Living in Australia - Study in Australia

Living in Australia

Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world, and where you live will shape your entire study experience. Sydney offers beaches and a bustling job market. Melbourne has world-class coffee, arts, and culture. Brisbane is sunny, affordable, and growing fast. Adelaide is the most budget-friendly capital. Perth is isolated but beautiful, with a booming resources sector.

This guide covers everything you need to know about daily life — from finding your first apartment to navigating the healthcare system.

Finding Housing

Housing is your single biggest living expense and the most stressful part of settling in. Start searching 2–3 months before arrival.

Housing Options Compared

University Residential Colleges

Most universities have on-campus or affiliated colleges. These are all-inclusive (meals, utilities, internet, social activities) and the easiest option for your first semester.

Advantages:

• Walk to classes in minutes
• Built-in social community — you'll make friends immediately
• Meals provided (usually breakfast and dinner, sometimes lunch)
• All bills included — no surprise costs
• Pastoral support and resident advisors on site

Disadvantages:

• Expensive: AUD 300–600/week means AUD 15,000–30,000/year
• Noise and shared bathrooms (in some colleges)
• Limited cooking facilities in some colleges
• Many students move out after first year due to cost

Shared Apartments (Flatshares)

The most popular option for students beyond first year. You rent a room in a shared apartment or house, typically with 2–4 housemates.

Where to search:

• Flatmates.com.au — Australia's largest flatshare platform
• Facebook groups — Search "[City Name] Room/Flat Share" or "[University Name] Housing"
• Gumtree — Australia's Craigslist equivalent
• University noticeboards — Physical and online boards
• Domain.com.au / Realestate.com.au — For entire apartments (sign a lease with friends)

What to expect:

• Bond (security deposit): Usually 4 weeks' rent, refundable when you leave
• Lease terms: 6 or 12 months (some offer flexible terms)
• Bills on top: Electricity (AUD 20–40/week shared), internet (AUD 15–25/week shared), water (usually included)

Warning signs (avoid scams):

• Never pay money before seeing the property in person or via video call
• Don't pay bond or rent directly to a person's bank account without a signed lease
• If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is
• Use Flatmates.com.au's secure payment system when possible

Homestay

Living with an Australian family. Meals are typically included (2 per day), and it's an excellent way to improve your English and understand Australian culture.

How to arrange: Through your university's homestay program or agencies like Australian Homestay Network (AHN) and Homestay Network.

What to know:

• Families set house rules (guests, quiet hours, laundry schedules)
• You'll have your own room but share common areas
• Most hosts are friendly and genuinely interested in cultural exchange
• Distance from campus varies — ask about transport before committing

Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA)

Modern buildings designed specifically for students, run by companies like:

• UniLodge — Locations near most major universities
• Urbanest — Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide
• Iglu — Sydney and Melbourne
• Scape — Multiple cities

These typically include utilities, internet, gym, and study spaces. More expensive than flatshares but less hassle.

Healthcare: Understanding OSHC

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is mandatory for all international students in Australia. You cannot enroll or maintain your visa without it.

What OSHC Covers

• GP (doctor) visits — Many GPs bulk-bill OSHC patients, meaning zero out-of-pocket cost. Others charge AUD 40–80 per visit with partial OSHC reimbursement.
• Hospital treatment — Emergency and planned admissions, including surgery
• Ambulance — Emergency transport (this can cost AUD 1,000+ without insurance)
• Prescription medicines — Partial coverage for PBS-listed medications
• Specialist consultations — With GP referral, partial coverage
• Pathology and radiology — Blood tests, X-rays, scans

What OSHC Does Not Cover

• Dental care (cleanings, fillings, extractions)
• Optical (eye exams, glasses, contact lenses)
• Physiotherapy and chiropractic
• Pre-existing conditions (6–12 month waiting periods)
• Cosmetic or elective procedures
• Pregnancy-related services (12-month waiting period)

OSHC providers and approximate annual costs:

Compare student insurance plans for Australia →

Finding a Doctor

• Use your OSHC provider's app or website to find bulk-billing GPs near you
• University health centers are often the easiest option — they understand student needs and usually bulk-bill
• Healthdirect (1800 022 222) provides free 24/7 health advice by phone

Transport

Australian cities have reliable public transport networks, and students get significant discounts.

Transport Cards and Student Concessions

How to get your concession:

1. Enroll at your university and get your student ID
2. Apply online through your state's transport authority
3. Link your student ID to your transport card
4. Enjoy 40–50% off all public transport fares

Cycling

Many cities have bike-share schemes and dedicated cycling infrastructure:

• Melbourne has extensive bike lanes and Lime e-scooters/bikes
• Brisbane has CityCycle and protected bike lanes along the river
• Canberra is the most cycle-friendly city in Australia

Driving

If you plan to drive:

• Use your home country's license with an International Driving Permit (IDP) for the first 3 months
• After 3 months, convert to an Australian license (varies by state)
• Australians drive on the left — if you're used to driving on the right, give yourself time to adjust
• Car insurance is essential — minimum third-party insurance (CTP) is included in registration, but comprehensive insurance costs AUD 800–2,000/year

Banking and Money

Opening a Bank Account

Open your account within the first 6 weeks of arrival — after 6 weeks, you'll need additional ID documents (100-point ID check).

Recommended banks for students:

What you need: Passport, student visa grant letter, proof of enrollment, Australian address (or your university's address temporarily).

Sending and Receiving Money

• Wise (formerly TransferWise) — Best exchange rates for international transfers, significantly cheaper than banks
• OFX — Good for large transfers (tuition payments)
• Bank international transfers — Convenient but expensive (AUD 20–30 per transfer plus margin on exchange rate)

Phone and Internet

Mobile Plans

Get a SIM card on arrival at the airport or any phone shop. Options:

Home Internet

• NBN (National Broadband Network): AUD 55–90/month for unlimited data. Split between flatmates = AUD 15–25 each.
• 5G Home Internet: AUD 60–85/month, no installation needed (plug and play). Good if your area has 5G coverage.

Australian Culture: What to Expect

Social Norms

• Casual is the default. First-name basis with everyone, including professors and bosses. Using "Mr." or "Mrs." feels overly formal.
• "Mate" is universal. Used for friends, strangers, and even in mild disagreements ("Look, mate...").
• Punctuality matters. If you're running late, text ahead. Being 10+ minutes late without notice is considered rude.
• Tipping is not expected. Australian minimum wage is high enough that service staff don't rely on tips. Rounding up or leaving 10% for excellent service is appreciated but never required.
• "How ya going?" means "How are you?" — respond with "Good, thanks" not with directions.

Food and Coffee Culture

Australia has one of the best food scenes in the world, driven by its multicultural population:

• Coffee is serious. Flat whites, long blacks, and piccolos are the local orders. Chain coffee (Starbucks) is rare — independent cafes dominate.
• Multicultural food: Vietnamese pho, Japanese ramen, Indian curries, Lebanese kebabs, Italian pasta — all authentic and affordable (AUD 12–18 for a meal).
• Grocery shopping: Woolworths and Coles are the main supermarkets. Aldi is cheapest. Asian grocery stores (common in all cities) have the best prices for rice, noodles, and sauces.
• Weekend cooking tip: The Sunday markets in most cities sell fresh produce at a fraction of supermarket prices.

Social Life and Making Friends

• O-Week (Orientation Week): Attend everything. This is when clubs, societies, and social groups recruit. Most universities have 100–300+ clubs.
• Sports: Australians love sport. Join a social sport team — touch football, basketball, futsal, cricket, and netball are popular.
• Beaches and outdoors: Weekend culture revolves around beaches, BBQs in parks, hiking, and camping. Free electric BBQs are in most public parks.
• Pubs and bars: Social drinking is common, but there's no pressure to drink. "Shout" culture means buying rounds for your group (you're expected to buy a round when it's your turn).

Australian Slang You'll Hear

• Arvo — Afternoon
• Brekkie — Breakfast
• Servo — Petrol/gas station
• Maccas — McDonald's
• Uni — University
• Chucking a sickie — Taking a sick day (usually when not actually sick)
• No worries — You're welcome / it's fine
• She'll be right — It'll be okay
• Fair dinkum — Genuine, honest

Climate and Weather

Australia's seasons are reversed from the Northern Hemisphere:

Climate by city:

• Sydney: Warm summers, mild winters. Humidity in summer. Four seasons.
• Melbourne: Famously unpredictable. "Four seasons in one day" is real. Pack layers.
• Brisbane: Subtropical. Warm year-round, humid summers, dry mild winters.
• Perth: Mediterranean climate. Hot dry summers, cool wet winters.
• Adelaide: Similar to Perth but slightly cooler. Hot summers, mild winters.
• Hobart: Cooler than other capitals. Cold winters (2–12°C).
• Darwin: Tropical. Two seasons: wet (Nov–Apr, monsoonal rain) and dry (May–Oct, perfect weather).

Safety

Australia ranks as one of the safest countries in the world for international students. Violent crime is rare, and the ESOS Act provides legal protections specifically for international students.

Key safety tips:

Sun safety:

• UV levels in Australia are extreme — you can burn in 10–15 minutes without protection
• Wear SPF 50+ sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses
• The UV index regularly exceeds 11 (extreme) in summer. Check the UV index daily via the Bureau of Meteorology app.

Beach safety:

• Always swim between the red and yellow flags (lifeguard-patrolled zones)
• Rip currents are the biggest danger. If caught in a rip, don't fight it — float and signal for help, or swim parallel to the beach
• Check for jellyfish and bluebottle warnings, especially on the east coast

Wildlife:

• Australia's dangerous wildlife is real but overhyped. Encounters are rare in cities
• Don't touch or approach snakes, spiders, or any wildlife
• If bitten by a snake, call 000 immediately and don't move. Apply a pressure bandage if possible
• Redback spiders are common but rarely dangerous — seek medical attention if bitten

Rental scams:

• Never pay a deposit or rent without seeing the property (in person or video call)
• Use reputable platforms like Flatmates.com.au
• If a listing doesn't allow inspections, it's likely a scam

Emergency Numbers

First-Week Survival Checklist

1. Pick up your student ID from the university
2. Activate your university email and student portal
3. Set up your transport concession card
4. Open a bank account (bring passport, visa, enrollment proof)
5. Buy a SIM card (Optus, Telstra, or Vodafone)
6. Register with a local GP (check your university health center)
7. Attend O-Week events — as many as possible
8. Join 2–3 clubs or societies
9. Download key apps: university app, transport app, OSHC provider app, Google Maps
10. Explore your neighborhood — find the nearest supermarket, pharmacy, and laundromat

Next Steps

• Understand costs and funding — Detailed breakdown of what you'll spend and how to fund it
• Apply for your visa — Subclass 500 requirements and arrival procedures
• Find work opportunities — Part-time jobs, work rights, and career planning
• Browse programs — Compare universities and find the right program