KNOWING ABOUT LIVING IN THE COUNTRY
ABOUT THE COUNTRY
Australia is a country and also a continent and in area is the sixth largest country. It is a sparsely populated country located in the southern hemisphere. Most of the populous areas are in the southeastern coastal regions. The huge interior of Australia is mostly desert or dry grassland and is thinly populated.
The country, once a British colony, has a population of British ancestry. Australia has a warm sunny climate, vast open spaces, an unusual wildlife and large sheep and cattle ranches. It has unusual animals such as kangaroos, koalas and platypuses.
Australia is a federation of six states and has a constitution that gives certain powers to the states. The states are New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia. Each of these states has a government. Australia also has two mainland territories - the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. These territories are governed by the Federal Government.
Canberra is Australia's capital territory. Two thirds of the Australian Capital Territory is a National Park and nature reserve land. Sydney is the capital of New South Wales and is Australia's oldest and most populous city. It has a population of 3.5 million and a climate which ranges from 16oC to 26oC. It is a city with multi-cultural population. Brisbane, the capital of Queensland is referred to as the sunshine State. Situated on the Brisbane River it has a sub-tropical climate. It is the 3rd largest capital city in Australia and has a population of a million people. It is a slightly hilly place and is also called the gateway to the gold coast. Adelaide is located on the Torrens River in South Australia. It is also referred to as the City of Thousand Churches. 113 km. to the South West of Adelaide is Kangaroo Island where one can observe sea lions at Seal Bay, and see kangaroos, Koalas, emus and wildlife at Flinders Chase National Park.
Western Australia covers a third of the Australian continent. Perth, its capital, is the countries contemporary frontier. Melbourne is the cosmopolitan capital of Victoria famous for its gardens, fashion, arts and sports enthusiasts. It has tree lined boulevards. The Yarra River flows through the middle of the city.
Its size makes Australia a land of contrasts in climate. About 40 percent of the continent has a tropical climate of wet and humid summers. However, in parts of Tasmania, there is snow for nearly half the year.
The Northern Territory is in the sub-tropical area. Canberra is in the warm temperate region. Tasmania has a cooler climate.
Sleet and less commonly snow can fall on the urban areas of Hobart (capital city of Tasmania) and even Canberra.
In the Northern Territory, it is hot all year round, with maximum temperatures reaching more than 30 degree Celsius.
January is the hottest month in most Southern areas. February is hotter in Tasmania and Southern Victoria. In the summer month of January, average temperatures range from 29 degree Celsius in the far north to 13 degrees Celsius in the far South. Throughout Australia, summer temperatures may soar into the 30s for brief periods and even above 40 degrees Celsius in some areas.
ACCOMODATION
An overseas student needs to find a suitable place to stay as adapting to the new lifestyle may not be quite easy.
All institutions accepting overseas students have a staff member who assists students with accommodation. Institutions of higher education have internal housing offices organising a wide variety of accommodation including homestay, on campus accommodation and a range of accommodations available on rent. A temporary boarding arrangement is made by the International Education Office.
Homestay
Homestay is an arrangement for the student to live with an Australian family. This accommodation is suitable for students who are not attending university and are studying in short-term English courses and other private colleges. The cost generally includes breakfast and dinner. Rooms are single or double.
Homestay hosts will expect you: to be independent; to be direct; to be respectful; to be cooperative. You may learn more about the Australian way of life by joining the family functions, celebrations and outings. This may cost you: A$150 - A$200 per week.
Rented accommodation
Rented residence is available in houses, flats single bedsitters which is a compact living area with small kitchen space and shared bathrooms. Houses and flats are usually unfurnished. Some rented accommodation may be rather expensive, but students can find decent housing for less than $100 per week in large cities. Approximate cost: A$100 - $150 plus per person per week.
Shared accommodation
In shared flats/houses everyone accepts their responsibility to cook and clean and become a part of the general household. Many students move on to share accommodation after a year of on campus residence. This has to be furnished in most cases. a$70 - a$120 upward per week.
University residential colleges
The most common form of housing in Australia is the residential colleges which provides all facilities and services including meals, cleaning, tutoring, sporting facilities, etc. These are more expensive than other types of accommodation, though shared rooms are available at cheaper rates. They cost approximately $150 - $250 a week.
University halls of residence
Hall of residence is cheaper than residential colleges. They are self-catering houses which provide students living space. Halls of Residence accept students who are attending the University on a full-time basis. It is advisable to book this in advance. a$80 - $150 per week.
HEALTH COVER
Medical care is very expensive and as an overseas student you require to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of Student Visa in Australia. OSHC pays for medical and hospital care you may need while studying in Australia. Medibank Private, the government health insurance company offers this facility.
OSH cover
OSHC helps to pay for a doctor (including specialists) for treatment in hospital, at home or at a doctor's surgery and for pathology services and radiological services. When a medical service does not take place in a hospital, OSHC pays 85% for private consultation and treatments and 100% of the scheduled fee in hospitals. In both situations if the doctor charges more than the scheduled fee, the difference is not paid by OSHC.
Premium for OSHC Service (approximate figures)
* Up to 3 months $95
* Up to 6 months $185
* Up to 9 months $278
* Up to 12 months $370
Premium for the family is much more. OSHC premium is paid to Medibank Private before you go to Australia. The premium depends on the length of Student Visa. However it will be paid only to a maximum of 12 months cover.
A further premium will be payable after 12 months. Private students’ initial premium is paid by the college or university where you have enrolled. For government sponsored student the agency or department of the Australian Government which is sponsoring you will pay your initial premium. On arrival in Australia OSHC membership has to be confirmed with Medibank Private. They will require acceptance advice number, or, from a sponsored student, reference number and passport. You must renew your cover each time you re-enroll to study, or every year.
Hospital facilities
In Australia there are two types of hospitals: public hospitals, controlled by State/Territory Governments and private hospitals, which are operated on a commercial basis.
OSHC gives full medical cover to an overseas student in a shared ward in any public hospital, including treatment by doctor. The only amount you will have to pay is the difference (if any) between the OSHC benefit for medical services and the actual fees charged. In a private hospital, OSHC provides limited benefits towards treatment and accommodation.
LIVING COSTS:
If you are single, you will need between a$10,000 - a$12,000 a year of living expenses. This will cover accommodation, food, transport, clothing, health and entertainment. If married, you will need a$5,000 more a year for your spouse and a$3,000 more a year for each child. They do not include air fares or the course costs. You may have to pay full fees for your dependents if they attend school in Australia.
