Facts and Information
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Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
Introduction
A lot has changed in Australia since its original inhabitants, the Australian Aborigines, who lived in complex social systems with traditions that reflected their deep connection with the land and nature. From that time until the arrival of the first European explorers, convicts, free settlers and recent immigrants, Australia has survived wars, depressions and political scandals; created dynamic cities and legends of “the bush” and the “Aussie battler” and provided new beginnings for people from all over the world.
History
Before the arrival of European settlers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples inhabited most areas of the Australian continent. The Australian Aborigines have the longest continuous cultural history in the world, with origins dating back to the last Ice Age.
Europeans began to explore Australia in 16th century. Portuguese navigators were followed by Dutch explorers and the enterprising English pirate William Dampier. Captain James Cook sailed the entire east coast in 1770 and he claimed the continent for the British and named it New South Wales.
Britain decided to use its new outpost as a penal colony; the First Fleet of 11 ships carried about 1500 people—half of them convicts. The fleet arrived in Sydney Harbor on 26 January 1788, and it is on this day every year that Australia Day is celebrated.
Australia became a nation when federation of its separate colonies took place on 1st of January 1901. The non-Indigenous population at the time of Federation was 3.8 million. Half of these lived in cities, three-quarters were born in Australia, and the majority was of English, Scottish or Irish descent.
The founders of the new nation believed they were creating something new and were concerned to avoid the pitfalls of the old world. They wanted Australia to be harmonious, united and egalitarian, and had progressive ideas about human rights, the observance of democratic procedures and the value of a secret ballot.
The country was hard hit by the depression when the prices for wool and wheat (two main products of the economy) plunged in the ‘30s. By 1933 Australian economy started to recover. When World War II broke out, Australian troops fought alongside with the British troops in Europe, but ultimately it was the United States of America that helped protect Australia from the advancing Japanese air force in the Battle of the Coral Sea.
After World War II, a flood of European immigrants came to Australia who, since then, made an enormous contribution to the country, lifting its culture and broadening its vision.
Today Australia is one of the most cosmopolitan and dynamic societies in the world. Over 200 languages are spoken, with English the common language.
The nation has thriving ethnic media, an international business reputation, an innovative artistic community, diverse religious and cultural activities and variety in foods, restaurants, fashion and architecture.
Useful Websites: http://www.australia.com/index.aspx - Australia's official, federal government-run tourism site.
Australian Cities
New South Wales
Sydney
Cosmopolitan Sydney with its beautiful harbor setting and easy-going lifestyle is one of the world’s greatest cities.
Sydney is Australia’s oldest city, the economic powerhouse of the nation and the country’s capital in everything but the name. This amazing city buzzes with multicultural energy and offers everything anyone could ask for in a travel destination: a staggeringly beautiful harbor spanned by an equally striking bridge (known as “the Coathanger”), the famous Opera House, a pleasant climate, heavenly beaches and surf, pleanty of great restaurants, bars and nightlife.
Sydney is blessed with a balmy climate, rarely dropping below 10C at night, with average summer temperatures of 25C and over 300 sunny days a year. Winters are cool rather then cold.
Sydney Events: Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, City to Surf Run, Festival of the Winds, Sculpture by the Sea, Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
For more facts and information about Sydney go Here.
Useful Websites: http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/ - The official Sydney website run by the City of Sydney council. A great source of information for residents and visitors alike.
http://www.sydney.citysearch.com.au/ - A comprehensive lifestyle and entertainment guide for Sydney.
For Education and training Institutions in Sydney and New South Wales click HERE
Victoria
Melbourne
Despite being Australia’s smallest mainland state (roughly the size of Great Britain), Victoria sure has a lot to offer. It’s a place of great contrasts, of ocean beaches and mountain ranges, deserts and forests, volcanic plains and endless sheep farms. It’s people are the most divers in Australia, with immigrants from all over the world arriving in the 19th century gold rush and after the World War II when Melbourne’s Station Pier was the Australian equivalent of New York’s Ellis Island.
There are dozens of national, state, coastal and historical parks. The diversity is truly amazing. Then there’s the spectacular Great Ocean Road coastal drive (past world famous surf beaches); the historic Goldfields region; the mighty Murray river, with its townships that evoke the days of the paddle steamers; and excellent wineries scattered all around the state.
The country towns range from large provincial centers like Bendigo and Ballarat with their rich gold-rush heritage, to tiny one-pub towns where you never know who you’re going to meet. And, of course, there is marvelous Melbourne, the state capital.
Melbourne’s residents are fueled by the best coffee in Australia, yet the city still runs at a slow pace. Trams travel back an forth along the city’s grid, and cycling is a common way to travel between suburbs. It’s also becoming increasingly fashionable to get about town on a scooter.
The natural geographic feature of the Yarra River meant the area was prime settling land for Europeans in the 1830s. The city produces some of the most innovative art, music, cuisine, fashion, performance, design and ideas in the country. Melbournians love to shop, eat and attend the many festivals the city offers. They are also very sporty. They go crazy during the Australian Football League (AFL) finals in September, and the Spring Racing Carnival in November when the whole country stops to watch the Melbourne Cup.
Melbourne’s most defining characteristic is its cultural diversity. Around 40% of the city’s population was born outside Australia, with more then 130 countries recorded as Melbournian’s place of birth.
And of course, let’s not forget the city’s coffee culture. If good coffee and fabulous cafes are important to you then this is definitely the place to be.
Melbourne Events: Australian Open, Antipodes Festival, International Comedy Festival, Melbourne International Film Festival, Royal Melbourne Show, Formula 1.
For more information and facts about Melbourne click Here.
For Education and training Institutions in Melbourne and Victoria click HERE
Queensland
Brisbane
Occupying Australia’s north-eastern corner, Queensland impresses visitors with a diversity of landscapes, from the postcard beaches of Sunshine Coast to the rich greens of Daintree and the azure blues of the Great Barrier Reef.
Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland, is lively and cosmopolitan. In the north, Cairns, is a traveler’s Mecca, humming with the feel of a global village.
Brisbane it’s Australia’s third largest city and is recognised globally as Australia's new world city, but while other capitals compete loudly in their endeavour to reach the top billing in the status stakes, Brisbane quietly executes its evolution in true, casual Queensland style. For visitors, the city is an outstanding summary of Australia; the big city package exists but the pretensions and speed are refreshingly absent.
With a population of two million and over 1100 people moving to South-East Queensland per week, Brisbane has been Australia's fastest growing capital city growing economy over the pas decade.
With world-class academic credentials and a knowledge based economy, combined with one of the most enviable lifestyles, Brisbane is one city international students should put at the top of their list when considering a place to study.
Brisbane is home to more than 80 000 international students from across forty different nations, double the number from 4 years ago. Aproximately 80% of the international students studying in Queensland have chosen the state's capital city to pursue their academic goals.
Temperatures in Brisbane, in the south of the state, rarely drop below 20C.
Brisbane has gotten rid of its reputation as being a backward and unsophisticated place and emerged as one of the country’s most progressive centres.
Brisbane Events: Cockroach Races, Tropfest, Valley Fiesta, Brisbane River Festival, Livid.
For more information and facts about Brisbane Click Here.
For Education and training Institutions in Brisbane and Queensland click HERE
South Australia
Adelaide
When the first colonists arrived and began building Adelaide, they used stone. They wanted to build a solid, dignified city, a civilized and calm place at a level that no other state capital in Australia could match. If you ask anyone from any other state what they know about Adelaide, they’ll probably tell you it’s “the city of churches”. Nowadays, however, it’s so much more then that.
The traditional owners of Adelaide are the Kaurna people. Early European colonists “free settlers” began to arrive in 1836 creating a European style capital, while successive waves of settlers have added to the cosmopolitan mix.
Adelaide has a Mediterranean climate of hot, dry summers and cool winters.
A vibrant student population ensures there’s plenty to do for those on a budget, including dinning out.
Yes, Adelaide is smaller than Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane. But it offers the same lifestyle and quality education - and for significantly less cost! Statistics show that it costs 24% more to live in Sydney, 21% more to live in Melbourne and 9% more to live in Perth or Brisbane.
Student accomodation is also much more affordable in Adelaide, and much of it is in the heart of the city. In fact, lots of students simply walk to their education institution, and to part-time work. Unlike some other cities in Australia, Adelaide also offers exactly the same public transport discounts for international students as locals, so you can get around cheaply and easily.
New Yorker Magazine once called Adelaide "the last well planned metropolis on earth" - and newcomers from around the world soo pick up on this fact. For the past two years, a major letter writing competition has been held for Adelaide's international students, and the two most popular responses were the friendliness of the locals and the clean, green environment. The city was meticulously planned back in 1836, and in almost every sense this layout sets the scene for contemporary Adelaide: traffic is rarely congested, the people are relaxed and the skies are nearly always clear.
Adelaide Events: Adelaide Festival of Arts, Adelaide Fringe, Womadelaide, Feast Festival, Credit Union Christmas Pageant.
For more information and facts about Adelaide Click Here.
For Education and training Institutions in Adelaide and South Australia click HERE
Western Australia
Perth
Have you ever heard the expression “bigger than Texas”? It applies here. You could fit Texas in Western Australia and still have room for New Zealand. There’s 12 000km of coastline and more species of wildflowers than the rest of the world.
Visitors can find themselves traveling infinite roads through forest or dessert. They can explore the kind of outback that Australia is most famous for. They can learn of the oldest culture in the world and how it was challenged by the newest, but never erased. From the bottom of Southeast Asia to the Southern Ocean, there’s a lot of space and not many people but Western Australia is far from empty.
On experiencing Perth’s vibrancy and bountiful beaches, with the rich southern wilderness and wineries at its feet, some visitors wonder why Australians settled for the east coast at all. The Southwestern coastline and its capital – the worlds most remote city of its size – have all you could want. Most Western Australians (around 80%) agree by calling Perth home. Its riches include constant sunshine, great food, a relaxed pace, natural beauty and space. Even the dogs have their own beach here.
Perth has a long and hot summer where little rain falls and the temperature stay up around 30C, especially in January and February.
The dominant culture in Perth is an outdoor one: it seems more Perthites are devoted to some kind of outdoor activity, whether it’s swimming, surfing, fishing, yachting, windsurfing, snorkeling, or sunbathing. But this is not all they are about; the city has a strong artistic community.
Perth Events: Perth Royal Show, Artrage, Gay Pride March, Freemantle Festival & Street Arts Festival, Perth International Arts Festival.
For more information and facts about Perth Click Here.
For Education and training Institutions in Perth and Western Australia click HERE
Cost of Living in Australia
Australia has one of the highest living standards in the world. It offers a superb climate, a unique and beautiful environment, a well developed society. Australia has the third lowest cost of living in the major developed world, behind only USA and New Zealand. Five of Australia’s mainland capital cities have been ranked in the top 11 most livable cities in the world.
Australia’s Human Development Index (HDI) is the third best in the world, behind only Norway and Ireland. Australia’s life expectancy (81 years) has been judged third highest in the world behind Japan and Hong Kong.
(the facts mentioned above were true according to Mercer Human Resource Consulting survey in 2007)
Students relocating to Australia should keep in mind the relevant costs when they undertake studies. When calculating the cost of living in Australia, students must also budget for food, health care, transport, books, clothing and entertainment. Please note that all costs listed are estimates only and will vary depending on location, lifestyle and inflation.
Students are recommended to allow a minimum of $18 000 per year to cover their cost of living. It is highly recommended that students arrive with an additional $2000 to cover settling in costs such as rental bond and to purchase basic furniture items, if this is not already prepaid during enrollment.
Cost of living in Sydney
According to the Mercer cost of living survey, Sydney is Australia’s most expensive city and the 66th most expensive in the world. Sydney also ranks among the Top 10 most livable cities in the world according to Mercer Human Resource Consulting.
Buying or renting a house or apartment in Sydney is more affordable than in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Mumbai and Beijing. Prices are comparable with Singapore, Jakarta and Seoul.
An average house unit in Sydney is renting for around $1600 per month. Very popular among students is flat sharing or house sharing. Sharing a house in Sydney area is around $200 per week.
Students living in Sydney area during their studies should expect costs around $2000 per month, costs that include: rent, food, telephone, transport, clothing, entertainment, personals, etc.
Contact us for money-saving tips while living in Sydney.
Cost of living in Melbourne
Melbourne, the cultural capital of Australia, has been ranked as one of the Top 3 most livable cities in the world by The Economist and Top 10 Global University Cities by RMIT.
Melbourne is one of the least expensive cities in the world to live in, and more affordable than other Australian cities such as Sydney, according to the Mercer Cost of Living survey.
Rent in Melbourne for an International student is anywhere between $90 to $180 per week depending on where you would like to live.
Students living in Melbourne area during their studies should expect costs around $1500 per month, costs that include: rent, food, telephone, transport, clothing, entertainment, personals, etc.
Cost of living in Brisbane
Brisbane has been rated as one of Australia's least expensive capital cities. Cost of living is calculated based on the average amount of money spent on:
- accommodation
- food
- study materials
- transport; &
- personal expenses
Since the average cost to live in Brisbane is much less than that in other Australian cities, it is considered one of the best places to study.
Any typical student (domestic or international) can enjoy Brisbane's natural attractions, comfortable climate and high living standards and still tailor to their budget.
Brisbane is one of the most attractive cities in Australia to live in, with the cost of transport, food and entertainment being better or on par with any other State Capital. Brisbane caters for a diverse range of lifestyles and can easily be enjoyed even on a student budget.
We estimate you will need a minimum of $16,500 for essential living expenses per year. This is a only a guide to the cost of living in Brisbane. Obviously this figure will vary significantly depending on your choice of accommodation and lifestyle.
Cost of living in Adelaide
Adelaide is one of the most affordable to live cities in Australia. Statistics show that it costs 24% more to live in Sydney, 21% more to live in Melbourne, 12% more to live in Perth and 8% more to live in Brisbane.
As a student, your minimum cost of living is estimated at around AUD$270 per week. When you calculate your weekly cost of living, don't forget that the decisions you make as a student will influence how much money you spend. For example, the amount of rent you pay will depend on whether you decide to live in a student residence, rent a small unit (or flat) by yourself or with one other person, or rent a whole house with three or four other students. You can reduce costs by sharing with other students.
One of the best advantages of Adelaide is that it is a well-planned city where all services, such as transport, banking, health or sport as well as shopping areas, are in easy reach of where you live or study. This will save a lot of time and money that you would spend in travelling to these facilities in some other cities.
For more information about the cost of living in Adelaide Click Here.
Cost of living in Perth
Perth, the capital city of Western Australia, was recently declared to be the world’s fifth most ‘liveable’ city, and prides itself as being the sunniest of all Australia’s capitals. Perth also has the reputation of being Australia’s friendliest city.
The cost of living in Perth for a student is between $240 and $360 per week, depending on your lifestyle.
Below you can find an estimated minimum cost of living guide per month for Australia’s major cities:
|
|
Sydney |
Melbourne |
Brisbane |
Perth |
Adelaide |
|
Shared Unit (your own room) |
$900 |
$600 |
$500 |
$500 |
$400 |
|
Food |
$350 |
$280 |
$280 |
$260 |
$250 |
|
Transport |
$160 |
$100 |
$70 |
$45 |
$45 |
|
Telephone |
$50 |
$50 |
$50 |
$50 |
$50 |
|
Clothing, Entertainment, Personal… |
$200 |
$200 |
$200 |
$200 |
$200 |
|
Stationary |
$40 |
$40 |
$40 |
$40 |
$40 |
|
Laundry |
$40 |
$40 |
$30 |
$30 |
$20 |
|
Total |
$1740 |
$1310 |
$1170 |
$1125 |
$1005 |
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