Hey people.

I'm planning to do my Masters in Australia (renewable/sustainable energy ). I've applied for Murdoch, Curtin and RMIT, and only got a reply & offer from Murdoch so far. I'm applying through IDP.

I have some questions, and hope someone can provide their inputs/thoughts. My apologies if these questions seem like I'm asking to be spoon-fed, as I've already done as much 'research' as I could:

RMIT: Course duration 1.5 years
When it comes to Engineering courses, I'm sure many would recommend RMIT. It's reputed to offer work-related courses. Any RMIT students who can attest to this? Are the RMIT courses really a class of its own, that many employers (in Australia) seek out their graduates?

For the cost of living in Melbourne, RMIT's website stated AUD$24k/year. A huge difference compared to living in Perth and also a demotivating factor for a self-paying student. Can part time work cover this amount? Are there that many part time jobs that offer AUD$25/hour? Any accommodation cheaper than AUD$170 which includes washing machine (all you can use, not coin operated )?

Murdoch: Course duration 2 years
I believe Murdoch is one of the least popular Universities in this forum, but is it really that bad? Or is it unpopular simply because it does not have the "brand" or reputation of other Universities which are either part of the Go8 or ATN? Does it make sense to take up an Engineering course in Murdoch, or it is that bad that it becomes "totally out of the question"?

I've talked to a representative from Murdoch and she said that in Perth, the estimated student cost of living per year is AUD$14k/year. This representative also mentioned that part time wages are around the minimum of AUD$16/hour. A simple calculation shows that earning AUD$16/hour is sufficient to cover the cost of living. Less entertainment compared to Melbourne is not really an issue for me, because sad to say, I'm rather "domesticated" .

I'm probably pushing my luck, but anyone studying in Murdoch? Do you live off-campus or on-campus (murdoch village)?

Curtin: Course duration 1 year
I'll probably not consider this Uni because the course duration is only 1 year. My objective upon graduating is to get a PR, and then a job. I read that to get a PR via the study route, the study duration should be at least 2 years. Nevertheless, I have a few years of working experience as an engineer in Malaysia, have a few relatives in Australia, and I'm below 30. It's probably off-topic for a PR discussion, but if you've got ideas, I'm all ears.

That's all. Thanks in advance for any replies.

Thanks for your input. I guess that pretty much confirms my concerns about the cost of living in Melbourne.

Hey people. I've decided to go for Murdoch University. Any advise if I should stay on-campus (Murdoch Village) or off-campus?

For a single room in Murdoch Village, it'll cost $160 per week, after adding in the utility bills. On top of that, there are other once off fees like residential program fee ($175!). Minimum contract would be 21 weeks.

For off-campus, I did a quick search in realestate.com.au and the cheapest I found is $130 per week, located in Kardinya. It's a single room and the utility fees are included in that $130. Is this area safe, and how much does a cheap bicycle cost?

Hmm, I get mixed advices from many people when I told them that I'll stay on-campus. I have a cousin in Melbourne who can't wait to move out after 3 months of stay in a hostel. But then again, others told me the same thing you've just pointed out - that my plate is already kind of full the moment I land.

Thanks for your input, I think I'm leaning towards the Murdoch Village too. . Too bad not many forumers here are in Murdoch (or should I say none?).

By your description, I believe this Murdoch Village is the "fully-catered" type. That's what the "residential program fee" is all about (AUD$175!). Looking at the village's facebook page, yeah...their halloween party was kinda wild.

Frankly speaking, I'd like to avoid such programs as much as I can (being a domesticated person, as highlighted previously ). I would consider it if I'm taking my bachelor degree...but I'm pass that now (almost an old fart already haha). But do you think joining such programs will help me to "blend" into the Australian culture a little better? And oh, it's the village's policy to have males and females in the same apartment...

But it seems crappy landlords is one of the biggest concerns for off-campus accommodation eh? I guess I'll head for the 1/2 year on-campus accommodation then.

Ah, no food is provided. I guess it's "self-catered" then. Thanks!

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

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

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

Use the "Finding a Visa" wizard on the home page: http://www.immi.gov.au

Assuming you are just a degree student, eventually you will be directed to this link: http://www.immi.gov.au/e_visa/students.htm. Read up everything. When you are done reading, you will understand where and how to start your application.

To give you some heads up:
1. Start applying now -> you can stop halfway through and resume later.
2. When you have your eCOE letter, you can continue with your application.
3. After answering all the questions, make payment via credit card
4. Upon completion, an email will be sent to you (your first and last reminder...haha), requesting that you conduct a medical checkup.
5. Once the medical checkup is complete, the clinic/hospital will submit your medical results to the aussie immigration department.
6. You will be notified via email if your application is successful (you can check online via VEVO too).

I did my medical checkup in PJ (LifeCare Diagnostics) on a Saturday morning, and by the following Monday noon, it was already up in VEVO. But I did all these back in November, and as Hikari0307 has pointed out, there will probably be a queue of students doing their visa now...so probably it won't be that fast now.

A word of advice - do call up the medical centers/hospitals you intend to have your medical checkup done, before actually doing it. I called up about 5 clinics/hospitals/medical centers and a few of them said that they're no longer allowed to do medical checkups for aussie visa application. And all these 5 places were listed on the visa application page

I think you mean subscribing to a broadband package . I'm heading to Perth too, and I've been told that if you're without Internet...you're screwed (to boredom). But Internet seems rather expensive, like a prized commodity in aussie. Heck, my university-to-be used to charge students for using Internet inside the campus . If you're looking for adsl, naked dsl and tpg seems to be the popular ones.

I'll be in South Street Campus too . Will be there a little early to settle down. I think life in Perth, as some have already pointed out, can be boring if you don't like the outdoors.

On a side note, I just recently spoke to my relative living in Melbourne. Her negative comments were: shopping is expensive, eating out is expensive, watching movies is expensive, renting and buying a house is expensive....oh man, what a put off . But she said learning to dive in Perth is relatively cheap haha.


Sorry dude, I'm gonna be harsh. How old are you to be asking to be spoon-fed? Did you really think someone will answer your question?

This post has been edited by gome: Dec 29 2010, 10:22 AM

the popular one that pops up in google: http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/

but you're right, none as good as lyn

It's a laid back city. Heck, even the crows are laid back...just listen to how they cry...haaarg....haaarg...like a baby crying haha. Thank god coles/woolworths/k-mart open until 9pm on weekdays.

Wow, that's nice! A little off topic, but may I know how you guys or girls look for a job? Do you:

-*just* apply through websites?
-apply through contacts (ie. friend's recommendation)?
-run around places asking if they have vacancies?

apparently you have to be in melbourne to get that 10% discount...

I'll probably be frowned upon for asking this but, I'm gonna do it anyway

Anyone knows of any part time/casual vacancies in Perth region? I've tried looking on gumtree and seek.com.au, but I just don't have the luck. Do pm me if you know any, or some tips would be good to. I've tried an asian restaurant and have never felt so humiliated in working my life .

This post has been edited by gome: Jul 3 2011, 01:35 PM

I guess a few forumers did warn about working at such places, but lacked some details in the warning. Here's my account on such a place.

I was scolded within 2 minutes on entering the shop on my 1st working day. Some staff placed my uniform on the counter and one of the bosses walked over to answer a call - "take this !@#% away @#$! can't you see I'm busy !@#%".

Changed into my uniform and didn't know what to do. I asked around but everyone ignored me. Finally someone asked me to move some chairs and tables, before adding a few *&#@$. I know, I should have just helped with whatever they were doing, but I thought everyone had a specific role. From there, I was continuously asked to do different tasks, before the previous one could be completed. And the funny thing is they scolded me for not knowing what to do..."i know it's your 1st @#%^ day but you $@#$ should @#$! already know what to do !@#67$`!"

And boy, are they fickle-minded. "&%^@ go serve this plate to the customer....wait why the %$#! are you serving this to the customer? can't you $%#@ see they @!#$ don't need this? @#!@ use your blain!"

And the incessant scolding got to some of my waiter colleagues, who started to behave similarly. With a sour face and a short grunt "eh!", I was suppose to know what that instruction was.

So that was my first day, and probably the last one. I didn't get another call for another day of work. I didn't sign any documents and neither my pay nor duty was even discussed. I'm still waiting for my call to get my pay...or maybe I'll just barge in one day.

Well, according to one of the workers there, this particular restaurant wasn't the worse he's been to. Something new to experience every now and then eh? End of story

This post has been edited by gome: Jul 5 2011, 02:53 PM

Oh I'm in Murdoch. The restaurant mentioned is near there, which you won't likely encounter. The food is said to be nice and reasonable, though I wouldn't go there...because immediately after clearing the rubbish bin I was asked to wipe the plates