5 tips for international students in Australia

You’re on the flight to Australia, eager to glimpse the Opera House. Your bag is packed with goodies, memorabilia from home, and some snacks that your mum sneaked in when you weren’t looking. 

Living abroad as a student is exciting, but it can also stir up anxiety, fear of the unknown, and many what-ifs. Research shows that moving to a new country can help you find clarity in self, reduce biases and enhance your lived experiences.

Even though Australia is warm and welcoming to foreigners, let’s explore how to navigate these new waters and make your experience memorable.

It is natural to miss your family and friends while away from home. Calling them or chatting daily can help you stay grounded. All you need is a good internet connection, and viola; all your worries are gone. But before you turn on international roaming, remember that it’s expensive and not sustainable. So the first thing you should do is purchase an affordable mobile SIM plan. Optus has many stores, including one at the Sydney International airport. This means you can buy a plan or a new mobile as soon as you land. Jet lagged? Not to worry, you can buy a SIM at a local store or from the Optus website. 

The best things in life are free if you know where to find them. Every University in Australia has groups or clubs dedicated to activities. They are free to join and conduct hiking, beach trips, and nature walks, all at no cost. Websites like Meetup are also a great way to find like-minded people and explore free activities. Before venturing out, research the group or activity, and don’t forget to take a friend along if you don’t feel confident.

If you prefer going solo is not your thing, browse city-based websites like What’s on Sydney or Visit Brisbane to explore activities that don’t cost a buck.

Managing expenses as a student can be challenging in Australia, especially when you have to pay rent, purchase books, and buy groceries.  Good news! You can get discounts at movies, restaurants, and activities by showing a valid student ID. Unidays has great deals on gadgets, food, and clothing for students. Event Cinemas offers cheap tickets every Monday, and retailers like The Iconic, Officeworks or Harvey Norman also offer discounts. 

You don’t always need to leave your campus. Universities hosts events to welcome new students and conduct career exchange fairs. Both are fun ways to take home goodie bags and win freebies. Some students also put food stalls and offer homemade delicacies at a pocket-friendly cost.

See our SIM plans and student offers.

Watching movies in your native language or eating at restaurants that serve your favourite food are comforting ways to feel at home in a new country.  Every major city in Australia has restaurants dedicated to international cuisine and has suburbs over-indexed with specific nationalities. 

These communities host festivals and welcome participants and volunteers. An excellent opportunity to make friends, don’t you think?

During Ramadan, you can visit night markets in Lakemba, enjoy Diwali celebrations at various locations, or enjoy Chinese new year festivities across Australia. Visiting these places can do wonders for anyone feeling homesick. 

As an international student living in Australia, you can work a certain number of hours per week. Before you begin the job hunt, check your visa for details. 

The career hub at your university is the first place to look for job opportunities. You should also proactively inform your professors that you’re looking for a job. They have one foot in the industry and help you on your journey to a proper role. 

Many companies also offer short-time unpaid internships. This is an excellent way to gain experience and makes connections in the industry that are helpful in future.

However, explore mentoring opportunities if you don’t want to commit to a job. Every year many international students move to Australia and can benefit from your learnings.

Don’t forget that it’s easy to burn out with a full-time study load and part-time jobs. So, learn ways to be productive and create a healthy study-work balance.

These are just a few suggestions to help students choose the best tech. Check out our student hub for super student savings on selected SIM plans and 4G Home internet, available to tertiary students with a valid student ID. The phones and tablets on our month-to-month plans (excluding Prepaid) are also available for you to pay off over time, helping to ease the cost of new technology.

Whether you’re coming to Australia for work or study, Optus has you covered with our great range of mobile and internet services.

Get into student life with some campus themed movies like Legally Blonde on Prime Video via Optus SubHub.

Optus Pause helps you manage your time online. Simply pause your mobile or home connectivity across the devices on your account, all from My Optus app.