Living in Australia

Australia 's spectacular natural environment, multicultural communities, food and wine, the friendliness of its people, combined with its weather and lifestyle make it one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. These qualities also make it one of the best places in the world in which to live and conduct business.

Australia is a stable, democratic society with a skilled workforce and a strong, competitive economy. With a population of 20 million, Australia is the only nation to govern an entire continent and is the sixth largest country in the world in land area. Australia's multicultural society includes its Indigenous peoples and migrants from some 200 countries.

More than 60 000 years before the arrival of European settlers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples inhabited most areas of the Australian European settlement in 1788. However, there were an estimated 300 000 Indigenous Australians living on the continent.

The Australian federation consists of six States and two Territories; Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, and Australian Capital Territory. The largest State, Western Australia, is about the same size as Western Europe.

Australia ’s lifestyle reflects its mainly Western origins, but Australia is also a multicultural society which has been enriched by over six million settlers from almost 200 nations. Four out of ten Australians are migrants or the first-generation children of migrants, half of them from non-English speaking backgrounds.

Australia ’s awesome natural beauty is talked about worldwide with wonder. And while Australians are proud of the diverse landscape, we are equally proud of the diversity of our people and the warm welcome we offer visitors from near and far.

Living Expenses

The average international student in Australia spends about A$300 per week on food, accommodation, clothing, local transport, telephone, gas/electricity, stationery, and entertainment, although this varies significantly by location and lifestyle.

International students in Australia on student visas can seek permission to workfor up to 20 hours a week once they have arrived in Australia and commenced their course of study. The application charge for permission to work is A$50. This charge is in addition to the original student visa charges.

Although it is possible for international students to work whilst studying, part-time employment should not be regarded as a means of financing your studies in Australia.

Language

Australia ’s official language is English, by common usage rather than law. Australian English does not differ significantly from other forms of English, although some colloquial and slang expressions are unique.

Australia is a tolerant and inclusive society, a nation built by people from many different backgrounds - Vietnam, China, Greece and the UK are among the top 10 countries that Australians have migrated from. Cultural diversity has become a touchstone of Australia's national identity. One example of this diversity is the growth of Islam in Australia. Today, Muslims form an increasingly important part of Australia's diverse modern society

Climate

The climate is generally pleasant without extremes in temperatures. Broadly there are two climatic zones. In the north, above the Tropic of Capricorn, about 40% of Australia is in the tropical zone. The remaining areas lie in the temperate zone.

Australia ’s seasons are opposite to those of Northern Hemisphere:

Australia was the first country in the world to have a complete system of bank notes based on plastic. These notes provide much greater security against counterfeiting. They also last four times as long as conventional paper notes.

Australia ’s currency consists of coins of five, 10, 20 and 50 cent and one and two dollar denomination; and notes of five, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollar denomination.

Transportation

Many destinations in Australia are just hours from each other. An extensive network of air, train and road services means most places can be reached by public transport.

Australian Shopping

Cultural diversity in Australia has meant the influences of foreign designs and concepts have blended with our own fresh ideas to create a melting pot of uniquely Australian products. The variety from rising fashion designers to pioneers of technology, you will be impressed with the quality of choice.

Markets

Everything from tea to toothpaste your local supermarket has it all and is often just around the corner, or you can find bargains galore and the freshest produce straight from the art and craft fairs and the local farmers’ markets.

Online Shopping

Many products are available on the Internet, so enjoy shopping any time of the day or night with online shopping.

Retail Stores

Department stores offer all kinds of shopping from home wares to electrical, while specialty stores and boutiques may have the perfect gift or party outfit.

Food & Drink

The infinite variety of foods in Australia reflects the diversity of its land and provides for a rich cuisine. In the South, dense pine forests and lush green pastures cover the land that is used to grow beef cattle and prime lamb, whilst its cold, clean southern waters provide delicious lobster and scallops. Orchards and market gardens growing citrus, grapes, stone fruits, melons, tomatoes and a cornucopia of vegetables crops for local, interstate and international markets. In the lower slopes of the hills are apple and cherry orchards, berry farms and almond orchards, whilst the west coast has a wealth of seafood such as whiting, oysters and tuna.

Innovative chefs have worked very hard to produce a regional cuisine using the most wonderfully fresh food, which can be enjoyed without a damaging sting in the hip pocket, and can be washed down with an amazing variety of world class locally produced wines.

The wine will most probably have been produced from the vineyards surrounding the town, the reds having mellowed in the autumn sun, and the whites exhibiting the crisp fruity style of the vale such as The Olive Grove Chardonnay. A typical menu at a restaurant might read like this : Turkey liver and Mountain Pepper pate, grilled Kangaroo fillet with red wine and Muntrie glaze, sweet potato chips and fresh garden salad drizzled with a dressing made from local Olive Oil and Red Wine Vinegar, followed by Lemon Myrtle curd tart and Kangaroo Island clotted cream, with a glass of excellent mellow shiraz or a crisp fruity chardonnay.

Most night-spots, restaurants and cafes serve liquor seven days a week. You can purchase alcohol from liquor outlets (beer, wine and spirits) and supermarkets (beer and wine only) seven days a week. Legally you must be 18 years old to buy alcohol or consume it in a public place, and you may be asked for a photo-ID.

Smoking

To protect people from the health effects of second-hand smoke, smoking in all hospitality venues, including bars, restaurants, cafes, and casinos, is prohibited in Australia. If you smoke, please remember to smoke outside.

Health

Why are International Students required to maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)?

International students are not covered by the Australian Government's public health insurance system (called Medicare). OSHC was devised to ensure that international students have access to appropriate health care without undue financial hardship and stress.

Who needs OSHC?

Any overseas student and their family members (such as spouses and children under 18 years of age) are required to obtain OSHC. For the purpose of OSHC, there are three categories of overseas students:
1. non-Australian residents with a current student visa;
2. students from New Zealand; or
3. expatriate Australian students who are ineligible for cover by Medicare.
Students in all three categories are eligible for, and must take out OSHC.

Exceptions

Special agreements exist between the Australian, Norwegian and Swedish governments. Norwegian students are covered by the Norwegian Government and are therefore exempt from the OSHC requirement. Swedish students who have insurance with the Swedish National Board of Student Aid (CSN International) also do not need to take out Australian OSHC.

Optional OSHC

Optional OSHC refers to health cover which may be offered by health funds to overseas students who do not hold a student visa but who are undertaking studies in Australia, for example, students undertaking intensive English language courses.

People who may be eligible for Optional OSHC include:

• students and their dependants from overseas who are undertaking a short-term informal course and have been issued with a visitor's visa; or
• any other group which the Department of Health and Ageing determines could be offered the option of taking out OSHC.

What kind of services are you entitled to with your OSHC?

OSHC includes cover for:

• 85 per cent of most out-patient medical services (for example, going to see a doctor);
• 100 per cent of in-patient medical services (for example, going into hospital for surgery);
• public hospital shared ward accommodation;
• selected private hospital shared ward accommodation;
• day surgery accommodation;
• some prosthetic devices as specified in the Prosthesis List under the National Health Act 1953 (for example, bone screws and plates);
• limited pharmaceuticals; and
• ambulance services.

OSHC does not cover:

• assisted reproduction services, such as in-vitro fertilisation (IVF);
• treatment arranged before coming to Australia;
• treatment needed while travelling to and from Australia;
• treatment during the first 18 months of membership for pre-existing medical conditions or disabilities;
• pregnancy-related services if the length of the visa is three months or less;
• transportation of a dependent or overseas student into or out of Australia in any circumstance; or
• treatment covered by provisions for compensation and damages.

Tradtional OSHC does not cover ancillary services, such as dental, optical or physiotherapy. International students who require this type of cover may take out extra OSHC through a registered health fund, apply for ancillary cover with any Australian health fund, or supplement their OSHC with other insurance such as international travel insurance.

What if I need treatment while I’m in Australia?

You can choose to visit any general practitioner or go to the out-patients department of a public hospital. If necessary, the doctor will refer you to a specialist for further treatment. If you require hospitalisation, you can choose to be admitted to either a public or private hospital.

How do I pay for medical treatment?

When you receive a bill for medical treatment, there are generally two choices. You can pay the bill, then get a refund from your health fund; or you can give the unpaid account directly to your health fund. For pharmaceutical claims, you need to pay the pharmacy first, then claim the refund from your health fund.

Hospital bills are normally sent directly to health funds for payment. However, arrangements for payment of treatment expenses will vary between health funds. You will need to contact your health fund for further information.

For how long do I have to have cover?

The minimum period of cover is 12 months or the duration of a student visa - whichever is shorter. You must have health cover for all of the time that you are studying in Australia.

Can I transfer to a different health fund providing OSHC?

You may transfer between health funds at any time, but this may incur a 'refund processing fee' if you transfer midway through a period of cover.

If you have paid in advance, you can get a refund. You must provide proof to your previous health fund that you have a valid OSHC policy with a new health fund that overlaps the period covered by your previous health fund.

When transferring between health funds, any periods of membership served with one health fund will count toward waiting periods with your new health fund, providing there is no lapse in membership.

The information in the above article is reproduced from the Australia Government Department of Health and Ageing website, Private Health Consumer Information, viewed 21 May 2004, (http://www.health.gov.au/privatehealth/con sumers/oshc.htm)