Living and studying in Gold Coast

Home stay

Students can enjoy the opportunity of living with an Australian family and practicing their English language skills.

Home stay cost ($220 per wk)

International Medical Centre 1800 686 099

Transport

Public Transport – For all train and bus information, ring TRANSLink 13 12 30 or visit their website http://www.translink.com.au

Coach Information
Gold Coast Eco Tours (Airport Transfer)   5559 0377
Greyhound Australia   13 20 30
McCafferty’s    13 14 99
Japan Airlines   5582 6800
Qantas Airways   13 13 13
Virgin Blue Airlines   13 67 89

Taxi Information
Regent Taxis (Gold Coast) 13 10 08

Private Transport
For your stay you may like to consider purchasing a push-bike, motorbike or car. A push-bile can vary in price from $100 for a good second-hand one to $500 for a top-of-the range new bicycle. A good second-hand car averages from $3,000 to $4,000. A good second-hand motorbike can be as little as $1,000. Other costs include compulsory insurance, car/motorbike registration and general operating costs. Petrol prices vary, but are currently between $1.44 and $1.50 per litre (in the Gold Coast area and close surrounds).

It is law in Australia that if you are riding a push-bike you must wear a bike helmet. (Your horse riding helmets are a different safety standard and are not acceptable as bike helmets.) A fine of $30 is incurred if you do not adhere this requirement.

Banking

During Orientation Week you will be helped to set up a bank account for your use whilst in Australia. A staff member from the ANZ Bank will come along to explain the details to you and help you fill in all of the necessary information.

Insurance

You have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), which you paid for prior to arrival in Australia. The cover is administered by AHM and you are issued with a card. This card should be presented at the medical centre or hospital. You will have to pay for the consultation and then claim for a refund. You are not covered for dentistry, physio therapy or optometry.

Whilst the OSHC may seem high, health insurance for international students is in fact heavily subsidised by the Australian Government. Where an international student may pay $420 per year, and Australian pays about $500 per year for the same coverage.

You are strongly advised to take out your own private travel insurance before you leave home in case of severe injury and/or injury requiring repatriation back to your home country. This also has the advantage of providing 100% refund whereas through AHM OSHC you are entitled to 85% maximum. Remember, you have enrolled in a course that does have a high physical risk factor.

A brochure has been included to give you more detailed information on Overseas Student Health Cover. Further questions you may have can be directed to OSHC AHM on: (Ask for the Overseas Student’s Section).

Student Identification Cards

Traintech 2000 will arrange for a student identification card to be made identifying you as a full-time student.This card will be valid for a period of course length from the date of commencement of the course. The card may entitle you to a concession for entrance to movie theatres and various other venues. It is always wise to ask about student concession before paying.

International Travel

If you plan to travel by air outside Australia (you are allowed multiple entries on a student visa) there may be savings you can obtain by purchasing an International Student Card. All you need is:

One passport photo
$18.00 (subject to change)
Traintech 2000 student card identifying you as a full-time Student
Completed application form signed by the Principal

Take these items to the Student Travel Australia (STA) office in Pacific Fair Shopping Centre and they will prepare the card for you, and give the full details of the benefit you can derive by having the card.

For bus, air and train travel within Australia, be sure to take along your student card when you book your ticket and ask if there is a student discount.