If you’re considering studying in Australia, it’s important to do some research about the culture, food, history, and social norms. International Students in Australia can expect to be immersed in diverse cultures, rich traditions, and innovative ideas.
We have listed some important things you should know about Australia before you hop on a plane to “the land down under”.
1. You Need a Visa
To study in Australia, you will need to have a student visa. The process for applying for a visa is convenient and easy as it is completely done online, no need for embassy visits or queuing in lines.
2. Get Health Insurance
All international students need Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). It is a condition of student visa to have continuous OSHC for the duration of stay in Australia. OSHC allows international students to access Australia’s excellent health care system without experiencing financial hardship.
3. The Seasons
Given the size of the country, the climate in Australia varies greatly from one region to the next. Generally speaking, there are four seasons across most of the country, while the Top End (including Darwin, Katherine, Kakadu and Arnhem Land), Broome, the Kimberley and Tropical North Queensland (Cairns, the Whitsundays and the Daintree Rainforest) experience a ‘wet season’ (November to April) and a ‘dry season’ (May to October).
4. Australia is Huge!
The “Travel goals” for many include the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru and the Outback, the Sydney Opera House, and so much more. If you are planning to see all this, you’ll need plenty of time as it’s such a big country! But wherever you are studying, there are surely plenty of amazing things nearby. Check out this article to know places great to visit near you: A Bucket List of places you should go while studying in Australia
5. The Grading System is Different
If you’re going to be receiving Australian grades, it’s worth looking into what they mean. A “D” is in fact a pretty good grade! Most Australian universities use HD (High Distinction), D (Distinction), C (Credit), P (Pass), and F (Fail) as their grading system.
6. Working while studying
The typical study visa in Oz will allow you to work up to 40 hours every two weeks while you are and unlimited hours during holiday breaks. Australia has a considerably wide range of industries with part-time work available, including retail, hospitality, agricultural, sales, and administration. In response to labour shortages due to the absence of working holiday makers, the Australian Government has recently permitted students to work unlimited hours in Tourism and Hospitality!
7. Open a Bank Account
If you’re spending a semester or more in Australia, it is well worth opening an Australian bank account. You can avoid the ridiculous fees you would likely face drawing out money with your home bank (and anywhere you can save a little bit of money is worth it!), and some Australian bank accounts actually have a decent interest rate on savings. This would be especially useful if you did decide to take on some part time work.
We will guide you to prepare and start your study in Australia. To find out more about the range of programs offered at ICAE, you can contact us at (Australia) +61 8941 5959, (Philippines) +63 2 8516 9008; +63 917 717 8060.
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