These are the deals you don’t want to miss if your current visa is expiring soon or if you’d like to come to Australia in the next few months.
If you want to work in the hospitality industry while studying in Australia, your employer will likely ask you for an RSA certificate. But are you eligible to get one?
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.
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.
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.
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!
> 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.
> 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!
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.
Fitzroy Market
Every 3rd 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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pic by HealthyMond
Which one do you like better? Do your research and pick the best.
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)
The article is written by Rebecca Todesco
For those of you studying in Melbourne, there’s plenty in the city to keep you occupied. But if you’re looking to leave the skyscrapers behind and escape to the coast for the weekend then here’s a couple of places you should consider.
Sorrento
The limestone buildings that line the main street are a hat tip to Sorrento’s history. Sorrento beach offers white sand and shallow water, perfect for the littlies to get their feet wet and have a paddle.
Sorrento’s main road is lined with enough boutiques, restaurants and cafes to keep you entertained for the day. Be sure to make a stop at Just Fine Food and sample their famous vanilla slice. If vanilla isn’t really your taste, then there are plenty of other scrumptious desserts for you to try.
Rye
Rye really comes alive during the summer holiday seasons. Rye beach offers a large stretch of fine, white sand and shallow water. The Rye pier is a popular nighttime fishing location. Even if you’re not much of a fisherman (or woman), hanging around the pier and watching other peoples’ fishing success is a lovely way to pass the time.
The main strip of Rye, running parallel to the beach, is home to shops, restaurants and ice cream and gelato stores. Speaking of gelato: an after-dinner trip to Vulcano Gelato is an absolute must! You can find it by following the line of people waiting their turn to be served. Don’t be put off by the line though: it is well worth the wait!
The annual summer Rye carnival happens in the beach car park and is usually around in the months of December and January. There is no better way to spend an evening than walking along the pier – gelato in hand – watching the carnival lights reflect off the water.
Arthurs Seat
The Arthurs Seat State Park rises above the Mornington Peninsula and provides fantastic views of the surrounding area. There are plenty of hiking and walking tracks through the park for the more adventurous to lose themselves on.
A popular spot is the Arthurs Seat Summit, where visitors can stop and enjoy a picnic or barbeque while being treated to spectacular views.
The Arthurs Seat Eagle is the perfect opportunity for braver souls to get their adrenaline pumping. This attraction is a state of the art gondola ride that flies you over the forest to the highest point of the peninsula. The ride takes about 14 minutes (one way).
Mornington
There is plenty to see in Mornington. You can visit Victoria’s oldest courthouse and adjacent lockup or even take the steam train ride on the Mornington Railway.
The main street of Mornington boasts a large number of boutiques and shops to peruse and find the perfect beachy souvenir to take home. If, after a long morning of shopping, you want to give your weary feet a rest, there are plenty of fantastic places to satisfy your hunger pangs.
The Mornington Main Street Market is on every Wednesday. Stalls line the street, selling an array of items from handcrafted soaps to locally grown produce, homemade cakes to handmade jewellery and everything in between. The market has been up and running for over thirty years, making it the state’s longest running street market.
Peninsula Hot Springs
The Peninsula Hot Springs is a hidden sanctuary tucked away on the peninsula. You can almost feel your stress and worries disappear as soon as you don the fluffy white robe and begin your bathing experience. I would recommend setting aside an entire day at the springs because once you’re there, the hours seem to fly.
The Peninsula Springs water carries a range of minerals including calcium, magnesium and potassium. The temperature of the pools ranges between 37 and 43 degrees Celsius and the water runs untouched from the source directly to the pools.
The springs have two facilities: the Bath House and the Spa Dreaming Centre.
The Bath House offers more than 20 bathing experiences, including a Turkish steam room, plunge pool, reflexology walk and a sauna. Be sure to make the journey to the very highest pool and you’ll be treated to 360-degree views of the surrounding area.
If you’ve got a bit of extra money to splurge, then head to the Spa Dreaming Centre for massages and beauty treatments.
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