We all know that studying abroad gives us a great opportunity to experience life in another country, but, it can also take a while to adjust.
You’re likely to notice quite a few differences between Australia and your home land, some of which you may have prepared yourself for and some may take you by surprise. Following are a few cultural differences you may experience :
Friendly attitude
It’s unlikely that you’d be used to the level of informality seen in behaviours of Aussies, specially with respect to your studies, it’s common to call lecturers by their first name and while Australians approach most situations in a relaxed and friendly manner, it is still observed as good manners to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ and to be punctual. In Australia, all people are treated equally and respectfully, regardless of their age, gender, sexual orientation, background or occupation.
Slang
Even if one has been brought up in an English-speaking country is likely to get confused when talking to Australians, since they use a lot of slang terms, even at a workplace and lecture rooms. The Australian accent can a lot of times be difficult to understand, so if you’re struggling to understand someone, just tell them. Many a times Australians don’t even realise that they’re using slang and won’t be offended if you ask them to explain something in a different way.
Multicultural society
Australia as we all know is a very multicultural society, with approximately 25% of the population born overseas. As a result of the same there is availability of food and traditions from a great variety of cultures, like Chinese, French, Greek, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Mexican, Thai, Vietnamese and a lot more. Australians are allowed to follow any religion they want to, and churches, mosques, synagogues and temples are located in most major cities and centres.
Learning ways
There is one thing that surprises foreign students a lot during their time in Australia and that is the learning experience in Australian classrooms. Here, students are encouraged to critically evaluate ideas put forward in class and to express their views in class discussions, even if their view differs from the lecturer’s. If you are unable to understand a topic, you are allowed to ask questions and request further explanation. You may also find yourself surprised by the number of contact hours you will have as a full-time student, only around 12 hours a week for some courses. Independent learning is encouraged a lot and you will be expected to spend time outside of class reading through course materials and researching topics and ideas.
Entertainment and shopping
Shopping hours in Australia may be less than what you’re used to in your home country, even in city areas. Shops usually open around 9 am and close at 5 pm everyday. Some areas might have late-night shopping where shops stay open until 9 pm or later on Thursday or Friday nights. Major stores, such as supermarkets and department stores, often stay open late each night and some even operate 24 hours a day. In terms of entertainment, Australians love sport, especially Australian Rules Football also known as AFL, rugby league, cricket and tennis, and many Australians, both men and women spend their weekends watching and playing sport. You may also find that people in Australia consume alcohol more regularly than you would be used to in your home country, with bars, pubs and clubs all popular places to spend time with friends.
If you want to work during your time in Australia, you must always be abreast with certain rights you are entitled to, in terms of employment.
Your student visa poses restrictions on the maximum number of hours you can work but, your workplace rights are no different to any other worker in Australia. Employees covered by the national workplace relations system are entitled to National Employment Standards (NES) which are:-
- Maximum hours of work
- Requests for flexible working arrangements
- Parental leave and related entitlements
- Annual leave
- Personal carer’s leave and compassionate leave - Community service leave
- Long service leave
- Public holidays
- Notice of termination and redundancy pay
- The Fair Work Information Statement
Even though many of these standards apply to full-time and part- time employees only, there are some rights that are applicable to all workers, including casuals :
• Minimum wage: All workers in Australia are entitled to a minimum wage, you are allowed to be paid more than the minimum rate of pay, but it is illegal for your employer to pay you less. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay Calculator can help you work out the minimum rate of pay for your field of work.
• Pay: Employers are not permitted to asked to do unpaid trial work beyond what is reasonably required to demonstrate the skills for the job (usually not more than one shift). You must also be paid for any meetings or training you attend, as well as any extra hours you’ve worked. Your employer is required to pay you at least once a month and you should be given a pay slip within one day of being paid.
• Contracts: All employees must receive a contract or agreement, and should be given the chance to read it thoroughly. The contract should include your rate of pay, when and how often you will be paid, any penalty rates or allowances you are entitled to, when you are permitted take breaks and the notice time you need to give if you want to terminate your employment. You should never be pressured to sign anything you aren’t comfortable with.
• Unfair dismissal: You must know that it is illegal for an employee to be dismissed based on their race, colour, gender, sexual preference, marital status or because they are sick or injured. It is also illegal for an employer to fire or demote you for querying any of your workplace rights (such as your rate of pay) or for submitting a complaint or request for assistance to the Fair Work Ombudsman.
• A safe workplace free from discrimination: You should feel both physically and mentally safe at your workplace and that implies that your employer must meet Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) legislation and take steps to prevent bullying and discrimination advisable to get tips from the student services office or maybe local classmates, for suggestions.
Apart for being known for its top-quality education system, Australian life outside the classroom is more often than not, the main attraction for foreign students.
Whether you’re anxiously preparing for your time in Australia, or studying hard to make the most of your final weeks home, there comes a time you think about your ‘must-do’ activities.
Following are top 5 things to do before you finish your studies in Australia -
Explore wildlife in Australia
The reptile family won’t appeal to you but a close look at one of Australia’s caressable native creatures should be high on your list. Australia has quite a few wildlife sanctuaries that allow you to meet the local wildlife. You might enjoy petting kangaroos, cuddling a koala or feeding a flock of brightly coloured lorikeets. If the larger species intrigues you, whale-watching tours, shark dives and crocodile feeding shows provide plenty of entertainment.
The must try local cuisine
In Australia’s multicultural heritage, you will be able to find food from all parts of the world. However, there are a some favourite items that the natives have fondly adopted as their own. Tim Tams, meat pies, damper, pavlova, lamingtons, a sausage in bread and ANZAC biscuits are the recommended things to try. While you’re in Australia, you should also sample some of Australia’s renowned fresh produce, including seafood, fruit and vegetables, cheese and wine. A visit to the local farmers’ markets will provide a great opportunity to sample some of the best produce on offer.
Beautiful beaches
Australia has no shortage of coastline and beaches since it’s an island, in fact, it is said to take you twenty seven years to visit every beach in Australia if you went to one per day. Besides the sheer number of beaches, Australia has some of the best ones in the world — so they’re definitely worth a visit. You must visit Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach, head west to Perth’s Cottesloe Beach or enjoy the sparkling waters and soft sand of Queensland’s Whitehaven Beach. Just make sure you swim between the flags and carry enough sunblock lotion.
Go to a footy game
We all know Australians are big sports fans, with the football getting the maximum attention during the winter months. Those in Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and Western Australia will likely be surrounded by passionate AFL fans, while students in New South Wales, the ACT and Queensland, rugby league may be the sport of choice. There are games in most states each week from March to October, with a select number of regional AFL games scheduled in the Northern Territory, Tasmania, North Queensland and Canberra throughout the year.
Travel
Australia’s landscape is huge and with tons of variety. There are travel opportunities for all types of people. You can choose from one of the capital cities, the Outback, the Great Barrier Reef, sunny beach towns, winery regions, rainforests, even the snow. If you’re low on money, or time- a short road trip within your state can also give you a good experience.
The Gold Coast is often seen as a Disney land of Australia for students from overseas, with balmy weather and beautiful beaches as a major draw card, yet there is so much more to do up north, with no shortage of nightlife or leisure and outdoor activities:
Gold Coaster
On the Gold Coast, the theme park scene is an institution and one of the main reasons the city is such a popular holiday destination for families. It is located about 25 minutes from the city, Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World and Wet n Wild are all great choices for weekend escape from studying.
Out on the town
Cavill Avenue is the Gold Coast’s most well-known strip of nightlife, littered with a vast array of restaurants, bars, nightclubs and cafés for international students to enjoy with their friends.
Take a hike
There is abundance of gorgeous scenery around the Gold Coast, with none more iconic than Springbrook National Park. Boasting glorious waterfalls and expansive rainforests, it is the perfect spot for a hike or bushwalk.
Hit the beach
Some of the country’s best beaches are just minutes away from the city centre of the Gold Coast. Check out Burleigh Heads for great surf or take advantage of the various bars and eateries dotted along.
A lot of students wish to study in Australia owing to its quality education system, even though this is simply not the best option for those who have jobs and family commitments overseas.
If you are unable to physically study on-shore, there may be a solution. Even if you are unable to make the move to Australia, you can still obtain a quality Australian qualification by studying via distance education, irrespective of where you live. Following are a few good reasons why studying by distance might preferable to you:
Gives you flexibility
In simple words, distance and online education give you the freedom to study what, when, where and how you want to. You can choose from a large range of VET and higher education courses— from nursing to law, business to engineering — from a range of education institutions. If you decide to work full time or require to be close to your family in your home country, distance and online study allows you to study part-time at a pace that suits you. Alternatively, if you want to complete your course quickly, many institutions also give you the option to speed up your studies through trimester systems.
Allows freedom
Through distance education and online courses, it becomes possible to begin your tertiary study in your home country before making the move to Australia to study on campus. Distance and online courses may also give foreign students studying in Australia the freedom to return to their home country and still finish the course that they had begun. If you decide to make a swap from distance/online study to study on campus, many institutions enable you to apply for advanced standing, which may give you credit for units you have already studied.
Provides interaction
Even though distance online courses can never quite compare to the experience of studying on campus, the hard-copy textbooks and study guides, the range of online support that is available really does bring the classroom to you. Distance courses are often supported by online forums, student blogs, discussion boards and library resources, which help you to take part in study experiences similar to students studying on campus. You can also interact with other students, share your work and opinions, access readings, listen to lectures, consult tutors and complete assessments and, in addition, many institutions include online student support and technical assistance as part of the service. While essays are submitted online or by post, it may not be possible for you to take your exam online even though some institutions allow exams to be submitted online or by mail, others require you to complete exams at venues in your home country. In many cases, other options are available for those who cannot get to the venues due to distance or special circumstances.
Accessibility
A lot of people like to continue studying after they leave school but are unsure about which type of institution (university, TAFE institute or private college) is right for them or if they could handle the study commitment. As well as offering you the opportunity to complete entire courses, online courses and distance education allow you to enrol in single study units, which are perfect if you would like to see whether you like an institution or a particular area of study. While students need to have achieved a designated level of English proficiency prior to study (this varies between institutions), online and distance education also gives you the chance to develop your English skills through interaction with tutors and other students.
As you can see, distance and online education can differ greatly to traditional on-campus education, but they also provide you with a range of benefits, as well as the opportunity to achieve a recognised Australian qualification while living abroad.
If you’ve been thinking of studying, working or even migrating to Australia, you must have heard about the International English Language Testing System(better known as IELTS).
It is a standardised test for non-native English speakers that is divided into four components – listening, reading, writing and speaking, to measure English language proficiency. Its result is commonly used to support applications to work, study and permanently live in Australia. The IELTS is based around nine levels of English proficiency, with band one representing a non-English language user and band nine being equivalent to an expert English speaker. You can choose from two versions of the IELTS test, depending on your reason for coming to Australia – those who are looking to study at university or register for professional work need to take the Academic test, while a General Training version is available to people who are interested in undertaking vocational work and training during their time Down Under. The application process to live in Australia can be complex, since there are many requirements that one needs to fulfil. To make is easy, following are the three IELTS requirements you need to meet to study, work or migrate to Australia:
IELTS for study in Australia
As said earlier, your IELTS score, among many other language tests, can support your application to study in Australia. Depending on what your level of study – undergraduate, postgraduate or vocational – you need to undertake the relevant test to generate your IELTS score. If you are looking at university programs, make sure you complete the Academic test and if you’re looking at training or studying below the degree level (a diploma, for example), you will need to sit the General Training version of the IELTS. You must keep in mind that Australia requires international students to hold a Student Visa (subclass 500), and you need to achieve a minimum 5.5 IELTS score to meet the eligibility requirement. If you have any questions about the IELTS score required for your course, make sure you contact your Australian institution directly.
IELTS for work in Australia
If you are looking at working in Australia, you will need to provide evidence of acceptable English proficiency. Australia offers a range of working visas, each with different language requirements, so it is important to study and find out the minimum required score before you apply. It is advisable to check required IELTS results with your Australian organisation or employer to ensure that you are able to meet them. If you are looking to work in professional industries such as healthcare, accounting, engineering and law, you will need to complete the Academic IELTS test and workers going into vocational areas like tourism, construction and hospitality should instead sit the General Training version.
IELTS for migration to Australia
The Department of Home Affairs is one which runs Australia’s immigration system and requires you to demonstrate your English language proficiency to be eligible for migration to Australia. The required IELTS score varies depending on the visa you’re applying for, so consult with the Department of Home Affairs website to see what level you need to achieve before applying for a visa. Most visas require a minimum level of Competent English from applicants, which is equivalent to a minimum score of six across all four components of the IELTS test.
Scholarships are for students with caliber and strong inclination to study abroad but are lacking funds owing to the economies of their respective countries.
Hence, it is a great way to earn financial help while you live and study in Australia. Scholarships are of various kinds and depending on the conditions of your scholarship, you could probably have your tuition fees, living allowance or study materials covered. While applying for scholarships, you should try and be creative so that you stand out. Thinking outside the box may help.
A number of Scholarships are offered by Universities however, there are a few other organisations that you may want to consider. The Australian Government also offers a few grants to students across all study levels, from vocational to doctoral. You could also study about residential colleges, international organisations and government institutions in your home country and find out if they offer financial help for students interested in going abroad for further education. You must know that some scholarships are only offered to students from certain countries, or to those who choose to study a specific course. When you apply for scholarships, it is better to apply for more than one – this way you get a better chance of receiving a grant, and always know that every little bit of funding will count!
The scholarship application process can be a bit complex and the competition may be tough, but grants are often given on the basis of excellent academic merit. It can be difficult to know where to begin, so following are detailed the steps you should take to apply for a scholarship in Australia:
Find the courses of your interest:
It is best to search of courses first and doing so will give you clarity on where you will be studying, and that is you will need to know if you want to apply for a university scholarship.
Find out about courses in your field of study to see all the courses available and if you have found a course that interest you, make sure that you check and meet the admission requirements. Once you’ve done that and have decided on your course, you can take the next step towards looking for available scholarships.
Do your scholarship homework:
If you want to obtain funding from an institution, research about the types of scholarships being offered by the university that has your desired course. If you are seeking scholarships from other organisations, you should check that you fulfil all terms and conditions, including field of study restrictions and visa arrangements and keep in mind that it is important to ensure your complete eligibility for any scholarship you apply for, regardless of the type or level of funding.
Assess your eligibility:
Assessing your eligibility for a scholarship is about meeting academic requirements. It could mean that you will have to achieve a minimum average study grade to be considered, or you may be only allowed to complete courses in specific study areas. It is very important that you meet every condition of the scholarship to improve your chances of being accepted. Scholarships require a lot of documentation, so make sure that you have all necessary paperwork sorted. This could even involve getting certain documents translated or certified before you submit your application. If you are required to submit an essay alongside your application, ensure that you meet all requirements such as word limits and deadlines. You may want to get it reviewed by someone who is a fluent speaker before submitting it, as spelling and grammatical mistakes can prove costly on your application.
Ready to submit:
This part may scare you a bit but if you have found your dream Australian course, double-checked your eligibility, collected all your documents and saved up sufficient funds to put towards your study journey, it’s time to submit your application to your provider. It is crucial that you submit all applications and documentation by the deadline date to ensure you have a great chance of being accepted. Whether you are considering financial help or already have your application in the works, it is advisable that you refer to your scholarship provider as the first point of contact. If you have any queries, they will be the best resource you can turn to as each scholarship has different terms and conditions.
All visas are created differently and if you’re not a resident who’s planning to live and work in Australia, then you should apply for the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189), designed for skilled workers who hold jobs under Australia’s Skilled Occupations List.
This visa allows individuals to work and live in Australia permanently too. If the list mentions the occupation you’re in, then you may be eligible for the visa. Applicants are required to complete a skill test that gathers enough points and be sponsored by an employer or family member. The other option is if applicants can be nominated by a state or territory government.
If your occupation is on the Skilled Occupations List, works out well for you. However, you will need to demonstrate that you meet the following requirements if you want to go for permanent residency. The applicant must:
-Be under the age of 50
-Have met the Australian study requirements
-Have skilled employment experience
-Have the appropriate education qualifications
-Meet Australia’s health requirements
-Meet Australia’s character requirements.
Once you’ve met the above criteria, you’ll have to complete the skills assessment for a Subclass 189 visa. An applicant must have 65 points to be eligible. You must know that different criteria have different points.This visa is based on a points’ test and will only be open to applicants once they’ve lodged an Expression of Interest and received an invitation from the Department.
The cost of a Subclass 189 visa starts from AUD$3,755. This does not include legal fees and other cover fee requirements such as a health and police verification. The usual processing time for this visa is usually six to eight months and if you’re worried about being away from the country, don’t stress because you can be in or outside Australia upon application or even when the visa is granted.
Applying for a Permanent visa isn’t a scary process, you have to only remember to cover all the steps. See the skilled occupation list and check if your accusation is listed on it, to be eligible and acquire 65 points on the skilled assessment. Post that, submit an expression of interest in Skill Select and then, all you can do is wait for an invitation from the government to apply for the visa.
Fluency of spoken and written English in your own country is one thing, but are in the University, you’re likely to hear all kinds of unfamiliar words, jargons and phrases that are specific to classrooms, lectures and textbooks.
It’s always recommended to brush up on your academic vocabulary and writing skills whether you’ve just passed your English Language test or if you're halfway through your degree.
Below are a few useful resources and tools that will help you with your studies-
Academic word lists
An academic word list is a good place to start. These lists contain words that are used frequently in English-language academic texts.
The top 60 most common Academic words- by vocabulary.com links to dictionary definitions and includes practice tasks and spelling games.
Exam English has 10 groups of academic words, with practice tests for you to complete once you work your way through each set.
Academic writing skills
‘Manchester Academic Phrasebank’ is an academic resource designed for international students whose first language isn’t English, it offers useful tools and examples of academic phrasing, organised according to the main sections of a research paper, such as defining terms, giving examples, comparing and contrasting and signalling transition. ‘Using English For Academic Purposes’ (UEFAP) offers a vast amount of information for international students. The 'Writing' section of the website section goes through structuring essays and reports, referencing and other features of academic writing.
‘Grammarly’ is an automated grammar checker and writing assistant. It offers far more than your basic spellcheck tool — the algorithms can flag context-specific grammar corrections, punctuation, wordiness and style. If you opt for the paid version, there’s also a plagiarism tool. You can install a browser extension for assistance with emails, online documents and social media, or download it for Microsoft Office.
‘Hemingway Editor’ is an online editing tool that checks for style and structure to help you organise your thoughts and suggestions — essentially, shaping your writing until it’s clear and concise. It flags instances of unnecessary adverbs, complex sentences and passive voice. There’s even a desktop app you can download for offline use.
‘ABC Learn English’ is produced by Australia’s national broadcaster and has a comprehensive website with lessons on grammar, vocabulary and the subtler aspects of language use, plus video learning content and quick audio lessons on pronunciation and word meaning.
Banking will be an integral part of your life in Australia so it's vital that you understand the Australian banking system and learn how to set up and manage your finances.
If you have an Australian bank account, it will ensure that you have easy access to your money to pay for your accommodation, living expenses and tuition fees, and will ease the payment process for your employer if you choose to work. You should be aware of the following banking information-
1 Banks in Australia
2 Opening a bank account in Australia
3 Types of bank accounts
4 Ten things to look for when selecting a bank in Australia 5 Australian currency
6 Bank opening hours in Australia
7 Automatic teller machines (ATMs)
8 Telephone and internet banking in Australia
9 EFTPOS and other payment methods
Banks in Australia
There are four major banks in Australia:
• Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ)
• Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)
• National Australia Bank (NAB)
• Westpack Banking Corporation
There are also a number of smaller banks, including Adelaide Bank, Bank of Queensland, Bank of Melbourne, Bankwest, Bank SA, Bendigo Bank, St George Bank, ME Bank and Suncorp Bank.
How to open a bank account in Australia
Moving to Australia can be time consuming, so it is best to organise your account before you reach so you can access your money right away and without hinderance
The process is usually as follows:
• Most banks will let you to apply to open an account through their website using an
online application form. You will need to type in your passport details when you’re
doing so.
• When your application has been processed and approved, you will be notified and
will recieve the details of your new account so that you can make transfers.
• Once you are in Australia, you will have to go to your bank and show them your
passport so that you can have access to your money. At this time, you will also receive a debit card which would be linked to your account and can register for telephone and internet banking thereon.
If you want to wait until you are in Australia before opening a bank account, you must do so within six weeks of arrival. You will have to visit a bank to provide staff with your details and show them your passport as proof of identity and they will then send you an account card in the mail.
As an international student, many banks will offer you a special student account which does not charge monthly account fees and you may also be allocated an international student banker for you to contact regarding any queries, and many banks will try to find a banker who speaks your language.
Types of bank accounts
It is a good idea to set up a transaction account for everyday banking (paying for goods and depositing income, for example) and a high-interest savings account for storing your savings. You may also wish to open additional accounts to divide your money for specific purposes (such as paying rent or saving for travel). Some transaction accounts give you the option of using additional services such as a personal cheque books, these are commonly known as cheque accounts.
Other account types include credit accounts and credit debit accounts. See EFTPOS and other payment methods for more information about the transactions you can make with these accounts.
Things to look for when selecting a bank in Australia:
-Is there any application fees?
-Can you open an online savings account before you arrive so you can earn interest on the funds you send to Australia?
-Will you be provided with a personal banker? If you are, does your banker speak your language?
-Are you eligible for a student account that does not charge monthly account fees?
-Is there a minimum opening deposit required at the time of opening an account and a minimum balance you are required to maintain?
-Can you transfer money to Australia with your foreign exchange provider of choice when setting up an account?
-Does the account include a Visa or MasterCard debit card at no extra cost, so you can shop online with your own money?
-Does your bank have a national network of branches?
-Does your bank have a large number of ATMs?
-Do the bank's ATMs provide access in multiple languages?
Australian dollar (AUD) is the currency used in Australia and they have bank notes for $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100, gold-coloured coins for $1 and $2, and silver-coloured coins for 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents and 50 cents. Prices are rounded to the nearest 5 cents when you pay for example, $2.93 rounds to $2.95.
Banks are usually open during business hours from 9.30 am to 4 pm Monday to Thursday and 9.30 am to 5 pm on Fridays. Some banks and branches may stay open longer or open on weekends. Bank branches allow you to transfer money, open accounts, cash travellers cheques, order bank cheques and exchange currency, among other financial services. Automatic teller machines (ATM) and telephone and internet banking allow you to make some transactions after hours.
ATMs are available throughout Australia, allowing you to withdraw cash, check your funds and, in some cases, make deposits. Note that fees generally apply when withdrawing funds from another bank's ATM (usually around AUD$2) and when using international cards.
Telephone and internet banking enables you to manage your account, transfer funds between accounts and make payments without entering the bank branch. To use telephone and internet banking services, you will need to register with your bank.
EFTPOS and other payment methods
There are a number of payment methods available in Australia in addition to cash: EFTPOS (linked to a transaction account)- EFTPOS allows you to pay for items electronically using your bank debit card and a PIN number to access money from your transaction account and it is available at most stores and restaurants. You can also withdraw cash through EFTPOS at some stores including supermarkets and petrol stations.
Credit cards (linked to a credit account)- Credit cards allow you to make purchases and pay for them at a later time, usually with interest and are accepted for most payments in Australia, in stores, restaurants, online and over the phone. The most commonly accepted cards are Visa, MasterCard and American Express.
Credit debit cards (linked to a credit debit account)- Visa or MasterCard debit cards allow you to use money in your own account to pay for items through both EFTPOS and credit systems. They act in the same way as a credit card by allowing you to make payments online, over the phone and in places where EFTPOS is not accepted, but use your own money rather than credit.
Cheques (linked to a transaction account)- Some people request a personal cheque book in addition to a debit card to make purchases using money from their transaction account. Cheques are accepted for payment in some circumstances, typically for larger payments such as a rental bond for accommodation and if you do not have a personal cheque book, you can still make a cheque payment using money from your transaction account by going into a bank branch and requesting a bank cheque.
Finding a good part time job is one of the many advantages of studying in Australia. Your student visa allows you to work up to 40 hours per fortnight during semester and that allows you to earn some money to take care of your living expenses while you would still have enough time for your studies and during semester breaks you can work unlimited hours.
You are suggested to open an account with an Australian bank account to facilitate the employment process and the payments. You should also apply for a Tax File number (TFN) from the Australian Taxation office so that you are not taxed at a high rate. Your employer will provide you with a TFN declaration or you can obtain one online by phoning 13 28 61. Its imperative that you be aware of your employment rights and get paid a fair wage for any work you do. You must beware of employers who insist on paying via cash in hand or the ones who ask you to do unpaid work on a trial basis. You should know well about the pay conditions for your area of employment and must always carefully read your employment contract before signing. Where you can find work depends on your skills and interest but the important thing is to find a job that is convenient for you like located near your campus or something.
Mostly part time jobs for students are jobs like :
1 Retail: A store that sells goods like clothing or sports or electronics. It could be a large department or a small store.
2 Hospitality: these include restaurants, bars, cinemas or take away food stores.
3 Services: Employers include petrol stations, supermarkets, call centres etc.
4 Industry: There is chance you can find employment that is related to the courses you are studying. A media student may be able to work as a part time assistant at a local television.
A resume is very important to be formulated before the start for jobs begin. A lot of institutions provide services that help you in formatting a professional resume that includes your skills, education, interests and any prior work experience and your resume must always be free of errors specially grammatical. You can begin searching jobs once your resume is ready by approaching local stores or wherever you would like to work at and speak with the manager for any positions available. You can always leave a copy of your resume with different employers for future vacancies in case they don’t have a vacancy at the time and remember to be well groomed and nicely dressed for right first impression. You can also search for jobs on industry websites and upload your resume there, a lot of jobs allow you to apply online and you can also use various job search websites that have been made available in recent times. Some institutions may also have a careers service that put you through with employers or have a job search page on their websites for international students looking for part time jobs.
AU$20,290 is specified as the minimum amount required to cover living costs for a year, by the Australian Government. This figure is not inclusive of tuition fees and the two way cost to and from Australia. It only includes accommodation, commute to school, groceries and the daily miscellaneous expenditures. AU$20,290 is not a small amount specially for students who’ve come from different countries. Australia has fairly high cost of living and subsequently wages too are higher than other countries.
Accommodation will always be the largest borne expense no matter where you choose to stay and power, gas, internet, phone and commute are your other unavoidable expenses. This implies that you have to find other expenses to save up from like entertainment and food budget. The weekly average budget may look this:
Rent $140
Groceries $130
Power & Gas $25
Phone & Internet $15
Public transport $40
Entertainment $40
Total for 52 weeks : $20,290
The higher end of accommodation costs are about $16000 for 12 months, which uses up most of $20290. This means you’ll sign a year long lease and stay throughout the holidays wherein it may be possible to rent at a higher price during the semesters and get a cheaper place during summer time. Either way, living will be your biggest expense.
In Melbourne, rent for a shared accommodation ranges from $150 to $300 per week, Generally, cheaper rent means more distance from the city, living with more people and a more run down accommodation. In a suburb like Melbourne ’s Bundoora where La Trobe University is located, the cost of a room in a shared house is about $150 a week. Prices will also vary depending on which city you choose with Sydney being the most expensive. Almost every residential tenancy agreement, in Australia, includes the payment of a rental bond which is common for long term leases and is required as a security deposit. The bond is usually needed to protect the owner against any damage done to the property or cover any debt you owe to the landlord although not every accommodation needs a bond, its important to keep it in mind before signing a lease.
The rental bond amount varies for each state.
Victoria - Max 1 month’s rent unless the rent is above $350, then any amount can be negotiated between parties.
Western Australia - If the weekly rent is $1200 or less, the maximum bond is the equivalent for 4 weeks’ rent.
South Australia - Max 4 weeks rent if weekly rent is $250 or less or 6 weeks’ rent if weekly rent is more than $250.
All other states and territories - Max 4 weeks’ rent.
There are plenty of ways to stretch your money further but you can make use of some budgeting tips to hold on to your dollars.
The thought of leaving the comforts of your home and home town and moving to an estranged land for further education can be daunting. The Orientation week is known as the ‘O week’ in Australia and is described as a process to get the new students acclimatized to their new life at the university in accordance with their chosen subjects.
Following are a few easy ways to get your O week kicking.
1. Explore your campus:
Exploring a place gives you a feeling that you belong there and makes you feel more at home. You can join a campus tour group or you can also make use of some apps that are available to guide you through it.
2. Make more friends:
All students have the same mission that is to make friends and settle in as easily as they can. O week is the perfect opportunity to get to know one anther and make some good friends so you’re not all that nervous when it starts.
3. Become members of clubs:
Club representatives will urge you to sign up and you have figure it out for yourself as to which club intrigues you the most since you’ll a number of options at the campus and most of the work is done by the club members. They cover almost everything from academic subjects to sports to theatre and its a great way to get involved in the university. Parties with good food and beverages is also a fancied perk of being a member of one.
4. Get organized:
O week gives you a buffer time to form a schedule about your daily life and get things in order. Make sure your student card is ready so that you have access to all places in the campus. Your login details are very important and should be worked out well in time so that you can view your academic schedules whenever needed. Prepare for course induction to find out important things and study requirements for your courses. You should also take into consideration your mode of commuting whether you want to drive or take a public transport. It’s important you figure that out before hand so that you’re not late to class. If you’re opting for public transport, look for cheaper fares and concession cards.
