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Melbourne - International Student Guide - Insider Guides
International Student Guide | Melbourne | 2020

                                                 International
                                                 Student Guide                 2020 FREE

                                                         Melbourne
                                                                 A guide by local experts
Melbourne - International Student Guide - Insider Guides
Forward
                                                                   thinking,
                                                                   career
                                                                   focused
       Futures shaped here                                         Study at Australia’s
                                                                   number one university
                                                                   for graduate employment.*
         Today’s home for tomorrow’s leaders.
                                                                   We pride ourselves on providing international
 With more buildings to choose from, private studios and shared    students with practical, industry-focused
apartments designed perfectly for students, and Melbourne’s best   courses that prepare you for a rewarding career.

          locations, choose a home that inspires you.              • 12-week post-study internship program
                                                                     provided by Study Group Australia Pty Limited.
                                                                   • Two-year, 12-subject master’s degrees
                                                                     with the eligibility to apply for post-study
                                                                     work rights.
                                                                   • Located in the heart of Melbourne,
                                                                     ranked #2 of the world’s most livable cities,^
                                                                     with additional centres in Brisbane
                                                                     and Sydney.
                Get the best head start at Scape.                  • Celebrating 25 years of success
                                                                     between Charles Sturt University
                        Scape Student Living
                                                                     and Study Group Australia Pty Limited.
      P. +61 3 9977 8088 E. bookings.au@scape.com W. scape.com

                                                                   Learn more: csustudycentres.edu.au/insider
                                                                   *QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019        ^The Economic Intelligence Unit, 2019

                                                                   Charles Sturt University. CRICOS Provider Code: 00005F. ABN: 83 878 708 551.
                                                                   The Charles Sturt University Study Centres are operated by Study Group Australia Pty Limited
                                                                   ABN 88 070 919 327 under a services agreement with Charles Sturt University.
                                                                                                                                                                  32951_11.19
Melbourne - International Student Guide - Insider Guides
OUR TEAM

    Contents
                                                                                           EDITORIAL
                                                                                           Content Manager -
                                                                                           Gemma Kaczerepa
                                                                                           Writer -
                                                                                           Quyen Tran
    Setting up                    ACCOMMODATION                22

                                  COMMUNICATION                36                          Production Manager &
    Everything you need to
                                                                                           Designer - Samuel Trezise
    know to get your new          MONEY & BANKING              40
    student life organised        EMPLOYMENT                   46                          PHOTOGRAPHY
    and start enjoying the                                                                 Samuel Trezise
    experience of being in a      STUDYING                     56
                                                                                           Visit Victoria
    new city.                     HEALTH & SAFETY              60
                                                                                           BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
                                                                                           Advertising -
                                                                                           Bela Mitchell
                                  TRANSPORT                    72
    Areas                                                                                  Managing Director - James
                                  CITY CENTRE                  82
    Learn about the                                                                        Martin
    different areas that make     CARLTON & FITZROY            88
                                                                                           Marketing Coordinator -
    Melbourne an ideal place      NORTH MELBOURNE &
                                                                                           Portia Postlethwaite
    to live and study.            PARKVILLE                    94

                                  BRUNSWICK & NORTHCOTE        100
                                                                                           ENQUIRIES AND FEEDBACK

                                  SOUTHBANK & SOUTH                                        For all enquiries please
                                  MELBOURNE                    102                         contact
                                                                                           hello@insiderguides.com.au
                                                                                           If you have any feedback for
                                                                                           Insider Guides, we’d love to
    Activities                                                                             hear it. Please head to:
    Looking for something         EVENTS                       107                         www.insiderguides.com.au/
    to do on the weekend?                                                                  feedback
                                  LIVE MUSIC                   110
    Want some new ways to
    make friends or explore       CINEMAS                      111
                                                                                           Co-branding partners:
    the city? Find out the        FUN ACTIVITIES               112
    best activities in and
                                  CAMPING                      115
    around Melbourne.
                                  TRAVEL                       118

      KEY CONTACTS AND SERVICES
      Need some help while you are in Melbourne? Find the                                  All information presented is true and correct
      contact details of the various support services available.                           to the best of our knowledge. Current
                                                                                           businesses and services mentioned were
                                                                                           operating at the time of publication. We
                                                               P. 120                      apologise if any have moved, closed or their
                                                                                           services have altered in the interim.

4           STUDYMELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU • MELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU            INSIDERGUIDES.COM.AU                                               5
Melbourne - International Student Guide - Insider Guides
A message from the
                                                        Lord Mayor of Melbourne
                                                        Welcome to Melbourne; I am               settle in and set yourself up for
                                                        delighted that you’ve chosen to make     success. Sign up to develop your
                                                        our city, one of the world’s most        professional skills at the Melbourne
                                                        liveable cities, your home while         International Student Conference,
                                                        you study.
                                                                                                 register for our International Student
                                                        Did you know Melbourne is ranked         newsletter or get involved in one of
                                                        the best city in Australia for           our many volunteer programs like
                                                        students? And third best in the world,   the City Ambassador International
                                                        just behind London and Tokyo. We are     Student program. I hope to see you at
                                                        proud to be a home away from home        the Lord Mayor’s Student Welcome.
                                                        for our international students.
                                                                                                 While you’re here it’s very important
                                                        Our city is a world-class education      to us that you feel welcomed,

JUST ARRIVED
                                                        hub with top-tier universities and       respected and safe. We want every
                                                        many new innovative courses on           student to have a positive experience.
                                                        offer. We have nine universities
                                                                                                 We hope you build a lasting

IN MELBOURNE?
                                                        and more than 200 educational
                                                                                                 connection with Melbourne, and
                                                        institutions and we offer a range
                                                                                                 I encourage you to experience
                                                        of services, to help students feel
                                                                                                 everything our city has to offer. It is
                                                        welcome.
                                                                                                 a great place to study and an even
                                                        You have all come a long way to be       better place to live. You’ll find so
                                                        here and are now one of almost           much to love here, whether your
                                                        60,000 international students who        interests lie in the arts, sports, food
The City of Melbourne runs a range of events            have elected to study in Melbourne       or socialising.
and programs for international students.                – or one of almost 30,000 who also
                                                        call the city home.
                                                                                                 I wish you every success in your
                                                                                                 studies and hope you feel at home
                                                        We pride ourselves on embracing          with us during your stay.
Do you want to:                                         people from all walks of life; our
• Make new friends?                                     city is home to people speaking 260       Sally Capp
                                                        different languages and dialects and      Lord Mayor
• Come to the Lord Mayor’s Student Welcome?
                                                        practicing 135 faiths.
• Attend free workshops, tours and performances?
                                                        International students are an
• Learn leadership, employment and job search skills?   important part of the fabric of this
                                                        city and we want you to get involved
• Register for volunteer opportunities?
                                                        and enjoy your new Melbourne life.
                                                        City of Melbourne has a range of
    Sign up to our newsletter at                        events and programs to help you
    melbourne.vic.gov.au/internationalstudents

    Follow us on Facebook
    @cityofmelbourneinternationalstudents
                                                                                      INSIDERGUIDES.COM.AU                                 7
Melbourne - International Student Guide - Insider Guides
You are invited
  to a welcome dinner
       Are you new to Australia? Do you want to meet local friends?
            Do you love tasting food from different countries?
         Want to learn more about Australian and other cultures?
            Join us at welcome dinners held across Melbourne!

                                                                                           A message from
                                                                                           Study Melbourne
                                                                                           Welcome to Melbourne,                      An initiative of the Victorian
                                                                                           Australia’s best student city              Government, we offer free help
                                                                                                                                      and support, cultural experiences
                                                                                           You’ll love studying in Melbourne.
                                                                                                                                      and social events, and programs to
                                                                                           There are so many ways to get
                                                                                                                                      help you prepare for career success.
                                                                                           involved, meet new friends, develop
                                                                                                                                      Our services are independent,
                                                                                           new skills and prepare for the career
                                                                                                                                      confidential and free.
                                                                                           of your dreams. Free programs and
                                                                                           services for international students        Stay in touch with
                                                                                           are available through your education       Study Melbourne:
                                                                                           provider, your local council,
                                                                                                                                        • Subscribe to our monthly student
                                                                                           student groups, and through Study
  A welcome dinner connects international students with Australian residents over                                                         newsletter
                                                                                           Melbourne.
delicious food and conversations. Cook your favourite food or bring a dish from your
                                                                                                                                        • Follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn,
culture and share it at a potluck dinner. Be touched and entertained by stories of life,   Come and say hi to us at the Study
love and change from the people you meet. Find out how much our multicultural and
                                                                                                                                          and WeChat
                                                                                           Melbourne Student Centre, in the
           multifaith communities have in common. You will be surprised.                   heart of Melbourne at 17 Hardware            • Join our Facebook group –
                                                                                           Lane. Our multilingual team can help           International students of
                                Participation is FREE!                                     you find trustworthy information               Melbourne and Victoria
                                                                                           and support services. They can
                                                                                                                                      studymelbourne.vic.gov.au/insider
                                                                                           answer your questions about health,
                                                                                           accommodation, safety, work rights,
                           Connect with us for more information and event updates          and managing your finances. There’s
                                                                                           also free wi-fi, a quiet space to study,
                           Website: www.welcomedinnerproject.org
                                                                                           and plenty of activities and events.
                           Facebook: www.facebook.com/wdpvictoria
                           Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_wdp

                                                                                                                           INSIDERGUIDES.COM.AU                               9
Melbourne - International Student Guide - Insider Guides
“   As someone studying
                                                                                                art and humanities, I
                                                                                                could not have chosen
                                                                                                a better city.
                                                                                                Melbourne is the art
                                                                                                and culture capital of
                                                                                                Australia!
                                                                                                                             “
                                                                                                Ethel, Philippines
                                                                                                Studying at the
                                                                                                University of Melbourne
                             Quick facts
       Royal origins
  Melbourne was named
 to honour former British
  prime minister, William
                                    Tram central
                                 Melbourne’s tram
                               network is the largest
                               outside Europe. There
                                                                 Culturally diverse
                                                               Around one-third of
                                                              Melbourne’s population
                                                               was born overseas.
                                                                                            “   I love living in
                                                                                                Melbourne because
                                                                                                everyone is enjoying
  Lamb, who lived in the      are currently 450 trams           The most common                 their life, and there’s
   tiny English village of      travelling over 244            birthplaces are the
        Melbourne.              kilometres of track.           UK, India, China and
                                                                                                a friendly and diverse
                                                                     Vietnam.                   culture where people
                                                                                                respect each other.
     Home of invention
      There are several
everyday items that were
                                  Sporting capital
                                   Melbourne is the
                                   birthplace of the
                                                              Australia’s first pizza
                                                                  Toto’s was the first
                                                              pizza restaurant to open
                                                                                                       Felycia, Indonesia
                                                                                                        Study Melbourne
                                                                                                                             “
 invented in Melbourne,          Australian sport AFL            in Australia. Setting               student ambassador
   including aspirin, the        and is the only city in         up shop in 1961, the
bionic ear, the black box      the world to house five        restaurant is still located
flight recorder, dim sims,      international standard           in Carlton, an inner
and Australia’s favourite         sporting facilities.          suburb of Melbourne
     spread, Vegemite!                                          known as ‘Little Italy’.

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Melbourne - International Student Guide - Insider Guides
Must-do in Melbourne
                                                              There are so many fun things to do in Melbourne, but here are a few
                                                                            you can’t leave the city without doing.

                                                                         1.                                          2.
                                                              Get a caffeine hit                        Explore the laneways
                                                                                                            and arcades
                                                          Melbourne is famous for coffee, so
                                                        nearly every cafe will serve a very good    While you’re here, check out the street
                                                                       cup of it.                          art, cute cafes and local
                                                                                                             shopping boutiques.

                                                                        3.                                           4.
                                                          Watch a live AFL match                      Take in some live comedy
                                                          Pick a team and enjoy Melbourne’s           Melbourne is famous for hosting live
                                                          favourite sport from the spectator
                                                                        stands.                       comedy throughout the year and at
                                                                                                      the annual Melbourne International
                                                                                                              Comedy Festival.

                                                                        5.                                           6.
                                                         See the city from the top                                Get arty
                                                          You’ll find plenty of rooftop venues      The city is Australia’s art capital. Check
                                                         and observation decks in Melbourne,         out the National Gallery of Victoria,
                                                          including Naked for Satan, Rooftop          Heide Museum of Modern Art and
                                                              Cinema and Eureka Skydeck.             smaller galleries around Melbourne.

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Melbourne - International Student Guide - Insider Guides
Your first week in Melbourne                                                          Amanpreet, India

 1.                            2.                              3.
                                                                                            Studying at Monash University

                                                                                                                                             “   FOR COFFEE

                                                                                                                                                 I am a huge fan of the
                                                                                                                                                 laneway cafes. They offer
                                                                                                                                                 the best combination of
                                                                                                                                                 artwork and food that
                                                                                                                                                 satisfies both your eyes and
                    P. 73                           P. 41                          P. 37                                                         tastebuds.
                                                                                                                                                 FOR BREAKFAST
       Buy a myki card               Set up your bank            Sort out your phone
                                         account                                                                                                 Higher Ground on Little
  You’ll need a myki card                                      You can use your existing                                                         Bourke St. I love the
  to get around on public        This is crucial if you’re      phone or buy a new one
                                                                                                                                                 Benedict eggs, dry cured
 transport. Buy one from          planning to work in            in Australia, with the
    7-11 stores and other         Australia, but is also        option of going prepaid                                                          ham, Emmental, bearnaise,
 selected retailers, as well     useful for paying rent         or signing up for a plan.                                                        sourdough and vinegar
   as some train stations.        and other expenses.                                        “Melbourne is a well-organised                      powder.
                                                                                             city and just taking a walk                         FOR DINNER
                                                                                             in the city on a sunny day is                       Grand Lafayette in Prahran
4.                              5.                               6.                          amazing.                                            is the best Japanese on-
                                                                                                                                                 table service buffet I have
                                                                                             I like to try out different                         ever had. The scallops and
                                                                                             cuisines, which are easy to find                    the fried chicken bao were
                                                                                             in the restaurants situated in                      as good as they looked when

                    P. 65
                                                                                             Southbank next to the Yarra                         the plate arrived.
                                                                                             River.                                              MAKE SURE TO
     Know the emergency          Stock up your fridge               Plan your studies                                                            CHECK OUT...
          number
                                                                                             And nothing says Melbourne
                                   Once you’ve found             Find out when classes       better than Federation Square,                      Hosier Lane. With some
 If you need emergency           your nearest grocery               start, where your                                                            of the best artworks and
 assistance – police, fire      store, stock up on basic       campus is located (some       which is also next to St. Pauls
 or ambulance – you can
  call Triple Zero (000),
 even when your phone
                                  ingredients and your
                                 favourite foods from
                               home – they’ll help if you
                                                                institutions are spread
                                                               across several campuses)
                                                                   and when O-Week
                                                                                             Cathedral and right across
                                                                                             the road from Flinders Street
                                                                                             Station.”
                                                                                                                                                 Lane also offers a good
                                                                                                                                                 shopping experience.
                                                                                                                                                                            “
                                                                                                                                                 graffiti in Melbourne, Hosier

   can’t get reception.        get homesick during your                 kicks off.
 Make sure to store this               first week!
 number in your phone.

                                                                                                                        INSIDERGUIDES.COM.AU                              15
14                   STUDYMELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU • MELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU                                                     INSIDERGUIDES.COM.AU                                 15
Melbourne - International Student Guide - Insider Guides
Make Study
Melbourne
part of your
story
Connect with Study Melbourne
for everything you need to thrive
as an international student in
Melbourne and Victoria
 Visit the Study Melbourne Student Centre
    at 17 Hardware Lane, Melbourne
    Monday to Friday 9am-5pm
    1800 056 449 (24 hour)
   Download the Unlock Melbourne app
   Subscribe to our monthly newsletter
   Get an iUse pass – 50% off public transport
    for eligible students

Visit studymelbourne.vic.gov.au/insider and be part of
a connected student community.
Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne.
Melbourne - International Student Guide - Insider Guides
Improving your English
     If you’d like to continue improving your English during your time in
     Australia, there are a few tools and resources that can help.

      SPEAKING                                 READING & LISTENING
      Join a conversation group. There
                                                                                      WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO
                                               Read in English every day. This
      are plenty of conversation groups                                               HELP ME IMPROVE MY ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS?
                                               includes websites, online news
      on Meetup.com, as well as at local       outlets, newspapers, magazines
      libraries and community centres.         and books.                             TITLE               LINK                            WHAT IS IT?
      The City of Melbourne runs ESL
      Conversation Clubs. You can also         Listen to English-language music                                                           A social way to practise your
      join English Conversation Clubs          and podcasts, watch English-                                                               English skills. Run by every second
                                                                                      English
      at the Study Melbourne Student           language films, television shows                           www.refugeofhope.org.au         Wednesday at the Study Melbourne
                                                                                      Conversation Club
      Centre.                                  and YouTube videos, and try to do                                                          Student Centre, 17 Hardware Lane, by
                                               so without subtitles!                                                                      Refuge of Hope.
      Find a friend who also wants to                                                                                                     Informal English language
      improve their English and only           WRITING                                ESL Conversation
                                                                                                          www.melbourne.vic.gov.au        conversation practice at City of
      chat to them in English - including                                             Club
                                                                                                                                          Melbourne library branches.
                                               Write a daily journal in English.
      via text message, online, over the                                                                                                  A platform full of English language
                                               It doesn’t matter what you write
      phone and in person.                                                            English Central     www.englishcentral.com          videos that progressively build your
                                               about, as long as it’s in English.
                                                                                                                                          comprehension.
      Make friends with people from
                                               Do little translation exercises.                                                           Watch well-crafted videos and
      other nationalities so you only
                                               Take a passage from a book or          BBC Learning                                        complete related activities to
      communicate in English.                                                                             www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish
                                               article in your native language and    English                                             increase your knowledge of the
      Join a volunteer group or sports         translate it into English, or do the                                                       English language.
      team so you can put your English         reverse.                                                                                   Choose between native speakers and
      skills to good use.                                                             italki              www.italki.com                  qualified tutors (more expensive) to
                                                                                                                                          have a 1-on-1 video chat with you.

                                                                                                                                          A website and mobile app, Busuu is a
                                                                                      Busuu               www.busuu.com                   social network of people learning new
                                                                                                                                          languages.

18               STUDYMELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU • MELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU                                                      INSIDERGUIDES.COM.AU                                      19
GOING OUT                    EFTPOS (Noun/Acronym)           Mozzie (Noun)
                                                                                                                            Machine for electronic          Mosquito

     Australian slang                                                                          Arvo (Noun)
                                                                                               Afternoon
                                                                                                                            (card) payments. Stands
                                                                                                                            for Electronic Funds
                                                                                                                                                            ‘The mozzies are so bad
                                                                                                                                                            in the summer.’
                                                                                               ‘Let’s catch up this arvo    Transfer at Point Of Sale
                                                                                                                                                            Rip-off (Adjective)
                                                                                               for a coffee.’               ‘Luckily, the café has
                                                                                                                                                            To cheat/something that’s
     EXPRESSING                  Keen (Adjective)                                                                           EFTPOS, because I don’t
                                                                                               Barbie (Noun)                                                too expensive
     YOURSELF                    Excited for something                                                                      have any cash.’
                                                                                               BBQ                                                          ‘This brunch is such a rip-
                                 ‘I’m so keen for the new                                      ‘Let’s fire up the barbie    Bottle-o (Noun)                 off - $18 for toast?!’
     Aggro (Adjective)           Quentin Tarantino film.’                                                                   Liquor store
                                                                                               for dinner tonight.’                                         Servo (Noun)
     Angry, showing                                                                                                         ‘I have to go and get some
                                 No worries (Idiom)             Snag (Noun)                    Bathers (Noun)                                               Service station/gas station
     aggression                                                                                                             beer from the bottle-o.’
                                 Don’t worry about it/it’s      Sausage                        Swimming costume                                             ‘On long drives I have to
     ‘He’s so aggro at the
                                 OK                             ‘For the best snags, I go to   ‘Remember to bring your      Macca’s (Noun)                  stop at the servo to buy
     moment, you should
                                 ‘You can’t come to the         Bunnings Warehouse.’           bathers, my friend has a     McDonald’s                      snacks.’
     avoid him.’
                                 party? No worries!’                                           pool.’                       ‘I’m too tired to make
     Fair enough (Idiom)                                                                                                                                    Shout (Verb)
                                 ______ as (Adverb)                                                                         dinner, shall we go to
     Alright/OK                                                                                Brekky (Noun)                                                To pay for the next round
                                  Almost anything could go                                                                  Macca’s instead?’
     ‘You’ll be late? Fair                                                                     Breakfast                                                    of drinks i.e. ‘it’s your
                                 here: busy as, awesome as,                                    ‘I always have a big         Mate (Noun)                     shout’
     enough, traffic is bad
                                 tired as. To understand the                                   brekky. I’m so hungry        Friend (this can be used        ‘I paid for the last round,
     today.’
                                 speaker, just cut off the                                     when I wake up in the        passive-aggressively            so it’s your shout this
     Feral (Adjective)           ‘as’ and add ‘very’ to the     Esky (Noun)                                                 though, so pay attention        time.’
                                                                                               morning.’
     Disgusting, something       front and you’ll get what      Ice cooler                                                  to the situation)
     repulsive                   they mean.                     ‘The esky will keep the        Chemist (Noun)                                               Spud (Noun)
                                                                                                                            ‘I like her, she’s a good
     ‘I just saw someone         ‘She’s been annoying as        drinks cool while we swim.’    Drug store/pharmacy -                                        A potato
                                                                                                                            mate, she always has my
     drop their hot chips        since she got back from                                       ‘We should go pick up                                        ‘I’d love a baked spud
                                                                                                                            back.’
     and then continue           exchange – she won’t                                          some Panadol from the                                        with sour cream right
     to eat them off the         stop talking about it.’                                       chemist.’                                                    about now.’
     ground - that’s so
                                 Heaps (Adjective)
     feral.’
                                 A lot or very
     Hey? (Exclamation)          ‘Wow, that show was
     Used at the end of                                          Cuppa (Noun)
                                                                                               WHILE STUDYING                                               Good on ya (Exclamation)
                                 heaps good.’
                                                                                                                                                            Well done/good on you
     a sentence to ask if                                        Hot beverage                                               Chuck a sickie
                                 Full on (Adjective)                                           Bludge (Intransitive Verb)                                   ‘Congratulations on that
     someone agrees                                              ‘A hot cuppa tea goes well                                 (Phrasal verb)
                                 Intense/wild                                                  To not try your hardest                                      HD! Good on ya!’
     ‘You’re going out                                           with biscuits.’                                            To fake a sick day from
                                 ‘Uni is so full on, I                                         ‘He’s bludging uni,
     tonight, hey?’                                                                                                         work or study.                  How ya going/How’s it
                                 can’t keep up with my                                         there’s no way he’ll
                                                                                                                            ‘I can’t miss The Bachelor      going? (Spoken phrase)
     She’ll be right (Idiom)     assignments.’                                                 graduate.’
                                                                                                                            tonight - I’ll just call work   How are you?
     It will be fine
                                                                                               SWOTVAC (Noun/               and chuck a sickie.’
     ‘You missed the bus?        Yeah, nah (Determiner)                                                                                                     Reckon (Verb)
                                                                                               Acronym)
     She’ll be right, there’ll   – No                                                                                       Dodgy (Adjective)               Think/figure/assume
                                                                                               Study break/revision week
     be another one soon.’                                                                                                  Poor quality/not reliable/      ‘I reckon I’ll go for a run;
                                 Nah, yeah (Determiner)                                        ‘I have so much revision
                                                                 Avo (Noun)                                                 suspicious                      I’ve been feeling lazy as.’
                                                                                               to do during SWOTVAC.
                                 – Yes                           Avocado                                                    ‘That website is dodgy,
                                                                                               I shouldn’t have slacked                                     Uni (Noun)
                                                                 ‘I love avo toast with                                     I’m pretty sure it gave
                                                                                               off so much during the                                       University
                                                                 feta cheese.’                                              me a virus.’
                                                                                               semester.’                                                   ‘Do you want to walk to
                                                                                                                                                            uni together?’

20                      STUDYMELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU • MELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU                                                       INSIDERGUIDES.COM.AU                                    21
Comparing your options
                                                        Private rental                    $170-$550/wk
                                                        This is true independent living; renting an apartment or a house, either alone or
                                                        with housemates. Living with others is ideal for meeting new people and reducing
                                                        your costs. However, if you decide to live alone, you will have to pay for everything
                                                        and may get lonely (depending on your personality, of course). Rentals come
                                                        either furnished or unfurnished.
                                                        Note: Listed price is per room.

                                                        Homestay                  $250-$350/wk

                                                        Homestay involves staying with a family in their home with meals, internet
                                                        and utilities covered by your host. It is a popular choice for a true Australian
                                                        experience, and it also allows you to settle into your new life in Australia with the
                                                        support of a family. Homestay can be both close to and some distance from your
                                                        educational institution – make sure to check access and public transport options.

                                                        Managed accommodation                             $200-$500/wk
                                                        These large centres are full of apartments of varying sizes, generally one to five
                                                        bedrooms. You will get a fully furnished bedroom with 24-hour support and
                                                        internet included. Generally, student accommodation is conveniently located for
                                                        students, is secure and safe, and boasts a real sense of community. The downside
                                                        to this is the internet can slow down at peak times and the rooms can be on the
                                                        smaller side.

                                                        Residential college                     $450-$700/wk

                                                        While they appear more expensive than other options, residential colleges
                                                        do include a lot of extras. They’re usually located close to campus, your fully
                                                        furnished bedroom will be cleaned weekly, study facilities and gyms are supplied,
                                                        and the meals are included. The downside is that you often have to lock in a lease
                                                        for 12 months and you may not need all the extras that you’re paying for.

     Accommodation                                        LET US HELP YOU FIND YOUR ACCOMMODATION
                                                          The Insider Guides website now has an accommodation finder. We can help
                                                          you find the perfect place to suit your needs and budget.
                                                          www.insiderguides.com.au/accommodation-finder

22   STUDYMELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU • MELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU                                           INSIDERGUIDES.COM.AU                            23
THE
                                   Before you take out a
                                   lease on a property

                                                                                     SIMPLE
                                   ENSURE YOU HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO COVER THE BOND

                                   ARRANGE A REFERENCE OR GUARANTOR

                                   INSPECT THE PROPERTY BEFORE YOU SIGN A CONTRACT

                                                                                     WAY
                                   OR PAY A DEPOSIT

                                   PHOTOGRAPH ANY EXISTING DAMAGE OR ISSUES

                                                                                     TO GET
                                   MAKE SURE YOU RECEIVE, AND KEEP, A COPY OF YOUR
                                   RENTAL AGREEMENT AND RECEIVE A RECEIPT FOR ALL
                                   RENT AND BOND PAYMENTS

                                                                                     CONNECTED
                                   PAY ATTENTION TO DETAILS REGARDING THE END OF
                                   YOUR RENTAL AGREEMENT

                                   Other factors to consider when selecting
                                   accommodation
                                   HOW CLOSE IS IT TO YOUR STUDY INSTITUTION?

                                   HOW CLOSE IS IT TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND WHAT
                                   WILL THE TRAVEL COST BE?                          Fast Connect offers a free service to get your phone, internet,
                                   WHAT IS NEARBY? (SHOPS, HOSPITALS,                electricity, gas and Pay-TV set up for when you move
                                   POLICE STATIONS, PARKS)
                                                                                     into your new home.

                                                                                                                                         50
                                   IS THERE ADEQUATE HEATING AND COOLING?
                                                                                     —   Free service
                                                                                                                                    $
                                   IS IT NOISY?

                                   IS THE AREA SAFE AND IS THE BUILDING SECURE?
                                                                                     —   No lock-in contracts
                                                                                     —   Stress free and secure
                                   WHAT WILL THE INSURANCE COSTS BE?
                                                                                     —   Easy online application
                                   DOES EVERYTHING WORK? (SMOKE ALARMS,
                                   APPLIANCES, LIGHT SWITCHES)
                                                                                     —   Phone and email support                    CREDIT
                                                                                     —   Choice of top Australian retailers           PROMO CODE:

                                                                                     As Australia’s longest established                 IGVIC
                                                                                     connections service provider
                                                                                                                                Receive a $50 credit to your
     CONNECTING UTILITIES IN YOUR NEW HOME                                           looking after many students               account when you connect your
                                                                                                                                electricity and/or gas through
     Companies like Fast Connect can organise your phone, internet, electricity,     and their families, we can be                  Fast Connect in VIC.*
     gas and Pay-TV, all through a single service.                                   trusted to get you connected.                   *Terms & conditions apply.

     www.fastconnect.net.au

                                                                                                                              www.fastconnect.net.au
24                    STUDYMELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU • MELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU
Housemates’ code
     Sharing a house with others can be a really fun experience. Use these tips to
                     ensure a happy and harmonious household.

 1.                            2.                               3.

            Food                         Guests                          Cleaning
      Establish early on         Communication with               Consider creating a
   how groceries will be          your housemates is            cleaning roster, noting
   purchased and make            crucial when it comes          that some housemates
    it clear what food is       to guests. Guidelines to           may prefer certain
 shared. Avoid eating any       consider include when/           tasks. You will still be
  food that isn’t yours or     how long they should be           responsible for doing
   designated as shared.        there and which areas/            your own dishes and
                               rooms are shared spaces.          laundry, and keeping
                                                                    your room tidy.

4.                              5.                               6.

            Rent                          Bills                         Moving out
   Make sure rent is paid       Have a plan for how bills       If someone decides to
    on-time to the right        are divided up and paid.          move out, establish
   person. You might be         One person is generally          the process involved.
   paying rent to a head       responsible for managing         Determine how much
   housemate or making          bills, but like rent, make     notice they need to give
  individual payments to       sure they’re paid on-time        and whether you need
 the real estate agent or         to avoid housemate            to alert your property
         landlord.                       disputes.               manager or landlord.

26                   STUDYMELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU • MELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU
What support services are available          international students. IMCL has also
                                             created a series of illustrated stories,        HOW MUCH WILL MY BOND BE?
for renters in Victoria?
                                             specifically for international students         You will need to pay a bond in advance that will be returned at the end of your
Consumer Affairs Victoria can help you       living in Victoria, to explain what to          agreement if no damage has occurred and your rental payments are up to date.
understand your rights when renting a        do (and who to contact) in several              This bond is not legally allowed to be more than one month’s rent if the rent is
room, apartment or house in Victoria.        common circumstances.                           $350 a week or less but can be more if the rent is more than $350 a week.
Visit the Consumer Affairs Victoria
website to learn about bonds, condition      www.imcl.org.au                                 Make sure you receive a receipt for all money given to your landlord or real
reports and where you can ask for help       Otherwise, Study Melbourne’s                    estate agent, including the bond, and a bond authority lodgment notice from the
with accommodation issues before and         International Students’ Housing and             Residential Tenancies Bond Authority.
after you arrive.                            Accommodation Legal Service is a free,
www.consumer.vic.gov.au                      confidential and independent legal
                                             service, provided by lawyers, to help         How to pay rent                               • The photos or description of the
Inner Melbourne Community Legal              international students. Call 1800 056                                                         property don’t match the reality on
(IMCL) provides free legal services to                                                     There are a few different ways to pay
                                             449 to make an appointment.                                                                   inspection
                                                                                           rent in Australia. These include direct
                                                                                           debit (bank), BPAY (a type of electronic      • The landlord or agent makes excuses
                                                                                           payment), or paying in person with              that you can’t view the property, such
Can I get a pet as an                         to it when you return home and the           card or cash. Your real estage agent or         as saying they are overseas
international student?                        amount of money you have to properly         landlord will sometimes offer a range of
                                                                                                                                         • The landlord or agent requests money
                                              take care of it should all be part of your   options or request only one.
If you are considering getting a pet,                                                                                                      via money transfer
you need to make sure you have done           decision to get a pet. You also need         Rental scams
                                              to make sure you know the rules and                                                        • The scammers may try to appear
research into the type of pet that would                                                                                                   genuine by providing photos, real
                                              requirements of pet ownership. They          Unfortunately, rental scams can occur in
be suitable to your situation. Pets can                                                                                                    addresses of properties, copies of
                                              may be different from what you are           Australia. But, there are a few things to
be fantastic, however there are a few                                                                                                      land titles, and even scans of stolen
                                              used to and you may get into trouble if      look out for so you can protect yourself.
things you need to think about before                                                                                                      passports. Scammers also ask for
getting one. Things like the size of your     you don’t follow them.
                                                                                           Be careful of offers that sound too good        personal details – such as bank and
pet, where it will live, how much time                                                     to be true. Ask advice from trusted             credit card numbers – which they use
you can spend with it, what will happen       www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/pets
                                                                                           friends, or your school or agent, if you        for credit card and identity fraud
                                                                                           see any of the following warning signs:
                                                                                                                                         • Make sure you always inspect the
                                                                                           • The rent is a lot cheaper than other          property in person (or via Skype if
A message from Crime Stoppers Victoria & DELWP Victoria                                      similar accommodation in the area             you can’t attend) and don’t send any
Victoria is full of cute creatures, many of which you’re bound to encounter during         • You are asked to sign a lease or pay a        money via money transfer
your time here. Seeing a native animal for the first time is a special experience            bond or deposit before you have seen
and we kindly ask that you appreciate from a distance. Native wildlife in Victoria           the property
is protected for many reasons - including the safety of wildlife watchers - like
yourself! Native animals are not to be taken as pets and serious penalties apply for
keeping, selling or exporting Australian wildlife. If you have an exotic pet that has
come from overseas or originates from overseas, Australia has strict importation                                                       COST OF LIVING CALCULATOR
laws and serious penalties apply if you bring these exotic pets into Australia
                                                                                                                                       Want to work out your budget? Use
illegally. For more information, please visit:
                                                                                                                                       our Cost of Living Calculator to receive
www.wildlife.vic.gov.au                                                                                                                a customised breakdown of your
                                                                                                                                       expected costs in Melbourne.
                                                                                                                                       www.insiderguides.com.au/colc

28                  STUDYMELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU • MELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU                                                          INSIDERGUIDES.COM.AU                                29
Giveaway time!

Want to enjoy Australia like a local?
Win free tickets to events, sporting
matches, experiences and more!

Head to our website for more information
INSIDERGUIDES.COM.AU/GIVEAWAYS
Setting up your house
     There are plenty of stores and online marketplaces in
     Australia offering affordable furniture and other home items.
     Here’s our guide to some of the best.

     FURNITURE STORES                       FACEBOOK
     There are two IKEA stores located      Facebook is a great resource for
     in Melbourne (Richmond and             buying (and selling) furniture
     Springvale), where you can find        and homewares. Facebook
     reasonably-priced furniture and        Marketplace is full of second-
     homewares. Fantastic Furniture         hand furniture, appliances,
     and Amart are also good options        decorative pieces, cookware, and
     for larger items, with locations       even clothing, electronics, and
     around the city.                       hundreds of other items.
     SECOND-HAND STORES                     DEPARTMENT STORES
     If you’re looking for one-of-a-        Look for your nearest Kmart,
     kind, affordable furnishings and       Target, Big W or Spotlight –
     home items, second-hand stores         these stores sell everything
     are fantastic places to look.          from furniture and lighting to
     Melbourne is home to several           kitchenware and bedding at low
     Vinnies, Salvos and Savers stores,     prices.
     as well as independent second-
                                            BUY, SWAP, SELL
     hand shops and boutiques.
                                            You’ll find plenty of buy, swap,
     ONLINE MARKETPLACES
                                            sell groups on Facebook that are
     In Australia, Gumtree and eBay         dedicated to particular suburbs
     are two of the biggest online          around Melbourne. There are
     marketplaces for new and used          also websites such as Ziilch and
     furniture and home goods. On           Freecycle.
     Gumtree, you’ll often find people
     giving things away for free.

32             STUDYMELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU • MELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU
Important steps
     Once you’ve moved into your new home, there are a few
     things you’ll need to do.

     1. Notify your bank, employer,         3. Tell your friends and family
        education provider and OSHC            back home where you’re living.
        provider of your new address.          They probably want to know
        Your student visa requires             that you’re in a safe place and
        you to update your education           they may want to send mail
        provider within seven days of          from time to time.
        arriving in Australia or moving
                                            4. Think about home and
        to a new address.
                                               contents insurance. If you’re
     2. Get to know your local area            living in your own apartment
        and council. Find out where            or house, or have joined an
        your nearest medical centre,           existing share house, you
        shops, public transport hubs,          might want to purchase home
        fitness facilities and more are        and contents insurance to
        located. Learn about waste             protect your belongings from
        disposal in your area, including       theft or damage.
        recycling and composting
                                            5. Check your home is in working
        options. Check out your local
                                               order. Make sure things like
        council’s website for more
                                               hot water, taps and switches
        information.
                                               work. If there are any faults
                                               or issues, notify your agent or
                                               landlord.

34                  STUDYMELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU • MELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU
Mobile phones
                                                        Plan vs prepaid
                                                        Prepaid involves buying credit for your phone and topping up each week or month.
                                                        This way, you can control how much you spend. It’s a great option if you’re in
                                                        Australia for a short time. If you’ll be here for over 12 months, you may want
                                                        to consider a ‘plan’ or a ‘contract’, which is a set payment per month to use the
                                                        network. Usually, you will get more phone calls and data this way than through
                                                        prepaid options.

                                                        What should I watch out for?
                                                        Read your contract, or the terms and conditions, closely to make sure you
                                                        understand any additional charges that can be applied. Another thing to be aware
                                                        of is extra subscriptions that may come with the service. If the overall deals
                                                        between phone providers are similar, then consider if you would save money by
                                                        having free access to another service. For example, the plan may come with free
                                                        sport streaming, Spotify or Netflix.

                                                        How do I get started?                           • An Australian bank statement or
                                                                                                          rental agreement
                                                        For both prepaid and plan options,
                                                        head to one of the phone shops we’ve            • Your student visa details
                                                        listed below. To get started, you’ll need
                                                                                                        • Proof of identity, such as your
                                                        some documents to prove who you are.
                                                                                                          passport

                                                                                                     Factors to consider before signing a
                                                                                                     phone contract
                                                          WHERE CAN I BUY A
                                                                                                    HOW LONG IS THE CONTRACT?
                                                          NEW MOBILE PHONE OR
                                                          SIM CARD, OR SIGN UP                      HOW MANY MINUTES OF PHONE CALLS DO I
                                                          FOR A PLAN?                               GET (AND ARE INTERNATIONAL CALLS INCLUD-
                                                                                                    ED)?
                                                          There are several mobile
                                                          phone providers in Australia              WHAT IS THE MONTHLY DATA LIMIT AND HOW
                                                          that sell phones and/or                   MUCH EXTRA WILL I BE CHARGED FOR GOING
                                                                                                    OVER THE LIMIT?
                                                          SIM cards, offering both
                                                          plans and prepaid options.                HOW MUCH WILL I BE CHARGED IF I NEED TO
                                                          Some of the most popular
      Communication
                                                                                                    END THE CONTRACT EARLY?
                                                          providers include Vodafone,               WHAT EXTRAS/DISCOUNTS/SUBSCRIPTIONS
                                                          Telstra, Optus, Virgin Mobile,            ARE INCLUDED?
                                                          Amaysim, Boost Mobile and
                                                                                                    HOW GOOD IS THE NETWORK COVERAGE?
                                                          Vaya.
                                                                                                    WILL I BE CHARGED EXTRA FOR PAYING BILLS IN
                                                                                                    A CERTAIN WAY (E.G. CREDIT CARD)?

36   STUDYMELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU • MELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU                                      INSIDERGUIDES.COM.AU                                37
Internet
How do I arrange home internet?              After you’ve chosen an internet
                                             provider, setting up your home internet
There are several home internet
                                             is easy. You can buy your own modem
providers in Australia including Optus,
                                             or purchase one through your provider.
TPG, Telstra, iiNet, Belong and more.
                                             They’ll then provide you with all of the
Services like Compare Broadband are a        necessary steps required to finish your
good starting point if you are unsure of
pricing and the options available in your
                                             set-up.
                                             Australia is gradually connecting to
                                                                                        Streaming options
area. Month-by-month and six-month
                                             the National Broadband Network
contracts are becoming more common.
                                             (NBN), a process that is expected to       Netflix (netflix.com)
They work for students in regards to
                                             be completed this year. But, note that
contract length but cost more than 12                                                   Netflix provides on-demand access to a range of local and international shows.
                                             speeds in many locations are still quite
or 24-month contracts.                                                                  You can watch on smart TVs, gaming consoles, Apple TV and Chromecast, mobile
                                             slow, especially if you come from a
                                             country with fast internet.                devices, and computers. From $9.99/month.

                                             www.comparebroadband.com.au
                                                                                        Foxtel Now (foxtel.com.au/now) and Stan (stan.com.au)
                                                                                        Both available on computers, smart TVs, Chromecast and gaming consoles. The
Free wi-fi in Melbourne                                                                 Foxtel Now app allows you to sign up for the subscription service, Foxtel, without
Melbourne offers free wi-fi in certain parts of the city, including on CBD train        any installation costs or contracts. Foxtel is a good choice if you want to access
platforms. You’ll also find free wi-fi at Melbourne Airport – ideal if you’ve just      live sport. Stan is an Australian subscription service that offers an extensive back
arrived in Australia and need internet to navigate your way into                        catalogue of local and international content. From $25/month (Foxtel) & $10/
the city.                                                                               month (Stan).

Public libraries, museums (including the NGV) and community centres usually
offer free wi-fi too, and you’ll find that many cafes around Melbourne give decent      Sport streaming services
internet access (either for free or with purchase).                                     Kayo is the most popular streaming service for sport content, with over 50 sports
The Study Melbourne Student Centre also provides free wi-fi, as well as several         available. It works by streaming from popular sport channels including ESPN
other study facilities.                                                                 and Fox Sports. Prices start at $25/month. Optus Sport has the rights for the
                                                                                        English Premier League and UEFA Champions and Europa Leagues. These games
                                                                                        can be watched on mobile devices or on Chromecast, Fetch TV or Apple TV. It is
How do I arrange mobile broadband?                                                      free for most Optus customers or $14.99/month for non-Optus customers. AFL
                                                                                        (Australian Rules Football), A-League (Football/Soccer), NRL (Rugby League) and
If you can’t get a hotspot using your phone and want a good connection for your         Super Netball can be streamed on mobile devices through Telstra. These have
device, an easy solution is mobile broadband. Visit a Vodafone, Optus or Telstra        varying prices for non-customers but are free to Telstra customers.
store and pick up a 4G modem - they start at around $15-20 per month, but
prepaid options are also available.
                                                                                        ABC iview, SBS On Demand, 7plus, 9Now, 10 Play                         Free!
                                                                                        The main free-to-air stations in Australia all have apps available that allow you to
                                                                                        watch their shows on demand. These apps are free to download and use, but most
                                                                                        of them do contain advertising.

38                  STUDYMELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU • MELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU                                                     INSIDERGUIDES.COM.AU                                  39
Banks in Australia
                                                        Why do I need an Australian                 from employment or a scholarship
                                                        bank account?                               will need to be paid directly into an
                                                                                                    Australian account.
                                                        Opening an Australian bank account
                                                        will enable you to earn money in            Additionally, you will easily be able to
                                                        Australia. Any payment you receive          access funds without attracting fees for
                                                                                                    international transfers.

                                                        How do I set up                             You can use a basic day-to-day account
                                                        a bank account?                             to pay for course fees, rent or daily
                                                                                                    living costs.
                                                        This step is easy. There are several
                                                        banks to choose from in Australia.         What should I bring with me?
                                                        When you arrive in Australia, simply          PASSPORT OR BIRTH CERTIFICATE
                                                        head to your chosen bank and let them
                                                                                                      NATIONAL IDENTITY CARD
                                                        know you’re an international student
                                                                                                      (IF YOU HAVE ONE)
                                                        and would like to open an account.
                                                        You will need to bring some important         PROOF OF AUSTRALIAN ADDRESS
                                                        documents. You will be provided with          (CAN BE A HOUSEHOLD BILL)
                                                        access to a day-to-day account and an         PROOF OF ENROLMENT
                                                        online savings account.
                                                        Once you have been identified, you will      Note - It is not necessary to have a Tax
                                                        be provided with a debit card, allowing      File Number to get a bank account, but
                                                        you to shop across Australia and online      without one you will get taxed up to 48%
                                                        without paying additional fees.              (approximately) on the interest your
                                                                                                     money earns in the bank account.

                                                        Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs), contactless payment and PayID
                                                        Your debit card allows you to withdraw cash from most ATMs across Australia.
                                                        Note that using an ATM that’s not from your bank may incur a fee. You don’t
                                                        always need to use your debit card though; you can also set up contactless
                                                        payments so you can pay for things using your mobile phone, meaning you don’t

               Money
                                                        need to carry a card around. PayID is another way to make payments that uses
                                                        either your mobile number or email address. Ask your bank for more information.

              & Banking                                 Can I get an Australian credit card         If you’re determined to get an
                                                                                                    Australian credit card, talk to your
                                                        as an international student?
                                                                                                    nearest bank branch. In most cases, you
                                                        It’s a little more complicated to get a     will need to undergo a credit check and
                                                        credit card as an international student,    meet certain requirements.
                                                        as most Australian banks require you to
                                                        be on a particular visa and earning a
                                                        minimum amount of money per year.

40   STUDYMELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU • MELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU                                   INSIDERGUIDES.COM.AU                                41
Managing your money
How do I manage                                don’t really need, like buying a coffee
my budget?                                     every day vs making one at home. Then,
                                               download an app like Pocketbook on
The first thing you need to do is get an       your phone, and sync up your bank
understanding of your current financial        accounts so you can start tracking and
position. Predict and list all your            setting goals for spending and saving.
income and expenses for the next three
to six months as best you can. Then, it’s      Use ASIC’s free budgeting tool to get
time to think about ways to improve it.        started.
Think about the things that add a lot          www.moneysmart.gov.au
of value versus what you pay for but

What resources are available if I am facing financial difficulties?
If you are having any difficulties with your finances, your first contact should be
your educational institution. They have qualified staff available to help and can
point you in the right direction for support. If you are experiencing financial
hardship then you may be able to apply to pay your tuition in instalments. You can
also use the MoneyHelp service if you need financial counselling.
www.moneyhelp.org.au

Where can I seek help for                       There are a number of resources
gambling?                                       available to help you beat your
                                                gambling addiction, including
Gambling can be addictive, which                Gambler’s Help Victoria, Gambling
not only affects your health, but your          Help Online and Chinese Peer
finances too. To get an accurate picture        Connection (for Chinese speakers).
of how much gambling is costing you,
use the calculator on the Gambler’s             www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
Help website.                                   www.each.com.au
www.gamblershelp.com.au

     THE COST OF LIVING                        PERSONALISE YOUR EXPENSES
     CALCULATOR
                                               COMPARE AUSTRALIAN CITIES
     Need to work out a budget
                                               ASSESS THE PRICES IN MULTIPLE
     for your time in Australia? The
                                               CURRENCIES
     Insider Guides Cost of Living
     Calculator lets you work out              SAVE YOUR RESULTS FOR LATER
     how much you’ll likely be
     spending in Melbourne.               www.insiderguides.com.au/colc

42                    STUDYMELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU • MELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU
Transferring funds                                                                      Australia’s way to pay bills
Setting up your new life in Australia is an exciting process, but it does come with a
lot of expenses. You will need to pay course fees to your institution, buy textbooks,
pay your accommodation costs, pay your bills every month, and have access to
your money for everyday spending. This can mean a lot of transactions. There are
many different ways to send and receive funds; with a little research, you can find
the best solution to suit you.

Send and recieve money from home             PayPal is perhaps the most well-
                                             known money transfer system, but it
If you have internet banking set up with
                                             does attract a currency conversion
your bank, you can easily receive funds
                                             fee. Otherwise, you can check out
from home or send money overseas.
                                             dedicated international money transfer
Just make sure you have all the required
                                             services like Western Union, Cohort Go
codes (SWIFT, Sort and, for Europeans,
                                             and Flywire.
IBAN) and the correct account
numbers. Bank accounts are best for          A prepaid credit card is a great way
transferring small amounts and paying        to receive money from home for daily
your everyday expenses. If you are           expenses and not fall into the trap of
transferring larger amounts of money         spending more money than you have in
and want a better exchange rate with         your budget. Companies like Vasco Pay
lower fees, you may want to consider         offer prepaid cards designed just for             When it comes to paying your bills think BPAY ®.
other services.                              students, as well as additional services
                                             like weekly discounts so you can get a          We are uniquely Australian and trusted by Australians.
Money transfer companies provide a
                                             bit of extra spending power.
fast option to send and receive money
overseas in minutes. If you shop around,
specialist international money transfer
companies will often give you a better
deal on currency exchange rates than                                                                                             How to pay with BPAY
your bank.

Pay your education expenses and              BPAY is an electronic bill payment
other bills                                  system that enables secure payment
                                             for many different expenses, like your
Student payment services are a secure        monthly mobile phone or other utility                            Bill                                            Bank                                             Done!
way to make payments to educational          bills. Look for the BPAY reference                 Find the B PAY biller code                            Log in to your online                         Select B PAY, your preferred
institutions, insurance, accommodation       number on your bill and then select the
                                                                                                  and CRN on your bill.                                or mobile banking.                            account, enter the B PAY
                                                                                                                                                                                                       details, amount and
or other education service providers,        BPAY option on your internet, mobile                                                                                                                         payment date.
or to your own bank account for living       or phone banking account to make your
expenses. Companies like Cohort              payment.
Go and Flywire offer great foreign
exchange rates and make paying for                                                      Published by BPAY Pty Ltd (ABN 69 079 137 518) (Phone (02) 9646 9222; email: marketing@bpay.com.au). The BPAY Scheme is managed by BPAY Pty Ltd.
                                                                                        B PAY Payments are offered by over 150 B PAY Scheme members. When you use B PAY the B PAY Scheme is paid fees relating to processing costs and B PAY
your education expenses easy.                                                           Scheme membership. Contact your financial institution to see if it offers B PAY and to get the terms and conditions. Any financial product advice provided
                                                                                        by B PAY Pty Ltd in relation to B PAY payment products is general advice only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial
                                                                                        situation or needs. Before acting on such advice, you should review the Product Disclosure Statement and consider whether B PAY payment products are
                                                                                        appropriate for your personal circumstances.
44                  STUDYMELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU • MELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU
Employment basics
                                                        Can I work while studying?
                                                        While on a student visa, you can work up to 40 hours per fortnight during the
                                                        semester and unlimited hours during semester breaks. A fortnight means 14 days.
                                                        Australia has laws guaranteeing basic workplace rights, including minimum pay and
                                                        conditions. We’ll go into these later in the guide.

                                                        What do I need to know about tax?
                                                        Before working in Australia, it is crucial to obtain a Tax File Number (TFN). Your
                                                        TFN will ensure that you get taxed at the correct rate for the amount of work you
                                                        are doing. Australia has a tax-free threshold of $18,200, meaning you will pay no
                                                        tax if you earn less than this amount in one year. If you have any tax taken from
                                                        your earnings, you will need to complete a tax return at the end of the financial
                                                        year.

                                                        Do I need an Australian Business Number (ABN)?
                                                        You don’t need an ABN to work for an Australian employer. You only need one if
                                                        you’re an independent contractor, like a freelancer.
                                                        www.fairwork.gov.au/find-help-for/independent-contractors

                                                        What is superannuation?
                                                        Often known as ‘super’, it is a financial contribution towards a fund that you use to
                                                        live on when you retire. You can contribute to your own fund, but most commonly
                                                        your employer does this. If you are an employee, the law in Australia says you
                                                        are entitled to receive super from your employer. If you earn over $450 (before
                                                        tax) in the calendar month, your employer must contribute at least 9.5% of your
                                                        earnings to your nominated super fund. This is in addition to your ordinary wage.
                                                        You can also claim super when you leave Australia.
                                                        www.ato.gov.au/individuals/super

                                                        Internships and work experience
           Employment                                   An internship may be a compulsory part of your degree, or you might just want
                                                        a bit of extra professional experience to improve your resume. Check with
                                                        your institution’s career centre for options for arranging an internship or work
                                                        experience.

46   STUDYMELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU • MELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU                                    INSIDERGUIDES.COM.AU                              47
WHY SHOULD I VOLUNTEER?
                          Volunteering will provide you with a vast range of soft
                                                                                        Learn How to Find
                                                                                        a Job in Australia
                          skills, improve your ability to communicate, allow you
                          to make new friends, and help you integrate with your
                          new community. Your university may have a volunteering
                          office, but if not, seek help at the careers office. Off-
                          campus volunteering may take you further into the
                          local community and allow you to learn about Australian
                          customs. The experience you develop through volunteering
                          can be of great advantage when you apply for a
                          professional role.                                                            Online training tailored to teach you how to:
                          www.volunteeringvictoria.org.au                                               Ê apply for part time work while studying
                                                                                                        Ê apply for an internship
                                                                                                        Ê apply for full time graduate work
                          GETTING A JOB AFTER YOU GRADUATE
                          After you graduate, you can apply for a Temporary
                          Graduate visa (subclass 485) which will let you live, study
                          and work in Australia for a set number of years depending
                          on the education level you complete.                          JOB READINESS TRAINING FOR
                          In your final year you will be able to apply for graduate     STUDENTS AND GRADUATES
                          positions with a range of organisations. Employers have the
                          opportunity to sponsor your visa, too. See the Department
                          of Home Affairs website for more information.
                          www.homeaffairs.gov.au

                                                                                         FREE: 7 Steps to
                          To learn more about employability skills, we recommend
                          reviewing the International Education Association of

                                                                                         Job Readiness
                          Australia (IEAA) International Employability Guide.
                          www.ieaa.org.au/research/employability
                                                                                         Webinar
     WHERE SHOULD I                            international students to find
     LOOK FOR A PART-TIME/                     appropriate roles while studying in       REGISTER NOW AT:
     CASUAL JOB?                               Australia.                                successfulgraduate.com/
     Many international students use the       www.seek.com.au                           7-steps
     popular website Seek to find jobs.
     Other large popular sites include         www.careerone.com.au
     Career One and Indeed. OneShift           au.indeed.com
     Jobs and Spot Jobs are also great
     places to look. These student-            au.oneshiftjobs.com
     oriented sites make it easier for         www.spotjobs.com

48                    STUDYMELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU • MELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU
How do I write a résumé?
                                                                                                   Prove yourself
                                                                                                   with your selfie.
The basics of a résumé include your contact details, previous work history and, for
students and recent graduates, information on your education. Include at least
one reference; this should be a previous employer or someone who knows your
work or study ethic. Speak to a friendly tutor if you need them to be a reference.
Your résumé and cover letter should be targeted for a particular role; don’t use the
same generic versions for all jobs.
Keep it as concise as possible and get somebody to proofread it for you. The Study
                                                                                                   With Australia Post Digital iD™
                                                                                                                                 ,            Use Keypass in Digital iD™ to
                                                                                                                                              enter participating licensed
Melbourne Student Centre offers one-on-one résumé help sessions every Tuesday                      your identity has gone digital.            venues or purchase alcohol in Vic,
and Thursday if you need feedback on your résumé.                                                                                             Tas, ACT, Qld, and NT (excluding

We have underlined the errors in the following résumé in red.
                                                                                                   Use your phone to prove you’re             takeaway alcohol in NT).

                                                                                                   over 18 when heading out to                Show your Digital iD™ to collect
     PERSONAL INFORMATION                                Avoid including your date of birth        participating venues in Victoria.          a parcel from the Post Office.
                                                         or particularly personal information
     Ms Jane Lee                                         like your height/weight, marital                                                     Prove who you are online
     2019 Guides Street                                  status or religion. You also don’t need                                              wherever Digital iD™ is accepted.
                                                         to include your visa status, as you
 X   Email - iloveponies27@hotmail.com
                                                         should have working rights anyway.
     Ph (01) 2345 6789                                   Make sure your email address is
 X   DOB - 01/02/03                                      professional.
 X   Height - 250cm Weight - 170kg
     Visa - Student                                      Carefully proofread your résumé to
 X   Marital Status - Divorced                           eliminate all typos and other errors.
 X   Religion - Jedi
                                                         Highlight your responsibilities in the
                                                         role and, where relevant, showcase
     EMPLOYMENT HISTORY                                  any significant achievements
 X   Shop Asistant                                       (awards, beating targets etc.).

     Insider Shop Jan 2017 - Present                     If you haven’t graduated yet, list
     Responsibilities: Handling Money                    your expected completion date.

     Key Achievements: Staff Award                       You certainly don’t need to include
                                                         your primary school education. High
                                                         school is definitely optional, but
     EDUCATION HISTORY                                   won’t look out of place if you want
                                                         to highlight your history of high
     Bachelor of Arts - Insider University               achievement.
 X   Insider Primary School

     Responsible Service of Alcohol Certificate          Include short courses if you believe
     2017                                                they are relevant or beneficial to the
                                                         role you are applying for.
                                                                                                                            Find out more at DigitaliD.com

50                     STUDYMELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU • MELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU
WORKPLACE
                                           Am I getting the right pay?                     Want to work while you study ?
     EXPLOITATION                          As an international student, you have the
     It’s important that you               same workplace rights as all workers in
                                           Australia. The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO)
                                                                                                          Know your workplace rights
     understand your rights at work.
     There are a few things to be          can help if you have concerns about pay,
     aware of to ensure you don’t          leave or how you’re treated at work.
     end up being exploited by your        www.fairwork.gov.au has information in

                                                                                                                                           ?
     employer.                             different languages to help you understand                                                      ending employment
                                           your work rights. Check if you are getting                                             pay rates         public holidays
     1. Avoid job ads that look            the right pay and entitlements using the Fair
        suspicious. Make sure              Work Ombudsman’s Pay And Conditions                                                  breaks                       sick leave
        they mention the business          Tool (PACT) at www.fairwork.gov.au/PACT.
        name and look it up on the
                                                                                                                               penalties                      payslips
        Australian Business Name           You can contact the FWO for help without                                         cash-in-hand                     deductions
                                           fear of your visa being cancelled, as long as
        register (abr.business.gov.au)
                                           certain conditions are met. See
                                                                                                                            unpaid work                internships
     2. Minimum wage is currently          www.fairwork.gov.au/internationalstudents                                         annual leave            award coverage
        set at $19.49 or $24.36 for        for more information.                                                                 hours of work        language help
        casuals, and may go up in
        July 2020.                         The FWO’s anonymous reporting tool at                                                      sham contracting
                                           www.fairwork.gov.au/tipoff lets you report                                                        flexible work
     3. You should be paid at least        a workplace issue without providing your
        once a month, receiving a          personal information. It’s available in 17
        payslip within one working         languages. The FWO’s record my hours app
        day of being paid.                 makes it easy to record the hours you’ve
                                           worked. Download it now from the App
     4. You should always be paid for
        work that you do, including
                                           Store or get it on Google Play!
                                                                                             International students have the same
        training and trial shifts.
        Record your hours to make
                                           You can visit www.fairwork.gov.au or call the
                                           FWO on 13 13 94. To speak your language         workplace rights as all workers in Australia
        sure you’re being paid in full.    you can call the Translating and Interpreting
                                           Service (TIS) on 13 14 50. Tell the operator
     5. Employers are not allowed
                                           the language you speak and ask them to          The Fair Work Ombudsman is the government agency that can help you understand
        to give you goods or services
                                           call the FWO on 13 13 94. Contacting and        Australian workplace laws, and resolve workplace issues.
        (including food) instead of
                                           getting help from the FWO is FREE!
        pay.
                                                                                           The Fair Work Ombudsman provides FREE services to all employers and employees
                                                                                           in Australia, including international students.
     STUDY MELBOURNE STUDENT CENTRE
                                                                                           You can find more information at:
     If you think you need employment support, you can seek advice from Study
     Melbourne’s International Students Work Rights Legal Service. For more                www.fairwork.gov.au or call us on 13 13 94
     information, or to make an appointment:
                                                                                           (13 14 50 for the Translating and Interpreting Service)
     Email info@studymelbourne.vic.gov.au or call 1800 056 449                                                                                                        facebook.com/
     Your educational institution may also have an employment or welfare support                                                                                      fairwork.gov.au
     service – check their website for more information.
                                                                                                                                                                      @fairwork_gov_au

                                                                                                                                                                      FairworkGovAu
52                     STUDYMELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU • MELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU
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