SYDNEY
Sidney is the capital of New South Wales and it is Australia’s largest city. This is a vibrant multicultural hub packed with arts and culture; food and entertainment; fashion and shopping; beaches and nature narks; not to mention, iconic Australian landmarks such as The Harbour Bridge and The Opera House.
STUDENT LIVING
Sydney has been voted as the friendliest and most culturally diverse city in the world. This city has world-class education with two out of six universities amongst the best 100 in the world and four universities in Australia’s top 10. On top of that, the warm weather and the uncountable amount of activities this city has to offer, make it a dream destination for thousands of overseas students that come to study here every single year.
Besides, most of Australia’s large companies have their headquarters located in Sydney, fresh graduates have the opportunity to apply for jobs in a city that is filled with businesses and career opportunities. It’s also worth mentioning that Sydney’s best universities and VET institutions have a high employability rate. This can be a great place where you can kick-start your career and make your dream of living, studying and working in Australia a reality!
WEATHER
Most Australian cities are known for their warm weather and Sydney is no exception. The warmest days are in summer from December to February when temperatures range from around 19 to 26°C. During this time there are also long hours of daytime with the sun coming out at approximately 5:30 am and the sunset setting at 8:00 pm.
During spring, most days are warm with temperatures hitting up to 26 °C. Humidity is considerably lower than in Summer. Autumn has the mildest weather of the year and humidity drops, so it’s an enjoyable time when there is a balance between not too hot and not too cold.
Winter is, of course, the colder days, the average temperatures range from around 9 to 17°C and daylight is also shorter during this months, sunrise usually occurs just before 7 am and sunset at 5 pm.
COST OF LIVING
Considering Sydney is Australia’s most populous city, it is not surprising this is also the most expensive city to live in. However, this is compensated by the amount of money that can be earned, with an average hourly rate of $20 an hour; a student with a part-time job can afford to cover basic expenses while studying in Australia.
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Accommodation
There is a range of different accommodation options for international students. Several campuses usually have studios or shared accommodation services for their students. There are also companies such as Iglu or Unilodgers that offer shared apartments for overseas students with bills and internet included in the rent. These are buildings dedicated exclusively to accommodate students, so they have all the amenities students need to have a comfortable experience while being away from home. The cost for a room at these apartments usually goes from around $200 to $300 per week.
A most cost-effective option is to simply look for a place that is looking for a flatmate. Renting a private room in Sydney can cost around $180 to $250 and they can easily be found in websites such as Gumtree.com.au, Flatmates.com.au or Facebook Market. An even cheaper option is to share a room, it may be uncomfortable at first but it can save you a significant amount of money per month, there are share rooms in Sydney from $140 onwards, so it’s a common option for couples and friends.
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Transport
Sydney has a large network of transport services that include trains, trams, buses and ferries, all of these can be accessed with an Opal Card (transport card). Unfortunately, international students cannot apply for a concession or student card, they will have to buy an Adult card and therefore pay full-price for transport, which is around $4.50 per ride. However, after a passenger has completed eight rides from Monday to Sunday, the trips after that will be half-price.
Also, bikes are becoming a quite common form of transportation. They are much cheaper than paying for public transport and the city has a large network of special bike routes available. However, make sure you follow the road rules and regulations as fines apply.
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Entertainment
Regardless of what you enjoy doing in your free time, Sydney will have an activity for you. If you enjoy being outdoors, you will love hiking the Blue Mountains on the west of Sydney, if you enjoy BBQs and picnics on the beach, make sure you check out Bondi or Manly Beach! These activities can be done for free, the only money you’d have to spend is on transport and food or drinks.
For those interested in indoor activities, many venues in Sydney will have special discounts for students. Cinemas, restaurants, bars, museums and tourist attractions often have a special price, just make sure you carry your student ID with you! A cinema ticket for students will cost around $8 - $10, a meal at a cheap restaurant is about $10 to $15 and entry to most tourist attractions start $15 upwards for students.
Snorkelling and diving? Hiking? Surfing? Music Festivals? Formula One? Australian Tennis Open? Asia trip?
Australia also hosts a number of World Heritage sites, such as Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in the Northern Territory. You’ll enjoy the lifestyle as a student, which means you’ll have plenty of time to explore your new home.
LOTS OF ACTIVITIES TO DO:
The lifestyle and quality of living in Australia are amongst the best in the world. Some of the reasons are the low crime rate, work-life balance, career opportunities and low unemployment rate. Aussies are friendly and love to stop for a chat with strangers or to lend a helping hand to those in need.
QUALITY OF LIFE
EARN WHILE YOU LEARN:
One of the advantages of being an international student in Australia is that your student visa automatically gives you permission to work up to 40 hours every two weeks during the academic year or full time during the holidays. That means that you can enjoy all the city has to offer and earn some money while you study.