Hi, i would probably be going to USQ on July 2008 hopefully...how is the situation there? Is it good?

Thanks for the quick reply empire23. The information are useful.

does anyone here in finance field have experience in working in australia? is it difficult to obtain a job after you graduate from Uni? for me, it's a waste if a student studies on campus but go back to msia to look for job.

Not trying to promote anything illegal, but...

to those who are currently studying in Australia, did you encounter forced check of software license installed on laptop in the airport? I'm thinking to get a new laptop, and of course i will be using genuine Windows, but i am still thinking whether or not to purchase the ridiculously expensive Microsoft Office 2007. So, i would like to ask for suggestion besides purchasing this piece of software. Any of you use open source software such as Open Office, AbiWord, or Microsoft Works? Are they capable enough to handle school works?

Another evil solution on my mind is to convert the *ahem* version of Office into ISO image and store in my hard disk(so everything would be fine during airport check), then install it after i'm in there. But i am wondering the feasibility of this method, as i heard Australia is a very strict country.

Ah, damn it. That shopkeeper tried to convince me to spend hundreds ringgits to purchase a license for Office 2007, telling me the airport checking stuff. Luckily i was not convinced.

To be safe, i will make sure my laptop is not containing any pirated software before entering the airplane.

What are the solutions for you guys? Using the licensed Office 2007/2003 to do your assignments?

Thanks for the replies, guess i'll just use open source software. By the way, i don't think there is unlimited bandwidth package in Australia, at least i didn't find one in broadbandguide.com.au. Is there any?

Hello guys, i might be 'officially' joining this 'Studying in Australia' club in July. I find that you guys are experienced in living overseas so i would like to ask for your advice and opinion before i do anything stupid.


1. How many of you guys actually plan to live and work in Australia after your studies? What are required in order to get a Visa to live and work in Australia? There are so many different types of Visas, i am really confused.

2. I was offered to study a Degree in Business Administration by USQ, but my first preference is Bachelor of Commerce Majoring in Finance, although the assessment of my application is not released yet. What i am worrying is that DBA has no major, and that might make me less competent in the job market. Can anyone advise me regarding this issue?

The above questions are important for me to decide on what course to study, so i thought i should seek some advice from you guys.

Thank you very much.

Do i still need to apply for ETA (Electronics Travel Authority) if i already got my student visa?

If yes, how to apply for ETA?

i have a question...any visitor to australia who already got the ETA (Electronics Travel Authority), does he still need to do health check? i know that when you want to apply for visa you need to do that, but how about short-term visitor?

oh i see...thank you for your reply.

which bank is good for students?

Ya KV, i referred to your useful first post more than once but i'm looking for more detailed information about the benefits based on real experience. Is that most of you choose Commonwealth banks? How about other banks?

Thanks for the reply, i think i'll have to research around when i got there. By the way, i would be studying in USQ, Toowoomba, Queensland.

It's been few weeks since i last posted something at lowyat. I'm now sitting at the library in USQ Toowoomba campus, utilizing my tiny little 70MB per week quota .

Yo empire23, maybe we can meet someday huh?

What do you mean by that? Can you elaborate more?

just got my internet set up today after applying last week - fast enough compared to Telstra home line, which charged me extra AUD 65 with a 'Tech Visit' and 2 weeks to complete. The ISP is Exetel, which is not so well known, but offers the best price-quota ratio (16+48 GB for $55 per month) and generous off-peak time (12am-12pm). It's not ADSL2+ but even ADSL 1.5mbps is way better than streamyx lol.

which ISP are you using? i know students here mostly use TPG because they are cheap, but i found Exetel to be even cheaper when i look carefully, despite their high activation fee ($130), but since i'm sharing it with my housemate, it is not so expensive and in the long run it will surely be more economical than those which provide low start up fee but higher monthly charge, and unreasonable off-peak time (TPG off-peak = 4am-9am, even only for downloading does not sound good)

costs of food, entertainment, clothes, and even books can be controlled, but what i found the most difficult cost to get rid of is accommodation, especially if you are studying in melbourne or sydney. For me, $95 per week for rental always exceed all other costs and it's like a solid rock that can't be broken.

I'm living in the kampung-like Toowoomba, Student Village is located beside the university, i heard that it's cheap because there's no GST incurred.

Hahaha, i'm washing plates in a Thai and Chinese restaurant for $50 per night, it won't be enough. Do you have any nice recommendation?

Lol that couldn't be helped i guess. What is Maccas? I haven't heard that before. 3 of my housemates actually work in a poultry farm and yeah the pay is good but also a dirty and tiring job . Well i guess driving taxi is currently not within my options, but sure it is interesting to try. I'm now still in the process of doing my assignments which i have to pass up on 12 September so i'll stick with the restaurant for now, but as soon as i'm done with my tasks, i will surely say bye bye to the restaurant and find some other place else.


If i were you i prefer staying in the apartment. Not only you can force yourself to learn cooking, and also you get better experience and privacy. Meals are provided means the price is fixed, and also you will lose much freedom.