LIVING IN BRISBANE
Brisbane is a vibrant city located on the east coast of Australia with a rapidly growing population of over 1.5 million. The beautiful Brisbane river runs through the city, neatly dividing it into north and south. The city has a bustling central business district including the Queen Street Mall which is packed with stylish shopping centres, side walk cafes and restaurants. Across the river, the man-made beach, Riverfront promenade and weekend markets of South Bank Parklands are some of the city's most popular attractions. The famous Gold and Sunshine Coasts are only an hour away by bus or train and the Great Barrier Reef is only a forty-five minute flight. There is never a shortage of things to see and do in Brisbane. People who live in Brisbane enjoy the benefits of a healthy outdoor lifestyle in a large modern city setting but the unique point about Brisbane is that it maintains a very relaxed and easy pace of life without traffic congestion and pollution. As an international student in Brisbane, you will enjoy the personal freedom that comes with such a wide diversity of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. The people of Brisbane are friendly and welcoming and will make you feel very much at home. For more information about wonderful Brisbane and Australia, the websites below are useful:
australia.com
brisbane.citysearch.com.au
queenstreetmall.com.au
brisbanefestival.com.au
riverfestival.com.au
ourbrisbane.com
visitsouthbank.com.au
WEATHER
Brisbane's sub-tropical climate is one of the main reasons why so many international students choose to study here. With an average of 300 sunny days a year it is easy to see why Brisbane is becoming a top destination of choice! If you are coming from the Northern Hemisphere, it is important to note that the seasons in Australia are different from your country.
COST OF LIVING
Brisbane is an affordable city to live in and generally costs are much lower when compared to Sydney and Melbourne. Aside from tuition fees, a reasonable estimate of what you will need to live in Brisbane is around AUD$1,000 - $1,500 per month. This includes living expenses such as accommodation, food, transport, utilities and recreation. This amount can differ depending on the lifestyle preferences of different students. For example, some students prefer to live in shared accommodation (lower cost) while other students may prefer the privacy of their own apartment (more expensive). Also, many students prefer to live in the city (more expensive rental costs) while some students would like to live three or four "zones" away from the city (less expensive rental costs, but higher transportation costs). An example of the basic weekly living costs of the average student at Kelly Colleges could be:
| Food | $100/week |
| Accommodation | $100-$250/week |
| Utilities | $15/week |
| Transport | $15-$20/week |
| Phone/Internet | $10-$15/week |
| Recreation | $50/week |
TRANSPORTATION
Most students studying in Brisbane travel to and from school by bus, train or ferry. Many full time international students in Queensland are eligible to receive travel concessions for public transport which can save them up to 50% on transportation costs. You can find out the price of travel from one destination to another by visiting www.translink.com.au. This website is very useful for students as it gives information on which buses or trains to take, the time of departure and arrival and the fastest/closest route depending on the departure and arrival points chosen.
SAFETY
Australia is a very friendly and safe place to live. However, as with any unfamiliar overseas destination, you must take responsibility for your personal safety. Be conscious of people in your immediate surroundings and keep your belongings secure at all times. The emergency number in Australia is 000 or 112 if calling from a mobile phone.
Many students choose to find a job after they arrive in Brisbane. Working while you study gives you an an opportunity to gain useful experience in an English speaking country as well as to meet friends and socialise. It is important to note that while on a student visa, your studies must be your first priority and that work committments do not reduce your requirements to study or meet assessment requirements.
Before you search for work in Brisbane, you will need to prepare a resume and cover letter. The staff at Kelly Colleges can assist you in doing this. Free classes are held weekly and trainers tutor students on resume design, information presentation, writing cover letters and making a good impression at a job interview. When the time comes to search for a job, there are several ways of doing this. Most students will apply for jobs through www.seek.com.au or www.careerone.com.au
STUDENT VISA CONDITIONS FOR WORKING IN AUSTRALIA
Students do not have to apply separately for permission to work. Student visa holders are allowed to start working after the start date of their course at Kelly Colleges. Students can work up to a maximum of 20 hours per week during study semesters, but can work full time during semester breaks. The money that you earn from your job in Brisbane is meant to be used to supplement your income and should not be your only source of income.
For further information about working while studying please visit www.immi.gov.au .
Many international students worry about missing foods from their home countries when they live overseas. In Brisbane, most of the ingredients you require are easily available. There are many international supermarkets in and around the city. These shops sell Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Malaysian, Indonesian and Indian groceries. There are also many ethnic restaurants in Brisbane, however it is more cost effective to prepare your meals at home. Most shops operate during the following business hours:
Monday to Wednesday: 9.00am - 5.00pm (all areas)
Thursday: 9:00am-9:00pm (suburbs)
Friday: 9:00am - 9:00pm (in the city)
Saturday: 9:00am-5:00pm
Sunday: 10.00am - 4.00pm
For fresh produce (vegetables and fruit) many people visit weekend markets where they can save money buying at wholesale prices. It is best to visit these markets very early in the morning. For further information on markets in and around Brisbane please visit markets in Brisbane
Australia has a Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10% on most items. This tax is included in the price you see on the product. Students who come from a culture where bargaining is common should note that Australia has a fixed price system. Shops will not bargain with customers so it is important to shop around and compare prices before buying.