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Australia is a wonderful place to live and work, but moving to a new country can be as challenging as it is exciting. Before you begin your time as an international student, you should do some research and get ready for a very different way of life.
4 minute read
Published 18 January 2024
Once you’ve secured your visa and arrived in Australia, there’s still plenty to get used to.
For starters, the grading system at your new university might be different from home. For example, an assignment might be graded with an HD (High Distinction) instead of an A or A+. It’s worth checking how this might affect your academic record if you’re planning on returning home to complete your studies.
Outside the classroom, be prepared: Australia has a high cost of living compared to many countries, meaning accommodation, transport, food, and utility bills might seem expensive. It’s important to plan ahead and stick to a weekly or monthly budget.
The good news is that your student visa allows you to work a casual or part-time job (up to 48 hours a fortnight) during term time, and a full-time job during holiday periods. Keep in mind you can only start working once your course has commenced.
As the year progresses, you should expect some extreme weather conditions. Australia is known for very hot summers and, depending where you’re living, very cold winters. If you’re coming from the northern hemisphere, don’t forget that our seasons will feel like they’re upside-down! December to February are normally the hottest months, and June to August are the coldest. Make sure you’ve packed enough clothes for all temperatures and occasions.
First things first: all international students need a visa to study in Australia. This is what allows you to enter the country and live here for the duration of your course. You also need to purchase Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
If you get sick or injured during your time in Australia, OSHC helps you get medical care. This includes everything from minor health issues requiring a visit to a general practitioner (GP), right through to major emergencies requiring an ambulance, surgery, and hospital stays. Once you purchase an OSHC policy, you’ll instantly receive a verification letter that you can use in your visa application.
Students from some countries are exempt from purchasing OSHC due to special arrangements between Australia and their home country. Check to see whether your home country has one of these arrangements before purchasing cover.
Australia is an enormous country: 7.69 million square kilometres in total. While that means there’s always something new to see, it also means that travelling between cities can take days at a time. Every city also has its own unique transport system, consisting of buses, trains, ferries and trams. In some places, international students can get concession fares.
If you’re planning on driving, most states and territories allow international students to drive if they have a valid overseas driving license – but be sure to double-check before you get behind the wheel. And don’t forget that we drive on the left-hand side of the road!
Who will you meet during your travels? Well, Australia is a massively multicultural society. The First Nations peoples of Australia are descended from the world’s oldest living culture (more than 65,000 years old). And more recently, Australia has become home to many diverse migrant populations. In fact, more than 25% of Australian residents weren’t born in Australia. This means more than 200 languages are spoken across the country – although English is the official language, and that’s probably what you’ll be expected to use while studying.
This diversity also means an incredible range of international foods and flavours. Many of the cities are famous for their gourmet foodie scenes. For a unique taste of Australia you should try eating kangaroo, fresh seafood, lamingtons, or Tim Tam biscuits. If you’re looking for the perfect souvenir to take home for friends and family, you could bring them a jar of Vegemite and see how they like it!
