LIFE IN AUSTRALIA
CULTURE
WEATHER
Sydney has a mild climate, especially in winter, but be aware that the weather is subject to quick changes. Students should bring clothing for hot and wintry weather, wind, rain, and strong sunshine, regardless of the time of the year. For more information visit weather in NSW.
CAMPUS LOCATION
ASIA is located in Parramatta, Campbelltown, Kogarah & Burwood. The City of Campbelltown, is located in Greater Western Sydney. It has a diverse and vibrant commercial community.
Campbelltown, located about 50 kilometers southwest of Sydney CBD, offers a mix of natural beauty, affordable living, and strong community ties. For international students, it provides easy access to parks, shopping, and public transport, making it a peaceful yet convenient place to live and study.
Parramatta, 24 km west of Sydney CBD, is a vibrant hub with diverse dining, rich history, and excellent transport, making it a great place for international students.
Kogarah, in southern Sydney, offers international students a multicultural community, excellent transport links, nearby beaches, and a balanced lifestyle between urban convenience and relaxation.
Burwood, just 10 km from Sydney CBD, is a multicultural suburb with great dining, shopping, and easy transport, making it an ideal spot for international students.
ENTRY INTO AUSTRALIA
Life in Australia: When you arrive in Australia, you will need to show your passport and incoming passenger card at a Customs and Immigration checkpoint. You may be asked questions about your stay before your passport is stamped and handed back Once you have passed through the Immigration checkpoint, you should collect your bags ensuring that you check your baggage and check that nothing is missing or damaged. If something is missing or you notice damage, go to the baggage counter and advise them of your problem. Staff at the baggage counter will help you to find missing baggage or lodge a claim for damage to your belongings.
Once you have your luggage you will go through customs where your luggage may be checked. Australia has strict quarantine laws to stop people from bringing in certain food and plant items. You should declare any items that you are bringing in on the form given to you on the plane. If customs officers decide that the item you are bringing in are not safe, they will be confiscated and destroyed. If you fail to declare or dispose of any quarantine items, or make a false declaration, you may receive a fine or be prosecuted. All international mail is also screened and checked by customs. If you want further information, visit the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) website at www.aqis.gov.au
ARRIVING IN AUSTRALIA
GETTING FROM SYDNEY AIRPORT TO OUR CAMPUSES
By Train – The Nearest Train Stations:
For our main Campus, Train Station (5 minutes’ walk from the institute)
For Kogarah Campus, Kogarah Train Station (6 minutes’ walk from the institute)
For Parramatta Campus, Parramatta Train Station (2 minutes’ walk from the institute)
By Uber: Uber services are available round the clock.
By Taxi: TAXI services are available round the clock.
By Car: If you are driving, you can use public parking or pay parking around the campus.
KEEPING IN CONTACT
Before you leave home, you should provide your family and friends, and your education provider in Australia, with details of your flights to Australia and where you will be staying when you arrive. (Do not change these details without informing them.) Once you have arrived in Australia, you should then let your family and friends know that you have arrived safely. For safety reasons, always let someone know where you are.
ARRANGING YOUR FINANCES
The currency of Australia is the Australian Dollar. Ideally, you should change your money into Australian dollars before you arrive but if you haven’t, you will need to change some as soon as you arrive – you will usually be able to do this at the airport. Once you have arrived into Sydney you can also change more money into Australian dollars at any bank or currency exchange. Note, however, that banks are not open on the weekend and while airport currency exchanges are generally open, the rate is usually not as good as with a bank.
You should not carry large sums of money with you and it is best to only have the money that you will need for the first few days and then arrange to have the rest of the funds transferred to you in Australia. The amount you will need to bring with you will depend on whether you have already paid for your accommodation before you arrive. Think about how much money you will need to last you for a couple of weeks.
Find out more about money matters by visiting HERE.
ACCOMMODATION
International Students studying in Australia have various housing options, they can choose to stay in Homestay Accommodation, Renting, Shared Accommodation.
Typical accommodation costs in Sydney are as follows:
• 1 bedroom flat – $250 to $300 per week
• 2 bedroom flat – $350 to $450 per week
• 2 to 3 bedroom flat or house – $450 to $550 per week
BRINGING YOUR FAMILY WITH YOU
If you intend to bring your family with you, they will also need to have a visa and be covered by health insurance. Family members include your partner (married or de facto) and your children under 18 years of age. You will need to provide proof of your family relationships with official documents including birth certificates and marriage certificates.
For more details, visit www.immi.gov.au
OVERSEAS STUDENT HEALTH COVER
Australia has a special system of health cover for international students called Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). You will need to buy OSHC before you come to Australia to cover you from when you arrive. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship requires you to maintain OSHC for the duration of your time on a student visa in Australia. You can choose to take out OSHC with a provider recommended by us, or with the Australian OSHC provider of your choice. There are five providers of OSHC in Australia. Visit these websites to find detailed information on what they cover and to decide which provider is right for you.
Australian Health Management OSHC
• BUPA Australia
• Medibank Private
• OSHC Worldcare
• NIB OSHC
WORKING IN AUSTRALIA
As a student visa holder, you can work up to 48 hours a fortnight during term time (in session) and as many hours as you like during holidays (out of session).
Visit HERE to find out more about working in Australia, including how to find a job.
LIVING COSTS IN AUSTRALIA
Immigration regulations in Australia require international students to show evidence that they can contribute to the cost of living and studying in Australia. This helps to ensure students are better able to make the most of their studies and have a safe and enjoyable experience in Australia.
While international students can supplement their income with money earned through part-time work in Australia, the ‘living costs’ requirement helps to support the success of students in their studies by ensuring that they do not have to rely on such work to meet all their expenses.
The basic rate of living costs under the migration regulations increase with Australia’s cost of living. Under these regulations prospective student visa applicants must have access to at least the following funds to meet living costs requirements (excluding tuition fees):
- A$19,830 a year for a student. This includes clothing, food, accommodation, transportation, entertainment and travel costs in Sydney – but excludes tuition costs.
Students must demonstrate that the funds they are relying upon to meet the costs of studying in Australia will be genuinely available to them during their stay in Australia.
The figures above are indicative only and that costs can vary significantly depending on where you live in Australia. You should be prepared in case your living costs are greater than the indicated figures.
For further information about studying and living in Australia refer to website Study in Australia, this is the Australian Government’s official resource for international students.
