It's important we have your correct contact details in case we need to get in touch with you. These include your current mobile number, email address and residential address (place where you live). You must:
Log in to My Account to update your address.
For a full list of Student Visa Conditions, please see Department of Home Affairs - Student Visa Conditions
Home Affairs is taking a flexible approach where COVID‑19 restrictions have prevented Student visa conditions being met. You will not be in breach of your Student visa conditions if you:
Please stay up to date with student visa restrictions and requirements by regularly checking the Department of Home Affairs website https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/student-visa
If you already have a phone when you arrive in Australia you may want to just buy a sim card with a phone plan which you can put into your current mobile phone. There are two types of mobile phone accounts you can choose from:
If you already have a phone when you arrive in Australia you may want to just buy a sim card with a phone plan which you can put into your current mobile phone. There are two types of mobile phone accounts you can choose from:
A prepaid service gives you flexibility because you control how much you spend and can stop using the service any time. Pre-paid SIM cards are sold in many shops and supermarkets, as well as by mobile phone providers. After an easy set-up process with the provider, you will have a working Australian mobile number which you can top up with credit as needed. You can usually top up your prepaid service online or at a range of retail outlets. Your mobile phone provider can provide details on how you can top up your service.
If you will be using your mobile a lot, and will be in Australia for a fixed period of time for study, a contract might work out cheaper for you. There are numerous mobile phone operators in Australia, and you can choose from a range of phone plans where you can get the handset with little (if any) up-front cost; you then pay a fixed price per month for a certain amount of calls, text messages and data.
To see what is best suited to your budget have a look at some of the phone providers below:
The below companies only sell phone plans. They do not sell mobile phones. You can order a SIM card from them and put it in any phone.
Firstly, check to see if your accommodation provider offers internet access with your accommodation. If not, many internet providers in Australia are also mobile or fixed phone carriers, and they offer pre-paid or contract internet plans similar to the above. If you choose a contract service, you will receive a modem, and pay each month for a certain data allowance. Ask the providers you are considering for details of plans that might suit you.
You can compare internet providers. Some of the main internet providers are:
To make international telephone calls from Australia, dial 0011 followed by the country code, the area code (if required) and the telephone number.
To call Australia from overseas, dial 61 followed by the area code and telephone number. To make calls from one location to another within Australia, dial the area code (if required) followed by the telephone number.
Study Australia also has helpful information about mobile phones and internet.
Australia has a range of choices when it comes to managing your money, from banks that cover the whole country to local credit unions and building societies. Here are some quick tips on setting up your bank accounts.
There are three types of international student bank accounts available: Transaction account, Savings account and Student account
In Australia, most international students prefer to open a transaction account as it is easy to maintain. It gives them the freedom to access the account and manage their finances easily without any hassle.
Opening a bank account in Australia is a simple and quick process. You can either visit a bank or open it online before coming to Australia. Most banks in Australia allow you to open an account up to three months before you arrive in Australia through an online application form on their website.
Pro Tip: Keep a close watch over exchange rates and make sure to transfer money at the time when you will get the maximum value for your currency. Also, it is a good idea to change some of your currency into Australian dollars before your arrival as you might need it in case of emergency.
The basic unit of Australian currency is the dollar (AUD). There are 100 cents in one dollar ($1). Australian dollar notes come in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. Coins are issued in denominations of 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2.
For more information, click here.
Popular accommodation options for international students in Australia include:
Accommodation costs will depend on the city you'll live in and what type of accommodation you choose. Visit Study in Australia for more information about accommodation for international students.
Scape offers short stays or long-term student accommodation in Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. They offer private or share rooms. Each Scape property is central located and has a regular event calendar, hosting events and activities to help you explore your new city and meet your fellow residents.
With residents from countries from across the globe, you'll meet a diverse network of friends who will enrich your Scape experience.
We have a number of rooms available to Torrens University students.
For an incredible trimester accommodation room prices for Torrens University students only:
Some Scape properties do offer dual occupancy:
State | Accommodation service |
---|---|
New South Wales | |
Queensland | |
South Australia | |
Victoria |
With the homestay option, you’ll have the opportunity to live with a local family, experience Australian culture and get to know the area you’ll be living in. Your Homestay host will also help you with important things such as airport pickup, local networks, shopping, banking, transport, culture and improving your English skills.
Host families are thoroughly screened to ensure they can provide a suitable living environment for students.
2Stay is a well-respected accommodation provider and has offered accommodation solutions for international students to the major cities in Australia.
Providing a home away from home and offering an outstanding and enriching experience to all guests are our main goals.
Or Homestay accommodation can be organised through the Australian Homestay Network (AHN). Australian Homestay Network provides the highest quality homestay experiences in Australia, ensuring that each of our guests begins their Australian experience on the right foot.
Once you have settled in Australia you may choose to share an apartment or house with other students. These are normally rented through a real estate agent.
Search for rental accommodation on websites like realestate.com.au or domain.com.au. Search for share houses at Flatmates.com.au.
In Australia, you always inspect a property before renting it.
ATTENTION: Please be safe at all times, take a friend with you to view private or shared accommodation.
Read the Top 9 tips for sharing a house with others
Things to know about renting a property from a real estate agent:
Hotels can be an expensive choice but allows you privacy in your own room while you familiarise yourself with your new city in a safe environment before exploring other accommodation options.
Hostels are a much cheaper option but this often comes with shared rooms, cooking and laundry areas.
Things you should consider when choosing where to live include:
Remember:
Your responsibilities include:
You have the right by law to:
If there are any problems with your accommodation talk to your agent or landlord (if renting), your international student support staff for on-campus living or the service where you found your homestay.
If you are renting, organisations such as Tenants' Unions and consumer advocates can help. Find your state's Fair Trading and Tenants' Services.
The key things to remember are:
Please stay up to date with student visa restrictions and requirements around working conditions by regularly checking the Department of Home Affairs website.
To support the supply of certain services during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Home Affairs and Australian Border Force will take a flexible approach to student visa holders, including those working beyond their usual work limitations, in some sectors – please note this is not across al industries. To see which industries this applies to please visit the Department of Home Affairs.
Department of Home Affairs web page listing work conditions you must comply with.
All workers in Australia have rights and protections at work. This includes foreign nationals. Your employer must comply with Australian workplace and immigration laws.
You have the right to fair pay and a safe working environment. Fair Work Australia makes sure that these rights are protected.
International students get the same pay and conditions as Australian employees. Many international students work part time or casually to help support themselves while studying in Australia. It is a good idea to keep track of the hours your worked, check your pay and other entitlements. An easy way to keep track of the hours you work you can use the Work Ombudsman Record my Hours app.
If you receive superannuation (retirement savings) while working in Australia you may be able to claim it back when you leave.
Your campus provides free and confidential counselling to all face-to-face and online students who are currently enrolled and located in Australia and New Zealand. This non-judgmental service does not diagnose; we only listen and help you explore areas of concern and work on strategies that can assist you.
Attending counselling does not mean there is anything wrong with you; it simply provides a confidential and neutral place to freely express your needs and concerns. Counselling sessions are not registered on your academic record.
Counselling is simply a place to get some support and assistance that will help you get through your studies.
Visit the Counselling page to get in touch.
This article lists international counselling and support services.
Find information on travelling from the airport and around your new home city below:
Sydney Airport is about 8km from the city. Travel options include train, shuttle bus/mini-van, taxi or car.
Tullamarine, Melbourne's main airport, is 23km from the city. There is no train to Tullamarine.
International students are not usually entitled to student travel concessions (discounted city public transport tickets).
If you plan on driving in Australia during your time living here you will likely need to change your license over to an Australian one. To learn more about how to do this please check the links below, the requirements differ from state to state so make sure to read up on the state you will be spending the most time you in.
We offer two types of English courses for international students.
Improve your academic English skills before beginning your main course.
You can start this course on any Monday and continue until you have reached your goals.
Study a General English course to become more confident with English and learn more about Australian culture, customs and speech before you start to study.
Find out more about our English language courses.
Gone are the days of learning being confined to a classroom! From traditional to creative, here are our 10 favourite ways to practise and perfect your English reading skills.
Watch this video on Australia's best and weirdest slang words.
When you leave home to travel to your new country, you naturally take your own personality and cultural ways with you. When you arrive in a new country with a different culture you can experience a wide variety of feelings and reactions. For example, you may feel confused, nervous, irritable, uncertain and dependent on others. If you experience these things, then you probably have culture shock.
Australians have particular attitudes, customs and habits that might take some getting used to. It could be something small (such as restaurants closing at 9pm because locals eat dinner early, or how the bin system works) to bigger cultural differences (like the way people speak to and interact with one another). Clothing, food, teaching and learning styles, and people’s behaviours may also be completely different from what you’re accustomed to.
The culture shock might be disorienting at first, as you’re settling into a new way of life. But you’re not alone! To overcome culture shock, talk to other international students for support, stay in touch with family and friends back home, or do some activities that are familiar to you. It will just take a little time to adjust.
Lastly, join your campus Student Representative Council (SRC) to meet other students, join there social media pages for up to date information and attend events throughout the year. Email Online SRC for more information.
Click on the below links to learn more about Culture Shock:
It's a free call, even from your mobile. An operator will answer and will ask which of the following services you need:
|
Police |
Police officers cannot be bribed and are not corrupt in Australia. They are safe and ready to help anyone who needs assistance from them. For example, they can help you if your life or property is being threatened, you have been hit/ punched by another person, had your car stolen or in a car crash. |
|
Fire |
You can ask for the fire brigade if you can see a fire anywhere. In your house, car or on your street They will come out and put out the fire for you. |
|
Ambulance |
You can ask for an ambulance if you are having a medical problem like chest pain, uncontrollable life-threatening bleeding, sudden collapse and being in a car accident as some examples. |
If you're not sure which service you need just tell the operator what you are calling about and they will help guide you. If you don't speak English, tell the operator your language and you will be connected to a translator who will be able to assist.
It is important to remain calm. The operator will ask questions:
They can even help you perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and other first-aid treatments while you wait for the ambulance to arrive.
For further information refer to the Study Australia website.
Mental health emergency - call 13 14 65
For assistance in a mental health emergency, contact the mental health triage service on 13 14 65. They are available 24 hours, seven days a week.
If you have a hearing or speech impairment and your life or property is in danger, you can contact police, fire or ambulance on 106 directly through a TTY (also known as a teletypewriter or textphone). It is not possible to contact emergency services using the Short Message Service (SMS) on your mobile telephone.
The Australian 106 Text Emergency Relay Service is provided as part of the National Relay Service (NRS). The service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and calls made using the 106 service are given priority over other NRS calls.
If you have further questions you can contact the National Relay Service Help Desk (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm AEST).
This official app from the Triple Zero Awareness Working Group for iOS, Android and Windows devices to help you
As a student at Torrens University, and as an international student in Australia you have rights. For assistance with workplace rights, consumer rights, and university rights please see below.
To access the complaint policies and forms of required to submit a complaint please visit Torrens Univeristy - Policies and Forms or Think Education - Policies and Forms.
For a range of information for International Students. Here you will also find information on events, activities to help you connect with other students and enjoy all your state has to offer.
Register for the student newsletter for the latest news, events and resources for international students.
Knowing the average living costs in Australia is an important part of your financial preparation.
Find out about some of the costs associated with living and studying in Australia (all costs are in Australian dollars).
Food and household products
In Australia, we have many options to purchase food like greengrocers, fruit shops, corner stores, convenience stores and specialty shops. For your main staples, the biggest and most affordable place to purchase is from supermarkets.
Supermarkets are everywhere in Australia so it won’t be hard to find one close to your accommodation. Here are the main ones in Australia:
Insiders Guide have provided students with a fast way, no matter where in Australia you live, to find out more about Australia.
If you would like to have a cultural experience, explore Australian nature or find some adventure this weekend, do the Your Perfect Weekend quiz.
Contact your country's consulate if you want to:
Your consulate may also be able to help if you:
See the list of consulates on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website. Consulates open during normal Australian business hours.
The Council of International Student Australia (CISA) is the national peak student representative organisation for international students studying at the postgraduate, undergraduate, private college, TAFE, ELICOS and foundation level.
Learn how to stay safe when you're enjoying the beach.
Gone are the days of learning being confined to a classroom!
From traditional to creative, here are our 10 favourite ways to practise and perfect your English reading skills.