you can try here http://melbourne.gumtree.com.au/

exactly, that's why I like about Internode.

Anyone in University of Tasmania? I would like to ask few questions about their architecture degree. Is it difficult to keep up with other students? How's the quality of the University?
How much is the cost of living, monthly/yearly? I'm a thrifty person. (covering accommodation, transport, food, electricity, etc).

Quote from University of Tasmania "As a guide, it is estimated that you will need between A$12,000 and A$14,500 a year (covering accommodation, transport, food, electricity, etc)." Is the information given dependable?

This post has been edited by CarotMilk: Mar 26 2010, 03:47 PM

is anyone studying in Griffith University? any good or bad comment? how much do u pay for the weekly rent? thx

Notice the difference between the 2 posters.

One has done some research before coming into this thread, the other just blindly asking questions expecting to be spoonfed. What is the point of having rules when a) they are not followed b) They cannot be enforced. This is why Malaysia will never move on.

Re CarotMilk, A$12,000 - A$14,500 seems to be a reasonable cost of living in Hobart, considering that JPA gives their scholars there A$11,500/year in living allowance. I can't say for the university and the course, but maybe onelove89 could give some insight into the university.

Architecture will be in Launceston campus. Um, I'm not entirely sure about the course, prob have a look here: http://fcms.its.utas.edu.au/scieng/arch/cp...sp?lCpageID=282 It's a 3 years course, add on 2 years for masters. Again, I'm not sure of how the launceston campus is like cos i'm in Hobart. And sadly to say, I don't even know much of my main campus in Hobart cos i'm situated in ANOTHER campus within the city. So it's pretty spread out. But all i know is that UTAS is one of the rare unis that offer Naval architecture. Hmm, well, tasmania is a boring place but good for studying, kinda (well, quite) cold sometimes, and the tuition fee is cheap. =P but not food wise though, esp chinese food.

I'm limiting myself to 11k this year, including all the tables chairs beds and daily stuffs. Rental should be below 140$ pw depending on the location, and I spend around 100$ for food pw. So yeah, with 12-14.5k you can live in luxury i have to say. No worries you'll be fine with <11k. Again, that depends on how you plan your finance. =)

Hey there, thanks for the link =) But i've already read that.
I heard that you can work part-time and study, have you done that? How's the environment in Tasmania?
Yeah, some of my friends who studied in Australia told me that Tasmania's tuition fee is cheap.
How about groceries? Cheap?

This post has been edited by CarotMilk: Mar 27 2010, 03:47 PM

$140 per week is bloody cheap compared to Melb
$100 per month ($25/week) is the average cost for groceries but I'd say set a budget of $150 per month as you'll want to treat yourself with good stuff every now and then.

If you're going to buy a car then honestly $1000 per month is probably not enough, unless your parents are sponsoring your ride.

Assuming that you're in Hobart, groceries are generally slightly more expensive than Melbourne. Having said that, you can find good bargains if you shop in bulk (eg buy eggs in 30s, pastas in 5kg packs and split it among friends). Sometimes you'll be able to find really cheap fruits as well; we bought apples which costs 4cents each when we were over there for holidays.

You should had walk/stroll along clayton road. There is a Op-shop for such or maybe you want to try Mt Waverley. Just go around this suburbs. You will find bargain.
depends whats your budget & what you had you want to opt for.


Chinese food are like rare species in Tassie right?
Also in Perth. Kind of rare too.


Work part time you can but you got to know to time manage.


Cheap is cheap some but choices are limited too.

Chinese food in Tassie? In Hobart you could probably count all of them with both hands... and none of them tastes good. Better to cook your own.

For really cheap furniture, hunt for seniors who will be graduating and moving soon. Usually there will be second hand stuff available for dirt cheap prices, just pay attention to flyers and advertisements in campus.

This will be handy for those looking to spend some money:
http://www.getprice.com.au/
It's amazing how great the difference is between various shops in particularly electronic applicances, but not all of the shops are easily accesible compared to larger household names that have many branches like JB Hifi or Dicksmith.

This post has been edited by StarGhazzer: Mar 27 2010, 07:50 PM

Environment? pretty pretty PRETTY sceneries =D and it's a quiet place, good for studying. =) that's what I reckon. But seriously, there's nothing much to do here. =D


um, I'm running on 100$p/w on groceries =/ don't think 25$ pw is possible for me >< haha. groceries are slightly more exp than perth and major cities in mainland i guess. btw, if carotmilk is going to do archi in tas, it'll be in launceston, so that's a whole new story in terms of rental and expenditure. cos the guideline i'm giving is based on hobart. =P and yes, not much chinese restaurants here in hobart, and I rather cook myself xD *well there are some nice ones*

Cut her some slack. She is only asking opinions from people studying at Griffith, not seeking direct answers regarding something specific. You can't expect her to send an email to Griffith asking 'hey i'm thinking to study at your uni is that good?', right? And by the way, i suggest that the "rules" be simplified and be more 'straight to the point'. It seems to me that they are more like lecturing essays than rules.

Oh and i'd like to provide some info regarding TFN. First of all, it is not 'mandatory' to have your TFN to be able to legally work in Australia.(you need a working permit for that)However, it is strongly recommended that you have one because if you don't provide your TFN to your bank and employer, your interests and salary will be taxed at 46.5%.(45%+1.5% medical levy) That sucks doesn't it? So go apply for one before you start working.

Secondly, earning less than $6000 per year means your earnings are tax-free, it has nothing to do with eligibility of tax refund. Even if you have earned only $30 this year, if $5 was deducted from your pay as tax, you are eligible for a tax refund.

The Australian tax system is comprehensive and very well designed. For all of you working out there, from July to October every year ATO will be holding Tax Help Program, which is a program designed to help low income taxpayers to lodge their tax returns. The service is totally free of charge and most of the universities will have participated in this program. Ask your student guild about this.

Source? Australian Taxation Office, and i was a Tax Help Volunteer last year.

This post has been edited by caspersky: Mar 27 2010, 10:13 PM

Yeah, I'm doing architecture in Launceston. Thanks for the infos =)
So i guess 11k will be enough, but 11k for me is still a huge sum, did you apply for scholarship or did you get tuition fee waiver?

This post has been edited by CarotMilk: Mar 27 2010, 10:18 PM

hmm, we have loads of scholarship for rural health placements but wait! it's not for international students =( dangit. Um, yeah, i'm not on any scholarships. I'm going on 11k inclusive of my bed chair table table lamp + some other stuff that I need. If you need an exact figure on the rental+internet+elec,gas+food, it'll be <10k =D well yeah i took the initiative to count, or the fact that i'm just bored. >< so you've decided? =D

If sum is a problem, you should look into europe

Hope you don't mind me putting that in the front page. That is very well written. If you wish not to have it on the front page PM me and I will take it down.

Also, all student visa's issued from 2008 onwards allow students to work part time up to 20 hours. Most new students will have the required permit. Of course, getting a job is never easy, full-time or otherwise.

Certainly, if that helps. Yeah, it is not easy to find a job and luck plays an important role.

Whoa what are you eating over there? $100 per week on groceries alone? 25 is probably too conservative an estimate I suppose (used to be adequatethat before the inflation). Now I'm getting away with 40-50 per week but it's because I'm earning my income now and hence being less stingy compared to student time.

Buy in bulk to save... when there's $1/litre long life milk on offer, go grab a carton and will last you for 2 months. That's 50% savings. Same with stuff like rice... if there's no offer, it can hit $25-30 per kg but again you'll be able to find <$20/kg when the timing is right.

For those in Hobart... check out No Frills Wholesale Cash&Carry... it's like makro in M'sia. Grab stuff in bulk then split it among your friends/housemates.

This post has been edited by StarGhazzer: Mar 28 2010, 09:14 AM

hey guys is it hard to get into AUS unis with A levels?

That's very informative...so does that mean that I have to apply for a TFN and submit it to my bank regardless of I'm going to work here in Aussie or not so that I can collect all the interest that I gained from my deposits?