1
The OSHC insurance company will send an insurance card to your mailing address. At the request of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, your OSHC insurance must cover your entire stay in Australia. The start date of the insurance must be set at 7 days before your scheduled start of school. If you arrive in Australia more than 7 days before starting school, arrange for travel insurance in the meantime. Be sure to check the details of your insurance policy on your Policy Certificate. If you cannot understand the details, please ask us.
Depending on the intended length of stay consider and your individual circumstances, you may need to consider additional insurance, such as dental. Without supplementary insurance, a filling may cost as much as AUD 500. Monthly supplementary insurance costs around AUD 18. We recommend HBF Health Insurance for additional cover.
2
At your local the Department of Transport office. A photo card serves as a document of primary identification (age, name and address). A photo card is not a travel document (like a passport) but is accepted everywhere in Australia as identification. This avoids the need to carry a passport with you. In Australia, you must prove your age when entering clubs or buying alcohol.
3
Mobile phone operators are constantly improving their services and prices. . However, in terms of best coverage and value for money we recommend OPTUS.
If you are looking for an operator who will give you the most data at the best price, we recommend Amaysim. With this operator, you can set up everything on the Internet and your SIM card will come home by mail. At time of writing, they offer 6 GB, unlimited calls and SMS for $ 29.90 AUD per month.
4
The easiest way to do this online. Once you have set up the account online, you will need to visit the bank in person with valid identification to activate it. Make sure you also bring your Certificate of Enrolment (CoE) so that you will get the student account (usually fee-free). Alternatively, visit any bank branch in person and they will set up a student account for you.
All banks in Australia a more or less the same. Commonwealth Bank of Australia is the biggest bank. ANZ Bank has a clear and simple internet banking. Other major banks include WESTPAC, NAB and St. George.
5
Popular FaceBook groups include:
Other useful FB pages include:
Jobs in Perth, Sydney. Melbourne, in Australia
6
Please organise a physical mailing address that you are likely to use for a long time. Since you are likely to move a couple of times, it is good to give the address of your school as a mailing address. Most schools have an established system for accepting student correspondence. You have the obligation to report your correspondence address to your school and the Department of Immigration. The mailing address also serves as a place where your TFN and other information can be posted.
7
As a student, you will receive student discounts on travel as well as other saving for using the card. Some common travel passes in Australia include the Smartrider (Perth), Opal Card (Sydney) and Myki (Melbourne).
8
Once you have your Australian phone number please click on this link or contact us to organise your tax file number.
9
This is the universal number for the police, ambulance and fire services.
10
Generally speaking, if you work and make money in Australia you need to lodge a tax return. Your tax rate and return will depend on many things such as the length of your stay in Australia. Please call us for more information.
11
When using your public transport card (point 7 above) don’t forget to TAG ON when you get on the bus, train or ferry and TAG OFF when you get off. Failure to TAG OFF will mean that you get charged a penalty rate (usually around $10) when you next TAG ON.
12
Coles Supermarkets
Woolworths Supermarkets
Cheaper places exist in each capital city. Please contact us for more information.