Advisory for Indian Students Going to Australia for Education

Following is the advisory for Indian Students going to Australia for education by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Do Your Research

Before committing yourself to studying in Australia, do your research.

• Find the course which is right for you (see the “Resources” section below).

• Make sure that the institution offering the course has a good reputation, especially if it is a privately-run institution. You can do this by:-

  • Checking that the institution and the course that you plan to take, is properly registered with the Australian government, which you can do at here

  • Carefully reading the website of the institution, which should provide all the information you need to make an informed decision, such as a description of the course offered, the environment, the teaching methods, facilities, minimum English language proficiency, etc.

  • Checking with the Education Officer in the Australian High Commission in New Delhi or the Consulates in Mumbai and Chennai

  • Checking with friends or others whom you may know who are studying or have studied in Australia.

• Cross-check what a recruiting agent tells you with the website of the concerned institution and with the various sources of information listed in the “Resources” section below.

• Make sure that you have a written agreement from the institution before paying any fees; this will be essential if there is any dispute. For an overview of your legal rights under the ESOS framework, go to here

• Make sure that you have adequate finances to cover the cost of living as well as your education costs and your health insurance costs. It is estimated that you would need a minimum of A$1200 a month to cover basic living costs on accommodation, transport and food. Remember that no matter what the agent or anyone else tells you, it is very difficult to earn enough to meet all your expenses including tuition fees. The minimum wage can vary from A$ 10.00 to A$ 15.00 per hour and you can legally work only 20 hours a week; there is also no guarantee that you will even be able to get a suitable job. (For more details on living in Australia, see “Resources” section below)

• Make sure that you have adequate medical insurance (see “Resources” section below for more information on OSHC - Overseas Student Health Cover). You may also consider ensuring any valuables or expensive electronic items that you may possess.

After You Arrive in Australia

• After completing enrolment formalities, familiarise yourself with the student services offered by the institution that you have joined, such as counseling services, help in finding suitable accommodation and jobs, assistance in improving your English etc.

• Check out the various banks on campus and see what they offer before opening an account.

• Check out different plans before buying a mobile phone. Remember to use phone cards for international calls.

• Whatever accommodation you choose, remember it is your responsibility to maintain it and keep it clean. If you are sharing accommodation, discuss how domestic chores would be shared before committing yourself.

• Also familiarise yourself with the educational aids available to you, especially the library and online resources, keeping in mind your course structure and the evaluation methods that apply to you.

• Learn about your rights as a student and the procedures that you should follow to exercise these rights. You have many rights as a student in Australia. You don't have to be a victim.

• Remember that you are representing India in Australia and maintain a decent standard of conduct at all times.

• For more information on accommodation, transport and the various government services that students can avail of, see “Resources” section below.

Living Safely in Australia

• Keep important documents and money in a safe place.

• Make sure you keep photocopies of relevant pages of your passport and other important documents in a separate and secure place

• Do not walk alone at night especially in the city. If you are travelling alone, make sure that you have checked out your route carefully and keep to well-lit, populated areas

• Make sure that someone knows where you are going and at what time you are expected to return

• Don’t carry more cash with you than what is required.

• Do not make it obvious that you are in possession of electronic gadgets, such as mobile phones, ipods or laptops

• Always carry with you some identification as well as details of who should be contacted in an emergency.

• If in danger dial 000 to get police help. Check out the other hotline numbers in the “Resource Section” below.

• Register with the Indian diplomatic mission (High Commission or Consulate General) that covers your area of residence (see “Resources” section below for details).

• If you have a genuine problem, do not hesitate to approach the police or other authorities; making a complaint will not affect your visa status

Resources

• Indian diplomatic missions in Australia

  • If you are resident in New South Wales or South Australia, go to here.

  • If you are resident in Victoria or Tasmania, go to here.

  • For the rest of Australia, go to here

• The official website of the Government of Australia for international students can be accessed at here. This website also offers a general guide to studying and living in Australia at here.

• Individual states also have their official websites for international students, which provide more details about local conditions

  • ACT

  • South Australia

  • Queensland

  • New South Wales

  • Western Australia

  • Victoria

  • Tasmania

• For information on the OSHC (Overseas Students Health Cover) scheme, go to here.

• Student Help Websites and Centres

  • A general website for international students can be seen at here.

  • In Melbourne, the International Indian Students Advisory Centre provides various services to help you settle down; check out their website at www.iisac.com.au. Details on cost of living, available accommodation, and on what there is to see and do in Melbourne are available on www.fisa.com.au. This website also lists temples, gurudwaras and other places of worship where you can also meet other members of the Indian community in Melbourne.

Personal Safety

Australia is a safe and secure study destination and international students are welcome. However, as with anywhere you travel, you should take steps to keep yourself safe:

• always tell someone when you are going out, where you are going and when you expect to return;

• take care while travelling at night on your own;

• make use of campus security escorts and bus services where available;

• never leave personal belongings unattended;

• always carry either a mobile phone, change for a pay phone or a phone card;

• it is always wise to take note of any security guidelines provided by your place of study;