Australia Services Money

Services for Students
Studying in Australia

International students in Australia are usually charged up-front tuition fees which, depending on the course and the institution, can range from $9,000 - $18,000 a year. The institution will advise when to pay your tuition fees and acceptable methods of payment.

You should be aware that some colleges and universities make additional charges to cover the costs of student organisation membership, library and laboratory costs and sports facility costs. Some courses make specific charges for excursions, books, stationery and other essential material.

When choosing a college or university, you will need to be aware of the cost of living (accommodation, travel, food, etc) in the surrounding area. This can vary greatly between different parts of Australia. Renting an apartment in a city can cost twice as much as it does in a smaller town because there is such high demand for housing in large Australian cities. Likewise, food, clothing, entertainment, and other living expenses may be more expensive in a city.

Being able to finance your studies is one of the most important considerations to take into account when applying to study in Australia. Careful planning is therefore essential, as it is normally not possible to arrange for more financial aid once you arrive at an institution in Australia. You can get a general idea of expenses by looking on university websites and at their catalogs or application information. You will then be able to work out a budget for your stay in Australia. It is important to remember that individual circumstances will vary by location, course and lifestyle. An important factor for all international students to consider is health insurance, which can cost from $314 per year.

You may be eligible for support in your home country from a private trust, a private company, or your home government. Alternatively, the Australian Government and some education institutions offer scholarships for international students. Most of these are offered by universities and are mainly for postgraduate study. Private institutions can sometimes discount or reduce the costs of tuition. You should request information about financial aid when you request an application form from the institution's admissions office.

The Australian Government Education Department website can link you to the relevant university to find out more about scholarships available:
www.dest.gov.au/highered/scholarships.htm

For a list of all scholarships supplied by Australian-based organisations, institutions and government bodies available to international students studying or planning to study in Australia on student visas, visit the Study in Australia online scholarship database:
www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/Sia/en/CourseSearch/

For further information on scholarships and funding:

Association of Commonwealth Universities
www.acu.ac.uk/home/

AusAid
www.ausaid.gov.au/scholar/default.cfm

International Education Financial Aid
www.IEFA.org

International Scholarships
www.InternationalScholarships.com

International Student Loan
www.InternationalStudentLoan.com

Banking

As an international student, you may be eligible to open a basic checking account with a bank in Australia. Each bank has different banking practices, and the types of checking accounts available vary from bank to bank as do the fees they charge.

You can do some research before you get to Australia, using the links below, to help you choose a bank account. When you arrive in Australia you will then be able to visit the local branch of the bank you have chosen.

ANZ Bank www.anz.com.au/

Bankwest www.bankwest.com.au

Commonwealth Bank www.commbank.com.au/

Macquarie Bank www.macquarie.com.au

National Bank www.national.com.au/

St George Bank www.stgeorge.com.au/

Westpac Bank www.westpac.com.au

You will usually need some form of identification to open a checking account. You may be asked for your visa as proof as residency before you are able to open a bank account.