Living in Australia

Living In Australia

Sydney is the largest city in Australia in terms of population. It is often called “the Harbour City” and is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, offering a wide selection of entertainment, food, restaurants, shopping, pristine beaches and sightseeing. Sydney has a temperate climate with warm summers and cool winters, and rainfall is spread throughout the year. Students are ideally placed to take advantage of it all.

The Sydney CBD is a major business and commercial centre. It is home to the Sydney icons such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney Aquarium, Darling Harbour and many shops and restaurants, boasting some of Australia’s most historic places of interest. For those not inclined to revisit the past, other activities are available. Catch a performance at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, offering drama and comedy shows or enjoys the many entertaining areas such as Pitt Street Malls, The Rocks, Circular Quay and China Town. Australia’s most famous beach; Bondi Beach is located approximately 30 minutes from the CBD.

Climate

Australia is in the southern hemisphere and the seasons are reversed to those in Europe the USA, and most of Asia. Although Australia experiences temperate weather for most of the year the climate can vary. Season wise, December to February is Summer; March to May is Autumn; June to August is Winter; and September to November is Spring. Sydney is a comfortable place to stay. Summer runs from December through to February. During summer season sports such as cricket and other outdoor activities are popular. Beaches are particularly popular for swimming and surfing during summer.

Multiculturalism

Australia is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. People from all around the world travel to Australia for many reasons. Its unique combination of Indigenous cultures, early European settlement and immigration from all parts of the world has contributed to Australia’s dynamic cultural diversity.

Cosmopolitan

Recognised for its natural beauty, visitors from many parts of the world are attracted to making the journey.Students from all over the world come to Australia to take advantage of our world-class education and enjoy friendly hospitality and cultural diversity. Australia has a safe environment in which to learn and travel. With one of the highest standards of living in the world, Australia offers modern world class food experiences, transport systems, shopping centres and sports experiences.

Cost Of Living

If you’re thinking of studying in Australia you will need to know what it will cost to support yourself. Things to consider are accommodation, food, clothes, child-care and entertainment. Below is guide on financial requirements for international students studying in Australia for each academic year (does not include course tuition fees, Overseas Student Health Cover, travel/incidentals), however this can vary widely depending on your lifestyle:

You – $21,041
Partner or spouse – $7,362
Child – $3,152

International students wishing to bring their spouse and school aged dependents should ensure they plan for living expenses for each additional family member. In addition, students will be required to pay the full school tuition fees. For further information, please visit http://www.immi.gov.au/students/students/bringing_family/how-to-apply.htm and https://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/english/live-in-australia/living-costs

Initial establishment costs for a shared apartment, such as rental bond for accommodation, electricity, gas and telephone, could add up to at least $1,500. In addition, there are the costs associated with staying in touch with home. There are internet cafes located throughout the CBD which cost around AU$5.00 per hour as well as free Wi-Fi in popular areas such as McDonald’s and Starbucks. The cheapest way to phone overseas is using phone apps such as Skype or Viber or via a phone card. Phone cards can be purchased at newsagents and convenience stores. Different phone cards will have different rates so make sure cards are compared to identify which is the cheapest for your country. Students requiring a mobile phone, can get packages starting from around AU$15.00 a month plus call costs for a two-year contract. You can also buy a pre-paid mobile phone for about AU$100.00. Note that calls made from mobile phones to overseas can be very expensive.

To post a letter overseas the cost is between AU$1.75 to AU$2.60 through Australia Post. Parcels and freight are a lot more expensive and the cost will depend on how much you are sending and where it is going.

Education Costs

Australian education tuition fees for international students are very competitive with other countries. All tuition fees for international students who study in Australia are exempt from GST and are charged up-front, with some institutions making additional charges to cover other associated costs like mandatory student workbooks, sports facilities, laboratory costs, student organisation membership, and library fees.

English Language Courses

The costs of English Language courses vary greatly depending on the duration and level of the English course. English language courses vary in duration and intensity, and can cost as little as a few hundred dollars for a two-week short course to A$3,500 for a half year semester or up to A$14,500 for a full year university preparation English course.

Vocational Education and Training (VET) Course Costs

Accommodation Costs

Hostels and Guesthouses –AU$90 toAU$150 per week
Shared Rental –AU$85 toAU$215 per week
On campus –AU$90 toAU$280 per week
Homestay –AU$235 toAU$325 per week
Rental –AU$165 toAU$440 per week
Boarding schools –AU$11,000 toAU$22,000 a year

Accommodation will vary according to your needs, budget, and where you wish to live. Sydney has many options for students including home-stay, shared accommodation, serviced apartments and private leasing (rental). Many of these accommodation options are available close to the college or with direct public transport access to the college. Advice on accommodation can be obtained from the College, but it is the student’s responsibility to organise their accommodation.

Other Living Costs

There are of course other costs associated with living in Australia. Please take these into account. For example, the extra cost of utilities -electricity, the telephone and gas. Approximate costs of other living expenses include:

Groceries and eating out –AU$80 toAU$280 per week
Gas, electricity – AU$35 toAU$140 per week
Phone and Internet – AU$20 toAU$55 per week
Public transport – AU$15 toAU$55 per week
Car (after purchase) – AU$150 toAU$260 per week
Entertainment – AU$80 toAU$150 per week