Anyone from QUT (Queensland Uni of Technology) here? I'm heading down there 2moro. Doing LLB/B of IT there.

Just want to ask anyone in Brisbane some questions:
1) Do you need termal underwear?
2) How cold is winter actually? Do you need a thick coat and wool jumper? (I have them, wondering if I need them).
3)Is it feasible to wear short sleeves clothing on a regular basis? I hate cold weather. Dont even like aircond...

Happy Chinese New Year to all!

I know this a very late post, but once you've applied to the ATO for a tax file number, what do you do? Do you have to go to the bank you opened your account, or can u do it online? Do you need proof of identification like passport?

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Added on March 16, 2007, 1:57 pmAgain, it all depends on where you go and where you live. I'm happy here in Brisbane. The weather, barring last week, is not too different from malaysia. nice and sunny! There are hot periods, and the air is dry, but on the whole its very pleasant.

Then there is the issue on where you stay. I'm staying in a very student, mixed suburb, so its foriegn, but a new experience. "Asian" areas (like Sunnybanks) can provide a small taste of home. But it has its drawbacks. i know some people here who have been here for 3 years and their English is still terrible!

Cost is another factor. Australia will be cheaper in terms of cost of living (after currency conversation) compared to the UK, by and large (sydney and to a certain extent, Melbroune is a exception).

Are there any malaysians in Brisbane? There seems to be a lack of them here!

This post has been edited by haya: Mar 16 2007, 01:57 PM

Wooloongabba. South side of the river. This weekend is also quite warm. All UQ students? No QUT students?

WOW!!!What a location! Anymore room in yr place?

I could use the citycat to get to uni, but usually I use the bus. Since the buses use the southen busway, its quite fast. Bypass all the jams and traffic lights! Usually I either stop at south bank and walk via the goodwill bridge, or terminate just outside the library at Queens square and walk down to QUT.

Hows UQ like? Still havent been to many places. Friends all recommend me to go to SUnnybanks to get some chinese food, but I'm still finding my way around. Got lost trying to find myself to Garden City the other day, believe it or not.

Agreed. After all, think about it: why are you in Australia and not some two-bit, 3rd grade university in Malaysia? Its because we have the chance to go overseas. To study.

hehe...I feel better that way. Twice a year you get either an xtra's hr of sleep, or loose a hr of sleep. Still cant understand the whole thing. just makes my head spin thinking about it. Daylight saving messes with your head and your body clock.


They still have to worry. I'm not very good academically and in real life. But coming from a big family, I have to make use of every opportunity I have. I'm just VERY lucky my parents decided to invest in education rather than, say, lifestyle.



That is WAAAY too cheap. There has to be a catch somewhere. Unless its a real dump of a place or you are staying 1 hr away from the uni, I dont think such prices exist in the world of student accommodation. Course, I could be wrong, but still......


On a more practical note, to those in Brisbane, what do you use for your bus tickets? 10 trip? Weekly? Monthly? What is the best deal? I usually commute to the city from zone 2 during the weekdays, and in the weekends i go down to GardenCity (zone 3). Is it more worth it buying a 2-zone 10 trip, a 2-zone weekly, or a 3 zone monthly?

And where can one buy things like clothes hangers (the type where you pasang to the back of your door)? Tried Crazy Clarks and Big W, no luck.

I persume you mean Monash Malaysia when comparing it to Australia. Yes, you struggle when you go to Australia. We spoon feed too much. But when universities spoonfeed, we know we're in trouble.

To quote limeuu, no wonder local graduates can't find a job......

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Added on April 6, 2007, 9:45 amOh, and happy easter to all!

This post has been edited by haya: Apr 6 2007, 09:45 AM

Ugh....everything is all closed. Forgot to buy them. The choc bunny is too nice to eat...

haya reporting for duty. 1st year Bachelor of IT, Queensland University of Technology.

Did anyone get caught in the rush hour in Brisbane today? Damn Aussy vs NZ match. They nicked all the buses to send the people to the Suncorp stadium and cancelled and/or dealyed heaps of services! I was left waiting for 30 mins when 3 buses should have came!

I have to agree, but for civil engineers they will be relatively safe, as in peace or war or mining boom people still need to have their houses built. Still, while the boom times last, make the full use it it!

Anyone using Three in Brisbane? I'm thinking of getting the $29 cap plan (seriously, they have good phones), but I've had a mixed bag of reviews, some saying that Three has poor coverage (I'm currently using Optus), and that the phones are locked even after 2 years unless you pay $50 "unlocking fee". And is it true that Three's phones are CDMA instead of GSM? (Meaning I wouldnt be able to use it in Malaysia...)

I also think the perception of Australian universities is also a legacy from the Colombo plan in the 1960's. Many of our parents (or even grandparents) generation, who got a scholarship, went to Australia/NZ, amongst others. And like what chris_c28 said, the more established universities like Melb, Adelaide etc universities were chosen as a destination.

From my observations (I dont have any concrete facts to back this up), more people know about Melbroune/ Sydney compared to the other cities. Not sure why. Probably these are more established places.

The Melbourne Model: I forsee Monash having a spike in international student numbers, and UQ will no doubt follow suit in due time.

Just a question: what's MASCA? And what's the event?

chris_c28 is right; there is no offical ranking on which is 1st tier, 2nd tier, 3rd tier etc. Its all based of the perception and reputation of the public.

By and large, the 1st tier uni's are those in the Go8 and the ATN(Australian Technology Network of Universities. The 2nd tier are usually those who are private universities. And don't even look at the 3rd tier.

Go8 includes: ANU, Melb, Adelaide, Monash Melb, UNSW, UQ, Sydney, and UWA.
ATN includes:QUT, RMIT, Curtin, UniSA, UTS (one in each state! Well, almost)

2nd tier in queensland usually means: USQ, Griffith and JCU. And 3rd tier is usually Bond, CQU and Sunshine Coast.

Rankings really tell only part of the story; QUT is ranked lower than JCU in some rankings, but thats rubbish. I know some JCU students who are unhappy there. Take rankings with a pinch of salt.

Unless you're very smart or spent a few years in Australia prior to entering university, I strong discourage people taking up any work during their first year. Listening to the experiences of my friends, do not expect your 20hr/week job (the maximum on your student visa) to cover more than 30% of your living costs. And think of the fact that you need to have time to study.

That said, the pay here is quite reasonable, even at the starting wage. A 6 hour shift pays for the monthly broadband charge in my mates place.

This post has been edited by haya: May 30 2007, 09:27 AM

Yeah, it has been quite cold these past few days in Brisbane. Remember the fog all over the place on Monday? I thought it was the haze. I've been in Malaysia for too long....

So far, I haven't had the need to use a heater. I just keep the windows closed and more clothes on me. Althrough I'd recommend a fan based heater (going for $18 in some places) for the long study hours into the winter nights. It can get quite cold (about 15C)at night and first thing (18 C)in the morning. I know, because my toilet is outside.

If you're lucky, find a place with air-conditioning. My friends place had one. Damn nice! Good for the swot vac.

Good luck to all studying for the end of sem 1!

This post has been edited by haya: Jun 2 2007, 07:13 PM

Am I glad I'm in Queensland sometimes. Not only are fares still quite consistant, I get concession fares even as an international student!

Interesting to read in The Age that for a 10KM (about 2 zone here in Brisbane) bus trip, Adelaide comes up more expensive than Brisbane! But I think that is offset by having a place thats close to uni for (relatively) cheap.

On another topic, does anyone know of any nice and cheap places to stay in Brisbane? Preferably in zone 2. I don't want to be too far from uni, but I'll settle for a zone 3/zone 4 (MAX) is it's near the busway. My current place ends at the end of this month, and finding a place to stay while swotting is a nightmare.

Thanks in advance.

My place is supposed to be temporary. I'm living in a share house with 10 people. Lets just put it this way:having 7 familiy members over 3 generations under one roof there is tension and conflict, in the same family. Now put 10 strangers from all over the world with questionable hygene practices, in one house. Not a good combination.

Thanks for the heads up. Will look at Kenmore.Zone 3 is still ok as long as one is near the main roads, like Moggil Road.

Some of us stay with 3 generations under one roof back home. Can't break away from the chinese mentality all the time.

My place has 10 people jammed into 1 house. We all have conflicts with our family members, 3 generations or not, living under one roof. Now consider me, who is living with 9 other strangers under one roof.

not a good combination i tell you.....................

Dont. VIC still only has level 3 water restrictions. Here in QLD we're heading to level 6, despite a nice rain last night and this morning, which is perdicted to go on until Thurs.

How are things in Perth, water-wise?