Life in Australia

Food is one of the most important parts of our lives. As a vegan or vegetarian, it can be hard to survive in certain countries. But is Australia easy enough to survive for vegan or vegetarian international students? Let’s check it out in this guide.

For those who don’t know, while both vegans and vegetarians avoid eating animal meat, vegans avoid eating any animal produced products like milk, cheese etc. as well.

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Can I survive as vegan or vegetarian in Australia?

In short, the answer is definitely Yes, You Can!. It is certainly possible to survive as vegan or vegetarian in Australia. While most of the major cities have plenty of options for Vegans and vegetarians, you might feel short of options if you are in regional towns and cities. 

Who would know better about how to survive as a vegan/vegetarian than our very our founder, Sam, who has been living here in Australia for more than 12 years and never felt an urge or being short of so many food options that Australia has on offer for vegans and vegetarians in Australia. 

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Things you must know about vegan and vegetarians in Australia

• Australians are considered to be one of the most meat-eaters in the world.
• Although, the latest research shows that many Australians are adopting a vegan and vegetarian lifestyle.
• Around 12.1% of Australians follow a vegan or vegetarian diet. 
• Although lots of people, especially in cities understand the concept of being vegan and vegetarians, there are still plenty of Australians who don’t understand that.
• Don’t feel offended when you are going to Aussie BBQ/meeting/social setting if there is no vegan or vegetarian food available. 
• Australia has lots of fresh produce of fruits and vegetables so there are plenty of choices there. Some fruits and vegetables especially the one imported from other countries can be expensive though
• There are plenty of grocery shops available from countries all over the world like Asian, Indian, European, etc, so you can still have a taste of your home country. 

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Tips for surviving as vegan and vegetarian in Australia

Before arriving in Australia

Even before arriving in Australia, make sure to contact your airline and pre-order your flight meals. 

If you have already have made arrangements for the accommodation in Australia, then you should contact your host or accommodation provider and make an arrangement for the food meeting your dietary requirements.

Learn to cook

It is a good idea to learn how to cook your own meals as it is not only a cheaper option but you also know what is putting inside your food. 

Cooking can be a fun thing to learn and once you master the skill, there is no stopping you. You can buy your plant-based groceries from local supermarkets, local markets, and specialty stores and learn how to cook using YouTube, reading cookbooks or family’s help.

Check the labels

Read the ingredients on the packaging. Any food served in Australia whether packed or not must have nutrition information and ingredients used. 

Unlike other countries, there are no specific labels requirements for Vegan and Vegetarians friendly foods by the Australian government. Although many companies have started using those labels now.

Adjust your tastebuds

The flavor of the food might be different than your home country so you will need to adjust your tastebuds accordingly. If you have same taste expectations like your home, then you might get yourself disappointed,

If you are out and about

If you are going to be out for a long time during the day, then it is advisable to bring your own food from home and especially if you are going to be in the regional areas and outer city areas.

If you can’t carry around too much food, then we recommend you to at least keep some snacks in your bag.

Ask when eating out

If you are eating out, then confirm with the restaurant waiter/waitress about the food before ordering as some restaurants consider eggs and fish as part of a vegetarian diet. 

If you can’t find any vegan or vegetarian dish on the menu, then you can ask the waiter/waitress if there is any chance they can alter or modify one of the menu items so it is a vegan or vegetarian.

Ask for help and connect with others

If you are still unsure and struggling to find the right food for you, then we suggest you ask around from your landlord, friends, teachers and support service officers from your education provider.

If you are new to the country or coming soon to Australia, then we also suggest you connect with like-minded people through Facebook groups (like vegans in Australia), Whatsapp groups and WeChat groups. 

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Where you can buy vegan and vegetarian groceries

There are many vegan and vegetarian-friendly groceries and supermarkets available in Australia. All the major supermarkets in Australia have products meeting the needs of vegans and vegetarians. You can easily find a substitute for any food item. Almond milk, tofu, vegan burger, vegan tacos, and even vegetarian sushi.

Vegan toiletries are also becoming popular by the day and you can find them in the leading supermarkets as well. Here is a list of popular supermarkets where you can buy your vegan and vegetarian products:

• Woolworths
• Coles
• Aldi
• IGA
• Foodworks

Apart from these supermarkets, there are specific vegan stores in most of the major cities in Australia. Most of them you can easily found out using a simple google search. 

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Websites and Apps for eating vegan or vegetarian food in Australia

Happy Cow

This website compiles all the vegan and vegetarian restaurants from all over the world.

Veg Out

Veg out is an app powered by Happy Cow team and complies all the vegan, vegetarian and vegetarian-friendly restaurants but in an app.

Vegman

Vegaman is another popular platform for vegans and vegetarians to find the restaurants meeting their dietary requirements, 

Vegan Australia

Vegan Australia is an organisation that provides information regarding veganism in Australia. They also have lots of resources, articles and organise events throughout Australia.

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Popular Vegan and vegetarian fast-food restaurants in Australia

Although, we suggest you check more restaurants and eating places for vegans and vegetarians in your city using one of the apps or websites mentioned above. Here, we are giving a list of popular food chains that you can find vegan or vegetarian food (pretty much) throughout Australia. Most of these restaurants can be found in all major metro and regional cities. 

Please note that most of these restaurants have vegan or vegetarian options only and are serving food with meat as well. We can’t make comment on if they are cooking vegan or vegetarian food using the same equipment or not. So if you have a strictly religious or dietary requirement, we suggest you do your own research before eating at any of these restaurants. 

Burger/Sandwich

Hungry Jacks

Hungry Jacks offer Vegan breaky Muffin and Vegan Cheeburger along with their fries and hashbrown as well.

Grill’d

Grill’d offer not one, two but four vegan burger options on their menu. You can also request to customise any burger on the menu making it vegan and vegetarian. Fries are vegan as well.

Subway

Subway in Australia offers few options for vegans and vegetarians. You can their try Veggie Delite or Smashed Avocado. Their toasties are vegetarian as well.

Lord of the Fries

Everything on the menu of Lord of the Fries is 100% plant-based and vegan. So you are good to order anything from their menu and be assured that it is vegan.

Nandos

You can try their vegetarian burger from the main menu or try their word famous Peri-Peri chips. 

Schnitz

Schnitz are known for their innovative menu. You can customise most of their rolls or wraps by avoiding few ingredients and swapping with vegan cheese and vegan mayo.

Mexican

https://www.instagram.com/p/B70CW–luFZ/

Guzman y Gomez

Guzman y Gomez is one of the leading Tex-Mex Mexican food chains in Australia and they serve a variety of burritos, enchiladas, tacos, and nachos. You can easily get a vegan and vegetarian option while eating here.

Zambrero

Whether, you want to order burritos, chikitos, bowls, nachos, tacos or quesadilla, vegan and vegetarian-friendly options are available for all these items. Plus make sure to try their spiced cauliflower side.

Mad Mex

You can enjoy burritos and nachos without having any meat inside them. They have also added a vegan cheese option for meeting the needs of vegans as well.

Salsa’s

Salsa’s offer Mucho burrito and veg bowl for vegans and vegetarians. You can try their Mexican salad, corn chips, and nachos. 

Pizza

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzo-ZPbgzS1/

Domino’s

Domino’s not only offered 3 vegan pizzas but has many options for vegetarians as well. They even offer vegan garlic bread on their menu.

Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut in Australia offers 3 vegetarian pizzas which can also be customised to be vegan. If you want to completely customise the pizza, you can do so on their website as well. 

Crust

If you are seeking vegan pizza options, then Crust is definitely the place to be. With 3 vegetarian and 2 vegan options, Crust has upper hand than most other pizza franchise. They also offer pasta and salads as well.

Pizza Capers

Pizza Capers also offer 4 pizzas which can cater to the needs of the vegan (2 of them) and vegetarians. They also offer vegan calzones as well.

Healthy

Sumo Salad

Sumo salad provides a range of salads, soups, wraps, sandwiches and other healthy snacking options. You can also customise their salads as they allow you to build your own. 

Soul Origin

Soul origin is also famous for soups, sandwiches, soups, baguettes, paninis and other healthy food. Their menu has a decent range of options for vegetarians but they have fewer vegan options. 

With so many options for vegetarians and vegans in Australia, it is certainly possible to survive as a vegan or vegetarian in Australia. So if you are a vegan or vegetarian and planning to study abroad, then we would definitely recommend you to choose Australia as a top destination to study. 

 

Finding accommodation to live in Australia is one of the most challenging parts of overseas students life. It can be really challenging as

• You usually compete with the locals for the property
• You don’t have rental history
• You don’t income proof as you don’t have Australian employment
• You probably have no guarantors

Here in this guide, we explain the step by step on renting in Australia as an overseas student.

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Step 1: Look for the property

The first step is to look for the property that you would like to rent. There are various types of accommodation options available for overseas students in Australia. You can rent a

• Private rental
• Student apartments
• On campus and
• Home Stay

You can find more information about all these accommodation types here.

Before you even decide the type of accommodation, we suggest you consider the following selection criteria for choosing the accommodation:

• Budget: How much money would you like to spend?
• Area: Which suburb or areas you would you like to love?
• Facilities: Which facilities matter to you the most like furnished accommodation, pool, gyms etc? It is also important for students to have a nice desk and comfortable chair, as they spend a lot of their time studying.​
• Location:  How accessible the university/college, work and shopping are from the property?
• Public Transport: How far is the public transport from the property?

Although, there are many ways (e.g. student services from your institute, notice boards, newspapers or real estate agents office) you can look for accommodation in Australia but the most preferred way is to search the properties online. You can look for various rental properties on popular websites like:

• Gumtree.com.au
• Realestate.com.au
• Domain.com.au
• Flatmates.com.au

You can also look for student-specific accommodations on websites like:

• Student.com
• Universityliving.com
• Amberstudent.com

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Step 2: Inspect the property

Once you selected a few properties meeting your selection criteria, the next step is to inspect the property. You will need to check the property inspection open times and it is also advisable to confirm the timings with the property agents as well because sometime the inspection times might change.

Usually, the property managers will open the property for 15 to 30 minutes. In Australia, Saturday is the most popular day for the inspections. Although, there might be another days or timing available as well. The property manager may even ask for your identification and some personal details before letting you inspect the property.

After inspecting the property, the property manager may ask you if you like the property and if you would like to apply for the property. If you like the property, then you will go to step 3, if not, then you will keep inspecting the property until you find the one that meets your requirement.

It is also advisable to inspect the property before renting as some students in the past have reported that pictures shown on the websites look different than the reality,

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Step 3: Application for the property

Once, you are happy with the property, you will need to proceed with the application of the property. This usually involves completing an application form and providing as much information as possible.

Some of the key information that you need to provide in this application form includes:

• Personal Details including some form of identification
• Employment details
• Previous rental history
• References from employers and previous landlords etc.

Once you submit the application, the property agent will notify you about the result of the application after discussions with the landlord. The property manager will also conduct the background, employment and reference checks as well to ensure that they are going to give rental property to someone who can pay the rent in time.

There can be quite a lot of competition in some properties so it is better to apply nice and early if you would like to improve the chances of getting a positive answer.

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Step 4: Sign the lease and paying the bond

If your application is successful, the next step is to sign the lease. A lease is a legally binding contract between you (a tenant) and a landlord. A lease can be fixed term (which is for a specific time like 12 months) or a periodic lease (month by month).

This lease document will have information on:

• How long a tenant can live
• How much the rent will
• When the rent must be paid and how
• How much the bond will be
• How often the inspections will be conducted
• Any special conditions that tenants must abide

You will also usually need to pay the bond when you are signing up the lease. A bond is a refundable security deposit that you need to provide to landlord or property agent which they will then be lodging it to the authorised government body in your state or territory. You may need to pay an amount equivalent to 4 to 6 weeks of rent as your bond.

A bond is kept by this authority till your lease finishes and you decide to move out of the property. It is kept to ensure the rights of a landlord to cover any expenses for damages that might be caused by the tenants. It is important that you get a copy of the receipt of your bond.

If you plan to sublet the property to other tenants, then you should get approval from your landlord first. Also, it is better to have every co-tenants name on the lease as well as it legally binds them also in case something does go wrong.

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Step 5: Condition report

Once you signed the lease and lodged bond, it is time to move into the property. Prior to moving into the property, your property agent or landlord must give you a condition report. A condition report is a document that records the general condition of the property and any existing wear tear or damage.

You must get this report and complete if you find any further damages or scratches or any other missing items. Once completed, you will need to give it back to your property manager or landlord. You must keep a copy of that condition report for yourself as well.

It is also advisable to take photos of any damages or scratches that happened before you move into the property to avoid any future disputes with the property manager or landlords.

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Step 6: Moving into a new home and Inspections

It is time to move into the property and make it to your own. Welcome to your new home!

While you are renting the property, it is always good to keep it clean and tidy at all times. You should try to treat it like your own house. The property manager or a landlord will conduct regular inspections also to ensure that the property is well maintained throughout the lease period.

The inspections will usually be conducted at least 2 or 3 times per year if your lease is for 12 months. It can be more or less depending on the agreement that you have with the landlord or the agent.

A landlord or an agent can not inspect the property without giving you written notice. There usually restrictions on timeframes as well on when the inspections can be conducted.  You usually don’t need to be present at the inspection as a landlord or a property agent keep the spare key of the property.

If while renting, there are things that need to be repaired then you can tell them to the agent or landlord when they come for an inspection. However, if the repairs are urgent then you must notify them as soon as possible.

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Step 7: Ending the lease

Once the lease is over, it is up to you and landlord if you want to extend it further or not. If you are planning to move at the end of the lease, then you must notify the landlord or agent at least 28 days before the lease expires. It gives the chance to the property manager or a landlord to show the property to other prospective tenants.

When leaving the property, it is important to make sure to leave it clean and tidy. It is always advisable to leave the property the same way that it was when you moved into it. Your property manager or landlord will inspect the property after you leave. They will also do the final condition report also and if the property is not left clean or in a reasonable condition, then they might deduct the cost of cleaning or damages from your bond.

When the final inspections are done, you and your landlord or agent must complete a bond claim form after reaching an agreement on how and to whom the bond should be paid out. However, if you and your landlord or agent can’t reach an agreement then a landlord or a property agent should to the tribunal for claiming the bond in case of dispute over cleaning or damage.

You can apply for tribunal for claiming your bond as well in case you don’t receive the bond back within a few days of moving out from the property.

Also, it is important to cancel all the utilities like gas, water, electricity and internet as well. You must also notify all the businesses you expect to receive the mail from.  Alternatively, you can use Australia Post’s mail redirect service for redirecting all the mail to your new address.

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Where to get more help

If you need further information on renting, we suggest you contact the relevant authority in your state or territory. Here is a list of the relevant authorities for each state and territory in Australia

ACT – Tenants Union Act

NSW – Tenants Advice & Advocacy Services

NT – Consumer Affairs Northern Territory

QLD – Tenants Queensland

SA – Tenants’ Information and Advisory Service

TAS – Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading

VIC – Consumer Affairs Victoria

WA – Tenancy WA

Are you planning to drive a car in Australia?

In this blog, we are going to explain things you need to know about driving in Australia.

Let’s go.

Can I drive in Australia on my overseas licence?

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One of the biggest questions in an overseas student’s mind is that can I drive on my overseas licence in Australia?

International students are considered as temporary residents in Australia which means you are allowed to drive with your home country licence but some states and territories have strict laws regarding this.

As an example, the Northern Territory does not allow overseas students to drive more than 3 months of their arrival with an overseas licence.

We suggest you to check with your local transport authority to see if you are allowed to use your overseas licence or not. Also, please make sure you have a valid visa and your driving licence is current as well.

We also suggest you have an international licence done before coming to Australia. If your licence is not in English, please get it translated in English before coming to Australia.

Very important information – If you become Permanent Residence (PR) of Australia, then you will need to get an Australian Licence within the first 6 months of getting PR. You will not be allowed to drive in Australia on overseas licence after that.

Getting an Australian driving Licence

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In order to get an Australian licence, usually, you have to go through some tests unless you are from

There are three types of tests, you will need to go through with. These are

1. Learner Test
2. Hazard Test
3. Driving Test

Most states and territories will have a first test known as Learners test where you will need to complete the test in local transport authorities office on the computer.

The second test, Hazard test, is also conducted in the same authorities office, and you need to analyse and assess the hazards while driving a car in a simulated environment. This test is also conducted via computer.

The third and last test is a Driving Test, where you will need to drive along with the observer, who will observe your performance while driving the car. The observer will ask you to drive a car in certain areas around their office and they also ask you to actually do certain driving tasks like parking, reversing etc.

You will usually need to book all these tests in advance and there is a fee involved with each test. Once you successfully complete all the tests, then you will be issued with a probationary or a full licence depending on your situation.

Road Rules

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Here are some common rules that you must follow in Australia in order to avoid accidents and penalties:

• Drive on the left side of the road
• Don’t drive while or after drinking
• Always wear safety belts while in the car (including passengers)
• Kids younger than 7 years must be in their own special car seats
• Don’t litter or throw anything from your car on the road
• Always carry your driving licence while driving
• Never use a mobile phone while driving
• Always be careful of speed limits and make sure to follow them

These are some basic road rules, and you will need to abide by them if you are going to drive in Australia.

If you are caught breaching of any of the mentioned rules, then you can get fined for that. The fines in Australia are very high so it is advisable to avoid as many as you can and follow these rules.

Buying a car

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If you are planning to buy a car in Australia, then you should consider the cost of buying, running and maintaining a car.

Where you can buy the car?

You can buy the used or new car from:

• Local authorised dealers
• Reseller dealers
• Private sellers
• Auctions

Additionally, many people in Australia, post their car ads online on various websites, so we suggest you to check them;

• Carsales.com.au
• Gumtree.com.au
• Drive.com
• Autotrader.com.au
• Carsguide.com.au

How to buy a car in Australia?

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We will make it easier by putting this in a few steps

• First of all, you will need to decide whether you want to buy a new or used car.
• Then decide on how much would you like to spend for buying a car (your budget). You can actually buy a used car as cheap as $2,000 in Australia.
• Then you need to do your research about the car. We suggest you to check online first to see what’s available and what fits your budget
• Then make an arrangement to view and inspect the car with the dealer or a private seller
• After inspecting and if you the car meets your requirements, then you need to formalise some paperwork
• Always get to know about the car history, any loan amount still due and known mechanical or technical issues with the car before signing anything.
• Also, it is important to ask for a car with a roadworthy certificate (which means a car is worth driving on the road without being a risk for you and other drivers).
• By law, dealers must sell the car with a roadworthy certificate, but private sellers are not obliged to, so make sure to ask for that.
• We also suggest you get a car checked by a mechanic before you decide to buy it. Most of the sellers won’t have a problem with that.
• Last but not least, after signing the paperwork, you may need to bring the documents to the local transport authorities for transfer of ownership
• You might have to pay extra costs like Stamp Duty and taxes when purchasing a car from a private seller.
• Once, all the formalities are done, then you are good to go with the car to drive.

How much will it cost me to buy, run and maintain a car?

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Owning, running and maintaining a car can be an expensive affair for overseas students. So, we suggest you really consider that you need a car before buying one.

The reason for that is not only costly but also the public transport system in Australia is very good in most of the cities. So it much easier to travel around the city and suburban areas.  

The costs of the car can be split into two main categories. These are upfront and ongoing costs of the car. 

Below you can check the average cost of owning a car in Australia per year. Source: Finder.com.au

How Much Does A Car Service Cost In Australia? 2023

Insurances

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Car insurances are required to cover any costs that may arise due to any accidents on the road which damages your car or property and the other parties There are few types of insurances you can take to cover the damage to your and other’s car and property. These are

• Compulsory third party
• Third party property
• Third party property, fire and theft
• Comprehensive

The table below shows what these insurances cover and not cover

Source: https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/life-events-and-you/under-25s/getting-a-car/ongoing-car-costs

Relevant State and Territory licencing authorities

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Also, as discussed in the video, each and every state and territory has its own set of rules and regulations regarding licencing. So please check the link of your territory and state’s motor authority in order to find more details about it.

Here is a link to all the Australian Transport Authorities in each state and territory:

State/Territory	Licencing Authority Website
Australian Capital Territory	Access Canberra
New South Wales	Transport for NSW
Northern Territory	Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics
Queensland	Department of Transport and Main Roads
South Australia	Department for Infrastructure and Transport
Tasmania	Department of State Growth
Victoria	Vic Roads
Western Australia	Department of Transport

Well, that was all about driving in Australia. Hope you find this guide on driving in Australia useful.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask in the comment sections below.

While catching a bus is a simple thing as it is but there are few things you should be mindful of when catching a bus in Australia. This guide cover details regarding everything you should know about catching a bus and having a pleasant journey in Australia. Here are the details:

Planning a Trip

It all starts with planning your journey before even you travel. It is important to understand the timetables, nearest bus stop and the routes bus may travel before you decide to get on one. We suggest you to check timetables by:

• downloading an app for your local bus/transport service in your city.
• visiting their website.
• getting a printed copy of the timetable from the local stations or sometimes even in the bus itself.
• checking the timetable at the bus stop as well.
• calling the hotline of the service provider.

Boarding the bus

Once you know the timetable and the route, we suggest you to follow these instructions

• Always be at your bus stop at least 5 mins prior to the bus arrival time
• Be sure that you can see the driver and driver can see you at the stop
• If boarding, wave at the bus driver to stop the bus
• Always let other passengers get out of the bus first before boarding
• If you need assistance, ask the driver to lend you a hand
• Some buses can be lowered down for meeting the needs of disabled and wheelchairs ramps are also available in most buses
• If the bus doesn’t stop, there is a possibility that the next one is coming in a few mins only

Recognising your bus

You can find out whether the approaching bus is the one you need to board by looking at the number and the destination displayed, usually, above the windscreen. This display shows the route number and the destination of that bus route.

If you are still unclear or there is no display of the route and the number, it is better to ask the bus driver by waving at it to stop.

Paying the fare

It is important to pay your fare while travelling on any public transport in Australia including buses. Fare evasion is an offense in Australia and you can get the penalty for not paying the fare.

Usually, the fares are charged based on the distance you travel from point A to B. If you are paying by your transport card (ticket), then make sure you have enough balance in your card before travelling.

If paying by the cash, just remember these things:

• Always bring correct change
• Tell your driver about the fare you want and
• Be ready to show your student or concession card

Understanding the ticketing system

Every state and territory have their own public transport ticketing system. In some areas, you can get away by paying cash for your fare to the driver while others you may need a card to pay the fares.

We have an infographic that tells you about the public transport ticketing system used in various cities in Australia here.

While concessions are available to all overseas students in most of the Australian cities. Major cities like Sydney and Melbourne have a restricted transport concession for overseas students. Please check the list of transport authorities to see if you are eligible to get a travel concession in your city. Links are given below.

Disabled and priority access

Most of the buses have a facility to accommodate the needs of the disabled, pregnant and travellers with children. So if you have a need to travel with pram, wheelchair, scooter, you will be welcomed to travel in the bus.

Most of the bus drivers are well trained and friendly and will be happy to accommodate any specific disability or access needs as well. Always follow the instructions of the driver in order to ensure your safety and safety of others.

Getting off the bus

Once you are approaching your stop, you will usually need to press the button in order to let the bus driver know to stop the bus. If you have to touch off your cards or tickets, make you sure you do that before getting off.

Bus drivers are not allowed to stop the bus other than the designated stops. We suggest you to keep seating until the bus comes to a complete stop. Once you get off the bus, don’t attempt to cross the road in front or behind the bus.

Health & Safety

Yours, other passengers and the bus driver’s health and safety is of prime importance. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind when travelling on a bus in Australia:

• There are CCTV cameras installed across all the buses in Australia
• In case of emergency, there are safety exit doors available to safely escape
• There is usually a fire extinguisher close to the driver’s seat in case of fire
• Make sure to hold on to railing especially when standing in the bus as sudden braking might be required in certain situations
• Always let other passengers get out of the bus first before boarding
• Bus drivers are well trained in handling various difficult situations
• If you feel threatened or unsafe, report that to the bus driver
• If it is an emergency situation, please call 000 from your phone as soon as possible
• Don’t eat or drink in the bus. It is even an offence to eat and drink in certain cities and you can get a fine for that as well.
• Drinking water is allowed though.

Lost and Found Property

If you lost something on any public transport including buses, it is best to contact the customer service office to get assistance. Lots of time people who find the lost property, give it back to the bus drivers or customer service officers at the stations. You can arrange to collect that item once found.

Same goes for it when you find someone’s property. You can give it back to bus driver or customer service officers at your nearest station.

Where to get more information

If you need more information or need to contact your local transport authority, you can find each of them given below:

Australian Capital Territory

https://www.transport.act.gov.au/

New South Wales

https://transportnsw.info/

Northern Territory

https://nt.gov.au/driving/public-transport-cycling

Queensland

https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/public/transport

South Australia

https://southaustralia.com/plan-your-trip/getting-here-and-around/

Tasmania

https://www.metrotas.com.au/

Victoria

https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/

Western Australia

https://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/

Need extra funds? It’s important to know what’s involved in applying for a loan.

Australia offers a wonderful lifestyle, and having access to extra funds could help you make the most of it all.

However, special rules apply to non-residents hoping to source a loan. For the full picture, take a look at our seven fast facts for taking out a loan in Australia.

1 Your visa matters

 When it comes to lending for, say, a car loan, restrictions apply to non-residents. The type of visa you hold matters because not every type of visa will be accepted by all lenders. In addition, the remaining term of your visa will dictate the term of your loan.

2 Lenders will want to know about your income

Lenders are required by law in Australia to be sure that you can comfortably meet the loan repayments. This being the case, a lender who will accept the terms of your visa will want to know details of your personal income.

3 There are plenty of lenders to choose from 

Over 50 banks operate in Australia as well as a large number of credit unions and building societies. 

The sheer number of lenders increases the likelihood that you may find a lender who is happy to offer a loan.

 4 It pays to shop around

The sheer number of lenders available means that it can take time to know which one is best-suited to your needs.

 Interest rates on loans vary widely too, so it’s important to shop around to find the best deal for your situation.

 5 Look at the total cost

 It can be tempting to choose the lender with the lowest interest rate. But a low rate loan can come stacked with fees including upfront fees and monthly fees.

 This highlights the need to consider the total cost of the loan, not just the rate you pay.

6 Don’t assume your own bank offers the lowest rate

 If you have an account with a foreign bank operating in Australia, it can seem like an easy option to take out a loan with this bank. However, that can mean paying more than necessary. Chances are you could get a better deal with a different lender.

 7 Mortgage brokers are loan experts

 In an unfamiliar country, it can be challenging to know how you go about applying for a loan. Even Australians can find this confusing, and that’s why many turn to a mortgage broker for professional help. In fact, 55% of home loans in Australia are arranged through a mortgage broker1.

 A broker can let you know how you stand in relation to securing loan finance. Some, like Mortgage Choice, offer a free car buying service that streamlines the process of finding a new car. For more information on how Mortgage Choice can help, click here (they even have Guides in Mandarin).

If you are an overseas student in Australia, chances are that you might be on a tight budget. Saving some money here and there can certainly help in making life easier. So we decided to create this guide in order to rescue you, so you can save money using some of the practical strategies in the various aspects of life. Before we begin, we suggest you join our Facebook Group as we post heaps of freebies there. Let’s start saving money without further delaying:

Textbook and course supplies

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• For saving money in regard to textbooks, we suggest you either borrow books from the library to study.
• But surely those books are either not available in the library or just already been loaned by someone. Then, the best bet is to buy the used/old textbooks from people who have already finished the subject.
• Usually, students post ads in university for textbooks or online in university forums or even gumtree.
• In regard to things like stationery and other course supplies, if it’s cheaper, get that from your home country.
• Otherwise, we suggest you go to Kmart and Officeworks to find cheap supplies.
• If you need to have software for your studies like Microsoft Office or Photoshop, then look out for some free alternatives you can instead of paid service. For example, you can use LibreOffice or Google Docs, Sheets or Slides instead of Microsoft Office. There are many other free open source alternatives available for the software these days, so go and search them out.

Accommodation

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• If you are renting the accommodation through a private landlord or an agent, we always suggest you to try to negotiate for a rent. Yes! You can actually do that. But be reasonable and don’t try to negotiate too hard. The worst case in negotiating nicely is that the person may say no but it is always worth trying.
• Secondly, in order to save money, try to share the house with others. If you want to save even more, then you can share a room as well.
• Even, if the landlord doesn’t want to negotiate on the rent, they might be open to discuss the share some of the bills like electricity, water, gas and internet. Try to get that included in your rental costs.
• Make sure you always compare if renting an apartment by yourself is a better option or living in student accommodation is the way to go as they usually include all the bills, furniture and some extra services like gyms, swimming pools, entertainment activities

Transport

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• If you really want to save some money on transport then you should try to find the accommodation closer to your university or institution.
• Although, sometimes it can be more expensive to live too close to the university or institution, in that case, try to buy the bike (bicycle) from Gumtree or Kmart and ride along. It is not only cheaper but a much healthier option as well.
• But if you have to choose public transport, then you should see if the student concession is available to buy the tickets or not in your state or territory you are living in Australia.
• Most of the university students are entitled to public transport concessions but again it depends on the state or territory you are studying in, so please check if that is available for you or not.
• If possible, try to use public transport in the off-peak hours as the fare costs are much cheaper than.
• We also suggest you choose your timetable in a way that you can catch public transport in the off-peak hours
• We don’t recommend overseas students to use Taxi’s as they are quite expensive in Australia. If you have to travel somewhere and no other public transport is available, then we suggest you use ride-sharing service like Uber, Ola, Didi, Taxify instead.

Groceries

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• Try to learn basic cooking so you don’t eat out too often as it can be very expensive on the pocket.
• If you cook at home, try to bring your lunch from home as it will save heaps
• Always look out for specials of the week from the major supermarkets like Woolworths, Coles and Aldi.
• Don’t forget to get those loyalty cards from the big supermarkets as they usually offer special deals and when you accumulate 2,000 points, you can claim up to $10.
• Try not to shop a lot at convenience stores like 7-eleven as they can be expensive in Australia (unless you are buying $1 coffee).
• If you want to save further 5% on groceries, then you can buy Woolworths gift cards from cash rewards or shop back and save 5% further on your grocery bills.
• Always plan ahead and cook enough for yourself and avoid wasting food at all
• If you are planning to buy your country specific items then we suggest you find out local grocery shops as they might be selling groceries cheaper than big supermarkets.
• Never go shopping on an empty stomach.
• Always make a list of items you will need to buy before you go for grocery shopping.

Clothing

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• One of the best ways to save money when buying clothes is to buy off season. So, buy winter clothes in summer and summer clothes in winters.
• Always look out for special offers, sales and deals as they are offered during certain times in a year, for example, boxing day, black friday, cyber monday, Australia day etc.
• If you are looking for specific brands then rather than going to the premium stores, you should always look for factory outlet stores, which you can find in the shopping centres like DFO’s.
• If you are on a tight budget and would still have to buy some clothes, then we suggest you to head to stores like Salvation Army, Vinnies and local op-shops for affordable and pre-loved items.
• If you are shopping online, then we suggest you use cashback websites like Cashrewards, Shopback as you can get cash back on lots of your purchases.
• Always look out for eBay promotional codes and Amazon deals for more saving online.
• You can also visit some local weekend markets and look for some inexpensive bargains there.

Bills/Utilities

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• The first saving tip for the bills is a no-brainer as it is always good to use as much as needed and switch off the items when not in use as it will do wonders for the saving those hefty bills
• Always shop around for the best possible deal for things like electricity, gas, internet and mobile phone plans. Use government websites to compare and save on gas and electricity.
• There are plenty of websites to compare and save money for your utility, internet and mobile phone bills.
• If you are using mobile plan and it is up for renewal, then we suggest you to tell your current provider that you will take the business to other providers if they don’t offer a better or cheaper deal. This strategy can also work for the internet provider and utility providers also.
• Unless you are on a plan or contract, changing providers are usually very easy and simple. We recommend you switching providers if you get a better deal elsewhere (No hard feelings!)

Banking

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• If you work and have saved up some money, then look for a bank that offers the best interest rates.
• Typically, the big 4 banks don’t give the best interest rates, so we suggest you shop around and find out the best rates for your hard earned money.
• As a student, you shouldn’t be paying any account keeping fees
• Avoid credit cards as they usually carry yearly costs and the interest rates can be very high if you don’t pay back in time.
• If you are transferring money from overseas to Australia or vice versa, check the exchange rates, fees, minimum and maximum amounts you send/receive and see if the banks or other money transfer ways works out better for you.

Eating out

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• Always look out for deals, special offers, there are lots of websites like Groupon, Scoopon and apps like Liven which can help you save heaps on eating out.
• Lots of places especially close to the university campuses will have deals on for the students regularly.
• Tips are not necessary in Australia, so you don’t need to tip and save some money there.
• Avoid eating out on the weekend as it can be hard to find special deals and offers as restaurants are usually busy.
• If you are celebrating your birthday, you can check out these deals and pretty much eat out for Free for few days around your birthday. (Make sure to sign up for the services at least a month before your birthday)

Haircuts and grooming

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• Look out for some training schools as they might need hair models for their training purposes.
• If you want to go to Salon, then find out about their weekly specials. Usually, prices for the haircut are cheaper during the weekdays.
• Students also usually get discounts for the haircut, so don’t forget to ask for that before the cut.

Gym Memberships

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• Look up for promotions and offers available in the gyms around your area.
• If you are studying in university or TAFE, chances are they may have gyms available on the campus itself.
• Make use of the free trails available as usually there are gyms offering for people to sign up.
• Use friend’s referrals as you both might be getting benefit or rewards for the signup.
• There are plenty of parks, gardens available in Australia for jogging, running and general fitness, and you don’t need to pay anything for that
• Look for some free community fitness classes in your local area by joining some Facebook groups.

Night outs

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• Always bring cash only when going out in the night.
• Leave your debit/credit cards at home as it will allow you to stay within your budgets if you just bring cash only.
• Use public transport instead of your own car and taxies.
• If you are going for drinks, start at home as it will save you heaps.
• Enter the nightclub nice and early as the fees for most nightclubs increase after 11.
• Never withdraw money at Casino, nightclubs or bar ATMs as they tend to charge high fees.
• And if you don’t have money at all, then stay home. 

Movies

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• Always watch a movie during off-peak hours (usually morning sessions and weekday nights).
• Tuesday tends to be the cheapest day for watching movies in cinema.
• Look out 2 for 1 deals from various providers or Groupon.
• If you like watching movies too often then keeping that Netflix subscription ($9.99) might be the way to go

If you liked this article, then you might also want to check our article on Back to Uni essentials (with free checklist included) here.