Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a list of questions by our international students. This list might help answer some of your own questions.
If your question is not answered here, please email it to us and we will respond as soon as possible. Please note: questions emailed to us may be included in the development of our FAQs page
- Who can help me find accommodation?
- What does homestay include?
- What does Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) cover me for?
- Where is my OSHC card?
- How can I pay my tuition fees?
- Can I work while studying?
- How do I open a bank account?
- How do I apply for a tax file number?
- Where can I find my place of worship and religious facilities?
- Where do you suggest I go for a short holiday?
1. Who can help me find accommodation?
The international student support officer (ISSO) can refer you to agents in homestay, share, rental or hostel type accommodation.
2. What does homestay include?
Homestay accommodation is living with an Australian family. This includes your own room and study desk, meals, and family interaction using your English skills.
3. What does Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) cover me for?
OSHC Worldcare provides medical insurance (doctors, x-rays, pathology services and hospital services), additional benefits for prescription medicines and conditional emergency ambulance cover. OSHC Worldcare provides extra services specifically tailored for international students which include 24 hour medical advice, interpreter services and legal advice. For further information please visit the Overseas Student Health Cover website.
To receive your OHSC card, you will need to supply OSHC Worldcare with your Australian address details. To do this, log onto the Overseas Student Health Cover website or call 131484.
5. How can I pay my tuition fees?
There are a variety of payment options available to you, including electronic funds transfer (eft), bank draft, direct deposit, credit card, counter payment. For further information contact the International administration team. See also Fee Payment Options.
Only after applying through the international student support officer (ISSO) can you work on a student visa. Once approved by immigration, you can work up to 20 hours a week while studying, and unlimited hours during official holiday breaks.
7. How do I open a bank account?
It is best to open a bank account within the first 6 weeks of arriving. To open a bank account you will need some money to deposit, your passport, and your student identification (ID) card.
8. How do I apply for a tax file number?
The international student support officer can give you an instruction sheet on how to apply, or you can visit the Australian Tax Office website. You will also be given directions to the nearest taxation office where you can lodge the application.
9. Where can I find my place of worship and religious facilities?
Our international student area has some locations for centres of worship.
10. Where do you suggest I go for a short holiday?
The international student support officer has brochures for a variety of different tourist attractions and destinations. Please feel free to take copies of these. Remember that you must advise the international team any time you plan to go away and supply contact details and dates of travel. You may only take holidays on official holiday breaks and cannot miss classes due to holidays.