Australia is made up of eight states and territories. People from all parts of the world travel to live in or visit Australia. The country is surrounded by water offering beautiful beaches and amazing natural attractions like the Great Barrier Reef, many National Parks, deserts, tropical forests, canyons, mountains, and more. Some of Australia’s most popular recreational activities are surfing and skiing. Sydney was one of the first cities established in Australia. It’s also the largest and most popular. This cosmopolitan city boasts the famous Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. There are also numerous world class restaurants and shopping areas. Students joining us will always have something to do whilst in Sydney.
Living expenses can include accommodation, transportation, food, clothes, books and entertainment. You will need approximately AUD $20,000 to cover the whole year of study in Sydney (excluding tuition fees). Rent is fairly high in Sydney but this depends on whether you choose to share with friends and which suburb you choose to live in. Transport is easy to access as all trains, buses, ferry and light rails lead to the CBD.
For more information, visit www.studyinaustralia.gov.au.
The Australian government requires that all international students have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). OSHC offers you access to a world-class health care system. This is great for the quality of treatment for anyone injured or sick in Australia; however, it can become quite costly. Having OSHC can assist in mitigating these costs. Allianz is a popular insurance company with international students.
If you'd like to purchase OSHC, visit this link.
International students are allowed to work for 40 hours per fortnight whilst studying full time. There are numerous casual and part-time jobs available for students in cafes, restaurants, or retail businesses. Working offers you the right to minimum wage as well as superannuation. For more information, visit www.fairwork.gov.au.
Gumtree Job Board
Gumtree is a local noticeboard that now spans 76 cities across 11 countries that connects not just new people arriving to a city but also the locals. It is the biggest websites for local community classifieds including Stuff for sale, Cars, flatshare, flat rentals and jobs.
Seek.com.au
Seek is an employment marketplaces that focused on facilitating the matching between jobseekers and employment opportunities, and helping hirers find candidates for advertised roles. There are over 375 million visits to our sites every month and have over 3 million job opportunities available at any given time.
GoVolunteer
GoVolunteer has a large range of volunteer roles including one off, short term and long term opportunities and many volunteer involving organisations can be flexible with times. They also make it easy for you to find a volunteer role that suits your interests, motivation, availability and location.
Australian Taxation Office
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is the principal revenue collection agency of the Australian government. On ATO website you can access a range of information about tax and super. All information are available for individual, business and not for profit company.
Department of Fair Trading
NSW Fair Trading safeguards the rights of all consumers and advises business and traders on fair and ethical practice. They provide services directly to individuals and businesses to create a fair, safe and equitable marketplace.
Whether it’s getting to our sydney campus or traveling around the greater sydney, there’s plenty to do by exploring Sydney, you count with an extensive network of transport by using trains, bus, ferry or light rail.
Opal is the electronic ticketing system used on public transport in NSW.
Opal cards are a quick and convenient way of paying for your travel. They can be purchased at most train stations, bus interchanges, some post offices, news agencies, convenience stores, supermarkets and other locations. You can find the retailers on the map (opens an external site) or order them online through Opal (opens an external site).
When using an Opal card, you need to tap on and tap off at the start and end of each trip and the fare is calculated automatically. For more information visit the Opal website (Adult fares | transportnsw.info).
Opal does not currently offer reduced fares for international students.
Share Accommodation
Gumtree is a local classified ads and community site, designed to connect people who were either planning to move, or had just arrived, and needed help getting started with accommodation. Gumtree is now loved by its ever growing community all around the world.
Flatmates.com.au is one of Australia’s largest flat-sharing and room rental platforms. It connects people looking for accommodation with property owners and tenants across the country. The platform provides tools to search for rooms, apartments and shared housing, helping students, professionals and renters find suitable accommodation in convenient locations throughout Australia.
Apartment Rental
Domain Group is one of Australia’s leading multi-platform property industry destinations. We provide residential, commercial and rural property marketing solutions and search tools, plus information for buyers, investors, sellers, renters and agents Australia wide.
Department of Home Affairs (DHA)
Department of Home Affairs is responsible for immigration and customs border policy. On this website, you can find out more information about different types of visa, entering, living, working and leaving Australia.
Department of Education and Training
The Department of Education and Training is responsible for national policies and programmes that help Australians access quality and affordable early child care and childhood education, school education, higher education, vocational education and training, international education and research.
Australian Education International
The Department of Education and Training works with the education sector, other government agencies and ministries to ensure Australia is recognised as a regional and world leader in education and a partner of choice for international collaboration. The department provides leadership and coordination across government, delivering programs and policies, to support mobility and the global exchange of knowledge.
Overseas Student Ombudsman
In Australia, there is a Commonwealth Ombudsman as well as State and Territory ombudsman.The Commonwealth Ombudsman deals with complaints about Commonwealth Government departments and agencies, and is also the Ombudsman for overseas students, private health insurance, Immigration and others.
Study in Australia
This is the official Australian Government website for international students. Use this site to search for courses, institutions and scholarships, read about studying and living in Australia, watch stories from other students, and much more
Discover the latest events, attractions, and activities happening across Sydney. From festivals and markets to cultural experiences and local highlights, there’s always something exciting to explore.
Australia is a diverse and vibrant country made up of eight states and territories, attracting people from all over the world for study, work, and travel. Surrounded by stunning coastlines, Australia offers breathtaking natural attractions such as the Great Barrier Reef, national parks, deserts, tropical forests, and mountain ranges.
Students at Abbey College can also take advantage of exclusive student benefits, including discounted public transport fares, making it even easier to explore the city and commute affordably. With a welcoming multicultural environment, excellent education opportunities, and a great quality of life, Adelaide is an ideal place to live and study.
Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, is known for its high quality of life, affordability, and student-friendly atmosphere. It is one of the most affordable cities in Australia, offering lower living costs compared to cities like Sydney and Melbourne. This makes it an attractive choice for international students looking for a great education while maintaining a comfortable lifestyle.
Living expenses for students typically include accommodation, transportation, food, clothing, books, and entertainment. Based on 2025 estimates, you will need approximately AUD $24,000 – $28,000 per year to cover your living costs in Adelaide, excluding tuition fees.
Accommodation costs can vary depending on whether you choose to live alone, in shared housing, or in student accommodation. While rent in Adelaide is generally lower than in Sydney and Melbourne, it will depend on the suburb you choose and whether you share accommodation with others.
Adelaide offers affordable and accessible public transport, with buses, trains, and trams connecting all major areas, including the CBD. Students at Abbey College are eligible for discounted public transport fares, making commuting more budget friendly.
Students should have at least AUD $2,500 – $3,000 upon arrival to cover initial expenses such as accommodation deposits, household essentials, and personal items. These figures do not include major purchases like a car or large furniture.
For more detailed information on living costs in Australia, visit www.studyinaustralia.gov.au.
The Australian government requires all international students to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their stay in Australia. OSHC provides access to Australia’s world-class healthcare system, covering essential medical services, doctor visits, hospital care, and emergency treatments.
Healthcare costs in Australia can be expensive, but OSHC helps reduce these expenses by covering a portion of medical fees. The cost of OSHC varies depending on the provider and the length of coverage, but in 2025, a single student can expect to pay between AUD $500 – $650 per year for basic OSHC coverage.
There are several OSHC providers approved by the Australian government, including BUPA, Medibank, Allianz Care, and NIB, which offer different levels of coverage and additional services. Students are encouraged to compare plans and choose the option that best suits their needs.
For more information on OSHC and to compare providers, visit www.privatehealth.gov.au.
As an international student in Australia, you are allowed to work up to 24 hours per week while studying full-time. Many casual and part-time job opportunities are available in cafes, restaurants, and retail businesses. Working provides you with the right to minimum wage and superannuation.
Here are five platforms to help you find a job in Adelaide:
Seek (seek.com.au)
Search for part-time and casual jobs across Adelaide, from hospitality to retail.
Indeed (indeed.com.au)
Find a wide range of part-time and casual roles, with many listings updated regularly.
College Job Boards
Check your college’s job board for part-time opportunities, especially in on-campus positions.
LinkedIn (linkedin.com)
A professional networking platform where you can find part-time jobs and internships in Adelaide.
Facebook Groups
Join local groups like “Adelaide Jobs for International Students” to connect with employers and find job opportunities.
For more information about your rights as an employee, visit the Fair Work Ombudsman website at www.fairwork.gov.au.
Adelaide offers a convenient and efficient public transport network that includes trains, buses, and trams, making it easy to get around the city and surrounding areas. Whether you’re commuting to campus or exploring the greater Adelaide region, you can rely on the public transport system to get you where you need to go.
MetroCard is the electronic ticketing system used on public transport in Adelaide. It’s the quickest and easiest way to pay for travel on trains, buses, and trams.
MetroCard
You can purchase a MetroCard from various locations, including train stations, newsagents, and convenience stores. MetroCards are also available online. Once you have a card, you can load it with funds and top it up as needed.
When using a MetroCard, you need to tap on and tap off at the start and end of each journey. Fares are calculated automatically based on your trip. The benefits of using a MetroCard include:
For more details about fare structures, obtaining a Student MetroCard, and full fare information, visit the official Adelaide Metro website.
Share Accommodation
Gumtree is a local classified ads and community site, designed to connect people who were either planning to move, or had just arrived, and needed help getting started with accommodation. Gumtree is now loved by its ever growing community all around the world.
Flatmates.com.au is one of Australia’s largest flat-sharing and room rental platforms. It connects people looking for accommodation with property owners and tenants across the country. The platform provides tools to search for rooms, apartments and shared housing, helping students, professionals and renters find suitable accommodation in convenient locations throughout Australia.
Apartment Rental
Domain Group is one of Australia’s leading multi-platform property industry destinations. We provide residential, commercial and rural property marketing solutions and search tools, plus information for buyers, investors, sellers, renters and agents Australia wide.
Department of Home Affairs (DHA)
Department of Home Affairs is responsible for immigration and customs border policy. On this website, you can find out more information about different types of visa, entering, living, working and leaving Australia.
Department of Education and Training
The Department of Education and Training is responsible for national policies and programmes that help Australians access quality and affordable early child care and childhood education, school education, higher education, vocational education and training, international education and research.
Australian Education International
The Department of Education and Training works with the education sector, other government agencies and ministries to ensure Australia is recognised as a regional and world leader in education and a partner of choice for international collaboration. The department provides leadership and coordination across government, delivering programs and policies, to support mobility and the global exchange of knowledge.
Overseas Student Ombudsman
In Australia, there is a Commonwealth Ombudsman as well as State and Territory ombudsman.The Commonwealth Ombudsman deals with complaints about Commonwealth Government departments and agencies, and is also the Ombudsman for overseas students, private health insurance, Immigration and others.
Study in Australia
This is the official Australian Government website for international students. Use this site to search for courses, institutions and scholarships, read about studying and living in Australia, watch stories from other students, and much more
Discover the latest events, attractions, and activities happening across Adelaide. From festivals and markets to cultural experiences and local highlights, there’s always something exciting to explore.
