Life in Australia

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.

Update: Due to COVID19 some previously mentioned restaurants are closed. We have removed them from the list and added new ones. We have also updated the location, opening hours and pricing of all of the existing restaurants on this list.

Every single cent counts while studying in Australia as an overseas student, so we decided to start a new blog series of cheap eats in various student cities in Australia. To begin with, we will be taking you guys to Melbourne and its cheap eats under $10 for lunch and dinner.

Ok! We all know that those typical fast-food chains (Macca’s, HJ, Dominos, and KFC) can conquer all the top spots, so we have factored in few things in this deciding these top 5 cheap eats.

The main consideration we have given in deciding these top 5 cheap eats:

 ✅ It must be for or under $10

 ✅ Food must be on the healthier side

 ✅ It must in Melbourne CBD

 ✅ Good reviews

 ✅ Very Important – Tasty (Fine! We let you decide that)

1. Crossways

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📌 Location: 147 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000

⏰ Opening Hours: 11.30am – 8.00pm (Sunday Closed)

🍽 Cuisine: Indian

⭐ Google Reviews: 4.7/5 (from 1419 reviews)

First on our list is Crossways which without a doubt tops a list with all you can eat vegan and vegetarian food for just 7.50 (if you are a student or concession cardholder) or 9.50 for everyone else. They serve the delicious curry with rice, pappadum, and a mouth-watering dessert and a drink. Don’t miss out on their Custard Halva Dessert. Yum!

When it comes to value and taste, you can’t beat Crossways and that’s why they are on top of our list. In case, you have no money left in your pocket, they have a temple in St. Kilda which offers free meals every single day of the year. It is a 20- 25 minute tram journey from the city but if you have nothing else left in the pocket at least you don’t need to starve yourself.

2. Om Vegetarian

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📌 Location/s: Shop 4-5/227 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000

⏰ Opening Hours: 11am – 8pm

🍽 Cuisine: Indian

⭐ Google Reviews: 4.0/5 (from 1554 reviews)

The second restaurant serving also all you can eat Indian vegetarian restaurant is Om Vegetarian. They serve you with two curries, rice and a bread soft naan bread in a Thali plate for just $9.90. The food is yummy and you can refill it as many times as you like also. The major difference between om vegetarian and crossways is the naan bread.

They have many outlets in the city, so you easily find one of their restaurants near you. If you don’t have any money, then they also offer a free meal between 3pm to 5pm on their 113 Swanston Street restaurant. If you like vegan or vegetarian food, then you should check our complete survival guide on it. 

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3. Soi 38

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📌 Location: 38 Mcilwraith Pl, Melbourne VIC 3000

⏰ Opening Hours: 11am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm

🍽 Cuisine: Thai

⭐ Google Reviews: 4.3/5 (from 961 reviews)

One of the most popular place for the students and locals to eat out cheap in Melbourne is Soi 38 restaurant. All the noodle soup bowls are $10 (right on our targeted budget). Some of the popular items on the menu include: Boat noodles with Beef, Pork and Vegetarian Thai Laksa. Decent portion sizes means it is a win-win for any student to save few dollars on the eating out.

You might be surprised with a location of this restaurant as well as you will be eating in the corner of a city car park. (Oops, did we let the hidden secret place out).

4. Nelayan

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📌 Location: 265 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000

⏰ Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm

🍽 Cuisine: Indonesian

⭐ Google Reviews: 4.2/5 (from 1119 reviews)

Home-cooked food with a variety of options to choose from the exotic Indonesian cuisines, Nelayan makes in our top 5 list. You can try dishes from popular Indonesian provinces which offer you lots of varieties like Beef Rendang, Sate Padang, Pempek, Nasi Goreng, Mie Goreng, Gado Gado, Soto Betawi and many more dishes for less than $10.

You must try Beef Rendang from the buffet for your spice cravings.  For those who don’t know “Nelayan” means Fisherman in Indonesian.

5. Udon Yasan

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📌 Location/s: 186 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 and 187 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

⏰ Opening Hours: 11.30 am – 8.30 pm

🍽 Cuisine: Japanese

⭐ Google Reviews: 4.3/5 (from 1287 reviews)

Another Japanese restaurant makes to our list of Top 5, but this one is more for those who feel like noodles. Udon Yasan offers rice bowl sets starting from merely $5 in the heart of Melbourne CBD.

Their fried chicken is absolutely incredible. Once you get your Udon, head to the free topping station to add some extra flavors and make sure to try their variety of teas from their free drink station. Seriously! Can’t ask for a better value.

6. B3 Café

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📌 Location/s: 15 Centre Pl, Melbourne VIC 3000 and  2/353 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000

⏰ Opening Hours: Usually 8.00 am – 3.30 pm (Weekends closed)

🍽 Cuisine: Pattiserie

⭐ Google Reviews: 4.6/5 (from 97 reviews)

This is one hidden gem in the center of Melbourne CBD. You will have to be the one exploring Melbourne’s lane way culture in order to find it. Right in the middle of Centre Pl, you will find huge lines during lunch time and that is for this little tiny takeaway only café.

They have some serious variety of fresh baguettes, from roast chicken to smoked salmon, Salami to vegetarian baguettes. You can’t go wrong with the pricing as well. The smaller baguette costs $6.50 and large one costs only $9. Apart from Baguettes, they got croissants, rice papers and cakes as well. Yum!

If you are a vegetarian, then our recommendation is Eggplant Schnitzel (Our favourite).

7. La Petite Creperie

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📌 Location/s: Swanston St CBD, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 Australia (Opposite Melbourne Townhall)

⏰ Opening Hours: Weekday – 4pm to Late, Weekends – 2/3pm to Late

🍽 Cuisine: French

⭐ Google Reviews: 4.6/5 (from 365 reviews)

If you are walking on Swanston street in the Melbourne CBD, you can’t miss this tiny kiosk. We mean it literally.

The aroma of fresh French Crêpes will entice you and once you are around, you won’t be going without taking one of them.

The plain crêpes start from $5 onwards, but you can add toppings to make them Savory or Sweet. The best part is that it is made fresh on-demand, so you know that you are always getting a fresh deal under $10.

8. Seoul Toast Bong

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📌 Location/s: 551 Little Lonsdale Street, Shop 6, Melbourne CBD, VIC 3000

⏰ Opening Hours: Monday to Friday (10 am to 6.00 pm), Saturday (10 am – 2.30 pm)

🍽 Cuisine: Korean

⭐ Google Reviews: 4.8/5 (from 209 reviews)

Next on the list is a popular Korean food chain, Seoul Toast Bong. This place is known for their yummy toasties with their signature egg-range starting from just $7.50.

There are plenty of other items on the menu under $10, so you will find something to please everyone.

9. Udon Izakaya Maedaya

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📌 Location/s: 168-174 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000

⏰ Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday (12pm – 3 pm), (5 pm – 10 pm)

🍽 Cuisine: Japanese

⭐ Google Reviews: 4.5/5 (from 624 reviews)

While on Bourke street, you can easily miss this restaurant as the entry seems quite small and usually the door is closed.

But once you are inside, it is a buzzing place with plenty of options for under $10. This place (as the name suggests) serves Udon as their specialty, and you can find some of the Udon bowls under $10.

You can get these Udon hot or cold; the choice is yours. Also look out for some lunch specials during weekdays as well.

10. Asia Unique Cafe & Tavern

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📌 Location/s: 108 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000

⏰ Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11 am to 8.30 pm

🍽 Cuisine: Thai

⭐ Google Reviews: 4.2/5 (from 77 reviews)

Tucked away in the corner of Food Court, this Thai restaurant serves spicy food with cold drinks.

While many menu items are just over $10, there are few you can try under $10 as well. Some of them include their popular soups like Tom Yum, Pork or Beef Soup, etc.

Most of the other menu items are under $15, so it is still quite manageable. Plus it is in a big food court, so you can easily find a seat to eat as well.

🍴So, have you been to any of these restaurants as we mentioned on the list?

Which restaurants do you go to when eating out in Melbourne? Let us know in the comments section below. If you find any restaurant closed or not falling under $10 mark, feel free to DM us via Instagram.

If you are visiting Adelaide, then you definitely want to check our Top Cheap Eats there too.

Plus, if you are willing to learn more about studying in Melbourne, we have a detailed guide about it on this page.

Summer break is Here!

This is usually that time of the year when the days are longer and warmer and if you are in university or studying vocational programs, you might be enjoying a full semester break from studies.

If you are stuck with some ideas on what to do this summer break, we have got you covered in this list of things that you can do over the summer holidays.

Let’s begin:

1. Travel

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First and the one obvious choice is to travel around. After hectic last weeks in the semester, you definitely deserve a break. And what can be a better way than just to take some time out and travel around.

Now with travelling, you got two options: first is to travel within Australia and the second is to travel around other countries.

Travelling within Australia – As you already know, how beautiful this country is and we travelling within our own backyard is one of the best Aussie things to do. You can travel around your city areas, suburban areas or some local tourist attractions. You can also travel interstate and visit other cities and attractions. We have plenty of things to see and do in each state and territory, so you will never run out of options.

Get a few friends together, hire a van or a car and go for a long road trip ( a highly recommended activity).  If you don’t feel like driving then you can always catch a flight, though the prices in summer can be on the higher side. Depending on your location, there are many world-class attractions that you can visit, eg, Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Opera House, and Harbour Bridge, Uluru, Great Ocean Road, Fraser Island, Cradle Mountain, Rottnest Island, Broome etc.

Travelling outside Australia – Since lots of overseas students come to study in Australia and plan to return after their studies, the summer break can present an excellent opportunity to travel to Australia’s neighboring countries like New Zealand, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Fiji. Make sure to check the visa requirements for your passport before you decide to book any holidays.

If you plan to travel overseas, we recommend you to check on the Australian government’s official website (www.smartraveller.gov.au) for travelling advice. Although made for Aussie travellers, this website still has lots of good content for any traveller willing to travel around the globe.

2. Visit family back home 

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If you are just too exhausted after assessments and exams and need to see family and missing home food too much then visiting your family back home might be the way to go for you this summer semester.

Get some well-deserved rest, eat mum cooked food, catch up with old mates ( and make sure to tell them how cool studying in Australia is) and most importantly see your loved ones back home.

3. Work 

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As an overseas student in Australia, you are allowed to work 40 hours per fortnight but did you know that you are allowed to work an unlimited number of hours in your school holidays? Well, for some student’s this is the perfect time to start looking for some part-time work and some student’s look for even full-time work during this time. Usually, during summer breaks, there are plenty of opportunities available for part-time work in hospitality, sales, and retail sectors. We suggest you check some jobs available for international students on websites like Seek, Adzuna, and Gumtree.

Work in Australia

4. Learn a new skill

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If you are not planning to work much or at all, then learning a new skill can be the way to go for you. A whole summer semester can be enough time to develop a new skill. Skills like cooking, public speaking, photography, swimming, coding, musical instrument, basic software skills can be learned in a month. Don’t believe us?

Check this video out yourself. You can actually get better in lots of things in just 20 hours.

5. Learn a new language 

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We are keeping this one separate from learning a new skill (although some of you might say learning a language is also a skill but we want to keep it separate as by learning a skill, we meant hands-on skills :P). Since Australia is such a multicultural country and you can meet people from all around the world. Why not take this time to learn a new language.

You can actually do this with one of your very own friends and you can teach other your own language’s, (assuming you also already know a language other than English). But if you can’t find a friend to teach a language or they are all too busy then apps like duolingo can be a good way to learn a new language or find some language buddies in language exchange events like Lingos in your city.

6. Pick a new Hobby 

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At some point in time on holidays, you might be feeling bored. Then it might a good time to pick up some new hobbies. Try some of the hobbies like dancing, painting, gardening or pick something that interests you more.

There might be some event or workshops happening around some of the hobbies, we suggest you check with your local library or Tafe’s for them. Some of them are even Free.

7. Volunteering 

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Well it is rightly said that if you do a good karma, it will come back to you. We define volunteering as a good karma. Look for some volunteer opportunities around your local community. There is always a need for some volunteers in most of the religious and charitable organisations.

If you still can’t find then we suggest you check out the www.volunteer.com.au. You never know who you meet at these volunteering places, you might even be working with a CEO from a company you always wanted to work with? You really never know.

8. Celebrate Christmas and New Year 

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Summer in Australia means Christmas and new year time. As you already know that our summer runs opposite than the countries in the northern hemisphere, Christmas is not too white here. Christmas is usually celebrated very differently in Australia.

Most of the people head to the beach for the barbeques on the Christmas day, so why not try to celebrate Christmas in Aussie style. Also, the Australian New Year celebrations (especially Sydney) are world famous. Check out this video to believe it yourself. This is one of the lifetime opportunity and we highly recommend it. Other capital cities also have amazing fireworks, so don’t feel sad if you miss out Sydney’s fireworks.

The Ultimate Guide to Christmas Season in Australia for International Students

9. Do an online course 

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 Ok, not sure how many of you would like to hear the word “Study” in the semester break but this is something that students would like to do part-time. Maybe go and attend some short online courses to learn new things.

You can actually do some free online learning these days via websites like www.open2study.com, www.alison.com, www.coursera.org and you can also do a paid online courses on a website like www.udemy.com as well. There are plenty of other websites you can jump and learn online these days, so go can google “Free online course” to find them out.

10. Watch a live cricket match 

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Summer also means cricket in Australia. For some of the people, it seems crazy to play a match for five days and not get a result but it is a thing in cricket. Ok, we understand that you may not be willing to commit full 5 days to watch cricket, if so, then there is a shorter version of this game you might like to try, known as 20 20 cricket, which runs around 3 hours and 99% of the time gets results.

We suggest you bring a mate with you who can explain what’s going on in the match.

11. Start a business

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 This is very interesting as there is no rule that says that an International student cannot run a business in Australia. So starting an online business or a small business might be the way to go.

Do some research and learn some business skills before you decide to jump on the “hustling” ride as you might need to commit some time during the semester as well if you decide to run it for good. The easiest way to start selling things online these days is Shopify.

Detailed Guide: Starting a Business in Australia as an International Student

12. Start writing a blog 

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Start writing something that interest you or you have a hobby in. Whatever the topic you may choose, you can write your heart out about it on your blog. We suggest you choose a theme and follow that theme when writing a blog. You can start writing blogs for free these days using services like wordpress, and weebly

If you want, you can also become a YouTube or Social media influencer. We have got that covered in our guide here: https://overseasstudentsaustralia.com/how-to-become-a-youtuber-in-australia/

13. Read Books 

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 “Books and then my parents” If you ever heard about Elon Musk,(aka the savior of the human race) then you probably know how much he loves reading books and he is pretty much self-taught in all the fields he is currently involved in.

Now, we don’t expect you to become Elon Musk suddenly but we are suggesting that you can read some books in the summer break. And these books don’t have to be your typical uni textbooks but can be anything from motivation to biographies, from fiction to novels.

14. Catch-up with friends 

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There is no better time than summer to catch up with some of your friends. You can spend longer time outdoors as we have long summer days, so perfect excuse to see those friends who you haven’t met for a while or catch up for a longer time with the friends who you have just seen for 5 minutes every day in last few weeks.

15. Declutter your life 

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Being a minimalist is the way of life that lots of people are adopting these days. So why not start looking at your room or apartment and see what things you really need and what things you haven’t. If you are not sure whether to keep a thing with you or not, then you should take a mountain test.

16. Develop a career plan 

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Unless you already have a very organised plan for your career, It might be the time to sit back and rethink your career strategy. Look at your past achievements, assess how did you go and set your new goals for the upcoming semester or even better for your next few years to come.

We suggest you to write down your goals and make sure to include the timelines to achieve. At the end of each semester or study period, you can sit down and analyse how did you go with your semester goals. Remember, if you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it. 

17. Catch up on those Netflix shows 

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We really didn’t need to tell you this as you are at an expert level at this but we just thought to keep this in the list. You never know, if you forgot about all the shows you were planning to watch it during your summer break after the exams.

Just reminding.

18. Develop healthy eating habits 

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Well, we all know that one new year’s resolution where we commit ourselves to go to the gym and yes we do start going to a gym for a week or so and as soon as we see our friends going to eat those lovely pancakes,  then there go that healthy lifestyle habits out of the window.

Developing a healthy lifestyle doesn’t mean only going to a gym but also eating healthy. There is no better time to develop a new healthy eating lifestyle than the summer break. So look for some healthy alternatives to your daily routine.

Can you replace those Nutella packed toasts with a smoothie? Sure you can!

There is always a healthy alternative to our diets. Fine, you can enjoy that sweet tooth once in a while still while enjoying healthy eating habits for the rest of the time.

19. Take up the summer semester 

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Last but not the least, if you have no plans at all or don’t feel like doing to any of the things we listed above, there is an opportunity to take up that summer semester and complete your course earlier. We don’t know why would you do that but it is certainly an option for you if you plan to do nothing else.

Well, here you go with all the things we think you might be able to do during the upcoming summer break. Are you planning to do any of these activities during the holidays or planning to do something else. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. We would love to hear your thoughts.