F.A.Q

1- How do I do get a Student visa to Australia?

A- You must comply with all requests from the Australian Embassy or Consulate in your Country. Also you must choose a full time course over 12 weeks long.

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2- Can I extend my Studies in Australia ?

A- Yes, you can extend your studies in Australia as long as your visa allows it. If you get a student visa with a non-extension note, you will have to leave the country to apply again. You can check the website www.immi.gov.au for more information.

3- Can I change my course or Institution if I don't like it?

A- No, only in very special situations and with consent from the Department of Immigration. Sometimes it is possible to change courses if they are in the same area for example: from Business English for Tourism to Business English for Marketing. But it will depend on the school's agreement and DIMA consent. To change Institutions, it is only possible if for example, it is for health reasons. But there are courses that have campuses in different cities. So, for a little extra you may be able to study the same course and subjects but in a different city.

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4- Do I have to attend all classes even if I don't like the course ?

A- Yes, Your attendance is reported to Immigration every week and if you haven't attended at least 80% of your classes, Immigration may cancel your visa and ask you to leave the Country. If you fall sick, a Medical Certificate is required to justify your absence.

5- Is there any Scholarship or financial help available to study in Australia?

A- Yes and No, depending on the country you are from, and the type of course you plan to do. Normally not, and it is very hard to get. Check with the Embassy in your Country.

6- What do I have to do to go to an Australian University ?

A- To enter an Australian University, you must have a score of 6.0 to 6.5 in IELTS. Every Institution and Course requires a different level. For example, Law is 7.0. Also, you need to have an official translation and certified copies of your school transcript or academic records or official examination/qualification certificates, including the number of hours you studied these topics. If you don't have enough English you can study English and have a conditional letter to jump to the University course as soon as your English improves. To apply for the University to examine your papers, there is a charge of about AU$ 50.

7- How do I pay the Compulsory Medical insurance?

A- By the time the school sends you the invoice, the Insurance cost will be added for you to pay together with the school's costs and fees.

8- How do I pay the Home stay?

A- Again, the school will send you the invoice if you have opted for home stay and the home stay cost will be added to the school fees. Usually a placement fee is charged plus 4 or more weeks in advance ( depends on how many weeks you want to pay. The minimum is 4 weeks). Subsequent payments can be made from you directly to the family. Check with your Institution.

9- How do I enrol in an Australian Educational Institution?

A- Once you have decided which course and which City you want to study in, you can apply directly to the Institution ( Yes Australia Course Guide has a big list of them all), or you can do it through an Agent (usually with no charge to you). The first step is to get a "Letter of Offer" and the documentation for the enrolment. You have to fill it in and send it back with your payment. Once done, the school will send the COE (confirmation of enrolment) to the Embassy in your country and then you apply to the Embassy for a student visa. When this is completed, confirm your air ticket and welcome to Australia! Note, that some fees including visa, home stay placement, enrolment, and some others are not refundable if your visa is rejected.

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10- Can I pay the Course fee off in stages?

A - Schools require at least 3 months paid in advance. For medium and long term studies, you can usually pay every 6 months or negociate with the institution.

Tip: If you want to study English in different Australian Cities, choose a course with branches. It makes a lot easier to transfer and get approval from Immigration.

Culture

Introductory Snapshot

While it's obvious Australians love their sport, they also have a quiet love affair with the arts. From cinema, literature and music to theatre, dance and the visual arts, Australia's varied cities all offer a good dose of culture. To give you a small taste of what's on offer country-wide, the following section focuses on the visual arts, providing details of galleries and museums showcasing Australian art in each of the capital cities. Permanent collections in the places listed are all free (apart from Adelaide's Migration Museum).

Of course, Australian culture wouldn't be what it is without its multicultural dimension. Read on to find out just how culturally diverse the country is.

A Taste of the Best Art Galleries & Museums

Sydney

The Art Gallery of NSW in Art Gallery Rd, City Centre is one of the best public galleries in the country, with permanent displays of Australian, European, Asian and tribal art. Look out for works by Oz masters Lloyd Rees, Margaret Preston and Brett Whiteley. The Yiribana Gallery, with its exemplary collection of Aboriginal and Islander art, is ever popular.

Melbourne

Housed in a dramatic steel and glass building at the eastern end of Federation Square, the Ian Potter Centre: National Gallery of Victoria Australia in the City Centre is home to a marvellous collection of more than 20,000 pieces of Australian art, from the colonial to modern periods and with an entire floor dedicated to indigenous art.

Adelaide

The fascinating Migration Museum in the City Centre tells the stories of migrants who came from all over the world to make South Australia their home. There's information on over 100 nationalities along with touching personal stories.

Brisbane

The challenging QUT Art Museum at the Queensland University of Technology specialises in paintings, prints and ceramics. It features contemporary art from around the world alongside home-grown works, including pieces from QUT students.

Perth

Providing a fascinating journey through Western Australia without leaving Perth, the Berndt Museum of Anthropology at The University of Western Australia is one of Australia's finest collections of traditional and contemporary Australian Aboriginal art and artefacts.

Darwin

A highlight of the Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory in Fannie Bay is the Aboriginal art collection, with carvings and bark paintings from the Tiwi Islands and Arnhem Land. The large exhibition devoted to Cyclone Tracy is also well worth a look, and be sure not to miss 'Sweetheart', a 5m long, 780kg saltwater crocodile...

Canberra

The stunning National Gallery of Australia in Parkes has arguably the best collection of Australian art in the country. The collection ranges from traditional Aboriginal art through to 20th-century works by Arthur Boyd, Sidney Nolan and Albert Tucker. There's also an impressive Sculpture Garden to explore.

Hobart

Incorporating Hobart's oldest building, the Commissariat Store (1808), the excellent Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery in the City Centre features a Tasmanian Aboriginal display and relics from the state's colonial heritage, plus a good collection of colonial art.

Multiculturalism

Australia continues to benefit from its multicultural make-up – one of the most diverse in the world – enjoying a wealth of ideas, cuisines and lifestyles. The last census reported that 23% of the population is foreign-born, and over 40% of Australians are of mixed cultural origins. Every four minutes and eight seconds Australia gains another international immigrant. Many foreign-born Australians came from Italy and Greece after WWII, but recent immigrants have mostly come from New Zealand and the UK, as well as China, Vietnam, Africa and India, among many other places. Some 2.2% of the population identifies itself as of Aboriginal origin, and most live in the Northern Territory. Australia's other Indigenous people, Torres Strait Islanders, are primarily a Melanesian people, living in north Queensland and on the islands of the Torres Strait between Cape York and Papua New Guinea.

Lifestyle

Introductory Snapshot

Ask anyone and they'll tell you that it's not hard to live the good life in Australia. It's easy to eat well, with just about any cuisine in the world being available and fresh produce on offer year-round. It's easy to get around the country's cities and towns using world-class public transport. And it's easy to shop to your heart's content, in small country markets to big city shopping strips. Best of all, it's all doable on a student budget.

Food

Australia is one of the most dynamic places in the world to eat, thanks to international culinary influences and a dining public willing to give anything new a go. Anything another country does, Australia does too. Vietnamese, Indian, Fijian, Italian – no matter where it's from, there are expats and locals keen to cook and eat the cuisine. Due to the country’s huge size, the climate varies a great deal from north to south. This means that at any time of the year there's an enormous variety of produce on offer, including Australia’s justifiably famous seafood.

Food tourism and food festivals are blossoming. Melbourne, for instance, has its own month-long food-and-wine festival in March. There are harvest festivals in wine regions, and various communities hold annual events, such as Clare Valley's (South Australia) Gourmet Weekend.

Christmas in Australia, in mid-summer, is less likely to involve a traditional European baked dinner, and more likely to be replaced by a ‘barbie’ (barbecue), full of seafood and quality steak. Various ethnic groups have their own celebrations. The Indian community brings out delicious sweets during Diwali; the Chinese annual Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) involves sumptuous banquets; and Australia’s Islamic community marks the end of Ramadan with the festival of Eid al-Fitr.

Typically, a restaurant meal in Australia is a relaxed affair. Any table that you've booked is yours for the night, unless you're told otherwise. A competitively priced place to eat is a club or pub that offers a 'counter meal'. Here you order at the kitchen, take a number and wait until it's called. You then pick up the meal yourself, saving the restaurant money on staff and you on your total bill.

A great feature of the restaurant scene, which also makes eating out less expensive, is 'BYO' (Bring Your Own). If a restaurant says it's BYO, you're allowed to bring your own alcohol. If the place also sells alcohol, the BYO is usually limited to bottled wine only (no beer, no casks) and a corkage charge is often added to your bill.

See the individual state/city guides on this website for recommendations of some of the best places to eat and drink in Australia's capital cities.

Transport

Australian cities have excellent public (and private) transport systems, making travelling around them simple. Following is a breakdown of how best to get around in each capital city:

Sydney

For information on buses, ferries and trains call Transport Infoline: 13 15 00 or visit the website at: www.131500.com.au/

Bus – Sydney's bus network extends to most suburbs. Fares depend upon the number of 'sections' you pass through. As a rough guide, short trips cost $1.60 and most other fares in the inner suburbs are $2.70. For more information, visit the website at: www.sydneybuses.info/

Ferry – Sydney's ferries provide the most enjoyable way to get around the harbour. There are three kinds of ferry: regular STA ferries, fast JetCats that go to Manly ($7.90) and RiverCats that traverse the Parramatta River to Parramatta ($7.40). All ferries depart from Circular Quay. For more information, call 02 9207 3166 or visit the website at: www.sydneyferries.info/

Metro Light Rail & Monorail – The Monorail and Metro Light Rail are good means of transport within the centre. The Monorail circles Darling Harbour and links it to the city centre. The MLR operates 24 hours a day between Central Station and Pyrmont via Darling Harbour and Chinatown. For more information on Monorail call 02 9285 5600 or visit the website at: www.metrotransport.com.au and for Metro Light Rail call 02 9285 5600 or visit the website at: www.metrotransport.com.au

Train – Sydney has a vast suburban rail network and frequent services, making trains much quicker than buses. Trains run from around 5am to midnight. For more information visit the website at: www.cityrail.info/

Melbourne

For bus, train and tram timetables, maps and fares call the Met Information Centre on 13 16 38 or by visiting the website at: www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au Metcards allow you to travel on any and all Melbourne bus, train and tram services, even if you transfer from one to another.

Bicycle – Melbourne's a great city for cycling, as it's reasonably flat and there are good routes throughout the metropolitan area. Two of the best are the bike path that runs around the shores of Port Phillip Bay from Port Melbourne to Brighton, and the bike path that follows the Yarra River from the city for more than 20km.

Bus – Generally, buses continue from where the trains finish, or go to places, such as hospitals, universities, suburban shopping centres and the outer suburbs, not reached by other services.

Train – Suburban trains are faster than trams or buses, but they don't go to many of the inner suburbs. Flinders St station is the main suburban terminal. During the week, trains start at 5am and finish at midnight.

Tram – Melbourne's trundling trams cover the city and inner suburbs. Tram stops are numbered from the city centre. There are also 'light rail' services to some suburbs, including St Kilda, which run along disused rail lines. Be extremely careful when getting on and off a tram; by law, cars are supposed to stop when a tram stops to pick up and drop off passengers, but that doesn't always happen.

Brisbane

Brisbane boasts a world-class public transport network. Information on bus, train and ferry routes and connections can be obtained from the Trans-Info Service on 13 12 30 or by visiting the website at: www.transinfo.qld.gov.au/

Boat – Brisbane's nippy blue CityCat catamarans run every 20 to 30 minutes, between 5:50am and 10:30pm, from the University of Queensland in the southwest to Bretts Wharf in the northeast, and back. Also useful are the Inner City Ferries, which zigzag back and forth across the river between North Quay, near Victoria Bridge, and Mowbray Park.

Bus – The Loop, a free bus service that circles the city area, runs every 10 minutes on weekdays between 7:00am and 6:00pm. Other buses run every 10 to 20 minutes Monday to Friday, from 5:00am till about 6:00pm, and with the same frequency on Saturday morning (starting at 6:00am). Services are less frequent at other times, and cease at 7:00pm Sunday and midnight on other days.

Train – The fast Citytrain network has seven lines, which run as far as Gympie North in the north (for the Sunshine Coast) and Nerang and Robina in the south (for the Gold Coast). All trains go through Roma St, Central and Brunswick St stations.

Perth

Transperth operates the city's public buses, trains and ferries. A single ticket allows you to travel on all forms of transport. For more information call 13 62 13 or visit the website at: www.transperth.wa.gov.au/

Boat – Ferries depart every half-hour, on the hour, from 7:00am to 7:00pm daily from the Barrack St Jetty to the zoo.

Bus – You can get to most sights in the inner city with the free CAT bus services in the city centre, running from 6:50am to 6:20pm on weekdays. There's a bit of a longer wait on weekends. On regular buses, a short ride within one zone is $3.00, two zones $3.20 and three zones $5.00. Zone 1 covers the inner suburbs (including Subiaco and Claremont) and Zone 2 extends all the way west to Fremantle.

Train – Transperth also operates the Fastrak suburban train lines to Armadale, Fremantle, Midland and the northern suburb of Joondalup. There's free train travel (in the free transit zone) between the Claisebrook and City West train stations. All local trains leave from the Perth train station on Wellington St.

Adelaide

The Adelaide Metro Information Centre (cnr King William & Currie Sts) has timetables and sells tickets for the integrated metropolitan buses, trains and the Glenelg tram. For more information call tel 08 8210 1000 or visit the website at: www.adelaidemetro.com.au/

Bus – Bee Line (No 99B) runs in a loop from the Glenelg tram terminus at Victoria Sq to the City West campus of the University of South Australia. City Loop (No 99C) runs clockwise and anti-clockwise around the margins of the city centre from the train station, passing the Central Market en route. Both Bee Line and City Loop buses are free.

Train – Suburban trains depart from Adelaide Railway Terminal, by the Casino. For more information call 08 8210 1000.

Darwin

Bus – Darwinbus (City Bus Interchange, Harry Chan Ave) runs a comprehensive service from its small depot, for more information call 08 8924 7666. The Tour Tub minibus tours Darwin's sights throughout the day and you can hop on and off along the route. For more information call 08 8985 6322 or visit the website at: www.tourtub.com.au

Taxi – As well as a regular taxi service, Darwin has two taxi bus services – Arafura Shuttle and Unique Minibus – that will take you anywhere in the central area for a flat $3.00 ($5.00 for two people), and elsewhere, such as Fannie Bay and East Point, for a fixed fee. For a regular taxi service call13 10 08, for Arafura Shuttle call 08 8981 3300 and for Unique Minibus call 08 8928 1100.

Hobart

Bus – Metro operates the local bus network; there's an information desk dispensing timetables inside the main post office on the corner of Elizabeth and Macquarie Sts. One-way fares vary according to the distance travelled (from $1.50 to $3.40). For $3.90 you can buy an unlimited-travel Day Rover ticket that can be used after 9:00am Monday to Friday, and all day Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. For more information call 13 22 01 or visit the website at: www.metrotas.com.au

Canberra

Bus – Canberra's public transport provider is the ACT Internal Omnibus Network (ACTION). The main Civic Bus Interchange is along Alinga St, East Row and Mort St in the city centre. Visit the information kiosk (East Row) or visit the website for free route maps and timetables. For more information call 13 17 10 or visit the website at: www.action.act.gov.au/

Canberra Day Tours operates a hop-on, hop-off bus service that loops around major attractions. Tickets ($35.00 for an adult) are valid for 24 hours. For more information call 0418 455 099 or visit the website at: http://www.canberradaytours.com.au/

Shopping

Australians like to shop, as evidenced by the huge variety of local- and international-brand shops, and the crowds that gather at every clearance sale. Big cities can satisfy most consumer appetites with everything from high-fashion boutiques to second-hand emporiums, while many smaller places tend towards speciality retail, be it home-grown produce, antiques or arts and crafts. Many Australian cities have really interesting shopping (and eating) strips in different neighbourhoods, especially in the inner suburbs. Be sure to check out places like Brunswick St, Fitzroy (Melbourne), Oxford St, Paddington (Sydney), Ann & Brunswick Sts intersection, Fortitude Valley (Brisbane) and Oxford St, Leederville (Perth).

Markets are a great place to shop, especially for a bargain, and most cities have at least one permanent bazaar, such as Hobart's Salamanca Market. Melbourne and Sydney have a couple – try the Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne or the Paddington Market in Sydney. Alternative markets on the New South Wales north coast, such as the one at Nimbin, are also worth a visit.

An Aboriginal artwork or artefact can be an excellent souvenir of Australia. By buying authentic items you are supporting Aboriginal culture and helping to ensure that traditional and contemporary expertise and designs continue to be of economic and cultural benefit for Aboriginal individuals and their communities. The best way to buy artefacts is either directly from the communities that have art-and-craft centres or from galleries and outlets that are owned, operated or supported by Aboriginal communities. Other great ideas for souvenirs include the seeds of native plants – try growing kangaroo paw back home (check your country’s quarantine rules). You could also consider a bottle of fine Australian wine, honey or delicious macadamia nuts.

Modern Australian fashion collections that are in demand include Collette Dinnigan, Ty & Melita, Morrissey, Sass & Bide, Tsubi and Akira Isogawa. For a rustic look, try wrapping yourself in a waterproof Driza-Bone coat, an Akubra hat, moleskin pants and Blundstone boots; RM Williams is a well-known bush-clothing brand. Surf-wear labels such as Rip Curl, Quiksilver, Mambo and Billabong also make good buys.

Money matters

Introductory Snapshot

It's easy for visitors to Australia to access money. There are automated teller machines (ATMs) in most Australian towns and all cities, as well as banks that will cash travellers cheques. The Australian dollar has become increasingly competitive against major international currencies like the US dollar and the euro, so the country is a less economical destination than it used to be. That said, daily living costs such as food and accommodation are still fairly inexpensive. The biggest cost in any trip to Australia if you want to see a lot of the country will be transport, simply because it's such a huge place.

ATMs, Eftpos, Credit Cards & Bank Accounts

Branches of the ANZ, Commonwealth, National, Westpac and affiliated banks are found all over Australia, and many provide 24-hour automated teller machines (ATMs). Most ATMs accept cards issued by other banks and are linked to international networks. Eftpos (Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale) is a convenient service that many Australian businesses have embraced. It means you can use your bank card (credit or debit) to pay directly for services or purchases, and often withdraw cash as well.

Credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted for everything, including getting cash advances over the counter at banks and from many ATMs. Charge cards such as Diners Club and American Express (Amex) are not as widely accepted.

Opening a local bank account is easy for overseas visitors provided it's done within six weeks of arrival. Simply present your passport and provide the bank with a postal address and they'll open the account and send you an ATM card. After six weeks you need to provide more identification (ID), such as a passport, a birth certificate or an international driving licence with photo.

Currency & Exchanging Money

Australia's currency is the Australian dollar, made up of 100 cents. There are 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2 coins, and $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 notes. Prices are often marked in single cents and then rounded to the nearest 5c when you pay.

Changing foreign currency or travellers cheques (see following) is usually no problem at banks throughout Australia or at licensed money-changers such as Travelex or Amex in cities and major towns.

Taxes & Refunds

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a flat 10% tax on all goods and services – accommodation, eating out, transport, books, furniture, clothing etc. There are exceptions, however, such as basic foods (milk, bread, fruits and vegetables). International air and sea travel to/from Australia is GST-free, as is domestic air travel when purchased outside Australia by non-residents.

If you purchase new or second-hand goods with a total minimum value of $300 from any one supplier no more than 30 days before you leave Australia, under the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS), you are entitled to a refund of any GST paid. For more details, contact the Australian Customs Service on 1300 363 263 or 02 6275 6666 or you can visit the website at: www.customs.gov.au

Travellers Cheques

The convenience of internationally linked credit and debit card facilities in Australia means that travellers cheques are not used much. Nevertheless, Amex, Thomas Cook and other well-known international brands of travellers cheques are easily exchanged. You need to present your passport for identification when cashing travellers cheques.

Shopping Etiquette

Bargaining is not the norm in Australia, unless you're at a second-hand market or buy a whole new wardrobe from one store, in which case it probably wouldn't hurt to ask for a small discount.

Tipping is becoming more common in Australia, particularly in cafes and restaurants in the bigger cities; a 10% tip is usual. However, you won't cause offence if you don't tip. Taxi drivers are always grateful if you leave the change.

Australia For Free

There are plenty of activities that cost nothing or next to nothing for those on a budget. Appreciate Australia's stunning natural beauty and native animals with walks through its pristine national parks – there are more than 500. Enjoy endless walks along endless beaches; go people watching at fantastic markets; learn about Australia's art and heritage at excellent free galleries and museums (see the Culture section); or attend some typically Australian festivals, like the surf life-saving competitions on beaches all around the country during summer. The list of free or cheap things to do is endless, so there's no need to let a student budget come between you and good times.

Working while you study

People granted student visas on or after 26 April 2008 will receive permission to work with their visa grant. If your student visa was granted before 26 April 2008 however, you can still apply separately to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) for permission to work once you have started your course in Australia.

Permission to work allows you to work up to 20 hours a week on a casual basis during course time and full-time during vacation periods. Family members can also work up to 20 hours a week throughout the year. In the case of students who have commenced a masters or doctorate course, family members can work unlimited hours. Students and their family members must not undertake work until the student has commenced their course of study in Australia. For further information please visit the Working while you study in Australia page.

Living in Australia

Introduction

Australia is so big and diverse that it could never merely be the sum of its icons. The stunning architecture of the Sydney Opera House, the glow of Uluru (Ayers Rock) at dusk, a wave curled above a colourful reef – these are only part of the experience that unfolds once your feet touch the soil of this awesome country-continent.

Australia's natural beauty is one of its biggest attractions. The landscape varies from endless sunbaked horizons to tropical rainforests to chilly southern beaches. Its cities blend an enthusiasm for art and food with a love of sport and the outdoors. Visitors will have to re-think their grasp of geography in this huge country. The sheer vastness gives Australia – and its diverse population – much of its character.

Many things about this faraway island are different, even the things that sound familiar. You may have visited remote places, but not the sublime isolation of the outback, with its dazzling salt pans and sandstone towers. You would have encountered wildlife, but when did you last ride a camel among desert oak trees or have your camp site visited by a Tasmanian devil? Perhaps you've enjoyed seafood, but here you'll taste barramundi fish and delicious Moreton Bay bugs (a shellfish).

From rainforest trails to fascinating museums, vibrant multicultural cities to a love of sport, Australia is unique.

The People

Australia's population in mid-2005 was 20,265,000. Population density is among the lowest in the world, with an average of 2.5 people per square kilometre – no-one’s within cooee (shouting distance) in the outback. Most people live along the eastern seaboard, with a smaller concentration on the southwestern coast. Living in one of the world's most culturally diverse countries – 23% is foreign-born – Australians incorporate a wide variety of influences into the way they live and play.

The Places

Australia's states and territories each have unique characteristics. Explore one at a time or, when your studies have finished, visit them all in one big loop! This would mean over 14,000km of highway, not including side trips to beaches, forests, mountains, country towns... If you'd rather not go far from where you're studying, you'll still find there's plenty to keep you entertained.

The Potential

Australia offers a unique experience for students. Apart from a world-class education system, the opportunities to get involved in daily life are endless: whether you're into the arts or sport, partying or book clubs, the great outdoors or cosy cafés, you’ll find many ways to join in and have fun. So if you want to get an education and have a life, it really is the place to be.