Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland, is midway up the east coast of Australia - 27.5oS, 153oE. Brisbane is located on the banks of the Brisbane River and is surrounded by the beautiful Moreton Bay and a series of spectacular mountain ranges.
With a population of 1.6 million and a warm sub-tropical climate, Brisbane offers an active yet relaxed way of life. The city features great galleries, cinemas, pubs, shopping and bustling weekend markets.
The city is ideally placed between Queensland's famous Gold Coast and Byron Bay to the south and the Sunshine Coast to the north. The Great Barrier Reef and its many beautiful island resorts are only a few hours away by car or train. With a wide range of weekend travel options, Brisbane is both a perfect holiday and study destination
The city area is located around the Brisbane River which is used as a medium of transportation in ferries and boats. Students and visitors to Brisbane enjoy a wide range of landscapes and lifestyles. The inner-city, metropolitan Brisbane is surrounded by leafy, sometimes very hilly, suburbs. Further out in the suburbs, the traditional Australian house on a large block or even acreage dominates.
Moreton Bay and its islands provide water sports, sailing and sea-side suburbs. The Pacific Highway leads south to the Gold Coast and its well-known surf beaches.
North is the seaside town of Redcliff the rainforest and picturesque countryside of Pine Rivers, Caboolture and the Glasshouse Mountains. Bribie Island offers the first surf beach to the north. The Sunshine Coast town and hinterland are popular holiday spots.
Travelling west of Brisbane, past Ipswich, you soon climb the Great Dividing Range to Toowoomba and the rich plains of the Darling Downs.
In Australia, vehicles are driven on the left side of the road. Although there are trains, buses and ferries in Brisbane, most families own at least one car.
Brisbane is also the home to many great Australian icons, such as the Brisbane Storey Bridge and the, not to mention the zoos and national parks that are the homes of many native Australian animals. Brisbane also has zoos, theme parks, nature walks and so much more to offer.
NOTE: Make sure you leave any originals or copies of these documents safely with family in your home country in case of loss.
Queensford College offers students with quality homestay accommodation services. Homestay charges normally include the daily meals. The college need to receive arrival details at least 14 days prior to arrival if the student wants the college to organize the homestay.
Generally, the price you pay for accommodation will determine its quality. However, it can be expensive to stay in a good quality motel or hotel for a long period of time. Backpacker accommodation is relatively inexpensive but you may need to bring your own pillow and sleeping bag if you choose this option.
If you know someone in Australia, this is a great way to settle-in to life here. Your friends or family can provide advice, support and encouragement in your first days in Australia
Generally students those who do not have friends or family choose to move from their temporary accommodation in homestay to rental accommodation.
It is important that you understand the process for renting accommodation in Queensland, including what your rights and responsibilities are as a tenant. More information could be found at www.rta.qld.gov.au
Brisbane vary greatly in style and character from 200 year old Queensland workers cottages, to ultra-modern open plan homes.
Student rental properties range from $300 per week for a 1 bedroom apartment in the city to $800 per week, for a 4 or 5 bedroom home in the inner suburbs. A typical Queensford College student can expect to pay $320 per week on accommodation, food and transport.
The owner or agent of an owner who has the right to rent you a property is called the landlord. A landlord will ask you for money before you move into an apartment. This is called a security deposit or bond, and may amount to more than A$1,000 dollars. The bond is usually set at four weeks’ rent. A bond/"security deposit" is an amount of money that is supposed to guarantee that the tenant will care for the dwelling. If the tenant does not care for the property or clean it before leaving, the landlord has a legal right to keep the security deposit. Otherwise, the landlord must return the security deposit within a month after the tenant leaves.
In From 26 April 2008, people granted student visas will automatically receive permission to work with their visa grant. Most student visa holders will no longer need to apply separately in Australia for permission to work. Please note that you will NOT be able to work in Australian until the first official day of classes when the education provider will confirm your study commencement. Your education provider may do this automatically on the first official day of classes, or you may need to request that they do.
(Source: Department of Immigration and Border Protection)
Taxes are managed through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). The tax you pay depends on how much you earn.
PYou must obtain a Tax File Number to be able to work in Australia. A tax file number (TFN) is your unique reference number to our tax system. When you start work, your employer will ask you to complete a tax file number declaration form. If you do not provide a TFN your employment will be taxed at the highest personal income tax rate, which will mean less money in your wages each week.
You can apply for your TFN online at www.ato.gov.au, or phone 13 28 61, 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday. For the ATO translating and interpreter service phone: 13 14 50.
If you pay too much tax you are entitled to a refund. To get a refund you will need to lodge a tax return. You can lodge online using e-tax (free), by mailing a paper tax return, or by paying a registered tax agent to complete and lodge the return for you. If you lodge by e-tax your refund will normally be issued within 14 days.
When meeting someone for the first time, it is usual to shake the person's right hand with your right hand. People who do not know each other generally do not kiss or hug when meeting. When you first meet someone, it is polite not to talk about personal matters.
Many Australians look at the eyes of the people they are talking with. They consider this a sign of respect, and an indication that they are listening. Do not stare at the person for a long time.
You can address a new acquaintance using their title and family name. You may use their first name when they ask you to or use it in the introduction. In the workplace and among friends, most Australians tend to be informal and call each other by their first names.
The types of clothing that people wear reflect the diversity in our society just as much as the variation in climate. There are no laws or rules on clothing, but you must wear certain clothing for work situations. Most workplaces have dress standards.
Outside of the work situation, clothing is an individual choice; many people dress for comfort, for the social situation or the weather. Clubs, movie theatres and other places require patrons to be in neat, clean clothes and appropriate footwear.
Many Australians live close to the beach and the sea. On hot days, they may wear little clothing on the beach and surrounds. This does not mean that people who dress to go to the beach or swimming have low moral standards. It means that this is what we accept on and near our beaches.
People from other countries can choose to wear their national dress. They may be religious or customary items and include monks' robe, a burqa, a hijab or a turban. As a tolerant society with people from many different cultures, clothing is a part of cultural beliefs and practices that is encouraged.
'Please' and 'thank you' are words that are very helpful when dealing with other people, and buying goods or services. When asked if you would like something, like a cup of tea, it is polite to say, 'Yes please', or just 'please' if you would like it, or 'no, thank you' if you do not. When you receive something, it is polite to thank the person by saying 'thank you'. Australians tend to think that people who do not say 'please' or 'thank you' are being rude. Using these words will help in building a good relationship.
Sometimes a sensitive issue may come up in conversation. Not to talk may seem rude. It is more polite to say 'sorry, it is too hard to explain' than to ignore a question.
Australians often say, 'Excuse me' to get a person's attention and 'sorry' if we bump into them. We also say, 'Excuse me' or 'pardon me' if we burp or belch in public or a person's home.
You should always try to be on time for meetings and other visits. If you realise you are going to be late, try to contact the person to let them know. This is very important for visits to professionals as you may be charged money for being late or if you miss the appointment without notifying them before the appointment time.
Most Australians blow their noses into a handkerchief or tissue, not onto the footpath. This is also true for spitting. Many people will also say, 'Bless you' when you sneeze. This phrase has no religious intent.
Much common word usage or 'slang' may seem strange to people new to Australia. Slang words start from many different sources. Some words are shortened versions of longer words. Many were expressions already used by migrants who came from the north of England. If you are unsure what an expression means, it is all right to ask the person who said it to explain. Some common expressions are:
Queensford College
Level 3, 359 Queen St
Brisbane QLD 4000
Australia
Phone: 61 7 3221 1626
Fax: 61 7 3221 1627
info@queensford.edu.au
www.queensford.edu.au