Living in Australia

Australia is a safe and welcoming country with one of the highest standards of living in the world. Australia, and in particular smaller cities like Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Orange and Wagga Wagga, welcome international students into their community, and respond warmly to visitors who make an effort to become part of the community.

Will I be welcomed in Australia?

Approximately 25% of the population of Australia was born overseas and 17% of Australians speak a language other than English at home, making it one of the most multicultural countries in the world. Australia is home to a diverse range of religions, and the Australian Constitution protects an individual's right to freely practise their religion. The majority of Australians are extremely welcoming of people from other nations with who they share many common values.

Diversity and Multi-Culturalism

Australia has a fantastic variety of food available. There are restaurants and cafes of many diverse cultures in most cities.

Australian cities are small by world standards but the country is still considered to be highly urbanised. Nearly 60% of all Australians live in the seven capital cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Hobart, Adelaide, Perth and Darwin).

Australia may be a young country but its Indigenous inhabitants, the Australian Aborigines, have one of the longest surviving cultures in the world. Charles Sturt University's (CSU) regional campuses are located within the area occupied by NSW's largest Aboriginal group, the Wiradjuri. CSU acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands on which its campuses are located, paying the respect to the Elders, both past and present, and extending that respect to all Indigenous Australians.

More on diversity and multiculturalism

Language in Australia

English is the official language of Australia, but there are many words and phrases used here which are uniquely Australian and that you will not hear in other English speaking countries.

Although English is the official language of Australia, over 200 languages are spoken throughout the country.

More on English language support

Australian Families

Approximately 20% of Australians in the workforce own their own business. The rest are employed in the private or public sectors. In many families both partners work. Australian families are small and most families have only 1 or 2 children. In general, Australians don't have a tradition of extended families where several generations live together.

It sometimes seems to visitors that Australians do not look after their elderly relatives, but Australians definitely regard families as important and for many events Australian families involve grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins in celebrations.

When children grow up, they leave the family home and start another household. Many visitors are surprised that the authority of fathers is not stronger and that children often challenge their parents' opinions. Much of this behaviour is a demonstration of the Australian tradition of equality.

Australian Climate

Australia is the driest continent in the world and lack of water has affected the population settlement throughout the country. 70% of the country is considered arid or semi-arid and cannot support agriculture.

There are many climatic zones in Australia because of its size. In the North, it is tropical and experiences a wet season from December to March. In the Southern two-thirds of the country, the climate can be warm temperate to cool temperate. In the far South in Tasmania, the temperature drops to below zero in the winter months.

Due to the changes in landscape and climate, Australia provides many unique tourist opportunities ranging from Central Australia and Uluru to the world heritage listed Daintree forest in Queensland .

Australian Wildlife

Due to its physical isolation from other countries, Australia is also home to many plants and animals that are not found anywhere else in the world such as the well known kangaroo, which can be seen on the grounds of CSU's regional campuses.

Australian vegetation varies from wet tropical rainforests in the north to desert plants in the inland.

Australian Social Culture

Australians come from many parts of the world, but they share many common values.

Australia is a truly democratic society and every Australian believes they have the right to express their views and opinions about many aspects of government.

Australians generally respect the rights of others even though they may not agree with their views. Australians are free to choose and practise the religion of their choice and are free to meet with other people in public or private, in small or large groups for social or political purposes.

When Australians meet someone for the first time, they usually shake right hands. It is usual to look at a person's eyes when you are talking to them and maintaining eye contact is considered a sign of respect, as well as an indication that you are listening to the other person. It is considered impolite to ask someone you have only recently met, about their age, their marital status or how much they earn.

The words "please" and "thank you" form part of most Australian conversations and Australians tend to think that people who do not use these terms are rude.

Time-keeping is important in Australian society. If you are likely to be late for a meeting or an appointment, you would be expected to contact the person to let them know and to apologise.

Australian Lifestyle

Australians love their arts as much as they love their sport. As an international student studying at Charles Sturt University, you can enjoy access to a variety of cultural activities whether you're living on one of our regional campuses or studying at our Study Centres in Sydney or Melbourne. Art galleries, sporting matches, food and wine festivals, historic museums, theatres and music and film festivals are just some of the cultural activities you can experience.

The working week in Australia is usually Monday to Friday. Most office workers do not work on Saturday or Sunday. Australians love to celebrate and enjoy spending time away from work with their families on weekends and public holidays. Many public holidays are celebrated Australia wide, but some are only for individual states. On weekends, most Australians wear casual clothing and spend time on recreational activities.

Most Australian workers have four weeks annual leave from their employment each year.

Travel opportunities

Travel opportunities within Australia are endless when you consider how large the continent is. From the tropical rainforests in Queensland to the vast open deserts of the Northern Territory and the snowy mountains of Victoria and southern NSW, the Australian landscape has much to offer.

During the university breaks, international students have a chance to travel and explore Australia's diverse tourist destinations.

What if I get sick when I'm in australia?

As an overseas student, you and your accompanying family must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the entire duration of your student visa in Australia.

More on Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

Can I drive while I'm in Australia

If you are an international visitor, and you have a valid international driver's licence, you are permitted to drive a car in NSW (subject to conditions).

More on driving a motor vehicle in NSW

Where to go next

• Driving in NSW and other states of Australia
• Costs of being a student