International Students

This information is especially relevant to those international students arriving in Australia for the first time.

College location

APIC’s campuses are situated in Australia’s leading cities of Sydney and Melbourne. Both cities are a wonderfully eclectic mix of cultures, people and past times. You will never be short of places to explore and things to do in Sydney and Melbourne. Sydney is the financial capital of Australia with the Australian Stock Exchange located not far from the Sydney campus along with many of Australia’s largest accounting, auditing and consulting organisations. Our Sydney campus is conveniently located in the inner-city suburb of Chippendale on Regent St a few minutes walk from one of the largest train stations, Central. We are very well connected by the bus and soon to be completed light rail.

Melbourne is Australia’s cultural capital and considered to be one of the most liveable cities in Australia. Like Sydney it is home to thousands of international students and welcomes many more each year. Our Melbourne campus is located on Lonsdale St in the middle of Melbourne’s bustling Central Business District. Within a short walking distance can be found Flinders St Station and Federation Square.

Both our campuses are located very centrally and can be easily accessed by public transport. The campuses are surrounded by cafes, food courts, banks, parks, shopping malls, and cultural attractions

Living in Sydney or Melbourne

For information on studying and living in Australia, visit www.studyinaustralia.gov.au. This comprehensive site includes everything you need to know about living in Sydney or Melbourne, including accommodation, working, health, transport, as well as fantastic information about Australia’s states and regions.

The Australian Government Department of Home Affairs provides useful information on Student Visa Living Costs (https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav/visa-1/500-). Upon arrival you should have a minimum of AUD$2,500, in addition to the monthly average, to cover the initial cost of a laptop computer and establishment expenses, such as rental bond payment and basic furniture items.

Health Care & Insurance

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a compulsory health insurance policy designed to provide affordable access to medical and hospital treatment for students or their family dependents while studying in Australia. OSHC will also contributes to the cost of most prescription drugs and emergency ambulance transport.

International students are required to take overseas health cover during their stay. Please Contact Us or visit the Department of Health website (www.health.gov.au) for full information about registered OSHC providers, complete details of what is covered, and OSHC eligibility.

Student Visa

All APIC courses are authorised to be offered to international students studying on an Australian student visa. For information on your Student Visa and details of all visa conditions, refer to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection website (www.homeaffairs.gov.au).

Working while you study

Immigration regulations allows you to work up to 40 hours per fortnight on a casual basis during course time, and full-time during vacation periods. Family members can also work up to 40 hours per fortnight throughout the year.

Tuition protection for current and prospective students

APIC conforms to the requirements of the Tuition Protection Service (TPS) established by the Australian Government for overseas students. APIC also has in place tuition protection assurance arrangements for domestic students. These tuition protection arrangements assure current and intending students of APIC courses that lead to an APIC issued AQF award that they will be offered a suitable alternative course or have unspent pre-paid tuition fees refunded if APIC cannot provide the course for which the student has paid.

Cost of Living

An Australian Government survey showed that in terms of total expenses, living in Australia was comparable to the USA and the UK. Living costs too will vary by location, and of course by your lifestyle.
Here is a quick guide of the cost of living in Sydney/Melbourne:

Useful Links