Australia
Australia is a multi cultural, liberal, democracy. Its citizens and guests enjoy personal freedom with a view, to mutual respect for each other and the environment. In the past decade it has become a sought after education destination for young students from around the world, in particular from Asia . Students have the same rights and resposibilities as local citizens.

Students VISA conditions
There are a number of conditions that all international students are required to comply with to maintain their Student visa. These include:

Students are required to undertake a fulltime study program of at least 20 hours per week for a minimum period of 36 weeks per year.

At any given time students are to maintain a minimum of 80% attendance in classes and/or organised training activities and as well as course progression criteria acceptable to the education provider. Late arrival to class or not having the required study material or personal protective equipment could result in marking an absence being recorded absent for the session.

Students are required to pay their fees 90 days before start of their each semester.

Health insurance is mandatory and organised through the Overseas Students Health Care (OSHC) scheme. This can be arranged through your education provider. If you choose to organise this yourself you need to provide a copy of your current insurance cover to the education provider prior to the commencement of your studies. The provider has a right to organise cover if students fail to notify the provider of their current insurance policy.

Even though students are allowed to work maximum of 20 hours per week while they are studying and fulltime while they are on holidays, they are not allowed to undertake any business activities except contract work with clear work hours documented or entered into a log book. Students must apply for a Tax file number with the Australian Tax Office on line or by post and provide the Tax file number to every employer/Contractor for taxation purposes.

A breach in any of these conditions could warrant the cancellation of the Confirmation fo Enrolment (CoE) by your education provider to cancel CoE or a report to Immigration authorities on a student's questionable financial situation and or questionable intention of to stay in Australia .

Accommodation and living conditions
Accommodation arrangements are time consuming can be expensive as well. Accommodation costs vary from city to city, but facilties specifically for students are available and are designed to accommodate one person per unit. This could vary from AUD$180 to AUD$300 per week. Some students prefer to live on share accommodation. Each bedroom is designed to accommodate one person only. Securing accommodation in Australia could take from 2 weeks to 2 months, so it is advised that you make arrangements as early as possible before your arrival.

Leasing or renting accommodation will require 4 weeks of rental bond + a deposit equal to the first two weeks of rent, totalling 6 weeks cash up-front. You will also need to produce 100 points of identification (ID) and a reference of character and conduct from a previous rental agency. Overcrowded accommodation may be create a fire hazard, sewage blockage or pest infection. In such cases entire tenants could be asked to vacate the property with out further notice and which could result in loss of bond money as well. If you need your education provider to help in this regard, please indicate the this at same at the time of securing the offer letter and make sure it is itemised in your deposit amount. Unless this payment is sent to your education provider 90 days before your arrival in Australia, your accommodation arrangement may not be secure. Families need to take extra precaution by communicating effectively with your education provider to avoid disappointments, especially if you are travelling with children.

Airport Pick Up
Airport Pick up is arranged if you have exercised the choice at the time of securing the offer letter and itemised in your deposit. The cost per person is AUD$200.

If you have paid for airport pick up, please email your itinerary 7 days before your departure to regionalmanagerNI@vocationalstudies-australia.com.au OR regionalmanagerSI@vocationalstudies-australia.com.au OR admissions@vocationalstudies-australia.com.au.

Child Care Facilities
Child Care could cost approx AUD$80 to AUD$120 per child per day and securing a placement could be time consuming.

Securing work
Even though Australia is experiencing a skills shortage, most of it requires trade licenses and could cost AUD$100 to AUD$1000 and take from 3 weeks to 3 months to obtain form the regulatory authorities. Unless you are multi-skilled and multi - lingual with strong English language skills, it will be difficult to secure a jobs in such a short period of time. It is advisable to have enough finance for at least 6 months to avoid hardship. Illegal work such as cash work with out a TFN could result in abrupt cancellation of visa and deportation.

Work Experience
VSA will not condone paid work experience for students where students are asked to pay some upfront fee or combine such fees with tuition fees or arrange such with other employers. We strongly condemn such practices in order to maintain the high standards that are required by overseas education providers.

Pre Selection
You may be required to undertake a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) test, designed to identify those applicants with the right aptitude for their choice of course. Based on these results, students are advised to undertake the course for which they are suited.

Enjoy
To enjoy your stay in Australia, come with a positive and professional attitude, have adequate financialresources and always give plenty of time for anything that needs to be done. Keep in mind that Australia is governed by a strict code of Law and an irresponsible attitude may result in expensive litigation and may also be life threatening.

We welcome you and your family and wish you all the best for your entire stay!