Okay, put it simply, if your parents can afford to spend approx RM100k a year to send you here, how would they not be financially capable?
I understand how you feel, everyone here has went through that during their first few months here, but trust us, after a while you'd know you cant do anything to change that, and especially here in sydney where everything is expensive, all i can say is spend wisely and you should be fine within your budget.
And regarding looking for a job, it'd be a great advantage if you have previous working experience, and i reckon there would be more job opportunities in the city. However, given the limited working hours under your visa, don't expect the pay to cover a big percentage of your expenses, in most cases i would say it'd be good enough to be able to cover your rental from your pay.

I might go there.Havent receive my offer yet.

can I get my unlock code from 3 network although my contract still havent end?? so that i can use my phone in m'sia when i go back...

Which department that are you going to join? Could you please share the info that you know about Adelaide? For example, apartment/flat rental? Living expenses? Thanks.

Anyone in Melbourne? I would like to know the living cost over there, example like rental fees for apartment, movies, meals, and others... Public transport?

I'm in Adelaide. Rental depends on the location. In the city it could cost you from $130 to $190 per week, excluding bills. In the suburbs, about $80 to $120 depending on how far away from city. A lunch averages about $5 to $8. Dinner would cost more. Best is to do your own cooking if you wanna save. Overall living cost in Adelaide is lower compared to bigger cities like Melbourne, Sydney, or Brisbane.

Is the rental mentioned in your post for room or whole apartment/flat? If I wish to bring my family there and would like to rent an apartment or flat or house (1 room + 1 kitchen), how much would be the rental?

By the way, which field are you in?

Thanks.

The rental is for 1 room. For one whole unit, you can check the rental here http://www.realestate.com.au/

I was an engineering student. Just graduated.

How long have you been in yr contract? I think if you've been with them for less than 6 months, you have to pay the remaining balance of your 24 month cap.

Just a sideline, how's 3? I'm ok with Optus prepaid, but 3 is tempting...............

eh? you have to pay our your remaining balance? i thought it was just paying the unlocking fee after all, you're not exactly cancelling the contract, no?

anyway best to consult 3 themselves

That is not much different from average Sydney/Melbourne prices, except rental in the faraway suburbs. However, for the same amount of rent, you might have gotten a larger property.
The other problem is cooking. What I have found is that if you are in an intensive degree (like Engineering/Med/Law?) and fulfilling work commitments, you'll be too tired to cook by the end of the day, unless of course you can do your readings while cooking/washing.

Me in melbourne !
living cost - it depends where is your area, some really tight one leave far away from city, when those got sufficient stay ard city ~
Incity- where most kids are- average cost for makan is more than aud 7.50
apartment - if u stay alone - will be ard aud 165+ per week, depend on loaction too places like rmit, unimelb sure expensive<(best is to share with more people)
student place like college square,
cinema - hotys and village - ard 7 to 11 depends on the movie itself ( Use bittorrent!)
transport- see metlink.com.au
others- laundry - depend whr u stay in student apartment or single apartment
- ur daily small uneeded stuff- go ard rejects shop ..sure got cheap one ..
- comp stuff- buy in lowyat or singapore ...melb some stuff are pricey
- games - ebgames is cheap but depend got sales or not
- clothing - come on budget, buy only when u need, dont spend too much on clothings

I think im taking engineering.Currently,i have an agent to do all these for me but im waiting for my offer now.

Very good advice KV!

Indeed. I don't even have time to go home and rest let even cook. In fact I spent more time in the computer suite than at home, which helped save my electricity bills a bit. So yeah another way to save money? stay in the uni.

I was told that there is another type of accomodation called 'studio' (no separate room, but with kitchen). Do you know how much the rental for such unit?

By the way, which field of engineering are you in?

Thanks

Warmest regards

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Added on August 9, 2007, 9:10 pmWhich field of engineering that you are going to join?

Warmest regards


This post has been edited by onemilimeter: Aug 9 2007, 09:10 PM

If im not wrong,nerd nation was doing computer system engineering.Not too much difference from E&E.

Yes. Studio has one bedroom and a kitchen attached to the living room. I have friends who used to live in a studio in the city centre. They were paying $270 for it. It's quite big actually, 3 of them could share the bedroom.

Cheesenium was right. I was doing CSE.

Hi Nerd...

Do you have friend in E&E department? I would like to know the characters of Dr Wen Soong. Could you please help?

By the way, is it easy to find a 'studio' to stay?

Warmest regards

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Added on August 10, 2007, 12:31 amHow long do we need to do VISA to Australia or UK?

This post has been edited by onemilimeter: Aug 10 2007, 12:31 AM

Dr Wen Soong? ahh everyone in the school of EE knows Wen Soong is a very nice lecturer. He didn't teach me though but I approaced him before regarding work experience. He is a really really nice guy. He had just returned after a year long study leave and everyone is happy to see him back in the department again.

Studios are usually in the city center. They are not very popular among students because of the layout. I am not quite sure how many of these are there in the city. You can check out www.realestate.com.au

Did you mean how long it takes for the visa to be granted? As far as I could remember, it took about 1 to 2 months or so.