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This is Our Cheapest Course in Sydney Right Now (December 2019 Update)

2021 Update: See 4 of the cheapest courses for international students in Australia.

Are you thinking of taking an affordable course after your Working Holiday Visa expires? Or, perhaps you just want to know, what’s the lowest tuition fee for international students in Sydney?

This is a question we hear pretty often and the answer varies depending on promotions because schools like to change their prices pretty often.

The current winner of the cheapest course for international students in Sydney among all our courses is the Certificate IV in Marketing and Communication. We can offer this program at one of our schools in Sydney CBD or in Manly for as low as $1,200 / every three months ($4,800 / year) + $200 enrolment fee.

Update (18th of December 2019): All the spots for this price are now sold out. Thank you, everyone, for enroling with Study Anywhere. The college is now offering a new promotional price: $1,300 / every three months ($5,200 / year) + $200 enrolment fee. It is still our cheapest course for international students in Sydney.

This is a one year course that can be packaged with a Diploma (+ another 1 year) and Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management (+ another 1 year) if you would like to study longer. And… By the way, the evening timetable is available!

~~This promotion is only valid for September and November 2019 intakes.~~

Update (December 2019): This promotion has been extended by the participating college for January 2020 intake as well.

Update (18th of December 2019): As mentioned above, spots for the promotional price are now gone and the college is offering a new discounted price of $1,300 / every three months. We’re accepting enrolments for January 2020, February 2020, April 2020, and May 2020 intakes.

If you don’t want to miss out, just contact us and we will be in touch with all the details and we can also check if you are eligible to apply. If you are not sure or have any questions, feel free to have a chat with us on Facebook Messenger.

This is a great opportunity especially for those of you, who’s current visa is expiring anywhere between December 2019 – June 2020 and also for those of you, who are overseas and want to come to Australia around this time.

If you decide to go ahead, our registered migration agent will help you for free with your Student Visa application and you can join students from 43 countries who are already studying with Study Anywhere.

2021 Update: See 4 of the cheapest courses for international students in Australia.

Now Enroling: The Last Intake for Childcare Courses in 2019

Childcare courses are among the most popular pathways for international students in Australia. Do you want to make the first step towards your childcare career in 2019? Now is the time to enrol!

Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (Childcare) has been a popular and affordable choice for international students for quite some time. It’s usually a 2-year course, that includes work placement in a childcare centre. Fees for these courses usually range anywhere from $1,750 – $2,200 / every three months.

We offer these diplomas at various schools and multiple locations across Australia – in Sydney (including CBD, Burwood and Parramatta campuses), Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Hobart.

Most of our students have been studying Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care either at the 4Life College or at the Sydney School of Business and Technology (SSBT). Especially 4Life College has been quite popular lately, because of the quality of teaching and also because of low upfront costs (just $595 to receive the Confirmation of Enrolment – CoE). The tuition fee isn’t the lowest among our schools, however, the school offers both monthly ($725 / month) or quarterly payment plan ($1,990 / every three months) and they have campuses in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.

Most of the schools offering Early Childhood Education and Care courses will have their last intake of 2019 in October so now it’s the right time to enrol if you want to make sure there will be a spot for you.

If you are considering Childcare as your next course, just contact us and we will be in touch with all the details. If you are in Australia at the moment, we can also arrange a campus visit or a trial class for you so you will get to know your school before you make your decision. If you are not sure or have any questions, feel free to have a chat with us on Facebook Messenger.

This is a great opportunity especially for those of you, who work as a nanny, au-pair or are just generally interested in working with children, while also having the opportunity to apply for 18-month Graduate visa after successfully completing the course. For more details, please, feel free to contact us and also refer to the information provided by Department of Home Affairs (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-graduate-485).

If you decide to go ahead, our registered migration agent will help you for free with your Student Visa application and you can join students from 39 countries who are already studying with Study Anywhere.

Change in the Student Visa Fee in Australia

Australian Department of Home Affairs is changing the Student Visa application fee from the 1st of July 2019.

The cost of a Student Visa in Australia (Subclass 500) is now $620 (an increase from $575). If you will be applying in Australia and your current visa was granted while you were in Australia, be prepared that the Department of Home Affairs will charge you another $700 (Subsequent Temporary Application Charge) on top of the $620. This is often the case when someone is moving from the second year of Working Holiday Visa and this fee has not changed since 1. 7. 2019.

If you are planning to include your partner in your Student Visa application, you will be charged another $430 (Additional Applicant Charge 18+) by the Department of Home Affairs.

Do you want to save as much money on your Student Visa in Australia as possible? Why not take advantage of our current special offer? You can choose the cheapest course in Sydney and study for as little as $4,000 / year ($1,000 every three months). Contact us now for a free quote and all the details.

Students enrolling with Study Anywhere will get free assistance with their Student Visa applications by our registered migration agent.

All prices are in Australian Dollars (AUD). Please, check the website of the Department of Home Affairs for all the details about a Student Visa in Australia and FAQs on our website.

Our biggest promotion ever. Study in Sydney for $4,000 per year!

We have some great winter news to share with you as we’ve just launched our biggest ever promotion in Sydney. You can now enrol in Certificate IV in Marketing and Communication and start your course either in July or in August 2019 for only $1,000 / every three months.

Yep, that’s $4,000 for a one year course + $200 enrolment fee. Prices are in Australian Dollars. This is our cheapest course in Sydney for international students.

Longer course packages are also available (2 or 3 years). If you don’t want to miss out, just contact us and we will be in touch with all the details and we can also check if you are eligible. If you are not sure or have any questions, feel free to have a chat with us on Facebook Messenger.

This is a great opportunity especially for those of you, who’s current visa is expiring anywhere between June and October 2019.

Find out more about our most affordable course for international students in Sydney for late 2019 / early 2020 in this article.

November 2020 update: See 4 of the cheapest courses for international students in Australia.

Making Friends in Australia

The article is written by Jane Churchill

If you’re thinking about coming to Australia, or are already here, you might be searching for some advice on making friends!

Much like in other countries, the key to making friends when you’re in a new place is making the first move! As daunting as it might be, the more you do it, the easier it will become.

Many international students spend their entire time socialising with other international students from their home country (which is totally okay if that is what you’re comfortable with!). But I would recommend trying to branch out further if you truly want to immerse yourself in Australian culture!

> Join Clubs!

This is SERIOUSLY one of the best ways to get involved on campus, socialise, and have fun obviously! Many clubs host regular parties, gatherings and events, and since you join clubs based on personal interests, you will already have something in common with other members. Don’t be afraid to sign up alone, or attend an event alone. Most people in clubs are searching for the same thing as you – so inclusivity is at its highest!

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> Get a Part-Time Job

One thing international students may not be aware of before coming here is that the majority of Australian students have part-time jobs. Hence, it is common for people to be unavailable to hang out on the weekend. Working a part-time job is a great way to get to know some locals and ultimately befriend some new people.

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> Talk to Others in Class

In Australia, it is very common for people to still retain their friendship groups from high school. This means many Aussie’s actually don’t have that many friends in university! So say hello to the person next to you in class, or offer to study for the exam together, chances are, you will be met with a positive response!

Good Luck!

Where to get fashion on a budget on trendy Melbourne

The article and pics by Paola Bianchi

It’s becoming a strong trend to choose a minimalist, sustainable and ethical approach when consuming, dressing and choosing a look. The idea behind this is to buy less, recycle more, less waste. Be more conscious about what we consume and wear. Avoid buying compulsively from fast brands and getting garments from sustainable brands.

Definitely, Australia is on top of this sustainable wave.

Although some ethical brands have higher prices, due to focusing on quality and fair-trade commerce, you do not need to spend lots of bucks to achieve this approach. Recycling is part of the scene and the Op shops and vintage markets are key.

Op shops are ‘opportunity shops’ that sells repaired and in good-condition used clothes. Fortunately, Australia has lots of shops and markets where to get this!

Some of the favourites in Melbourne are:

The Conscious Closet

Located in the CBD, this shop is serious about fashion and helping others. You will not only find cool vintage and designer clothes for women but a chance to support other women. The Conscious Closet describes itself as a charity recycled women’s fashion store, that supports Fitted For Work. This is an organisation that assist women experiencing disadvantage into work.

1 consious closet

Fitzroy Market

Every 3^rd Saturday of every month in Fitzroy, this outdoor market opens at Fitzroy Primary School, on the corner of Napier St and Chapel St. Popular within students and young families looking to reduce heartless consumption. You will find second hand, vintage, pre-loved and items. Check it out here.

2 fitzroy market

The Brotherhood of St Laurence Op Shops

This organisation, that works to prevent and alleviate poverty across Australia, has 18 Op shops around the city. Probably the most popular store is located in the CBD. Hidden in the ground floor of the Royal Arcade, the Brotherhood City Basement is just opposite to Meyers and H&M on Bourke Street.

3 Brotherhood

A Plus Market

In the neighbourhood of Coburg, there is an indoor market that offers plus size fashion, featuring pre-loved and unique designs. A unique market that not always is included in global brand’s sizes. Not many dates available, but the reviews are excellent. Check it out here.

4 Plus Size

Things you probably got wrong about Melbourne

The article is written by Paola Bianchi Cover pic by Kieren Andrews

Is general knowledge that Eureka Tower is the tallest building, that the tram network is one of the largest one in the world, and that the city is full of alleys with ever-changing graffiti. We have seen these images all over the web. All these are real facts. But there is some information about this city that you might get wrong.

It is not the most liveable city in the world

Melbourne has been chosen several years in a row as the most liveable city in the world. But not anymore! According to the Economist Intelligence Unit rankings, Vienna is now the top number one in 2018. Melbourne got the second spot and Sydney got the fifth. Not because something is not going forward for Melburnians, but It seems that the Austrian city is doing even better.

Pic by Johan Mouchet

It is not ideal for night owls

Big cities are known for having stores open 24hs per seven days. So even if you get hungry at 3am, there is somewhere to go for a quick bite. However, in Melbourne is rare to find shops open that late. Shops shut down relatively early. As a general rule, cafes close by 4pm or 5pm, restaurants by 10pm or 11pm, retail stores at 6pm except on certain days like Friday.

Pic by Kevin laminto

Not many people live in the city

It’s said that Melbourne is home for around 4.5 million people. But as stats show, the residential population is over 148,000 (as of 2016) in the City of Melbourne. This area counts the CBD and some inner suburbs like Parkville and Southbank. That means that the grand majority lives in The Greater Melbourne. Another interesting fact is that almost 1 million walk in the city on an average weekday.

Pic by Akshay Chauhan

Hot wheatear doesn’t last long

When thinking about Australia, we usually imagine ourselves on a hot day sunbathing in white sandy beaches, spotting kangaroos in the wild and, let’s be honest, looking after our back while swimming because of sharks. That’s not the case at all about Melbourne. You might find wild fauna but the sunny hot days just last for the summer season which is December, January and February. The rest of the year tends to be cold, rainy and windy. Take a look at these averages temperatures:

Season	Average maximum	Average minimum
Summer (December to February): warm to hot	25°C (77°F)	14°C (57°F)
Autumn (March to May): mild	20°C (68°F)	11°C (52°F)
Winter (June to August): cool to brisk	14°C (57°F)	7°C (45°F)
Spring (September to November): cool to mild	20°C (68°F)	10°C (50°F)

Closest best surf spot is not Torquay

The west coast of Port Philip Bay is famous for its surfing. Mainly, Torquay beach is a favourite for all levels, and Bells beach is popular for the Rip Curl Competitions, both close to the Great Ocean Road. But if you head to the East coast of the bay and to the open sea you will find lots of fantastic surf spots like Flinders beach, The Pines, Honey Suckles, Serial and Gunnamatta Beach. The Gunnamatta Beach it’s known for having good waves and stable surf conditions throughout the year.

Pic by Alex Wigan

WHAT INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS WISH THEY KNEW BEFORE COMING TO AUSTRALIA

The article is written by Jane Churchill

LANGUAGE BARRIERS

Darren (Hong Kong): One thing I wish I knew before coming to Australia was that the English I knew was not the English many Australians speak (particularly young people)! I really struggled to understand people when I first arrived because almost every sentence has a slang word or strange expression in it. I wish I knew more Aussie-slang before I came so I wouldn’t have felt so confused!

Ingrid (Sweden): One thing I wish I knew before moving to Perth was how sarcastic the humour is here; I never know when people are joking or being serious! Australians will insult you- but they mean it in a nice way (this is a way they express their friendship). I have learnt that it is best to assume if an Australian says something rude, they are probably just joking!

INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS

Isabel (Sweden): Before coming to Australia I really did not know anything about the Indigenous Community here. Indigenous Australians are a big part of Australian culture and I think if I had done some research before moving I would have understood some of the issues like Australia Day a bit more. Also, Aboriginal traditions and culture are just really interesting and very different to Sweden obviously! I would encourage everyone to learn about Indigenous Australians before studying here.

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GETTING A JOB

Ligia (Colombia): I wish I knew how hard it was to find a job. As international students are limited to hours we can work, it was hard in the beginning to find a place that would hire me. As most Australian students also work part-time, there is much competition, especially in areas close to universities. I found that applying for jobs online was really a waste of time and that the best way is actually to just walk around and hand in your resume in person.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Darren (Hong Kong): Coming from a place where public transport is so good, I really struggled to adapt to how (bad) the public transport system is here (Perth). In particular, the buses. They are never on time! Sometimes they just don’t even show up. I have learnt to always have a backup plan and to allow extra time when using public transport…

CONVENIENCE

Emma (United States): I wish I knew that America is the land of convenience and that the rest of the world doesn’t operate in the same way. 24-hour food is just not a thing in Australia! There are only a very small amount of McDonald’s which are open 24 hours. I was also shocked to find out that many grocery stores close at 7pm, with the latest being 9pm (even in big cities). Before you move to Australia, learn to plan ahead! Even restaurants and cafes that are open for lunch and dinner will close in the early afternoon between 3pm-5pm.

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Where in Melbourne should I live?

The article is written by Paola Bianchi Cover pic by @rhindaxu

You decided to stay in Melbourne for a while. Diversity, culture, music, food, opportunities. Great decision. Now, you have to decide where to live.

A quick explanation before choosing the location. In Australia, neighbourhoods are called suburbs and they represent urban areas close to the main city centre. This differs from other countries where suburbs mean the opposite. Victorian suburbs are under the management of a Municipality (Council). They are called ‘City of x’. To give an example; t the City of Melbourne municipality has 15 suburbs. There are at least 30 Councils and more than 300 suburbs. Check the full list.

How to choose where to live in? Which suburb would suit you better? Actually, the correct question is; in which neighbourhood would you fit better? Each of Melbourne’s suburbs has its own personality, mood and charisma.

I do not intend to make an exhaustive list here. Let’s just talk about some of the most popular ones near the CBD.

RICHMOND

Close to CBD, with difficult parking but excellent public connections to… everywhere. Residents are varied, from cool tattoo appearance to professional looking. Everyone is welcome. Plenty of cool bars and cafes, and the Vietnamese food rule. This friendly and hip suburb is hard to beat.

2 Richmond Pic by Josh Calabrese

CARLTON

Pasta and gelato. This suburb holds the Italian precinct, the Melbourne Museum, the University of Melbourne, beautifully restored Victorian buildings, green gardens, and one of the best tram networks.

3 Carlton Pic by @thethinblackframe

FITZROY

Bohemian, hipster and funky. A suburb that offers what is Melbourne known of. Bookshops, art galleries and boutique stores. Beards, barber shops, and where greatest baristas want to work. Pubs, remarkable cafés and trendy restaurants. Vintage biking is the way to move.
4 Fitzroy Pic by @louissamal

Note that Collingwood and Abbotsford are adjacent neighbourhoods with similar vibes. They have cheaper accommodation but not many good public transport connections.

BRUNSWICK & NORTHCOTE

Even though they are much far away from the business district centre, these suburbs are becoming the next cool place to live in. Alike Fitzroy, but less crowded and with a peaceful residential looking. Think of houses with garden, trees in the streets and organic stores. Unpretentious. Relax vibes and far cheaper accommodation options.

5 Northcote

Pic by Tom Rumble

DOCKLANDS

A suburb that has high expectations for its future. On the west side of the city, right on Victoria harbour, features an enormous development with shops, restaurants, a mall and the famous wheel of fortune. One of the newest suburbs in Melbourne. Its name comes from being a swamp that served as a dock in the previous century. Think of tall modern buildings and clean spaces. Certainly not cheap as it pretends to attract high-income professionals.

6 Docklands

Pic by Oskars Sylwan

SOUTH MELBOURNE

Historic buildings, Victorian houses, old-fashioned pubs and top-notch cafes scattered over the narrow streets. Hip and cool. This suburb has history and has an excellent public transport network. The South Melbourne market is one of the most well-known markets of the city, with gourmet options.

Note that closer suburbs like Port Melbourne and Southbank are also in high demand. Port Melbourne is a renovated suburb, a similar and smaller version of South Melbourne but with ocean views. Southbank, on the other hand, lacks the Victorian charm and character of others suburbs because of its tallest contemporary buildings. But this might be the urban style that you are looking for. Great location, though. Close to the Botanical Gardens, museums and the river.

7 South Melb Pic by Manki Kim

SOUTH YARRA & PRAHRAN

Posh and chic. High-end fashion labels, upscale restaurants, cocktail lounges and nightclubs. It can get crowded but never boring. The large Prahran Market is a popular option for local groceries.

ST KILDA

Beach vibes, spectacular sunsets and penguins in the pier. Busy in summer, chilled in winter. Gardens, festivals, the long Esplanade, markets and diverse eateries. Supposedly, named after a vessel with the insignia ‘Lady of St Kilda’, this bayside suburb embrace diversity to its fullest. Once known as the red district, now is slowly being gentrified. Great public transport options.

Close by, Elwood suburb enjoys same green spaces and beach views without the tourist and noise that St Kilda has during the high season. Bad tram network though. Peaceful and gorgeous neighbourhood.

8 St kilda Pic by HealthyMond

Which one do you like better? Do your research and pick the best.

Island Life

The article and the pictures by Rebecca Todesco

If you’re planning day trips around Victoria, then stop what you’re doing and immediately put Phillip Island at the top of your list. I’m talking about koalas, kangaroos, beaches and penguins all in one day!

Phillip Island is an Australian island that is a few hours’ drive southeasts of Melbourne. The island itself is less than 100 square kilometres so it is very easy to get from place to place once you’ve crossed onto the island. The island is extremely popular with tourists, especially in the warmer months and on the weekend. I would strongly advise making your visit on a weekday.

There are plenty of hotels and hostels on the island (or just across, on the mainland) if you decide to make your trip an overnight one. But if you leave early and have some people to share the driving with then it’s possible to do it all in one day.

Start your day with a visit to the Phillip Island Wildlife Park. This park is home to more than 100 species of Australian animals and is spread over a whopping 60 acres. You can see an array of famous Australian animals including dingoes, wombats, echidnas and bats.

The reptile house will bring you up close and personal with some of Australia’s scalier residents and you’ll be grateful for the wire that separates you from the birds of prey in the bird section. There’s even a raised platform that you can walk on which will allow you to get on the eye level of the koalas.

For a small fee upon entry to the park, you can purchase a small bag of feed which you can use at my favourite area of the park: the free-range section. You’ll find yourself completely surrounded by kangaroos and wallabies with no fences to separate you. You can pat and feed them and it’s the perfect opportunity for you to get that snapshot for your Facebook.

If you’re brave enough you can even feed the emus but be warned: they’re big and they run fast!

After getting your fill of petting kangaroos and running from emus, head over to the western tip of the island to The Nobbies Centre. The headland cliffs are covered with a network of boardwalks which you can walk on, enjoying spectacular views of The Nobbies and Seal Rock.

At certain times of the year, if you’re lucky you can see some of the little penguins hiding in under the boardwalks or in their little burrows along the cliff’s edge.

If you choose to, there are boat tours that’ll take you offshore and closer to Seal Rocks for the chance to catch a glimpse of some seals. The Nobbies Centre boasts a gift shop chock-full of cute souvenirs as well as a café where you can sit and enjoy a coffee or snack in front of the floor to ceiling windows, overlooking the cliffs.

As the last activity of the day, head to the famous Penguin Parade. Phillip Island boasts the largest little penguin colony in all of Victoria. Decades worth of research effort has gone into the conservation of these little penguins at Phillip Island, making it one of the longest continuous seabird studies in the world.

The research centre has plenty of information and exhibits about the little penguins, as well as a gift shop with an abundance of adorable penguin souvenirs. Visitors can learn all about what the penguins do at sea as well as why they make their way inland every night.

Just before sunset visitors make their way to Summerland Beach and fill the tiers of seating overlooking the water. Once the sun begins to set, keep your eyes peeled: that’s when the penguins make their way out of the water, up the beach and back to their burrows. You’ll be able to follow their journey from a safe distance as you make your way back up to the visitor centre.

If you get any time between activities head to the small town of Cowes. Like any quintessential beach town, the main strip of Cowes is crammed with fish and chips shops and coastal clothing and furniture stores. Spend some time having a wander or grab a serving of fish and chips and eat it on the beach.

(These are only a few of the activities available on Phillip Island. There is also a chocolate factory, Grand Prix circuit visitor centre and plenty of other wildlife parks)

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