Australia is home to some of the world's best universities. Therefore, Australia is considered an educational centre for all international students seeking higher education. If you are looking forward to studying in Australia as an international student, you probably would know the above-mentioned facts. What you probably do not know is a set of facts about lifestyle and education in Australia. Here, we will shed some light on this topic so that you can arm yourself with enough information to make the most of your student life in Australia.
Studying in Australia as an international student
Step 1:Study in Australia Cost and Other Finances:
Step 2:2. Study in Australia for International Students:
Step 3:3. Cultural Diversity:
Step 4:4. Study in Australia Requirements:
Step 5: 5. Language Requirements in Australia:
Quick read:: IELTS and PTE
Getting a Part-Time Job in Australia
As an international student, you can work on a part-time basis while studying in Australia. The nation allows international students to work as many as 40 hours a fortnight during their semester and unlimited hours during semester breaks. It is among the benefits of pursuing higher education in Australia. The majority of international students prefer working part-time to ensure that they can pay their rent and bills as well as enjoy a particular lifestyle in Australia.
Now, you might be wondering how to find part-time jobs in Australia. Besides trying a walk-in route or the careers sections of company websites, you can use job search sites in Australia, such as Seek & Indeed, for part-time jobs. Applying through job search websites is popular in Australia. The catch here is to edit your resume so that it is tailored as per the job description, and consider using the keywords. Australian employers have deployed a system to filter the resumes where only the ones with identified keywords get picked up, while the rest are left in the background.
Moreover, to stand out, you must do a quick search of the person in charge and look out for their email/phone numbers. Consider calling and emailing them as it communicates that you are sincere and dedicated. Most of the employers are friendly and will respond. Most importantly don't forget to follow up on your application. This will enhance your chances of getting the job as compared to someone who has just applied online. Besides using job search sites like Seek & Indeed, students must consider walking in with their resumes. Meeting someone in person works wonders, and it will allow you to charm the managers with your personality and aura.
Unfortunately, there are cases of underpayment for international students working as part-timers due to employer exploitation in Australia. The students work despite being underpaid because they are desperate to make a living and wish to reduce the competition in the workforce.
While looking to work part-time, avoid agreeing to contracts that underpay you. There have been many cases where students have agreed to work at lesser pay due to the extreme competition. It is only best to avoid putting yourself in an uncompromising position here. Please do not settle for less money than you deserve as an international student. Why? Because Australia's minimum wage policy applies to international students as well. If your employer is not paying you that wage, they would be in violation of the law. In that case, you could report it to the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Gaining Professional Work Experience
The most common consideration among international students in Australia is securing a job. It is potentially challenging to get an employment position on a full-time basis in Australia as the job market here is quite competitive. Employers in Australia usually treat skills and knowledge as being more important than other attributes. Therefore, international students should sharpen their knowledge and skills to get hired and be ready to enter a professional work environment confidently.
Employers in Australia will look for your experience, working rights, communication skills, qualifications, cultural fit, and so forth. Everything from your resume to your LinkedIn profile will play a part in how employers in Australia look at you as a candidate.
The key to finding a job anywhere is networking, so ensure that you keep your LinkedIn profile up to date and interact with individuals from your field. Do your research and connect with people in your industry based on mutual interest. Always send a personalised note with the connection request mentioning why you would like to connect with them and how this would be of mutual benefit.
Think about joining your university's clubs and student groups, as well, so that you can learn fresh skills and make professional networks.
Consider volunteering to get experience associated with your discipline, forge new friendships and improve your skills. Use websites such as Grad Australia, as well as, the career portal and those clubs and groups of your university for volunteering opportunities. Seek part-time job opportunities related to your discipline on purpose-built websites, such as Seek, Indeed, Glassdoor to name a few.
Exploring Student Support Services in Australia
Universities in Australia also provide international students scholarships with support services for free and on a discounted basis. Those institutions take pride in making a friendly, supportive and welcoming experience for all international students. There is an array of services that try to aid international students in familiarising themselves with life and education in Australia. The services include academic support, financial support, legal advice, healthcare advice, psychological services, course planning, employment services, and more.
You may join a society/club/sports team, participate in a social program, work as a community service volunteer, and use your university's gymnasium to be fitter and healthier. Check out your university or institution's website for more information on the support and activities available for international students.
Securing Student Discounts
It would possibly be challenging to manage your daily expenses and educational costs in Australia. This is especially true for international students who should pay rent, buy books, and meet other living costs. Fortunately, Australia has several student discount opportunities and options for food, clothing, cinema, travel and more.
Whenever you wish to buy something new or plan for an evening outdoors or a trip, seek all available student discount options in Australia. You can also have a membership or two on popular websites that offer student discounts to save hundreds of dollars on essentials and luxury products. UniDays, JB Hi-Fi, and HOYTS are some of those sources for discounts for international students, and there are more options.
You could get public transport discounts or concessions according to where you reside in Australia. International students in Australia who pay the full educational fees can get concession fares in Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory, Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania. On the other hand, the Northern Territory offers free public transportation to every full-paying student.
The transportation options in the country include trams. For instance, the public transportation system of Melbourne has a tram network. You do not have to pay for tram travel in Melbourne's inner city and central business district. There are signs to inform you about the starting and ending locations of the free tram zone.
Keypass ID
The legislation in Australia may not necessitate you to carry an ID proof everywhere, but it is useful under many circumstances. For instance, you may have to prove that you are old enough to drink at almost all the bars and liquor stores as well as even a few restaurants in Australia. There are other establishments, such as banks, that demand that you prove your identity and age with proper documentation in Australia.
Now, does it mean that you should carry your passport everywhere you go? Not necessarily. It is not a good idea to do so because your passport is such an important piece of documentation. This is where a Keypass ID can go a long way as it is usable in all states to prove your identity and age. It is a good option lest you damage or lose your passport as an international student in Australia.
You can access the ID card manually, i.e., after filling out an application form, or digitally. Just go to the relevant section of the Australia Post website to learn more about how to get a Keypass ID for international students in Australia.
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