Living in Australia

Australia is a land of diversity and customs. Living in a diverse country can be very different and your lifestyle will certainly change. To help you become accustomed to Australia, we have compiled this source stating what life in Australia is like:

Climate

Australia is in the southern hemisphere and the seasons are contrary to those in Europe and North America. Australia is repeatedly 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, satiated with marine life. You can get all climates in one country! Average temperatures do vary but generally, the seasons work as follows:

- Summer (December to February)
- Autumn (March to May)
- Winter (June to August)
- Spring (September to November)

For Northern Australia, the weather is humid and calm 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 sun block lotion are recommended year round in the north and during the summer months in the south.

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 really a multicultural country. This diversity is reflected in Australian way of life, for instance:

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

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

Due to this varied, multicultural blend, Australia is known for its cutting edge and impressive arts. Australia receives international praise for its vibrancy, originality and cutting-edge work in the arts, literature, stage and cinema, dance and classical music.

Accommodation

Accommodation will differ 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. Normally, there are three types of housing available to students:

Home stay
Home stay 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 home stays. The cost of home stay is comparatively high.

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 of the schools offer meals and some furniture.

Off-Campus Housing
Housing located off-campus can be really fun, but also have many drawbacks. 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 who will charge 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, and phone 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.
Some universities do offer some off-campus housing programs so be sure to check those out!

Depending upon the expenses I recommend to go for the Off-Campus Housing as students can make a group of 4 or 5 and apply for two bedroom apartment and in this way they can share all the utility bills and rent.

Transport

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

Bicycle
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 inexpensive 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.

Buses
If you are based in a city, the bus system, as with most of the public transportation system, will be pretty widespread. 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 Trams
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.

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 tram 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.

Planes
Due to the huge 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.

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.

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 enough 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 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 $800. If you happen to lose your ATM card, report it immediately to your local bank office.