When you lodge a tax return, you include how much money you have earned and any expenses you can claim as deductions. This information allows the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to check how much tax you should have paid. If you have paid more tax than you are supposed to, then the ATO will refund the extra amount to you. This is called Tax Return. Generally, you receive your refund within two weeks. If you have not paid enough amount, then you may receive a tax bill.

 

On-campus accommodation:

In this type of accommodation, food is provided, other facilities like, room cleaning, laundry are readily available and it is safe. Residential collage, halls for residence, apartments, student hostels are examples of On-campus accommodation. However, you miss out your freedom of living on you own, exploring city with you friends, taking part of in any amusing events happening across the city. Also, the cost of living in a university provided residence is higher due to the the services they provide.

Prices and availability vary according to the universities. So, international students should make this arrangement with the institutions prior to their arrival in Australia. On-campus accommodation generally costs around AUS 80 -AUS250 per-week.

Off-campus accommodation

This type of accommodation offers much more freedom that a student can decide where to live, whom to live with and at what budget. Many international students initially stay in on-campus accommodation and in a few months after making friends and learning the city in and out, start living in off-campus accommodation.

Here are some of the popular accommodation options among international students in Australia:

Residential college; It is an on-campus accommodation where the university takes care of basic need such as timely meals, room cleaning and laundry. So, you can comfortably stay, study and spend your spare time better.  It costs about $200- $750 per week.

Halls for residence; This is another on-campus accommodation which provides safe and comfortable accommodation close to the institution or on the premises of the universities. Halls for residence accommodation includes some meals and cleaning services but fewer services than residential colleges. Self-catering facilities are also available who wish to be more independent.

It costs around $165- $440 per week.

Student hostels and guest houses; Hostels and guest houses are very affordable on-campus accommodation for international students. This is an excellent short-term solution before more lasting option can be found. It offers you an opportunity to socialize with other students frequently as you will be sharing common spaces like kitchen and bathrooms. These accommodations are usually supervised by the education providers to ensure the safety and security of the students.

This accommodation usually costs $80- $135 per week.

Students Apartment; Some universities provide apartments for their students either on or close to the campus to rent. These are often large accommodation for 50- 300 students but in separate areas. This on-campus accommodation option ensures the security as well as the independence of fully self-catered living. Single and shared apartments are available. Apartments are popular with the students in the later year of their degrees.

It generally costs $80- $250 per week.

Homestay accommodation; This off-campus accommodation means the international students living with Australian family in their home. Homestay usually includes the basic needs such as food, laundry and cleaning. This option is the best if you want to live in a home environment and integrate yourself into Australian life. These accommodations are popular with secondary students or students enrolled in short-term English courses.

Vacant rooms are usually listed by families online and you can apply to live in. Students can find that their institution’s accommodation services keep a register of approval and reputable homestay providers. Families offered homestay accommodation are thoroughly screened to ensure they can provide a safe and suitable living environment.

It generally costs about $110- $270 per week.

Rental property; Rental property is another off-campus accommodation where you can rent or lease a property by yourself or with friends to share the costs which can be done through real estate agents or privately. There are often rental and share house options posted on the boards at your institutions or share house websites.

Rental accommodation usually requires the payment of rent in advance, as well as a security payment, which is generally equal to one month’s rent, paid up front. If the property is well-maintained, you may get the refund some or all of your bond at the end of your lease.

This accommodation generally costs about $100- $400 per week and shared accommodation costs around  $70- $250 per week.

Legal protection

It is your legal obligation to pay for your accommodation,  cleaning, maintenance expenses on time and it is you legal rights to live in a well-maintained property where you feel safe and secure.

If you are having some problems with your accommodation, you can communicate with the real estate agent or landlord, your international student support staff for on-campus living or you homestay service provider.

Some of the organizations such as tenant’s unions and consumer advocates can also provide assistance.

 

Pre-Departure Orientation

Studying abroad and achieving degrees is an exciting opportunity for us.  However, getting ready to fly, managing work and living abroad may be stressful.

We are right here to offer you pre-departure orientation to guide you through air ticket management, travel guide, accommodation, airport pick up, living costs, culture, environment etc. So that, you can be familiar with all these things and easily cope in the country you are heading to achieve your degrees.