E-Learning

Living In Australia

Living In Australia
Sydney is the largest city in Australia in terms of population. It is often called “the Harbour City” and is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, offering a wide selection of entertainment, food, restaurants, shopping, pristine beaches and sightseeing. Sydney has a temperate climate with warm summers and cool winters, and rainfall spread throughout the year. Students are ideally placed to take advantage of it all. Sydney Metro College is located at Level 2, 16-22 Wentworth Avenue, Surry Hills NSW 2010 in Sydney (5 minutes from Museum Train Station), which is within the Sydney CBD and is easily accessible through a range of efficient public transport options (train and bus) and at Level 2, 213-215 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 in Melbourne, located at the heart of the CBD, at a close proximity to transport and restaurants, cafes and other facilities. The Sydney CBD is a major business and commercial center. It is home to the Sydney icons such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney Aquarium, Darling Harbour and many shops and restaurant, boasting some of Australia’s most historic places of interest. For those not inclined to the past you can catch a performance at the Sydney Entertainment Center, offering drama and comedy shows or enjoys the many entertaining areas such as Pitt Street Malls, The Rocks, Circular Quay and China Town. Australia’s most famous beach; Bondi Beach is located approximately 30 minutes from the CBD. Melbourne is named as the world’s most livable city. The title is awarded to the city with the highest score for stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure. When you study in Melbourne, you’ll be living in a safe and vibrant city that offers world-class study options, services and the widest range of things to do. Our Melbourne Campus is located at the heart of the CBD, at a close proximity to transport and restaurants, cafes and other facilities.

Climate

Australia is in the southern hemisphere and the seasons are reversed to those in Europe the USA, and most of Asia. Though Australia experiences temperate weather for most of the year but the climate can vary. Season wise, December to February is summer; March to May is autumn; June to August is winter; and September to November is spring. Sydney is a comfortable place to stay. Summer runs from December through to February. During summer season sports such as cricket and other outdoor activities are popular. Beaches are particularly popular for swimming and surfing during summer.

Multiculturalism

Australia is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. People from all around the world travel to Australia for many reasons. Its unique combination of Indigenous cultures, early European settlement and immigration from all parts of the world has attributed Australia’s dynamic multiculturalism can be attributed toits cultural diversity.

Cosmopolitan

Recognised for its natural beauties, visitors from many parts of the world are attracted. Students from all over the world come to Australia to take advantage of our world-class education and enjoy friendly hospitality and cultural diversity. Australia has a safe environment in which to learn and travel. With one of the highest standards of living in the world, Australia offers modern world class food experiences, transport systems, shopping centers and sports experiences.

Cost Of Living

If you’re thinking of studying in Australia you will need to know what it will cost to support yourself. Obvious things that come to mind are accommodation, food, clothes, child-care and entertainment. Below is guide on financial requirements for international students studying in Australia for each academic year (does not include course tuition fees, Overseas Student Health Cover, travel/incidentals), however this can vary widely depending on your lifestyle:

  • You – $21,041
  • Partner or spouse – $7,362
  • Child – $3,152

 

International students wishing to bring their spouse and school aged dependents should ensure they plan for living expenses for each additional family member. In addition, students will be required to pay the full schooling tuition fees of his/her school-aged dependent children. For further information, please visit https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/ and https://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/english/live-in-australia/living-costs

Initial establishment costs for a shared apartment, such as rental bond for accommodation, electricity, gas and telephone, could add up to at least $1,500. In addition, there are the costs associated with staying in touch with home. There are internet cafes located throughout the CBD which cost around AU$5.00 per hour as well as free Wi-Fi in popular areas such as McDonald’s and Starbucks. The cheapest way to phone overseas is using phone apps such as Skype or Viber or via a phone card. Phone cards can be purchased at newsagents and convenience stores. Different phone cards will have different rates so make sure different cards are compared to see which is the cheapest for your country. Students requiring a mobile phone, can get packages starting from around AU$15.00 a month plus call costs for a two year contract. You can also buy a pre-paid mobile phone for about AU$100.00. Note that calls made from mobile phones to overseas can add up to be very expensive.

To post a letter overseas the cost is between AU$1.75 to AU$2.60 through Australia Post. Parcels and freight are a lot more expensive and the cost will depend on how much you are sending and where it is going.

Education Costs

Australian education tuition fees for international students are very competitive with other countries. All tuition fees for international students who study in Australia are exempt from GST and are charged up-front, with some institutions making additional charges to cover other associated costs like mandatory student workbooks, sports facilities, laboratory costs, student organisation membership, and library fees.

English Language Courses

The costs of English Language courses vary greatly depending on the duration and level of the English course. English language courses vary in duration and intensity, and can cost as little as a few hundred dollars for a two week short course to A$3,500 for a half year semester or up to A$14,500 for a full year university preparation English course.

Vocational Education and Training (VET) Course Costs

Prices for vocational education courses in Australia can vary between A$3,000.00 and A$70,000.00 depending on the course, duration and whether the qualification is a certificate, diploma or advanced diploma. For example, learning to fly is far more expensive than any course that is largely classroom based.
The length of courses can also vary greatly depending on the type of course you plan on studying so make sure you do your homework before you enroll in any course.

Accommodation Costs

  • Hostels and Guesthouses – $90 to $150 per week
  • Shared Rental – $85 to $215 per week
  • On campus – $90 to $280 per week
  • Homestay – $235 to $325 per week
  • Rental – $165 to $440 per week
  • Boarding schools – $11,000 to $22,000 a year

Accommodation will vary according to your needs, budget, and where you wish to live. Sydney has many options for students include home-stay, shared accommodation, serviced apartments and private leasing (rental). Many of these accommodation options are available close to the college or with direct public transport access to the college. Advice on accommodation can be obtained from the College, but it is student’s responsibility to organize accommodation.

Other Living Costs

There are of course other costs associated with living in Australia. Please take these into account. For example, the extra cost of the use of electricity, the telephone and gas on top of your rent. Approximate costs of other living expenses include:

  • Groceries and eating out – $80 to $280 per week
  • Gas, electricity – $35 to $140 per week
  • Phone and Internet – $20 to $55 per week
  • Public transport – $15 to $55 per week
  • Car (after purchase) – $150 to $260 per week
  • Entertainment – $80 to $150 per week