Living in Australia
As part of our commitment to students, BPP Institute works to make the process of moving to Australia as straightforward and stress-free as possible.
As part of our commitment to students, BPP Institute works to make the process of moving to Australia as straightforward and stress-free as possible.
We also encourage students to arrive well prepared with key information about living in Australia. This includes planning your departure and arrival, understanding visa compliance, knowing how to access support services, considering options for working while you study, budgeting for living costs and accommodation, and being aware of health and safety.
Cost of living
It is important to understand the cost of living, including accommodation, food, travel and other expenses, before moving to Australia. To be granted a student visa, international students must show evidence of sufficient funds to cover their living expenses while studying.
Although several websites provide estimates of typical costs, your actual expenses will depend on your lifestyle and choices. We recommend researching living costs carefully before you arrive.
Useful links
Living costs for dependants in Australia
Most student visas allow students to bring their eligible family members to Australia. However, students will be required to prove that they have sufficient funds to not only cover their own cost of living, but also the cost of living of their dependents. You can find out more on the Study Australia website here.
If you are planning to bring school-aged dependents with you to Australia, school fees may be incurred. Please see Australia’s schooling obligations and options.
Overseas Student Health Cover
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a mandatory requirement for all international students in Australia and must be maintained for the entire duration of your student visa. Details on the type of cover you need, along with a list of Australian Government-approved providers, can be found on the Department of Health and OSHC websites.
You can arrange and pay for your OSHC directly through the insurers’ websites or with the support of BPP Institute.
Useful Information
For your guidance, please visit our Policies and Procedures page, which has all you need to know about your rights, responsibilities and support you are entitled to as an international student in Australia.
Working while studying in Australia
International students are eligible to work while studying in Australia. An outline of your rights and protections at work as an international student is available here.
If you believe your employer is exploiting or underpaying you, we encourage you to contact the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Infoline on 13 13 94 or use their anonymous reporting service.
Further information about student employee rights from the Fair Work Ombudsman is contained in the International student fact sheet available at Fairwork.gov.au.
The Fair Work Commission is Australia’s workplace relations tribunal, and its website includes information on matters such as enterprise agreements, minimum wages and conditions, and bullying in the workplace. The Commission deals with unfair dismissal and resolving collective and individual workplace disputes through conciliation and mediation. Further information about the Fair Work Commission is available at https://www.fwc.gov.au/ or by contacting 1300 799 675 between 9 am and 5 pm (local time) Monday to Friday.
Living in Melbourne
Melbourne is one of the most exciting cities on Earth. Get the edge on accommodation, master your budget, and discover the opportunities waiting to unlock your extraordinary student experience in Australia.
Additional resources
Before you arrive, we also recommend doing additional research to ensure you feel fully prepared for your move.