International Students

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

APIC Campus Locations

APIC’s campuses are situated in Australia’s three leading cities of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. These metropolitan cities are wonderfully eclectic mix of cultures, people and past times. You will never be short of places to explore and things to do in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

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 western suburb of Sydney at Fitzwilliam Street, Parramatta. The campus is located opposite to Parramatta station next to the library. We are very well connected by the bus and the 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.

Brisbane, a vibrant gem in Australia’s sun-drenched landscape, is a city teeming with life and culture. Bathed in year-round glorious weather, it is the perfect haven for outdoor enthusiasts with a wealth of parks and the majestic Brisbane River cutting a swathe through the heart of the city. The campus is located in the central location of Fortitude Valley. Our Brisbane campus is within short walking distance of the fantastic parklands, river views, exquisite restaurants and entertainment facilities. Our campus is easily accessible and close to public transport as well as the city’s major shopping district.

Our Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane 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 Australia

For information on studying and living in Australia, visit https://www.studyaustralia.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/). 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.

Education Services for Overseas Students(ESOS)

Australia provides rigorous protection for international students through the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act) and related legislation, which provides and enhances Australia’s reputation for quality education, provides tuition protection and supports the integrity of the student visa program.Click here for more information.

Healthcare & 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.

Tuition protection for current and prospective students

APIC confirms the requirements of the Tuition Protection Service (TPS) established by the Australian Government for overseas students. APIC also has tuition protection assurance arrangements in place 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

For information on studying and living in Australia, please visit  Study Australia. This comprehensive site includes everything you need to know about living in Sydney or other cities in Australia, 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. 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.

From May 10, 2024, international students will need to show evidence of $29,710 in savings. For more information, please click here. To learn more about the cost of living in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, please check the official cost of living calculator (https://costofliving.studyaustralia.gov.au/).

Shared Accommodation	$120 – $500 AUD per week
Bread	$2.40 AUD
Litre of milk	$2.00 AUD
Dozen eggs	$5.00 AUD
Instant noodles	$2.00 AUD
BBQ chicken	$8.00 – $12.00 AUD
1 kg of rice	$2.50 AUD
Haircut: male	$10.00 – $40.00 AUD
Haircut: female	$20.00 – $100.00 AUD
Movie ticket	$15.00 AUD (student discount applies)
Restaurant/café meal	$8.00 – $25.00 AUD
Public Transport (per week)	$25 – $41 AUD (Depending on the distance travelled)
Taxi 5 Minutes ride could cost	$7 – $12 AUD
Newspapers	$2.70 AUD

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 48 hours per fortnight on a casual basis during course time, and full-time during vacation periods. Family members can also work up to 48 hours per fortnight throughout the year.