Some of you might have received the email that looks something like this from Optus:

Or else you must have heard about the recent news about Optus data breach and might be wondering what that is and how it affects you as an international student.

And more importantly, what can you do about it?

So in this article, we are going to give insights into what is the whole saga about Optus Data Breach, and what does Optus Data Breach mean for international students?

What is Optus Data Breach?

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On 22nd September 2022, Optus revealed that they have been subject to a massive data breach with exposing personal data of nearly 10 million customers.

The attacker who identified himself as “Optusdata” in an online forum asked for $1 million in cryptocurrencies in ransom or else threatening to release the data on the dark web.

But later this attacker seems to have a “change of heart”, and apologies for the trouble it caused to Optus and its customers.

This was not before he claimed to have released the data of 10,000 customers on the dark web already. 

What data is believed to be stolen?

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Some of the data that has been stolen include:

• Name of the customers
• Their Date of Birth
• Their Phone Numbers
• Their Email address
• Their Home Addresses

Many customers are believed to have their ID details stolen as well including:

• Passport Details
• Driving License Details
• Medicare Details

It is obviously very concerning for everyone as so much personal data has been relieved that it can be used for multiple crimes and other illegal activities like terrorism, identity theft, frauds etc.

Imagine a whole amount of loan taken under your name when you are not even aware of it. And this is just one scenario.

Steps international students can take?

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Here are a few things that you can do to help protect yourself from this data breach:

• Immediately change your email passwords and use double authentication, if available. 
• Notify any financial institution like banks or lenders about it if data has been breached. Change your bank account details. Ask for a new card. Change PIN.
• Report to the relevant providers if something suspicious happens on your account. 
• Ask to put extra measures like putting a special secret code with other important institutions like your insurance company, telco providers etc.
• Notify your university about the data breach as well, so they can assist and know if anyone tries to use your personal information.
• Don’t click on emails that look suspicious or spammy, especially if it seems to be coming from Optus. Make sure to check the email address before clicking or replying.
• If you are getting calls from some organisations to pay bills or fines, don’t reply and disconnect immediately. You can call back the organisation to confirm if they are really after a payment from you
• If your ID has been revealed during the breach, then you can apply to renew the ID document. (We explain that below)

What assistance is available from Optus and the Australian and State governments?

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Optus would have emailed you by now if your data has been breached. We suggest you check your inbox (or spam folder) just to confirm it.

The email would have notified you if your data has been breached and if your personal ID like passport details or driving license number has been compromised.

Optus has also announced that it will give access to a 12-month subscription to the Equifax Protect, credit monitoring and identity protection service.

Assistance for your Driving License change 

As it is likely that you might have given a Driving License as your ID when signing up for Optus and if that’s compromised, then you should apply to get a new one.

Many states have come to help with issuing new licenses to the affected customers whose Driving License might have been compromised and providing free replacement to all those whose license was compromised.

You can check the details on how you can change it from each of these states here:

• Australian Capital Territory 
• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• Queensland 
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Victoria
• Western Australia

You can check more details about it on the Optus website as well.

Assistance for your Passport change

It has also been announced that Optus will pay the fee for the renewal of any Australian passport holders. 

But it won’t help international students as they don’t carry Australian passports and most of them might have given their Passport as their ID to Optus.

In that case, you might need to speak to your local consulate office in Australia from your home country and discuss how you can replace the passport.

We also suggest you reach out to Optus to reimburse any costs involved in changing the passport. 

Assistance for your Medicare change

Some students who might have access to Medicare and got their Medicare accessed in the breach, can apply to renew the medicare card through mygov account. 

Complaints

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If your data has been breached, and you wish to raise a complaint about privacy, then you can make it with Optus.

You can also lodge a complaint with the Telecommunication Ombudsman if you can’t resolve the issue with Optus here.  

Food is one of the biggest expenses after accommodation in Australia, and over the last few months the cost of living has been rising rather high.

In this article we are going to talk about some key money-saving tips on grocery bills in Australia.

1. Sign Up for Loyalty Programs

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There are four major supermarkets in Australia

• Woolworths
• Coles
• IGA
• ALDI

Woolworths and Coles being the most popular supermarket.

If you are going to shop at one of these supermarkets, which is either Woolworths or Coles, it makes sense for you to sign up for their loyalty program.

Most popular supermarket loyalty cards:

• Woolworths – Everyday Rewards 
• Coles – Flybuys.

Once you sign up for these loyalty programs, every time you scan your loyalty cards when shopping you get some points, and once you have collected a certain number of points, you get some rewards back.

For example, if you are shopping at Coles and you scan loyalty card regularly and get around 2000 points while shopping, you can get up to $10 back as a reward.

It may not seem like a lot, but if you are shopping there anyway, then it just makes sense that you save some money by signing up for these loyalty programs.

Plus, they usually send some special deals and offers for people who sign up for these loyalty programs.

And again, these programs are free to sign up for, so the question is: Why Not?

2. Wait For Weekly Specials

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All the major supermarkets in Australia always release their weekly specials.

Every week they come up with new bargains, discounts, deals, and offers.

If you are planning to buy things, it might be worthwhile for you to go through these weekly catalogs. If the item you really want to buy is not available this week, the chances are that it might be available in next week’s special.

It makes perfect sense to wait for those weekly specials and then plan your shopping accordingly.

Check our popular guide on student discounts in Australia here

3. Buy Generics or Home Brands

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Most of us prefer to buy branded items, but when it comes to certain items like sugar, salt or cleaning products, it makes sense to buy some generic brands or home brands.

These home brands or generic brands pretty much have the same quality product but just cheaper than branded ones.

The only difference is that they are made by the supermarket and are usually packed in very basic packaging, and they turn out to be cheaper than the branded products in many items.

If you are thinking well, the quality can be an issue, then consider that these supermarkets won’t be able to sell things that are not consumable or are dangerous to consume.

So it can be said that these home brands or generic brands are safe to use.

They’re just cheaper because they may use lower quality ingredients as compared to the very expensive high-quality branded products.

4. Use Gift Cards Instead of Cash

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Instead of cash, you can look for some discounted gift cards.

If you are a member of certain organisations like RACV, Optus, AGL etc., they may have some special deals for buying these gift cards.

For example, being a member of RACV insurance entitles you to a 4% discount on Woolworths gift cards.

In essence, you can buy these gift cards and then use them instead of cash to do your grocery shopping, saving you 4%.

There are services like CashRewards and ShopBack, which are basically cash back services that give you cash back on your gift card purchases as well.

These cash backs can range from 2% to 5%, and they occasionally have special offers.

Signing up for these services is free, and if you sign up using these services for cashback or rewards for the first time, then you can get some referral bonus as well.

Sign up for Shop Back here :

https://app.shopback.com/zKZrSeoc9qb 

Sign up for Cash Rewards here:

https://bit.ly/3BkXFay

Make sure to follow all the steps in the apps to get a referral bonus.

5. Shop In The Evening Time

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If you can go shopping in the evening instead of morning, that would be great.

The reason is that some fresh produce and bakery items usually get discounted at this time of the day, that you usually won’t see in the morning.

The thing is, supermarkets need to clear some of these items by the end of the day because they are not as fresh as they were in the morning, so they’ve to put some special prices in order to clear these items out.

If you’re not fussy about the highest quality possible, then these clearance items are pretty good to eat as well.

6. Look For The Clearance Section

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Some supermarkets have started creating specific aisles for clearance items.

Before you shop around, make sure you look for this clearance section and see if any item you really want to buy is available there.

If you’re not sure, you can ask one of the team members if they have a specific clearance section in the supermarket.

7. Check out Ozbargain regularly

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You should definitely sign up and check this website, ozbargain.com.au

This is one of the most popular websites for finding deals in Australia. We check not only for grocery shopping, but for other shopping items as well.

They usually have information on what the weekly specials are and some specific specials available from online retailers as well.

Just a word of caution, the website is very addictive as you will keep checking it regularly for deals.

8. Make a shopping list before going grocery shopping

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Create a shopping list before heading to the supermarket.

It will not only save you time for your shopping, but also will help in staying focused on what you need to buy, rather than just choosing random items on the shelves.

You can download shopping list apps on your phone or generally, supermarket apps have inbuilt shopping lists as well.

Read 60+ money saving tips for students here

9. Check your fridge and pantry before heading shopping

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There are chances that some items are just hidden behind other items or available in your pantry or in the fridge, so you don’t need to buy them again.

10. Don’t go grocery shopping on an empty stomach

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Going for the grocery shopping with an empty stomach is a very bad thing.

As you tend to buy more items than you need when going on an empty stomach. Usually you will end up buying more snacks than actual ingredients as well.

11. Bring your own bag from home

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If you’re going to buy bags from the supermarket, it will cost you some extra dollars.

Bringing your own bag is not only an environment friendly act, but also pocket friendly as well. 

12. If possible, buy in bulk

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If you’re living in shared accommodation, it might be worthwhile for you to buy in bulk rather than buy single items, because sometimes buying in bulk means saving you additional money.

If you are living in Australia and you do your grocery shopping on a weekly, monthly or whatever basis, we would love to hear from you as well.

What other tips do you have for others to save some money on their grocery bill?

Australia is one of the top most study abroad destinations worldwide. The country provides quality education, post-study work opportunities, friendly culture, and exotic locations, thus, making millions of international students aspire to study here.

However, settling in a faraway place can be pretty challenging in the first few months. On this note, you must be wondering about all the options available for your accommodation in the country!

To give you a sigh of relief, there are plenty of student housing options in Australia! Check out this article to learn about all 11 student accommodation options for international students in Australia, so you can select the one that meet your needs!

Residential College

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Cost: $110 to $280 per week

In Australia, a residential college is an on-campus accommodation near or sometimes inside a university. Thus, eliminating the burden of commuting long distances to reach university and making the overall experience of your university life safe and convenient.

In this type of accommodation, both the students and the staff reside together. Moreover, residential colleges offer you various services, such as food, laundry, cleaning, etc., so that you can comfortably study and spend your time in the country.

Another benefit of choosing this accommodation is to experience on-campus living, which comes with many perks. It is especially recommended for first-year students to get acquainted with the university culture and bond with other students. Besides, you can even access the Wi-Fi, library, and study room anytime while staying there!

Homestay

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Cost: $235 to $325 per week

Homestay is perfect for international students who have never travelled or stayed alone in a foreign location. It provides the home-like comfort many students crave after arriving in Australia.

Moreover, it is perfect for closely observing and integrating into Australian culture. You can learn about the local way of life, participate in community events, and improve your English.

A homestay program will provide you with a well-furnished room and take care of all your needs, such as food, laundry, and cleaning. Moreover, the cost of utilities is included in the rent; thus, you don’t have to fret over paying separate bills. However, the cost of the homestay varies depending on the room type and whether it is shared or single.

Generally, overseas students choose homestays for 1-2 months, and later, they shift into private accommodation near their universities. Nevertheless, you can stay for a bit longer, like the whole year, if you wish to.

Halls of Residence

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Cost: $320 to $1000 per Month

In Australia, halls of residence are owned by the educational institution or in partnership with a private company. These huge buildings with furnished rooms house over a hundred students and are usually located on the campus or close to it. Thus, making it easier for students to commute safely and quickly to the university.

In these residence halls, students share amenities–such as a study space, a kitchen, and sometimes even a bathroom. Moreover, you don’t have to pay bills separately as the utility cost includes the rent.

Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA)

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Cost: $200 to $500 per week

PBSA is one of Australia’s most popular off-campus accommodation options. These are alternatives to residence halls constructed by private developers near universities.

Although each student will get a fully furnished room, they will have to share the kitchen and bathroom with others. Moreover, they also provide impressive amenities like a gym, TV room, game room, etc. These places can be both self-catered or catered, and the cost of utilities is included in the rent.

Private Rental

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Cost: Rental: $165 to $500 per week; Shared Rental: $95 to $215 per week

In Australia, private rentals are generally referred to as renting an apartment. You can choose to rent together with other students or can stay alone. However, these are one of the costliest accommodation options, so you should consider renting an apartment with your friends, not alone!

Private rentals are usually suitable for students who want to live independently without the rules and regulations–which is not the case in on-campus living. Moreover, this accommodation is self-catered, and the cost of utilities may or may not be present in the rent. That means you might have to pay separate monthly bills for electricity, gas, etc.

You can even take assistance from your university to provide you with a list of verified landlords and letting agents. Remember, you must go through the entire tenancy agreement before signing it. It will help you become aware of your rights as a tenant and allow you to make changes in the document if you find something irrelevant.

Hostel Accommodation

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Cost: $90 to $150 per week

Hostels are an incredibly affordable accommodation option, generally picked by international students pursuing short courses in Australia. Besides, international students also prefer to stay in these hostels–usually for a concise duration–until they find permanent accommodation in the country.

There are two types of hostels available in Australia:

• Classic Hostels: These are renowned for providing high-quality accommodation services. Students get well-furnished rooms and access to shared facilities, such as a kitchen, lounge area, etc. Moreover, within this category, you can find different ranges of services like excellent, good, or average!

• Backpacker Hostels: You will find a vibrant yet relaxed atmosphere here. Depending on your budget, either you can go for the exclusive services package that includes complimentary breakfast, airport pickups, etc., or you can stick with the basic services package.

Boarding House

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Cost: $100 to $250 per week

In Australia, a boarding house is a type of residential accommodation where international students can rent a single room or a sleeping spot in a shared room in a house. They are affordable and can be rented for both the short and long term.

Each tenant has a separate lease agreement with the landlord but shares facilities like a bathroom, kitchen, etc. Moreover, you might avail of services like laundry and cleaning, so you have to check with your landlord.

Rooming House

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Cost: $100 to $250 per week

Generally, people think of boarding houses and rooming houses as the same, but they are not entirely similar. Both establishments are multi-tenant where rooms are rented out individually but have joint facilities like bathroom and kitchen.

However, one main difference is that rooming houses only provide rental of rooms. In contrast, boarding houses offer both lodging and meal services, and sometimes, additional facilities like laundry and maid service.

A rooming house is one of the low-cost accommodation options provided and owned by landlords in Australia, where you can rent a room on a temporary or long-term basis.

Staying with Your Relatives or Friends

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Cost: Free or as per your agreement with family or friends

When we move abroad, we always check if anyone in our family or friends is already living there. Well, it will be icing on the cake if you are fortunate enough to have someone in your social circle residing in Australia who wouldn’t mind you shifting with them.

Besides having a home away from home, you will enjoy a few other perks of living with your friends or family in Australia, such as:

• They can help you better adjust to the new environment by making you acquainted with the city, its culture, people, nearby places, etc.

• You will have a home-like comfort, enjoy home-cooked meals, spend your time with familiar faces, etc.

• If you have close relative or friend living in Australia, then sometimes, you can even enjoy a completely free accommodation.

Working as an Au Pair for Accommodation

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Cost: Usually Free

An au pair is a person, generally a female, from a foreign country who works and lives with a host family. They are responsible for childcare and some housework, and in return, they get food, accommodation, and a monthly stipend.

Most Australian families need support to care for their children, so they hire nannies or au pairs for the job. If you have previous childcare experience, then it will be an excellent opportunity to secure free accommodation and earn some money while studying in Australia. However, you must ensure your working hours do not collide with your university schedule.

Crisis & Emergency Accommodation

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Cost: Usually Free

Crisis & emergency accommodation aims to remove people dealing with a harmful environment or situation like homelessness (or at risk of it), domestic violence, etc. and place them in a safe and secure environment.

While in Australia, if you ever find yourself in such a situation, you can contact the nearest crisis center, and their staff will help arrange emergency or crisis accommodation for you.

One of the most popular resources to find these service is Ask Izzy

Conclusion

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Living as an international student in an exotic location like Australia is nothing less than an exciting adventure. On top of that, finding suitable and safe lodging can make your entire stay more wholesome in the country!

Also, before you begin your academic journey in the country, you must plan your accommodation on time to avoid the struggle of finding the right student home at the eleventh hour. This approach will save you from high rents and housing scams as well.

So whether you are looking for student accommodation in Sydney or student accommodation in Perth, book the property as soon as you know which university in Australia you will be attending!

Do you need help finding accommodation abroad?

Amber serves millions of students worldwide by providing the best and most budget-friendly options for booking accommodation. You can contact us to know more, and our team will assist you through the entire process of finding your student housing at your preferred location.

The Australian Football League is one of the most popular sports in Australia, second only to Cricket.

If you are an expat living in Australia or just visiting or international student, it can be difficult to understand the rules and how the game is played.

In this Beginner’s Guide to AFL, we will break down all the important terms and go over some basic strategies to help you gain a better understanding of AFL.

A brief history of AFL

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Actual origins of the Australian Football League are still a matter of debate. Although, here is a quick rundown of the history of this sport as we know.

Australian Rules football, more commonly known as AFL, is a sport which was created in Melbourne, Victoria in 1858.

Three different Melbourne schools competed in a number of football matches in the cold of 1858. These contests are said to be the very first official Australian Rules football games. Regular games in Melbourne started in 1859 after a set of AFL rules had been developed.

By the 1870s, audiences of up to 10,000 people were attending the distinctively Australian sport. The contest became a national sport.

The game may have drawn some of its inspiration from an indigenous game and Irish Gaelic football. However, the game was mostly modelled by the game of football used in English public education.

Various schools had different football regulations. This meant that a lot of effort was spent deciding which set of rules would be applied when games took place between schools.

AFL- Single Set of Rules

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It was in May, 1859 when the AFL-single set of rules was drafted by Thomas Wills and 6 other members from Melbourne Cricket Club.

In accordance with these regulations, which were revised throughout the course of the following ten years, a player might hold the ball and kick it at any moment, but they were not permitted to toss it.

Additionally, in order to score a goal, the ball must be booted through the net rather than carried.

How Was the Game Organised?

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Workplaces, schools and churches established their own football teams. Games were initially played in parks. But football had begun to gain popularity by the 1870s. Crowds paid to see the games, which were shifted from parks to cricket fields.

It was in May, 1877 when the VFA or Victorian Football Association was established in order to oversee football games in Victoria. The VFA promoted participation, developed new regulations, and supplied umpires for major matches.

In 1896, eight of the VFA’s top teams formed a pro football league named Victorian Football League. The VFL concentrated on enhancing the game’s speed and entertainment value. Additionally, they generated money by selling spectators’ tickets. Over the course of time, many clubs joined VFL.

How AFL became popular?

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Tasmania, Western Australia and South Australia- all adopted the sport in the 1880s, giving it the name “Australian Rules”. In addition to this, you must know that Rugby League and Union remained the most widely played football formats in the Queensland and New South Wales.

The Australian Football League, often known as the AFL, took the place of the Victorian Football League in 1990. Since that moment various clubs from New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland, South Australia joined the league.

This uniquely Australian sport continues to develop every year as new players, regulations, and technology are introduced.

How to Score in AFL?

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Each of the two 18-player teams competes against the other.

Their primary purpose is to place a ball between a quartet of goalposts. Which crossbar the ball touches determines exactly how many points the team scores.

Players are not permitted to throw the ball; instead, they may kick it or punch it off their palm to transfer it to a teammate.

Unless a tie-break or a declared draw is used, the side with the most points at the conclusion of the game wins.

Basic AFL Rules for dummies

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Here are some must know rules about the Australian Football League (AFL)

• AFL is played on an oval-shaped pitch (oval shaped ball) with goalposts at either end.
• Only 18 of each team’s 22 players participate on the field. Other 4 are substitutes and can be replaced anytime.
• Australian Football League is divided into 4 quarters. The duration of each quarter is 20 minutes.
• More time is also given if an umpire signals time out.
• All judgments are made by the umpire, whose decision is final.
• The game starts with a center bounce.
• Then, a member from each side tries to touch the ball.
• Players can move the ball in three ways running. Players can use their fist or kick it. If the ball remains too high, you can catch the ball by jumping.
• Players must make sure that they are bouncing the ball every 16 yards.
• In order to score, the players will have to throw the ball through the two large upright posts. It will give their team 6 points.
• However, if you hit the post or send the ball between the outer large and lower post, it is worth 1 point only. It is called a ‘behind’.
• The game resumes in the same manner as it did at the start once a goal is scored.
• A team will get a free kick if one of the players catches a kick greater than 15 metres. It’s also known as “mark”.
• The player who catches (or mark) the ball cannot be challenged until it has been kicked.
• He is given the freedom to execute the following play without any interruptions.
• The side in possession of the ball advances 15 metres down the field if an opponent steps beyond the mark or makes a tackle.
• To recover the ball, players are permitted to tackle the opposing team, but they can only do it from shoulder height and below.
• If a player is being tackled and won’t release the ball, the umpire will call out and the ball will be handed over.
• When sprinting or engaged in a tackle, players cannot shove their rivals from the rear.
• Another unique thing about this game is that there is no offside rule.

Different Positions in the AFL

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If you want to understand AFL deeply, you need to know the different players’ position in the game. We have named them below:

• Ruckman: The Ruckman is the player on the team that defends their goal post, as well as tries to win possession of the ball during stoppages. They need a lot of height, strength, and ability to cover ground.

Teams typically only have one Ruckman on the field, but they can also use taller players on the defence or the forward line to fill in as the “back-up ruckman” during ruck competitions.

• Defenders: As the name implies, these guys are protecting the goal from the other team.

By tackling the opponent, marking the ball, sabotaging kicks and locating midfielders up the field while in control of the ball, these players are attempting to divert the ball away from the goal.

The first defender is called a defender and his or her role is to mainly stay back and control any advances into their side of the ground while reading what plays the opposition will make.

They also need to position themselves so that they can be seen by their teammates downfield in order to communicate with them when necessary. If an opponent manages to break through, it’s important for this player to have excellent tackling skills so that they can stop them from scoring.

The second defender is usually referred to as an outside back or wingman and their job is usually about helping in any way possible.

• Midfielders: These players serve as the team’s heart and soul. These players hold the ball in large numbers as it travels from one end to the other and back again.

If the midfielders have the ball, they should search for another midfielder or a striker who can score. A player who is nearer to the ball and tries to take possession of it from the opposition by tackling or stealing passes is known as an “inside midfielder.”

An “outsider midfielder,” on the other hand, tries to distance themselves from their opponent. They aim to advance in the possession chain as the following participant.

• Forwards: To counter the defensive and playing styles of the opposition, forwards come in a variety of sizes.

Key forwards are big, athletic individuals who track the high ball and make all-around goal kicks.

To avoid tackling as well as kicking goals, “crumbing” forwards, who are smaller in stature but quick and intrusive, play below the key-forwards.

List of Teams in AFL

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Currently, there are 18 teams playing in the Australian Football League.

Here is a list of all the teams and their nickname that are currently playing in Australian Football League (AFL)

• Adelaide – Crows
• Brisbane – Lions
• Carlton – Blues
• Collingwood – Magpies
• Essendon – Bombers
• Fremantle – Dockers
• Geelong – Cats
• Greater Western Sydney- Giants
• Gold Coast – Suns
• Hawthorn – Hawks
• North Melbourne – Kangaroos
• Melbourne – Demons
• Port Adelaide – Power
• Richmond – Tigers
• St Kilda – Saints
• Sydney – Swans
• West Coast – Eagles
• Western Bulldogs – Bulldogs

How is AFL tournament played?

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A total of 18 teams plays in the home and away games each other in the AFL league. These games will occur during the winter months between March and September.

Top 8 teams will qualify for the finals after the home and away round. These 8 top teams will compete in 4-week final series. And the final 2 teams will proceed to play in the Grand final.

Grand final is usually played each year on the last Saturday of September at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Victoria.

The winner of the final will take the premiership cup and the premiership flag.

There is also a public holiday on the AFL final eve (Friday prior to the AFL final) in Victoria.

In 2022, the AFL Grand final will be played on Saturday 24^th September 2022 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Reasons To Watch AFL

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The Australian Football League (AFL) has been one of the most popular sports in Australia since its inception in the 19th century. Here, we have added the top reasons to watch AFL.

• Game Is Easy to Understand: Watching and understanding an AFL game is pretty easy once you know what’s going on.

For example, teams try to score points by kicking or handballing the ball into one of three different goal posts: left, center and right.

• Players are Very Accessible: When you go to an AFL game, not only are you getting a chance to see some amazing football, but you can also meet players and get autographs and photos with them.

Players in Australia are used to interacting with fans of the game because so many people play footy. This helps them become role models for younger players and show that they should always be open and friendly.

So, this is all about Australian Football League or AFL in short. We hope that you have understood how this game is played. An AFL game unites Australians of all ages.

You can interact with new people and fit in with Australian sports culture. Everyone will be applauding and chanting for their preferred sides during the game. So, next time, when you see an AFL match is going on, do not miss it.

Did you know that completing a two-year master’s degree in Australia could cost you more than AUD $100,000?

In this article, we are going to give you a complete breakdown of how much it costs to study in Australia along with an infographic example. 

Keep reading!

Factors that affect the costs to studying in Australia

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The cost of studying in Australia basically depends on these five major factors: 

1. Your Country 

The country in which you’re applying for your student visa matters a lot, because each country has different  requirements for a student visa to Australia. 

2. The City You are Planning to Study 

The cost of living varies among cities in Australia. For example, the cost of living in Sydney is quite high, while comparatively the cost of living in Adelaide is low. 

3. Educational Institute

There are more than 1200 institutions delivering different sorts of courses to international students in  Australia. It ranges from private colleges to tech or universities. Choosing one of those institutions is a huge factor in determining the cost of studying in Australia. 

4. Cost of Studying 

If you’re planning to do a certificate course or a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree. All these courses have different costs, so you have to be mindful of that. 

5. Scholarship 

It would be great if you can score a scholarship because it will help to reduce the cost of studying in  Australia. And if you don’t get a scholarship then you will obviously be paying a higher cost for your studies.  

There are different types of scholarships available for international students studying in Australia; you can check them out here. 

Breakdown of the total cost of studying in Australia 

1. Passport Fee 

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The first thing you will need to travel overseas for your study is the passport. For that, you will need to consider the passport fee, and again it varies from the country you are in.

It can cost you anywhere from $15 to $300 for getting a passport.. 

2. English Test

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If you’re not from an English-speaking country, you will need to take an English test. It could be IELTS,  PTE or other English tests. The cost of English tests varies depending on the country you are in. But to give you an idea, it can cost around $300. 

If you really want to brush up on your English skills before sitting for this English test, then you will be paying around $200 to $400 per month for your English preparation.

3. Educational / Immigration Consultant Fee

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Once you get started with the process of applying for your student visa, you’d have to choose an educational  consultant.

You can certainly apply for the course and the visa by yourself but it is helpful to get professional advice for your course selection and the visa process.

If you want to know further about how to choose an educational consultant you can check out  this video here:  https://youtu.be/xcyyn71QFCA .

These days most educational consultants don’t charge any fee for your student visa application, as they make money from the commissions they get from these educational institutes based in Australia. 

But they might charge you some fees for the documentation that  they will have to prepare for you, and that can be anywhere from $20 – $200. 

4. Course Fee 

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Your course fee will depend on the course you are planning to undertake in Australia.

English Courses Fee in Australia

If you’re planning to study an English course in Australia, it can cost you around $200 to $300 per week. And it depends on the length of the English course that you’re doing. 

You’ll have to multiply it out with the number of weeks you’re planning to do this course. For example, if you’re planning to do a 12 week English course it can cost anywhere from $2400 to $3600. 

Vocational Courses Fee in Australia

You can do some vocational courses like certificates, Diploma or Advanced Diploma courses in Australia. You can do these courses in a private college or a TAFE. 

These courses can range from 3 months to 2 years and can cost around $4000 to $22,000 for the course.

Degree Program Fee in Australia

For your bachelor’s master’s and postdoctoral degrees, it costs  anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000 per year. 

Be mindful that this is a yearly cost and your course fee will vary depending on how long your course is. if it’s a two-year course you can multiply it by two, and if it’s a three-year course then you have to multiply it by three. 

Want to search for the course in Australia that is right for you, check our search courses tab on the website here. 

5. Medical Examination 

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To apply for a student visa, first you may need to undertake a medical test, and it can cost you anywhere from $200 to $300. 

6. Visa Application Fee 

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This is the standard fee for all student visa applications. Every year the Department of Home Affairs reviews these fees, and they usually increase them by some dollars. 

In 2022, the cost of visa application is $650. We highly recommend you visit the Department of Home Affairs website to know the current visa application fee.. 

7. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) 

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Students who are coming from certain countries may not need this insurance cover because of their government’s agreement with the Australian government. But if you don’t have such an arrangement, you will need to get Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), which is to cover you for your health issues in Australia. 

On a yearly basis it costs around $550 for OSHC and if you’re bringing your partner, then it is significantly higher around ($3500 for couples) or ($6500 for families with 1 child) in 2022. You can apply for this insurance by yourself; you don’t need to go through an educational  consultant when applying for OSHC.

8. Packing 

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As you’re planning to come to study in Australia, you may need to buy luggage, a bag, handbags, a laptop, clothing, phone  and some other accessories. 

It will certainly vary depending on your budget, and even if you are on a tight budget  you might still be spending around $500 to $1,000. 

9. Flights 

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Like mentioned in other costs, the cost of your flights will vary depending on the country you’re coming from, the time of the year you’re coming in, and the type of the airline you’re choosing. 

For example, if you’re coming from Jakarta to Melbourne you could be spending $500 on a one-way ticket. But if you are coming from New Delhi to Melbourne you could be spending around $1,000 one-way. If you’re coming from cities like Bogota,  you could be spending around $2,000 for a one-way ticket. 

10. Airport Transfer

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Once you arrive in Australia, you’ll be needing an airport transfer or pickup. The cheapest option is usually to choose public transport for the airport transfers, or something like a Sky bus which will cost you around $20-$30 to get to the city center from the airport. 

But some universities or institutions have a free pickup service available from the airport, so you can also make use of that as well. If you have family or friends who can also pick you up from the airport, it can also save you some money.

11. Cost of Living in Australia 

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The cost of living will depend on the city you’re planning to live in, but you should be budgeting from  $1,000 to $2,000 per month. 

Check out our popular YouTube video for the complete breakdown on the Cost of Living in Australia:

Estimated Total Cost of Studying in Australia

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Here’s an example to give you a better idea of the cost of studying in Australia for international students:

This is a very specific example; your cost  of studying in Australia will vary depending on the factors we have discussed earlier. 

Note: All the information that we’ve given you in this article is in Australian dollars. If you want to convert this  into your own currency, we highly recommend you to use a tool like https://www.xe.com, where you can convert any currency from Australian currency to your home currency or vice versa. 

We hope you find the information about total cost of studying in Australia useful and let us know if you are already studying here, how much it is costing you to study?

Before travelling out of your country as an international student, there are certain essential skills you need to learn.

In this article, we’re going to discuss the top 7 practical skills you need to learn before coming to Australia. 

1. Cooking Skills 

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As an international student, you must learn to cook some basic foods for yourself.

Many students are already familiar with some cooking, but there are many international students in Australia who do not know how to cook their own food when they arrive. Most of the students don’t even have any family or friends who can assist them in cooking. 

When you arrive here without cooking skills, it becomes a nightmare as it is extremely expensive to eat outside.

You’ll have to prepare food for yourself and most of the time, many students end up eating only noodles, pastas, and cereals to survive, which isn’t healthy to eat on a regular basis.

To ensure that you survive as an international student and not eat out or prepare unhealthy meals regularly, make sure you get some cooking lessons from your mother or other family members who are good cooks before coming to Australia.

2. Driving Skills 

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If you’re going to study in the suburban or city areas, you will be perfectly okay travelling around using public transport. 

Having a bicycle can also be helpful, however you’ll eventually need to drive a car. If you can obtain a full driving license before coming to Australia, that would be extremely helpful.

If you can afford to buy a car, it will help you save time commuting from home to work or university.

Some jobs may even require you to have a car because they begin too early in the morning or too late at night when public transport is unavailable.

So it is ideal if you can get some driving lessons or preferably a driving license from your home country before coming to Australia. 

3. Computing Skills 

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Most of the students who arrive in Australia usually have decent computing skills. However, there are few students who shy away from learning new technologies and new software programs.

In Australia, you won’t be able to get away without having at least some basic computing skills.

You will need these basic skills to apply for anything online, including your TFN, ABN, job applications, your bank accounts and many other government services.

Most universities and colleges will expect you to submit assessments online, so learning about some basic software like Word Excel, PowerPoint can really help in your studies. 

Improving your typing skills will help you to save a lot of time. It will even be better if you can learn some advanced shortcuts that can make your life easier so that you can do your assessments faster. 

Even if you are not into technology, it is still a must-have skill for international students planning to study in Australia. 

4. Laundry Skills 

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As an international student, it is important to learn how to clean your house, clean your bed, tidy up your room and do your own laundry. 

The laundry itself is a big exercise which includes cleaning, drying, folding and ironing your clothes, linens etc. 

All these things are basic skills, unfortunately many international students don’t know about them or don’t learn them while they are at home. 

You can get that laundry done from various laundry services but it is a very expensive exercise which many international students can’t afford to use.

5. Time Management Skills 

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As an international student, you will need to learn how to manage your time effectively as you will be juggling between your work, your studies and your life. 

You will be on your own most of the time and you won’t have family members to help you with certain tasks. You’ll have to go to work, come home, cook for yourself, study, and call your parents all on the same day. This can take a significant amount of time and effort. 

It can be a nightmare to manage all of these things in your life if you don’t properly plan your day and week. 

In order to effectively manage your time, you will need to create a weekly schedule for the week’s major tasks.

This could include:

• What tasks need to be completed during the week? 
• When will you be working?
• Which days do you have classes? 
• When do you need to submit assessment tasks and prepare for them?
• Which days can you call your family and friends back home? 
• Which days can you catch up with your friends in Australia? 
• And many other ad-hoc tasks during the normal work week.

Making a schedule will be highly beneficial, and it will be even more beneficial if you can learn to manage these things before arriving in Australia.

Check our infographic on how to manage time using the Pomodoro Technique

6. Communication Skills 

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English is the most commonly spoken language in Australia. Everyday aspects of life in Australia including finding jobs, making friends, talking to lecturers, asking questions to tutor, etc. will all be in English itself. 

Most international students are required to take IELTS/ PTE/ TOEFL/ CAE or some other format of English test before arriving. 

It is very important that you keep improving your English language while you are still overseas. 

You can do so by watching mostly English TV shows, English movies, or reading English newspapers, magazines, or online articles. 

We have a playlist of hundreds of videos on our YouTube channel, which you can watch regularly, or you can read some articles on our website. 

Doing some of these things can help improve your English and your vocabulary. 

You should also learn and get familiar with some popular Australian slangs before arriving in Australia.

7. Budgeting and Personal Finance Skills

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As an international student, you make money based on the number of hours you work.

With all the money you are making, you might think it’s a great time to go shopping, watch movies, or do other fun activities; however you have to remember that you have a lot of expenses to deal with as well.

You must pay your rent, groceries, and other living expenses, as well as tuition fees.

It is important to learn how to manage your monthly income and expenses, so you don’t end up asking for a large sum of money from your friends or family back home.

Make a personal budget spreadsheet for yourself before coming to Australia, so you can start managing your finances from the day you arrive here. 

Read our student guide on how to avoid Debt Trap as an international student.

So these are the top seven practical skills to learn before arriving in Australia. Let us know what other skills you think international students should learn before coming to Australia. We would love to hear from you via our Instagram page here.