Anyone live in Australia?

Yep, me too, but l have to admit eventhough l live near Melbourne, l always go to Queensland or the Gold Coast when funds allow, (a lot of theme parks up there, a bit like a scaled down version of Disneyland and Universal)!


Shane

Well, that depends on which state?

I have run into an Irish lady in a coffee shop in Vic, (the accent is pretty obvious) and she was on a 8 month working visa.

Advise, exchange currency at recognized outlets, if an individual at the airport wants to help you do it, do a runner!

Make sure to disable international mobile call charges, from what l have heard with Aussies going overseas, it can run into thousands or more.

Some have come back with 15,000 dollar depths because they used their smart phone for the internet, while overseas, so.

Hi Mary,

I've got an International student working for me at the moment.

She arrived in Australia about 15 months ago and is studying for her Masters of Accountancy.

It was about six days after she arrived that she got employment with my company. We were not advertising a position but she was just walking and "cold calling" in on every business radiating out from where she was going to be living.

Her English was good and she had also studied around the world so had a good perspective and outlook which is why she landed a job.

Be aware that when studying you can only work 20 hours per week but during your holidays from Uni you can increase those hours if there is work available.

Be aware of the employment conditions in Australia before you go out and seek work as there can be a degree of exploitation by certain employers who manipulate your situation to control their costs.

Understand that you are a resident for taxation purposes whilst you are studying and you do have all the rights of any employee within Australia.

There is always plenty of work in hospitality or retail services for students.

You should consider trying to get experience in your area of study and if you are intending to migrate to Australia later try to build relationships with potential sponsors from an early stage.

The student I employ can under the current situation can self-sponsor once qualified and does intend to stay on in Australia and then become a citizen before undertaking further education once she qualifies for the HECS scheme HECS-HELP - Study Assist which is a loan scheme for Australian students to help pay for their education.

Be aware that the costs of living in Australia can be quite high in particular renting accommodation if you are in one of the major centres.

There is plenty here to see and do and wherever you are studying there is sure to be some access to the lifestyle that all Aussies enjoy.

I'm lucky because I live about 45 minutes drive from some great beaches and in a hour I can get my boat offshore whale watching, fishing or lazing on a idillic island and can drive a few hundred kilometres and drop my boat in and get out to the Barrier Reef.

One hour's flight and I'm in Sydney or a couple to Melbourne.

There is so much to do and see along the East Coast of Australia and that is without even heading West either to the bush or the red centre.

It is a very laid back society and I'm sure you will enjoy things here....just make sure you cover the expenses.

Best regards,

Ozi



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