Student Life in Australia: Embracing Culture and Lifestyle

According to the Quality of Life Index and the Human Development Index, Australia has firmly established its position among the top places to live in the world. A significant portion of its appeal originates from Australian education. Student life in Australia is particularly influenced by professional mentoring provided by significant academics, researchers, and instructors.

While the majority of international students pursue coursework degrees involving class attendance, those undertaking a Higher Degree by Research (HDR), such as a PhD or Master’s by Research, will spend the majority of their time conducting original research or fieldwork for their thesis.

In addition to taking advantage of the country’s conducive learning environment, students can have an exciting and vibrant social life in Australia. Let us explore all about the international student life and culture in Australia, work‑study balance, festivals, weather, safety, wellbeing, and college hacks for students.

How is International Student Life in Australia?

Australia is home to a dynamic, diversified, and extremely engaged student population. The majority of colleges offer financial aid options, such as Australian scholarships, to assist these students in their pursuit of a higher education. They can also work a part-time job while studying and a full-time job during holidays, with strong employment prospects.

Let us take a look at the international student life in Australia in a little more detail:

Culture in Australia

Moving to a foreign country always requires a period of adaptation to become used to new cultural experiences. Let us explore the cultural aspects to make international student life in Australia interesting.

Australian English: English is the official language. It has a distinctive accent that may take some time to get used to. Furthermore, Australians frequently employ unique slang in the form of abbreviated words. For example, the words "brekkie" and "arvo" refer to breakfast and afternoon snacks, respectively, and McDonald's is referred to as "Macca's."

Coffee Culture: You are in for a treat if you enjoy coffee. Australia is well known for its high-quality coffee, which is widely popular there. You will probably see students holding coffee cups all around you as you walk through the campus.

Friendly Environment: In daily conversations, most Australians are easygoing, friendly, and approachable. Australia is highly multicultural, meaning you will meet people from all over the world, which enriches the social experience. This will help you blend in and have an entertaining life in Australia.

Shopping Hours: While smaller suburban shops might close at 6 PM, in major cities like Sydney and Melbourne, late-night shopping occurs on Thursdays. Many stores stay open until 9 PM or later, and many supermarkets and shopping centres have extended hours daily, sometimes until 9 PM or 10 PM.

In smaller cities, stores and eateries in Australia often close early, so it may be difficult if you are used to shopping late at night or heading out for a midnight snack. Retail stores mostly close at 6 PM. There are a few that remain open until 9 PM.

Opening a Personal Student Bank Account

Opening a local bank account is something you should think about doing when you get to Australia. Australian bank accounts are easier to withdraw money from without having to pay exchange costs, offers secure and convenient services, and lets students create an account up to three months before moving to Australia. Having your pay deposited into a local account if you decide to work while you study would make your life in Australia simpler.

Practical Learning Environment

Australian universities use a blend of lectures, tutorials, and seminars, making your learning journey and academic life in Australia interesting. The country’s education system is known for balancing strong theoretical knowledge with an emphasis on practical application, group projects, and work-integrated learning.

Semester 1 (Fall/Autumn) runs from February/March to June/July, and Semester 2 (Spring) runs from July/August to November/December. However, some universities use a trimester or block model, so exact dates can vary. Classes for most students are held Monday through Friday.

Some students may find it challenging to handle their academics in the first few weeks because they are still getting used to it. While there is no strict scrutiny to see if you are attending all of your classes, it can be costly to skip lectures because you might fall behind your classmates. Check out the upcoming intakes in Australia.

Employment Opportunities

International students have the chance to earn money to support themselves by working part-time, thereby making their everyday life in Australia affordable. The work hour limit for international students on the Australian student visa (subclass 500) is 48 hours per fortnight during study sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks.

International students have access to a variety of job options, including part-time work in sectors like retail, hospitality, and administration. In order to assist students in gaining real-world experience related to their subject of study, numerous colleges also provide work experience programmes and internships. Check out the internship opportunities in Australia for international students.

Recreational Activities

Recreation is an extremely important aspect when exploring the fun life in Australia. It is beneficial for handling stress or academic work. Weekends are spent at the beach with friends. The seaside regions are well-maintained and developed. Thus, you are in for an amazing time.

Sports are a big component of relaxation, whether playing or spectating. There is an enormous fan base for sports like rugby, soccer, tennis, and cricket. Adventure sports are another well-liked form of recreation. The Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, and the Snowy Mountains are a few places to visit. You can also go swimming with sharks, hiking, camping, and quad biking!

Travel

For an international student, public transportation is the greatest choice. In Australia, transportation is reliable, efficient, and well-connected. Depending on where you live, you can choose to walk, cycle, or take public transportation to your college. Using public transport helps international students enjoy the local life in Australia.

Public transport options in Australia are reliable. It is important to note that student concession passes are not available to most international students in major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, which means you will have to pay adult fares. Student travel expenses in Australia, with student concession passes (where available), might range from AU $30 - $70 per week, but this varies widely by city, state, and travel zone.

Safety

The country maintains some of the world's lowest rates of crime, with open and secure public spaces and streets, ensuring international student life in Australia is safe. The institutions, particularly universities, have also been more aggressive in combating racism lately, with initiatives taken up by the Australian Human Rights Commission. Although it is your responsibility as an overseas student in Australia to ensure your personal safety, the authorities will support you.

Weather

International student life in Australia offers a diverse, cosmopolitan experience with varied weather from the tropical north to the temperate south. The country’s size implies that its weather varies according to its geographical location, hence planning for different climates is essential. Southeast Australian cities, like Sydney and Melbourne, benefit from a moderate climate. Drastic weather patterns cause bushfires, flooding, and droughts.

However, the warmer months of December through February are known to be hot and dry. Given that many places in India also endure hot weather, it might be easier for you to adjust as an Indian student studying in Australia.

Cost of Studying and Living in Australia

With the countless benefits of studying in Australia come the heavy costs of living as an international student. The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) states that the minimum financial requirement for a single student visa application is currently AU $29,710 per year, making it roughly AU $2,476 per month. Actual living expenses are highly variable, depending on the location you choose; for instance, major cities like Sydney or Melbourne are significantly costlier. 

While the tuition fee for studying in Australia differs broadly, it can range anywhere between AU $20,000 and AU $50,000 annually, depending on the course and university. For top-tier universities in Australia and specialised degree programmes can cost international students nearly AU $55,000 - $90,000 as annual tuition fees. These costs are subject to change with progressive years.

To conclude, having gone through the cultural and student life in Australia, it is certain that studying in the country as an international student would provide an unmatched exposure. The chance to meet people from all walks of life, diverse backgrounds, and unique exposures, coupled with post-study work opportunities, makes Australia worthwhile.

Want to make an informed decision? Register at AECC to get personalised assistance for studying and discovering the vibrant student life in Australia.