Living in Australia
As part of our commitment to our students, CIC helps make the process of moving to Australia as easy as possible.
To make the moving process as stress-free as possible, we encourage students to come prepared with important information needed on living in Australia. Important things to consider and plan before you arrive should include:
• Your departure
• Arrival in Australia
• Remaining visa compliant while in Australia
• Accessing support services
• Working while you study
• Living costs and accommodation
• Health and safety
We provide some information on these important topics below, but we encourage you to do further research so you feel fully prepared before you move.
Some good links are:
10 Facts about living in Australia
Study in Australia
Live in Australia
Department of Home Affairs
Student visas
Cost of living
It is important to be aware of the cost of living (accommodation, food, travel, etc.) before moving to Australia. In order to be granted a student visa, international students are required to demonstrate that they have genuine access to sufficient funds that will cover the cost of their living expenses during their time in Australia.
Several websites offer cost estimates for students’ living expenses in Australia, but the actual cost will vary depending on your preferences. We recommend researching the cost of living before you move.
Useful links:
www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/global/live-in-australia/living-costs
Living costs for dependants in Australia
Most student visas allow for students to bring their eligible family members to Australia. Students will be required to prove that they have sufficient funds to not only cover their own cost of living, but also the cost of living of any of the dependents they wish to come to Australia with them.
Find out more here.
Note: if you are planning to bring school-aged dependants with you to Australia school fees may be incurred, please see Australia’s schooling obligations and options.
Overseas Student Health Cover
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is mandatory for international students in Australia for the duration of their student visa. Information on what cover you need and the list of Australian Government-approved health cover providers is available from the Department of Health website. Information is also available from the OSHC website.
You can arrange to pay for your OSHC by visiting the OSHC insurers’ websites or through CIC.
Useful Information
International Student Fact Sheet
For your guidance, please visit our Policies & Procedures which has all you need to know about your rights, responsibilities and support you are entitled to as an international student in Australia.
Working While Studying in Australia
International students are eligible to work while studying in Australia. An outline of your rights and protections at work as an international student is available at:
https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/Trav/Stud/More/Work-conditions-for-Student-visa-holders.
If you believe your employer is exploiting or underpaying you, we encourage you to contact the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Infoline on 13 13 94 or use their anonymous reporting service: http://www.fairwork.gov.au/how-we-will-help/how-we-help-you/anonymous-report.
Further information about student employee rights from the Fair Work Ombudsman is contained in the International student fact sheet available at:
The Fair Work Commission is Australia’s workplace relations tribunal and its website includes information on matters such as enterprise agreements, minimum wages and conditions, and bullying in the workplace. The Commission deals with unfair dismissal and resolving collective and individual workplace disputes through conciliation and mediation. Further information about Fair Work Commission is available at https://www.fwc.gov.au/ or contacted on 1300 799 675 between 9am and 5pm (local time) Monday to Friday.