wa....i am gonna be a member of this tread soon....next year im going to Brisbane....

I would love to study in Australia

Hi peeps. I was doing a survey on the mobile carriers in Oz, and found this operator known as TPG. As at now, they seem to have quite an attractive plan. Anyone using the TPG 'Talk & Text cap plans', or the 'Pay As You Go' plan? Any comments on TPG, especially those in Perth? Spent almost 2 days surveying these mobile carriers, and I'm not even half way through!

Just to share some info for those who're in the same 'blur' predicament as I am (kindly correct me if my understanding is wrong):
-Oz mobile carriers like to use Cap Plans - you pay a certain monthly amount ($20 for example), and you get to you get to use a certain amount of credit ($120 for example). This credit can be used for calls, sms, mms, and maybe mobile data (GPRS/3G). I guess this is to psycho you into thinking that "you pay less to get something more!"

-They have this charge known as "flagfall/connection fee". Which means when a call gets through, you get charged a certain amount (ie. 35 cents), on top of the standard call rates.

-Standard local call rates can go from 0.5 cent per minute to 90 cents per minute, depending on the carrier and/or cap plans and/or whatchamightcallit. Making a 1 minute call can cost $1.25...which is probably why there are Cap Plans.

-Some mobile carriers/operators: Telstra (best coverage-like Celcom, partly owned by the Government), Optus/Virgin, '3'/Vodafone, TPG, Just Mobile, Kiss 15.

-An Oz forum: http://forums.whirlpool.net.au

This post has been edited by gome: Nov 21 2010, 11:36 PM

If you lived in the city or around the city, just used Three/VHA.
Most students used Three and also you get free three to three/Vodafone phone calls.
And the caps are not bad for values IF you have good reception around your residency since Three network is patchy to say the least.
For internet service the values now are definitely better than the past years, but I would recommend Internode because their networks are reliable and customer service is good and no off-peak and on-peak crap to think about, but not the cheapest in terms of price/data.
If you download a lot then go to TPG.

Is 3's coverage also patchy in Murdoch (a suburb, sort of near the CBD)? Based on the network coverage provided by 3, Murdoch is within the Broadband zone.

Doing a (simple) comparison between 3 and TPG:
3 - $29 cap plan
-get $150 worth of standard video and voice calls (sms, mms,13/1300/1800, etc.)
-get $150 worth of 3 to 3 calls
-get up to 150MB of data (I don't quite get what this means - I can get up to 150MB of data if I use all my $150 credits?)
-sim card probably costs $2

TPG - $18.99 Talk & Text
-get $330 worth of standard video and voice calls (sms, mms, etc.). Excludes 13/1300/1800 numbers
-get $370 worth of TPG-TPG calls
-get 500MB of data
-sim card costs $20 (!), termination fee costs $11, requires a deposit of $20 (refundable if not used at the end of the contract)

Assuming the standard call rates are more or less the same, it's obvious which has the better deal...or am I missing something? I've talked to a few friends staying in Oz, and all recommend 3. Not many have heard of TPG it seems

This post has been edited by gome: Nov 22 2010, 12:11 PM

U missed the biggest thing: what is your friends or friends-to-be using? put it in context, If all your friends use Digi, will you use Celcom even though it has cheaper rates, ie. Maxis to Maxis?

Generally international students go for 3, and i still cant out a perfectly strong reason for that, but its like a domino effect. Everyone's using it, so you follow suit..then when someone new comes and ask you about it, you also tell them to go for 3 coz everyone else is using it and it goes on and on.

as for the 150MB data, thats for phone internet usage. That usage wont count into the $150 cap credit. if you exceed the 150MB, excess usage will be charged on top of your $29/month (eg. if you use 10MB above limit, then based on the $0.50/MB rate you will pay $29 + $5 = $34 for that month). Also you need to be within 3 range for the free 150MB data usage, usage outside the area (when it's under ROAMING) will incur charges as well.

Ok, I expected as much . Basically it's like The Story of the 8 Monkeys. So the only advantage of using Optus or 3 is...that everyone else is using it, which means one can then utilise the free talk time. No one wants to port out because it would leave them at a disadvantage. I guess someone needs to break this chain hmmm

exactly. Though im sure 3 have its own advantages, probably better deals in terms of phone? but im not sure bout that coz all i care is iphone but yes almost all international students use 3, be it Malaysian, Singaporean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean etc. On the other hand, most locals go for Optus.

But in terms of coverage, terrible, or at least getting worse over the past 2 years from what i noticed. in my uni, right in the heart of the city, my phone goes into ROAMING mode whenever i am in that few lecture halls.

Voda + 3 = better deals, sucky coverage
optus = better coverage, not so good of a deal, but still alright

that's in a nutshell, but it's more complicated than that, depending on what you want out of your plan. I got my voda plan cos I get to sms international free, and i can call international with my credits, while optus cant. still, the reception is TERRIBLE =/ I get like 1 bar 3g in my room. haha~ so i normally just switch to EDGE.

Hey TS,

Please add me on the University of Queensland list.
Graduating Mid 2012 (I hope.. lol)

Cheers

Hey guys...
I'm currently studying Business Foundation in Taylor's College and I'm currently in Australia visiting the Universities...
I plan to study in Australia for 2 years after the first year of my degree program..
The question is : Is there any difference between studying in Australia and local?
Is it just to gain experience? cause the cert is the same for both Aus and local..

you plan to credit transfer to other unis or stay with UniSA?
Well pretty much the difference will be the exposure you can get in Aussie. Then the fees are of course a few times more than if your stay in Taylor's University.
If you go over to Aussie you will also have more choices for electives and majors while if you stay in TU you can only take electives from other business and mass comm UniSA programmes.

1st year in UniSA is compulsory right?
about the next 2 years I'm not sure about it yet... Currently in Adelaide checking out UniSA and will be going to Perth next week to check out UWA...

you could use to TBF to apply directly if you would like. Most unis from the Group of 8 and ATN does accept TBF. The only one among them that I'm aware of that doesn't accept TBF is UTS.
If you want to spend one year in Taylor's University first then go ahead.
Through the UniSA programme they have articulation agreements to transfer to UTS,RMIT,UQ and UWA and you can also still do credit transfers to other universities. Some have credit transfered to Monash,Adelaide,Melbourne etc. with no problem though sometimes they have to repeat one or two units that didn't get exempted.

Oh ok...
If I do my first year in Taylor's University then transfer to lets sat UWA... What's the procedure?
Send them my result and request for acceptance?
I'm currently choosing between UniSA, UWA and RMIT...
I'm choosing the U depending on the environment as the education system are most likely to be the same (correct me if I'm wrong)..

This post has been edited by zXJaMeSXz: Nov 25 2010, 11:27 PM

go read on credit transferring in the Universities websites.
Basically you send in an application form with your SPM,TBF,(IELTS if necessary) and also first year results. You may also be asked to submit a copy of the syllabus and course structure for credit assessments.

Hey Guys! I will be studying in Le Cordon Bleu Sydney soon... I have been looking for a decent 3 bedroom apartment for me and my friends to stay.

Was wondering whether the Home appliances are expensive over there?
As I need to come up with a budget to spend on for the unit.

I currently saw a 3 bedroom apartment Belmore St, Ryde. Most probably will buy a bicycle and cycle to college =X

Hey Bro,

Appliances are not cheap but affordable in Australia (if you don't mind buying generic brands).
Look at kmart.com.au for a general reference of the prices..

Cheers

get 3 for mobile yes, broadband wise would recommend u to sign up for ADSL2+.
I'm on $49 "mobile + 2GB broadband", honestly every month my quota goes over the 2GB.
No I dont do youtube or download lots of stuff, just normal assign works, fb.

Anyone from RMIT? Is it easy to enroll in RMIT?