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?
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.
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.
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.
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 Bernadette Sanfilippo
Most have this general conception that Australia endures hot weather all…the…time. The truth of the matter is, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Let’s trek around to several Australian capitals and explore their accompanying weather conditions…
SYDNEY
Sydney is prone to experiencing four seasons in a single day. The summer days tend to endure periods of high temperatures, coupled with relatively high peaks in humidity however, in the late afternoon, the sky can quickly become overcast and, if so, a downpour is likely to ensue. The maximum temperatures can also differ greatly from one day to the next. A day of 38oC can easily be followed by a day of 26oC. Winters in Sydney do tend to be milder, with temperatures typically hovering between the high-teens and low-twenties.
MELBOURNE
Melbourne is a rather interesting one for weather. Winters are icy cold, with most days never reaching a temperature higher than 15oC. While that may seem warm compared to many other winters around the world, the humidity is usually extremely low, making the weather feel much icier than it may actually be. In more recent years, very little rainfall has been experienced throughout the season, and the absence of such has greatly contributed to the lower levels of humidity. Summers, on the other hand, tend to experience lower average temperatures, primarily due to the city’s close proximity to Antarctica, but periods of extremely high, uncomfortably dense humidity.
BRISBANE
Brisbane experiences a humidity so high in the summer time, it is virtually impossible to be active outside. While the peak temperature may not necessarily be high, there is often little to no relief from the humidity, which remains consistently high all throughout the day and deep into the night. The capital experiences intense tropical weather conditions and, in the last few years, has endured a number of relatively serious cyclones and tropical storms. Brisbane does not tend to experience a formal winter, but rather a period of lowered humidity and heat between June and September.
PERTH
Perth is situated between the sea and the land, literally. Situated on the coast of Western Australia, the Indian Ocean sits on one side of the city, while both the Gibson and Great Victoria Deserts sit on the other. With all this in such close proximity, Perth experiences very high temperatures in the summertime, typically enduring consecutive days of 40oC+ weather. Unlike other Australian cities however, the overall humidity tends to remain quite low. Perth’s winters tends to resemble Sydney’s, with temperatures typically floating between the high-teens and low-twenties, with strong, short bursts of rainfall occurring periodically.
CANBERRA
Canberra, our nation’s capital, experiences the lowest winter temperatures in the country. While the average daytime temperature tends to sit between 10oC – 15oC, much like Melbourne, the nightly average can frequently fall several degrees below zero. While the city can experience rainfall throughout the winter, it is not nearly as prone to strong downpour as other Australian capitals. While the summers in Canberra will often endure much higher peaking temperatures than those in neighbouring states, these, once again, tend to be followed by much cooler nightly conditions.
The article is written by Bernadette Sanfilippo
Though it goes without saying, almost all international travellers are familiar with, or have at least heard of, Australia’s east coast capitals, a list typically reduced to Sydney, Melbourne and (to some extent) Brisbane. Mention anywhere else in the country and, more often than not, at least in my experience, you’ll receive a relatively blank expression! Cities like Sydney and Melbourne have done an excellent job at securing themselves prime positioning on the world stage, particularly over the last two decades and, while this is wonderful, it has unfortunately made the rest of the country appear almost redundant in the process. As a result, many are completely unacquainted with the west coast of Australia and have little to nothing to compare our major capitals against.
I was born in Sydney, raised in Perth and moved to Melbourne more than a year ago, so I can certainly draw a number of comparisons between the two coasts. Here are amongst my most significant findings thus far:
1. THE POPULATION
Obviously the bigger and better cities become, the more people want to live in them. As a result, they become overpopulated and Sydney and Melbourne are certainly busier and more bustling than they have ever been before. The wonderful offset to this is that the people who reside there are more exposed and far more desensitised to contrasting cultures, influences and experiences. Perth, by comparison, has a relatively low population count and a much lower rate of immigration, so the level of exposure there is much lower. However, the less people you place in a city, the less pace and congestion you receive and, generally speaking, Perth is a much slower, far more relaxed city to reside in. Perth is typically recommended as a great place to either retire or raise a young family in.
2. THE JOBS
There are stacks upon stacks of job opportunities in Sydney and Melbourne, particularly now that dozens upon dozens of companies are based there. In fact, it was my primary reason for relocating. There’s only one factor I didn’t take into consideration…there’s a lot of people living in Melbourne and, unfortunately, this means there’s a lot more people to compete against each time you hand in an application. Prior to moving, I had worked for several national retail brands, so I truly (truly!) believed that getting a job would be a cinch! In reality, I spent my first 4 months in Melbourne unemployed. In Western Australia it’s far less competitive and far easier to score work, particularly with a little experience on the resume. The biggest downside is that applications move very slowly in Perth and it can take several weeks just to score an interview. Unfortunately (major generalisation alert!), it’s a city with no real sense of urgency!
3. THE WEATHER
Weather has been a bit of a battle for me since I moved to Victoria, simply because it differs so greatly to the climate in Western Australia. In order to understand Australia’s varying weather conditions, it is important to understand how Australia sits geographically. Capitals like Melbourne, Canberra and Hobart are closest to Antarctica, so they experience incredibly cold, icy cool winters and relatively mild summers. Brisbane sits much higher on the east coast, closer to Asia, and thus tends to endure very tropical weather patterns year-round. The middle region of Australia is comprised primarily of desert and dry arid land, so seasons in the neighbouring capitals, these primarily being Perth, Adelaide and Darwin, are riddled with much higher annual temperatures.
4. THE SIZE
Ready for a mind-boggler? Here it is: States like Victoria and New South Wales are comparably amongst the smallest Australian states geographically, yet they are the biggest in relation to sprawl. Essentially what this means is that, while they don’t occupy as much landmass as neighbouring states, they utilise the land they do occupy to the greatest possible extent. This often results in more regular, lengthier commutes. Geographically speaking, Western Australia is the nation’s largest state, occupying approximately one-third of Australia’s total landmass however, the current population of Western Australia is a mere 2.5 million, against a national population count of nearly 25 million. This effectively means that most of the state’s land is uninhabited, making what is inhabited relatively small geographically and thus quicker and easier to get around. Weird huh?
This article is written by Sachithri Kodagoda
Look, in all honesty, I am the biggest advocate for staying indoors and binge-watching cooking shows for all of winter, because let’s be honest winter really and truly is the worst. However, getting outside and being meeting your friends really is the better option for both your social life and your mental health. So here are 5 fun INDOOR activities that you can do during the winter time to try and stay warm, while also making sure your social calendar isn’t looking like a great big sandy desert with tumble-weed rolling across.
1. Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq (Alexandria)
This cool little fun house is jam-packed with cool activities that’ll keep you and your buddies entertained for hours. It’s got bowling, dodgem cars, laser tag and all kinds of arcade games. Bonus there’s cute little cocktail bar that is designed after a carnival where you can get the most extravagant boozy milkshakes.
2. Sky Zone (Miranda and Alexandria)
Sky Zone will have you bouncing off its walls. Literally. This indoor trampoline park is filled with over 100 interconnected trampolines that’ll leap all over the place. It’s also got a pretty neat little climbing area, for you to live your mountaineering dreams. So, grab your bestie and bounce away!
3. Ice Zoo (Alexandria)
Okay, this one is a little cold. But get yourself all rugged up because it’s definitely worth a visit. This indoor skating is open 7 days a week and focuses on entertainment, fun and safety. You can choose to go for a full-on ice skating class or join in during the public skating hours. Bonus tip makes sure to check the timetable to see when the ‘Ice Disco’ sessions are on to have a fun boogie with your pals on the ice.
4. Break the Code Escape Room (Sydney CBD)
This venue has 4 super cool themed rooms to choose from so you and your buddies can play detective. You and your team are locked in a room with just 60 minutes to figure out all the clues to find your escape, so channel your inner Indiana Jones and set the clock, you got this!
5. Spitfire – Indoor Paintball & Go Karts (Concord West)
If you’re an adrenaline junkie this is the perfect indoor activity for you. Fire up some healthy competition and race against your mates, through wide lanes, long straights and tight bends. This venue also has some epic paintball fields to plan strategic attacks with state of the art equipment, so get you and your pals a session to get that blood pumping!
The article is written by Maddison Reynolds
The New South Wales coastline is full of beautiful, hidden-gems often disregarded by the typical traveller. While many opt to undertake the famous east coast road-trip during their time here, much of the coast can be explored on weekend trips from Sydney.
This June long weekend, I grabbed a bunch of mates and headed north to the small, coastal town of Crescent Head. My boyfriend, an avid surfer, had visited here many times before and had raved to me about the beautiful beaches, spectacular surf and piquant pies from the local bakery. Packing in Sydney on Thursday night, the weather report looked grim, so I prepared my study notes in the event that this would be a fairly average weekend spent indoors. To my surprise, Crescent Head had plenty to deliver (even unseasonable sunshine).
The Drive
Crescent Head is located 440km north of Sydney. The best way to get there is, of course, by car.
The drive can take anywhere between 5 and 6 ½ hours, depending on Sydney’s (very unpredictable) traffic. Be wary of peak travel times and try and avoid travelling during school holidays and long-weekend periods.
If you’ve ever travelled up the east coast before, you’d know that there are plenty of places to veer off the highway, grab a bite to eat (Heatherbrae pies are my personal favourite) and stretch your legs.
Once you reach the Kempsey turn-off, pass the Crescent Head signs and follow the road into the main street of Kempsey. Be sure to take advantage of the shops here and grab all the food and drinks you’ll need for your stay. Crescent Head only has one convenience store so this is your last option to grab that 1kg tub of hummus you’ll no doubt be needing after a day of long-boarding.
Accommodation
The Crescent Head Holiday Park is located right on Crescent’s famous main beach, home to one of the best right-hand breaks in the world. The park offers cabins as well as camping options and is situated in the middle of town. It is a convenient walk to cafes, shops and restaurants.
Alternatively, Crescent Head is home to plenty of rental properties, depending on the size of your group. We chose a property just out of the main town centre that housed a group of 6. The property was secluded and private, making it perfect for impromptu dance parties in the early hours and quiet bonfire sessions.
For those feeling a little more adventurous, beach camping is available in the Goolawah National Park. Visit the Visit NSW website for more details.
Things to Do
If you’re going to Crescent Head, chances are you’re already a keen surfer or you’re at least keen to give it a try. Crescent Head is world-renowned as one of Australia’s best breaks and is perfect for beginners and those more experienced. It is also the perfect place for longboarding and stand-up paddle boarding if these are your chosen crafts. The best thing of all about Crescent Head is that even in the early weeks of winter, the water is still warm enough to surf in without a full wetsuit. There really is an almost endless summer on the mid-north coast.
Crescent Head is also home to beautiful national park land. If you’re in a 4WD, head into Hat Head National Park, Goolowah National Park and Lime Burners National Park. There are ample amounts of secluded beaches and picture-perfect lookout points to be discovered. The best advice in this region is to head out and explore. Pack an esky full of snacks and beers, grab your surfboard and get out there!
Some of the roads in this region are unsealed so be sure to check the Visit NSW site before heading out.
Places to Eat
Crescent Head is a small town so there are a limited amount of options when it comes to dining.
Barnett’s Bakery is famous for its pies and pastries. Expect to see queues of locals lined out the door if you visit between morning and late afternoon rush. Australian’s know good pies, so a pie shop as busy as Barnett’s is generally worth your wait.
If you’re after a coffee or café brunch, head to Blackfish Café or Green Room Café. Blackfish Café is also home to one of the friendliest cattle dogs I’ve ever met and there’s plenty of time for canine cuddles while you’re waiting for your coffee.
The Crescent Head Country Club is a great option for a pub-feed and beers after a long day of exploring. In peak periods the Country Club fills up quickly so be sure to arrive early to grab a table.
Despite my original misgivings, Crescent Head turned out to be the perfect place for a relaxing weekend away from the hustle and bustle of the city. This quiet, and secluded town had so much to offer for those willing to look for it. And even though I left covered in surfing bruises, Crescent Head was truly the perfect place to get salty, have a laugh and recharge with friends.
The article is written by Maddison Reynolds
Sydney’s Vivid Festival is back! From May 25 – June 16, Sydney will light up as Australia’s biggest art and culture festival transforms the city into an array of colour and sensory experience. The best way to explore Vivid is by foot. Here’s a guide to some of this year’s must-see locations.
SEE:
Harmony Valley – Rainbow of Peace & Trees of Friendship
The Rocks
I’m guilty of having already selfied with this site prior to the official Vivid Launch, but once you set eyes on this masterpiece of warm-and-fuzzy’s, you’ll understand why.
The piece by numerous Australian, Iranian and Asian artists represents harmony, joy and happiness through a set of large inflatable sculptures. The Japanese ‘kawaii’ references are obvious, as are feelings of youthfulness, friendship and vulnerability.
Event organisers are encouraging visitors to interact with the sculpture by forming a human chain that connects with each end of the rainbow. The sculpture responds to this show of connection with sounds, animation and pulsing light.
Hidden Art
Kings Cross
Created by TAFE NSW students, Hidden Art takes visitors on an augmented reality journey through the imaginative worlds of some of Australia’s greatest sculptors and visual artists.
Simply visit the Fitzroy Gardens and open up your Vivid Sydney app to unlock Hidden Art. The stories behind the new-age, media sculptures will come alive as users scan the area.
Installations change weekly throughout the Vivid Festival. 
Lighting of the Sails: Metamathemagical
Circular Quay
To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Vivid Festival, Australian artist Jonathan Zawada has transformed the Sydney Opera House sails into a series of kinetic digital sculptures.
Zawada’s inspiration for the concept came from imagery inspired by the Australian environment. Everyday objects and natural specimens will undergo metamorphosis in Zawada’s creation, featuring alongside a canon of Australian artwork.
Skylark
City and Surrounds
There’s little chance you’ll miss this installation by Iain Reed of 32 Hundred Lighting. Skylark incorporates interactive lighting of the Harbour Bridge and Circular Quay skyscrapers. For the first time this year, a fully interactive custom-built laser has been incorporated into the installation.
Every 30 minutes the beacon, skyscrapers, pillars of light and the Harbour Bridge put on a two-minute sky show.
Snugglepot and Cuddlepie
City and Surrounds
The iconic Australian characters of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie are celebrated in this year’s event, on their hundredth anniversary. Australian’s are familiar with May Gibbs’ famous children’s characters, who dropped out of a gumtree to a world of adventure.
Gibbs’ work is celebrated on the façade of Sydney’s 1845 Customs House.
Tumbalong Lights
Darling Harbour
Tumbalong Lights features four under-the-sea-themed, interactive-play installations. This year’s installation is all-inclusive, meaning that people with disabilities have full access to interact with the displays.
The display features the following works: ‘Beneath the Sea’ by Matt York; ‘Enchanted Garden’ by Lucka Slatner; ‘In the Scale of the Sea’ by George Buchanan and Govinda Webster; and ‘Ride into the Night’ by Antony Neeson and Mark Vincent.
Virtual Vibration
The Rocks
Fans of modernism should head to the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia to view the evolving light display created by the Spinifex Group in collaboration with Australian artist Jonny Niesche and composer, Mark Pritchard.
The display transforms the exterior façade of the MCA, lighting up the building with a psychedelic, sensory experience, accompanied by a mesmerising score.
All light installations begin at 6:00pm and finish at 11:00pm from May 25 – June 16.
EAT:
The Squire’s Landing
Circular Quay, The Rocks
Take in the sights and sounds of this year’s Vivid Festival at the newly opened, The Squire’s Landing. The microbrewery and bar is the latest venture by a master brewer, James Squire. Offering striking views of both the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, The Squire’s Landing serves up an array of on-tap beer and fresh food.
For a limited time only, The Squire’s Landing is home to the world’s oldest surviving beer, The Wreck Preservation Ale. The beer is crafted using 220-year old yeast discovered upon the wreckage of Australia’s oldest merchant shipwreck, the Sydney Cove.