Student Life in Australia

From gigantic skyscrapers to the blue waters and golden sand, all of this can be found in one place and that is the country of Australia. Over the years, it has emerged as the choicest study destination and its ever-growing international students’ community is the testimony to its success. With world-class facilities, globally venerated universities, and practical exposure, studying in Australia have innumerable benefits. If you are planning to study in Australia soon, then you must be wondering about student life in Australia. This blog will dispel all your queries by giving you an insight into student life in Australia from living and studying costs to entertainment and nightlife.

Cost of Studying in Australia

For an international student, a major part of student life in Australia would be about managing finances and maintaining one’s lifestyle and the different types of costs and expenses which can incur. There is two major division for costs, i.e. the cost of studying and the other living expenses which include accommodation, food costs, and utilities that we will be discussing in a while. Although the costs vary based on the location, the university, and the degree being pursued, having an idea of the costs can help in managing the finances. On average, the cost of studying in Australia for pursuing a degree in any of its renowned universities is somewhere between 15,000 AUD – 36,000 AUD (8,2,2000 INR- 1,97,4000 INR) per year.  Read or blog on Cost of Studying in Australia to know more about expenses, scholarships, tuition fees, and more. 

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Cost of Living in Australia 

In both the Human Development Index and the Quality of Life Index, Australia is ranked among the top ten. Simply said, Australia is a developed country that ranks among the top countries in the world in terms of education, GDP, and buying power parity. With high-income levels, it also has a high degree of health awareness, a good medical system, and a politically stable economy. Take a look at the breakdown of average living expenses on a weekly basis for international students in Australia: 

Cost Type	Average Expense per Week (in AUD$)	Average Expense per Week (in INR)
Accommodation	100 – 300	5,300 -16,000
Food/Groceries	140 – 280	7,500– 5,000
Utilities	10– 20	500 – 1,000
Transportation	30– 60	1,600 – 3,000
Recreation	80– 150	4,000 – 8,000
Course-related expenditure	15– 20	800 – 1,000

Note: The aforementioned expenses and costs are only indicative and average estimates. These costs can vary as per the city, university as well as course and other related factors.

Student Life in Australia: Climate 

The climate and weather in Australia may take some time to get accustomed to for international students from Europe and North America, as the seasons in Australia are opposite to those in Europe and North America. The temperature in Australia varies greatly depending on location, as the country is made up of a range of ecosystems, ranging from beaches to deserts to grazing areas to coral reefs. During the summer (December-February), the average temperature range between 20°C/68°F to 35°C/95°F. In the winter (June-August), the average temperature ranges from 3°C/37°F to 20°C/68°F. Spring and fall feature warm days and chilly evenings. Rainfall fluctuates greatly from year to year, but the yearly average is approximately 286mm.

Getting the Right Health Insurance Package

Unlike Australian citizens, foreign students aren’t eligible for local medicare without insurance. Making sure of health insurance forms an imperative part of student life in Australia. A must-have for any international student is Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) which is a healthcare package primarily aimed at helping international students during a medical emergency during their course of stay. It helps pay for the potential expenses that are likely to happen in case of a medical emergency and works as precautionary support to the student.

Working while Studying

A major aspect of student life in Australia for international students is finding work opportunities while studying. International students can work at a part-time job on the Australian student’s visa but can’t undertake a full-time job. They are allowed to work 20 hours a week alongside their studies. Working can help students in managing their finances better and have an option to explore the professional world of Australia. The minimum wage in Australia is 17.70 AUD/hour and students can easily land a job in multiple fields like as a tutor, in retail, or in other areas associated with the field of their specialization. Having command over the English language smoothly facilitates the process of getting a part-time job.

Immersing in the Rich Australian Culture

Australia is a unique blend of multiple cultures and diverse traditions. In the actual sense, it presents a cosmopolitan atmosphere enriching student life in Australia. As one of the happiest countries to study abroad, Australia warmly welcomes students from every part of the world. Its foundations lie in a liberal democratic approach to life. Australia has an egalitarian society where everyone is treated equally and is expected to uphold the principles that form a part of the country and thereby live a high standard of life. The spirit of Australian culture emphasizes equality and living a life of contentment. 

Recreational Activities and Entertainment

Soaking in the local activities is an essential part of any study abroad experience. From discovering the local culture to attending shows, this is the most fascinating aspect of student life in Australia. Home to friendly locals and lively culture, there is never any dearth of recreational activities in Australia. Staying in Australia helps international students consider everything on their bucket list slowly and discover the country with the help of locals who are always eager to help students explore the bustling life that exists in Australia. Here are some of the wildest attractions in the fascinating country:

• Queensland is a place like no other on Earth. You may plan a trip to the Gold coast , or take a scenic flight over the world’s largest coral reef which stretches over 2300 kilometres.  Experience Snorkel, scuba dive in the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef. Fraser island is a nature paradise with an unspoilt coastline, crystal-clear fresh waters with a walk-through ancient Valley of the Giants
• Bungee jumping at Cairns can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, albeit a scary one for some individuals. The scenic Cairns accentuate the whole affair manyfold.
• Ocean sports: Being an Island, Australia has its fair share of beaches to offer to all its visitors. Most of its beaches offer an opportunity to ocean-raft, surf, scuba-dive and snorkel- a lifelong dream for many adventurous souls. 
• Skydiving: While Bungee Jumping may be enough for some, the braver of the heart can also choose to go for a skydive in Australia. You can skydive to the scenic location of Byron Bay, etching those moments in your memory for a long time.
• Camel Riding: As a reflector of its geographical diversity, the vast Australian desert offers a Camel ride to its visitors amidst all the water sports. Riders get to experience the vast barrens of the many deserts of Australia, among which the Great Victoria Desert is the largest.
• Sydney Opera House: One of the world’s biggest hotspot for performing arts, and a worthy addition to the list of UNESCO world heritage sites, this theatre has always been the centre of attention for hosting high-end performances for elites. 

Apart from all the exotic activities stated above, there are many sports and recreational activities which a student may find engaging. Here are some of those:

• Cricket
• Fishing
• Swimming
• Cycling
• Boxing
• Tennis
• Barbecuing

Provisions by Universities to Support International Students in times of COVID-19

To counter the spread of COVID-19, Australian universities have shifted the bulk of their programs online. Classes are being held online and international students in Australia during the pandemic have been provided extended Visas and support helplines in case they face and problems. From accommodation to fund availability, all student grievances are being recorded and addressed by the Australian government, as well as the respective universities.

Other than that, research-centric universities in Australia have been working incessantly to mitigate the losses from the pandemic. The University of Queensland is one of the forerunners in the development of the Coronavirus vaccine. UQ is the only Australian organization tasked by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to develop a vaccine for the Covid-19 virus. With the financial aid of more than 17 million dollars through government and philanthropic sources, the university has been successful in developing a vaccine for the deadly virus. As of 13th July 2020, the vaccine has successfully begun its human trials, starting off on a small group of volunteers aged between 18-55. If the tests are successful, it would be a massive breakthrough in the world of modern medicine.

Here’s David Warner thanking an international student Shreyas for his commendable work to help the Australian community during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Campus Life and Student Community for International Students 

Without a doubt, Australia is one of the most welcoming and student-friendly countries around the world. Most of its universities are open to foreign students, where they are allowed to do pretty much all the activities that a native student can do. In 2019, the total percentage of foreign students in Australian institutions was determined to be an impressive 26.7%.

Student Life in Australia: Classroom Culture

Because most foreign students are being introduced to a new classroom culture overseas for the first time, they may find the classrooms in Australian universities to be a little daunting. It is encouraged to ask the teachers or faculty your doubts and questions. Understanding classroom debates may appear intriguing to non-native English language speakers at first, but they eventually become a part of the classroom ambiance. Students may easily overcome this issue if they practice listening to the Australian English accent beforehand through numerous sources such as YouTube, television, or podcasts.

Cultural and University Festivals

For someone who likes to enjoy the cultural flavor of foreign countries, Australia has always been a must-visit. The country booms with festivals and events all-round the year, celebrating the heritage and history of the kangaroo land. Here are some of the prime upcoming festive events in Australia:

Event	Dates
Darwin Festival	6th-23rd Aug
Melbourne Cup	3rd Nov
New year’s Eve	31st Dec
Woodford Folk Festival	27th Dec-1st Jan

Apart from these, Australian universities also host annual festivals at their campuses.

Celebrated from 17th-27th October in 29, the BLOOM festival at The University of Queensland is notably unique among its contemporaries. 

Contrary to the general buzz and crowd of a university festival, BLOOM celebrates the event in harmony with the purple hue spread across the scenery during the fall season in Brisbane. The whole festival is purple-themed and witnesses the lighting of jacarandas by the lake at St. Lucia campus during the night. It is truly a glorious celebration to witness.

Want to know more? Check out The University of Queensland Event Highlights 2019!

Education Loan 

To apply for foreign education, one must begin planning as soon as possible, with the most crucial stage being financial preparation. However, not everyone is fortunate enough to come from a wealthy family. But, having said that, one should not give up hope of realizing one’s ambitions. Student education loans are available from financial organisations and banks such as HDFC Credila, SBI, and others at low-interest rates. An education loan may be simply applied for and approved in a matter of days. However, in order for your loan to be approved, all of your loan paperwork must be precise and error-free. To know more about how to get an education loan to study abroad in countries like Australia, check out our blog on the same Here!

FAQs

We hope this blog has sufficiently aroused your curiosity about student life in Australia. Are you aiming to pursue a course in one of the top universities in Australia and immerse in the one-of-its-kind experience this country has on offer? Our Leverage Edu experts are here to guide you through every step of the admission process, helping you craft well-written SOP and LORs and ensuring that you send a winning application! Sign up for a free consultation session with us today!