International

Living in Australia

WHAT DOES IT COST?

Australia is an affordable and popular study destination. The cost of living is considerably less than in countries like the United Kingdom or the United States. Tuition fees are also much less expensive than in these two countries. In addition to this, international students can work while studying in Australia, which assists in supplementing income and /or defraying some of the expenses. As a general guide, accommodation, food, transport, clothes and expenses could cost somewhere between AU$10,000 to AU$15,000 a year, depending on your lifestyle. For example, a single person renting accommodation would need a minimum of AU$200 a week for general expenses and a married couple would need at least AU$330 a week. If accompanied by family members, you would need to adjust your budget accordingly.

WORKING WHILE YOU STUDY

If your student visa was granted after 26 April 2008, you and your dependant family members will automatically have received Permission to Work with your visa. If you have been granted Permission to Work, there are restrictions on the number of hours you can work. For more information visit the DIAC (Department of Immigration and Citizenship) website at www.immi.gov.au/students.

ACCOMMODATION

Melbourne's reputation as 'the world's most liveable city' means that it offers a high standard of accommodation to suit a range of budgets and needs. PSC will gladly assist students to find suitable accommodation. The college is located in an area which offers an enormous range of apartment style living - much of which is rental accommodation. While we cannot enter into agreements with real estate agents or householders on your behalf, we can certainly help you to sort out your options and get established. You can access our Accommodation Guide here. Following is a general guide to accommodation costs:

	Temporary Accommodation - AU$100 to AU$200/night
	Homestay - AU$190 to AU$250/week
	Hostels and guest houses - AU$140 to AU$200/week
	Share Accommodation - AU$100 to AU$200/week
	Rental Accommodation - AU$180 to AU$300/week

More about Melbourne

Some city landmarks

MCG(Melbourne Cricket Ground):
You can see from Swanston St Bridge. It's about 3km east of the city very close to the Yarra River. Next to it there are now a couple of major stadiums including the Rod Laver and the Vodafone Arena.

The Shrine of Remembrance:
The war shrine is very close to PSC- about 2km south straight down St. Kilda Rd.

The Royal Botanical Gardens:
Situated around the Shrine and bordered by St. Kilda Rd, Linlithgow Ave and Alexandra Ave. These gardens provide a place where you can go and explore a vast array of plant life and they also contain beautifully maintained native plants. It's the perfect place for a walk or a picnic. Take your camera.

Etihad Stadium:
Situated in the middle of the Docklands development just west of Southern Cross station on Footscray Rd. Events such as football and live bands are held here.

Federation Square:
Federation Square is opposite Flinders St Station. There are many galleries here and it is also home to the Australian Centre for the Moving Image.

Public transport

Tickets:
Always travel with a valid ticket. They can be purchased from newsagents and station ticket machines.

Trains:
Trains all revolve around the city circle which comprises of five stations (Flinders St, Spencer St, Flagstaff, Melbourne Central, and Parliament). There are numerous lines out going in every direction pretty fast and pretty comfortably.Trains will stop at all stations, unless it states that they are express trains, in which case it will be written on the screen which stations they stop at. Doors open manually and close automatically. The last trains leave the city just after 12am every night.

Trams:
Trams generally run from the city outwards, with a few cross exceptions. They don't go as far out as the trains but stop more regularly, every 500metres or so (which also makes them slower). You need to hail them if you are outside the city (they generally stop at every stop in the city) and pull the cord on the roof on the left-hand side to stop them at the next stop. Doors open and close automatically. You can buy your ticket on the tram, but only if you have coins, otherwise you have to pre-purchase it at a newsagency.

Buses:
Buses go all over the place. They're in the Melway (Melbourne Street Directory) and are generally used to go short distances or get you to a train or tram stop. Buses need to be hailed, and doors open and close automatically. Again a buzzer is used to stop

Extra tips - some advice on some great ways to get to know Melbourne...

	Buy a Melway. It is good value and has EVERYTHING in it.
	Pick up Beat and Impress and MX they're free and provide many suggestions for entertainment around the city
	Get The Age on Fridays. It's got EG in it - exhibitions, heaps of bands, free gigs and cinema.
	Go to the tourist office and get brochures of what's on in Melbourne. The people there can usually give you a lot of information if you have a chat with them.
	If you're having trouble finding you're way around, walk everywhere, you'll see more, get to know the area better and have a great chance to shoot heaps of your folio.
	Take your camera everywhere. You'll be surprised how good the shots you'll see are... when you don't have your camera.
	Internet access. The wonderful www can be accessed for free at all *Libraries.* Also you'd be amazed what kind of other info they still keep in those book things! And you can borrow them... for free!! The State Library -on Swanston St opposite Melbourne Central Station has a great collection. You can't borrow from there, but they have an excellent reading room and access to photocopiers. The staff there are also very helpful.

Opening a Bank Account - Information for International Students

There are a range of banks in Victoria. One of these is the Commonwealth Bank. Here is an example of how to open an account with the Commonwealth Bank:

If you have been in Australia for less than 6 weeks, simply take your International Student Visa into any Commonwealth Bank branch. This is worth 100 ID points so you will be able to open an account. Student accounts are generally without bank fees.

It you have been in Australia for more than 6 weeks, you must take your International Student Visa (worth 40 ID points in this case) and your Passport (worth 70 ID points) plus any other proof of identity such as a student card.

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