Living in Australia

Australia is a land of diversity and culture. Living in a different country can be very different and your lifestyle will undoubtedly change. To help you adapt to Australia, we have compiled this resource detailing what life in Australia is like:

Australian Climate
Australia is in the southern hemisphere and the seasons are opposite to those in Europe and North America. Australia is often referred to as a land of diversity in terms of climate, from tropical rainforests, to golden beaches, to sparse deserts, to vast grazing lands to the rich coral reef, bursting with marine life. You can get all climates in one country! Average temperatures do vary but generally, the seasons work as follows for Southern Australia:

- Summer (December to February)

- Autumn (March to May)

- Winter (June to August)

- Spring (September to November)

For Northern Australia, the climate is humid and mild all year round with very little change between seasons. For example, Darwin has warm temperatures all year round, compared to Melbourne which has 4 very distinct seasons.
Required clothing: Lightweights during summer months with warmer clothes needed during the cooler winter period throughout most of the southern States. Lightweight cottons and linens all year in the central/northern States with warm clothes only for cooler winter evenings and early mornings. Sunglasses, sunhats and sunblock lotion are recommended year round in the north and during the summer months in the south.

People and Culture

Australia's population has recently surpassed the 20,000,000 mark, with nearly one quarter of all residents in Australia born overseas, making it truly a multicultural country. This diversity is reflected in Australian way of life, for example:

Religion
Although the majority of Australians are Christian, there are a wealth of other religions which are represented in communities across the country. The main cities all have synagogues, temples and mosques and some universities have their own religious groups on campus.

Language
The main language in Australia is English, but due to the more than 1 million Asians currently living in Australia, and population based on European immigrants, many other languages are commonly spoken such as Chinese, Japanese, German, French, etc....

Native Aborigines
2% of the population of Australia are native to Australia. Aborigines have lived in Australia for more than 40,000 years.

Australian Art
Due to this diverse, multicultural mix, Australia is known for its cutting edge and impressive arts. Australia receives international acclaim for its vibrancy, originality and cutting-edge work in the arts, literature, stage and cinema, dance and classical music.

Accommodation

Accommodation will vary from city to city and from school to school. You should always contact the accommodation/ housing officer at the school you are planning to attend to get full details about your options. Generally, there are three types of housing available to students:

Homestay
Homestay is a good option for those who want to be totally submerged in the Australian culture as it will involve living with an Australian family either with your own private room, or shared. Generally meals are included with homestays. For more information on various homestay companies and packages, please see the homestay section of our website.

On-Campus Housing
On-campus housing can sometimes be hard to secure as spaces are limited. Fees will vary depending on which school you attend, and most provide meals and some furniture.

Off-Campus Housing
Housing located off-campus can be extremely fun, but also have many pitfalls. Generally, you would probably group together with a group of students to either rent a house or flat with fees varying depending on your location and size of dwelling. Some points to be aware of:

- To locate off-campus you may need to use the services of an estate agent which will incur fees.
- You will be tied to a 12 month contract, so you will have to pay the full 12 months.
- Other services such as gas, electricity, phone, etc.. will be extra.
- You may have to pay a security deposit up front in order to cover any damage that may occur during the year, this will be refunded if there is no damage.

Getting Around

Whether you are living on or off campus, in a city or suburb, there are many options in terms of "getting around". Australia has an extensive transportation system, as outlined below:

Bicycle
A bicycle can be a great way to get around your campus and your local area. Whether your campus is based in the middle of a city or in the suburbs, a bike is economical and a good way to get some exercise. Whenever riding your bike, always take care to observe the law of the road, and always wear a helmet. It is now law in some states that helmets must be worn. As with any personal property, take care to lock you bike up when you are not using it. A good lock can be bought relatively cheaply and is a small price to pay for the security of your bike.

Buses
If you are based in a city, the bus system, as with most of the public transportation system, will be pretty extensive. If however, you live in the suburbs, buses will not run as often and you will have to find alternative methods to get around. On longer routes, you may want to consider the train or airway system to get around.

Trains and Subways
If you are located in a major city, a train/ tram system may be available to use offering, cheap and quick service to areas you wish to visit. For example Sydney has an extensive subway system that is cheap and easy to use.

Taxis
Taxis can be extremely expensive for students, and are good for longer journeys that are either too far for walking or by bicycle, or if there is no bus or subway system where you want to go. Always remember to check your driver has a valid ID card which should be displayed (if not ask to see it) and make sure the meter is running. Never enter a taxi where the driver has asked for a set fee! Generally you do not need to tip taxi drivers in Australia.

Planes
Due to the size of Australia, flying may be the only option to travel the country. Australia has two major national airlines, of which the most famous is Qantas, and many more regional networks that will be able to fly to around the country.

Money Matters

As you may have already discovered, paying for a quality education in Australia maybe cheaper than other countries, such as the US and UK, but it still can be very expensive. But with proper preparation, you may minimize the costs of this extraordinary opportunity.

Currency
The Australia currency is based on a dollar and cents system, with 100 cents in one Australian Dollar. Currently the following currency is used:

$5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 in bank notes.
5, 10, 20, 50 cent silver colored coins
$1 and $2 gold colored coins

To calculate money equivalents, please use this tool.

As with any country, it is not advisable to carry large amounts of cash around with you. There are other options such as credit cards, travelers checks or bank cards (debit card) which are all valid forms with which to pay for things in Australia.

Travelers Checks
Traveler's checks are one of the safest and easiest ways to transport money, because you may have them replaced if they get lost or stolen. If you choose to carry traveler's checks with you from your home country to Australia, be sure they are denominated in Australian Dollars. Most businesses -- except taxi drivers and public transportation personnel -- will accept Australia-denominated traveler's checks during regular business hours, typically between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is wise to bring about $100 with you in cash, so you will be able to manage upon your arrival in Australia.

Bank Accounts
Within the first few days of your arrival, you may want to open a checking account with a bank near your campus. You may directly deposit traveler's checks for free in most cases, or arrange for a wire transfer from your home bank for a fee. Typically, you may make an unlimited number of additional deposits or withdrawals thereafter. Be sure to always have sufficient funds in your account to cover all outstanding checks; if you "overdraw," the bank may impose expensive fees. Also be aware that there is usually a waiting period of a few days before you may withdraw the money you deposit, as a way for the bank to protect itself from fraud.

You will most likely need some form of identification to open a checking account. The bank representative may ask you for your visa as proof as residency before they will provide you with an account.

Many college students appreciate the convenience of an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) card. The card allows account holders to make deposits, withdrawals and other transactions at any time -- 24 hours a day -- through machines located throughout campus and shopping districts. If you have an ATM card from a bank in your home country, ask whether the Australian bank will honor it; some Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) cross national borders, while others do not. As a safety precaution, most ATMs limit the daily withdrawal amount to $300. If you happen to lose your ATM card, report it immediately to your local bank office.

Credit Cards
If you have a credit card, such as a Visa, Master Card or American Express you will be able to use this widely across Australia.