I arrived in Australia on 3 October 2018. I don't even remember whether it was a Tuesday or a Wednesday — all I remember is that my friends came to pick me up and helped me set up my essentials. There are a hundred stories I could tell you about those first weeks. But this one is about the five things that actually matter most when you land.
It was my first time away from Sri Lanka. I'd never even been past the visitors' section of an airport. Lucky for me, a Sri Lankan girl sitting next to me on the plane lent me her phone so I could call my friends.
Here's what I wish I'd known.
1. Get connected — sort out a SIM card
Most airports have free wi-fi, but don't count on it. Do your research before you fly: find a provider that suits you and grab a SIM. They'll usually ask for your passport to register it. My advice — if you're overwhelmed by the choices, just get a temporary prepaid SIM to start, and switch to a permanent plan once you've found your feet.
The big providers are Vodafone, Optus and Telstra. When you sign up, ask two things: do you get free international calls (some plans include direct calls home), and how much data you get each month. Australia is pretty generous with data.
2. Know where you live
Australia markets itself as the perfect utopia for international students. Guess what? It's not. You still need to know your neighbourhood.
When I first arrived I lived in Deer Park, out in Melbourne's western suburbs, doing a cash-in-hand job. The guy who hired me would send my pay as "cardless cash" to collect from an ATM. In winter it's pitch dark by 6pm, and one night I went to the ATM alone — and as I was pulling the money out, two guys with spanners appeared behind me. Little kid that I was, I ran. (Lol.)
But it wasn't funny for a friend of mine. One night my housemate called me crying — someone had grabbed her bag and run off, and because she carried her passport everywhere, she lost that too. She was new here, terrified, and had no idea what to do. The police couldn't do much. So: do your research. Ask your uni lecturers about the reputation of the area you're moving into. Either way — be careful.
3. Understand your work hours and tax
The rules are clear: on a student visa you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session. Yes, there are loopholes, and yes, the government knows about them — but that doesn't make it okay.
I'm not here to tell you what to do and what not to do. I'm here to tell you where I messed up, so you don't. So let me be blunt: if you're reading this and quietly planning to work past 48 hours through the loopholes, then at least do this — every time you get paid, put aside 10% of it. And whatever happens, never touch that 10%. Every financial year, use it for your tax return, and make sure you actually pay your tax. Otherwise you'll be in serious trouble.
4. Get your OSHC sorted
A lot of us come from South Asia, other parts of Asia, or Africa — places where many of us never had health insurance, so we don't really know how to use our Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). Please, learn how yours works. Here's a site that walks you through it: safedownunder.org. Know your rights, know what you're covered for, and choose the OSHC that fits your needs.
One example: if you arrive and fall pregnant in your first year, the government won't cover those costs — and hospital charges can sometimes cost more than the whole course you came to study. If that's you, look into how to get the right help early. That's just one example. Before you pick a policy, talk to your university's support team, or to international student support services such as AusWISE, Study Melbourne, or Study Australia. They can help.
5. And please — actually live
This is the one most of us forget the moment we land, because life here is hard. But you were brave enough to come all this way alone. You'll build a second family here, out of the people you meet — so keep your circle healthy. Learn to say no to people who drain you, and make room for the ones who support your growth and your happiness.
Put your mental health first, always. Australia is an incredible place with so much to see. Save a little, go and see it. Make memories. Go to your student club nights and community events. Don't let work and study be the only things you live for while you're here.
Good luck out there. You've already done the hardest part — you came.
— Asanka Tharindu