In most states, you can convert your Malaysian licence to a full Australian licence. However, you must still sit for the theory and practical test (no need to go through P-plates). But if you do that, they will punch a hole in your Malaysian licence to invalidate it. I have a hole in mine and I am wondering how I explain to JPJ when I want to renew that eventually

soontheam - Looks like VIC and NSW do things differently then. Over here, we are only allowed to have 1 valid licence. However, if you have your PR and been around for over 3 months, then your Malaysian/Singaporean licence is invalid and in that case they will not invalidate it.

panda-man - Incorrect. You are in Australian jurisdiction and they can do whatever they want with it, including destroying it or confiscating it. It is no different from seizing a passport of yours to prevent you from leaving the country.

More accurately though, the licence is your property. However, if you tell them they don't have the right to punch a hole in it because its not theirs, the response will invariably be "you're not getting your Australian licence if you don't let me invalidate it so have a think about it and come back when you've decided what you want".

Why even bother with 5 packets of Maggi and Chipsmore? Those are non-essential items and can be bought in Australia. Without those items, you can take the green lane and save yourself some time.

You don't need a policeman to witness it for it to be valid. If there isn't a proper contract, then at least confirm what you agreed it via email - commencement date, rent payable, when payable, how are bills paid, expiry date, how and when can rent be increased, termination, bond (if any).

Would anyone be interested in a Melbourne LYN gathering?

Don't bother. Its closed down since probably late 2007. Not only that, but this too.

panda-man's information is Seriously Outdated.

I appreciate your commitment to the thread but adopting that tone and giving our 'warnings' is really unnecessary and misleading. I ask that you refrain from such posts in the future, but however, if a member persistently asks inane questions, you can report it and we will give a proper warning.

You only have to declare amounts above $10,000. Even then, it won't be beyond a few questions if they see a student visa and a newcomer.

Otherwise, there is no way they'll know how much cash you are carrying into the country. And truth be told, $3,000 is a small amount

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Added on June 8, 2009, 6:23 pmHSBC has an ATM access deal with Westpac so that is not a problem. Otherwise, the occasions that you have to visit a branch is extremely limited. In my 6 1/2 years I can count with 1 hand the number of times I had to visit a bank. Almost everything can be done online or via the telephone. A major advantage with not using the Big 4 banks is fees and customer service. HSBC does not have fees for savings accounts plus have excellent customer service.

I don't think that is so. See below.



Where the definition of "currency" is:



And where "money" is:


A bank draft is essentially a cheque (that is guaranteed by the bank) and so is not paper money.

Perhaps, he was taking the mickey out of the original poster's use of the word "air reception" instead of the correct term, "airport reception".

You're right there. The legal argument for concession lies with some Victorian Charter of Human Rights. It is a bloody hard argument to make (having to take into account international treaties and so on) and the only way would be to bring a case to the High Court of Australia. The problem with that is that international students are only international students for 5 years at the most. They generally hold committee positions for 2 years at most. Nobody stays around long enough to bring a case that far. There is also a cost issue of course. Either that or they have already had high level advice which concluded, unsurprisingly, that its a lost cause.

The best solution therefore would be for political pressure. Of course, this isn't working because international students can't vote! Who cares about them!

Really? Please do tell how the Federal Court can overrule a State court.

KVReninem - Sharing useful info is fine, spamming with one-liners or posting things you know nothing about isn't. This is not a chat room, and was never intended to be. In fact by posting rubbish you are only making it more difficult for genuine prospective students to find useful information. You were not mentioned by name (probably to save you from embarrassment) but you would be well advised that you are a prime and perhaps only offender of that in this thread. There's the Kopitiam if you want to chat or post things you do not know anything about.

Finally, if you have an issue with a moderator/staff or the rules of the forums, take it up with me via PM instead of making personal insults against them and their roles on a forum. We are volunteers who have day jobs or study. You don't owe us anything neither do we owe you anything but safe to say I'd rather ban you forever then let you run your mouth insulting the moderators.

You have previously been warned. This is your final warning.