expect your wages to cover your tuition fees as well - the minimum wage is around $14.50 an hour. And remember, youll still need to show proof of funds to cover living expenses before you leave you home country - or you wont get your visa!

Public Holidays
Some public holidays vary by state. Its worth checking out the local Australia Day celebrations thats the Aussie equivalent of the Fourth of July. And Melbourne may be the only city in the world where the entire state gets a day off work to watch a horse race!

2010 public holiday dates

New Years Day Australia Day Labour Day (VIC, ACT, SA) Good Friday Easter Saturday Easter Sunday Easter Monday Anzac Day Friday, January 1st Tuesday, January 26th Monday, March 8th Friday, April 2nd Saturday, April 3rd Sunday, April 4th Monday, April 5th Sunday, April 25th (VIC gets a public holiday on Monday April 26th in lieu) Monday, June 14th Monday, October 4th

Queens Birthday Labour Day (ACT, NSW, SA)

Melbourne Cup Day Tuesday, November 2nd (VIC) Christmas Day Saturday, December 25th (public holiday Monday December 27th) Sunday, December 26th (public holiday Tuesday December 28th)

Boxing Day

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14 Application Checklist

Application checklist
Before you send off your application please make sure that you have included all the necessary documents. For Australia this will typically include: 1. Certified/attested photocopies of your High School or Secondary School examination mark sheets and passing certificate and certified English translation if required. This applies to all overseas documents listed below unless in English 2. Certified/attested photocopies of Bachelors grade mark sheets and degree certificate (if applying for Postgraduate courses) 3. Certified/attested photocopies of extracurricular awards or certificates (e.g. sports awards, merit certificates, music & dance certificates, arts & craft certificates etc) 4. Two Recommendation Letters from referees (on letter headed paper) from your last educational institution. In case of work experience one recommendation can be taken from the senior manager or employer (on letter headed paper) of the company/organization. 5. A Statement of Purpose (also called a Personal Statement) which is a short essay about your academic objectives, interests and career plan. Typically one side of A4, or roughly 3000 words. You should check your application form for specific requirements. 6. Official copy of an English Language Qualification Results (IELTS/TOEFL) Score Card. If you have not yet taken the exam you should indicate when you are planning to take the test. 7. Your work experience certificate if required 8. Application fee, if required by the institution 9. An up-to-date CV or resume Most institutions will provide a checklist of documents, if you cant find one we recommend contacting the International Office of the university to find out the exact requirements. If you are applying through an education agent in your country they should be able to offer all the help you require with your application and the necessary documents.

Important note about using education agents

If you use an Education Agent to help you apply to study in Australia it is a good idea to check that they are authorized/accredited by the university or college you are applying to join. Heres what we recommend doing to check if the agent is authorized: First, check the PIER website which has an official (but incomplete) list of education agents for Australia: http://www.pieronline.org/qeac/ default.aspx. If you cant find the agent on that site, the next thing to do is look on the university or college website for a list of their authorized agents. Ask to see the institution agreement or certificate if you are in the agents office. However, if you still cant find the agent you should then contact the university or college directly to check they are authorized/accredited.

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Pre-departure checklist 15

Pre-departure checklist
Before you leave for your studies in Australia, make sure you tick off our pre-departure checklist.

Paperwork

Return all the necessary forms to the university. These may include your booking for welcome sessions and/or airport pick-ups, accommodation and English course applications. Notify the university of your flight and arrival time if they are meeting you, and let them know if it changes. Make sure you have a valid passport and student visa (youll need at least six months on your passport) Transfer money to a bank account in advance, or organise travellers cheques Travel insurance

Dont forget to pack

In your hand luggage: Your passport, student visa and tickets Copies of all the course paperwork (letter of offer and acceptance, payment receipts) Cash currency (about A$1,200 in travellers cheques, credit card limit or bank cheque) Contact details for your university (phone numbers and address) Official identification (drivers licence, national ID card) Proof of finances, such as bank statements, tax returns Originals (or certified copies) of any degrees or qualifications you need for your course A change of clothes - just in case! Dont bring any food. Strict customs quarrantine controls are in force at all Australian airports, and with so many multicultural markets youll be able to buy your favourite foods when you get to Australia. In your suitcase: Supply of prescribed medication and any medical records Photos of your home, family and friends CDs of your favourite music Recipes for your favourite dishes Books, magazines or newspapers to remind you of home Clothes to suit the climate, toiletries, plug adaptors.

Plan ahead

Try to arrive at least a few days before the orientation program commences Get a feel for your new home listen to the local radio station through the internet, or read a national newspaper online. See www.abc.net.au for more details. Practice your English watch Australian TV shows, practice with friends, or take a short course Check local weather websites before you leave, so you know you have the right clothes when you land! www.bom.gov.au

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16 5 things you MUST do

5 things you MUST do

Set sail on Sydney Harbour
The best way to take in Sydney is from the water. The most affordable way to do this is simply a return trip on the Circular Quay to Manly ferry. Dont forget your camera! Go on a boat cruise, or charter a yacht (and a skipper) with some friends. Sail under the Harbour Bridge and past the white sails of the Opera House. You can even dive off and swim in the harbour we promise shark attacks are very rare! and tell someone else your plans, just in case something happens. From Sydney, its just one hour to the Blue Mountains, a world heritage site, or to the tranquil bush of the Hawkesbury River. There are literally hundreds of parks surrounding every capital city, and of course further into the wilderness. You may even spot a mob of kangaroos, or see a koala in its natural habitat.

Snorkel through the coral

Hit the beach

No matter where youre studying, you probably wont be far from a beach. In Sydney, check out Bondi, Manly, Coogee, Balmoral and Bronte. In Melbourne, St Kilda is the hip place to be or take a road trip down the Great Ocean Road to see some serious surf. In Perth, head for Cottesloe. From Brisbane, its a 1-2 hour drive to Surfers Paradise or Noosa.

Climate change is taking its toll on the world heritage Great Barrier Reef so see this amazing underwater site while you still can. Youll need to fly up to Cairns, Townsville or Airlie Beach in Queensland and take a boat to one of the many Whitsunday Islands, or enjoy a day cruise around the reef. Learn to dive - or at least snorkel!

See the red heart of Australia

Go walkabout

Australias national parks have great bushwalk trails from 20 minutes to 3 days long! Take some camping gear and experience real wilderness. Make sure you walk in a group

In complete contrast to the reef and rainforest, Australias red heart is Uluru, a massive rock monolith in the centre of the desert. Its the perfect place to experience the spirituality of Aboriginal culture.

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5 things you MUST see 17

5 things you MUST see

Aside from the cost of getting to them, most of these things are completely free! So theres no need to let your student budget prevent you from experiencing the best of Australia.

Sydneys iconic Opera House

A surf lifesaving carnival

Towering trees on a rainforest or bushwalk trail

A kangaroo, koala, echidna, wombat and/or platypus

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Fireworks on Sydney Harbour (try New Years Eve or Australia Day)

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16 Map of Australia

Map of Australia
Darwin

NORTHERN TERRITORY

QUEENSLAND

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Brisbane

Perth

NEW SOUTH WALES

Adelaide

Sydney Canberra

VICTORIA Melbourne

Hobart TASMANIA

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Legal Statement 19

The publishers and authors have attempted to ensure accuracy and completeness of the information contained in this publication, however, no responsibility can be accepted for any errors and inaccuracies that occur. (C) 2010 Learning Information Systems Pty Ltd (StudyLink) All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher. Compliance with the Trade Practices Act 1971 of advertisements contained in this publication is the responsibility of those who submit the advertisement for publication. International distribution: Learning Information Systems Pty Ltd (StudyLink), Sydney, Australia Tel: +612 9025 4600 www.studylink.com

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