pumpkin blossom

Hi all,

it looks like we may have to come into Oz on a student visa.
We would like to find a trade course around Adelaide as we have family there.
The main thing that is worrying us is obviously the 20 hour a week work rule.

Has anyone/ is anyone doing this? How are you managing? We don't have any children, but would want to bring our dog. We would have a bit of money behind us, but I'm concerned we would end up eating into it.

Any feedback would be great.
Thanks

pumpkin blossom

Wow, I thought there would be more people on student visas......

stevemich

I do not know about the student visas, but assuming you earned $15-20 per hour each (unskilled work is likely all you would get for 20 hrs a week), that would equate to $800 per week max, before tax.

You need to think if you can pay rent, travel to work, buy food etc on that income...

Good luck!

pumpkin blossom

Thanks very much.
The area we are thinking of going to we could rent somewhere for about $300 a week. It would be close, maybe even eating into savings slightly... I suppose at least in the holidays I would not be restricted to those hours, so could maybe make any loss up then.

Does anyone have any idea how much household bills (just electricity, gas etc) would be likely to cost for two people living in a two bedroom house with just normal basic appliances?

Thanks again

Geordie George

Do a search - I can certainly think of one poster who came to Aus on a student visa. From memory, the biggest problem that they faced was finding employment. 20 hours a week is very restricting (not even three full days); it can be a problem from an employer's POV. I think that they did consider a return to the UK, because of this reason (and savings dwindling).

Wendy

This is a wild guess really, but I reckon around

Gas - $60 - $70 per quarter
Electric - $200 - $300 per quarter
Phone - $50 - $100 per month

That's assuming you are quite careful. Of course you need to add on for food, petrol etc. I can't really even guess them because it really does depend on you.

Of course if there are two of you working 20 hours per week bringing in say $600 each that's $1200 per fortnight each or $2400 between you, that's about $400 more than I have coming in and there are 4 of us and I manage

pumpkin blossom

Thanks very much. If you can manage with less for 4 people I'm sure we will be fine. We struggled for years in this country before working up to better jobs etc, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

And it looks like bar work or supermarket jobs it is then. The course I am thinking of doing I am told there is a work aspect of it, which is paid, so that would be useful.

Wendy

Should be Ok then. At worst there are loads of cleaning jobs paying around $18 - $20 a hour, there's also a few Accounts/Admin jobs available with part time hours in SA.

Buzzy--Bee

Have a look at posts by WholeWorldWindow - didn't they do this kind of thing?

Buzzy

pumpkin blossom

Thanks very much everyone.

Pollyana

Paul & Nic came that way too, didn't they?

adriang

my partner is here on a student visa, but she doesn't get on this site to post any details, so this is what I know!

She came here with money behind here, used it to buy a car and she uses it to pay for her fees, which are about 5 times the cost of somebody who is a resident. She works 20 hours a week as a receptionist, some weekends and from 4-8. She prefers the weekend work because it is a premium rate and it is quiet so she can do her school work.

During the holidays the 20 hours doesn't count so she can work extra hours (she doesn't have problem getting them because others want to take off), and she uses this to build up her cash reserves.

She has her own apartment which appears to be an expensive study home as she is at mine most of the time, and she pays 310 per week for a one bedroom place, but it is expensive because it is right on the river.

pumpkin blossom

Thanks very much

Amazulu

Be aware that the Australian government is making noises about making changes to this visa as it is being widely abused. I'm not suggesting that you will be but many others are.

CaseyJones

Hi Pumpkin

My hubby and I are coming in on a student visa, we've just done the meds and are waiting for the final OK. Everything has been really easy, we didn't use an agent at all, and to be honest I'd recommend just applying for a course - I think it's around $50 for the universities - and then see how you feel when you get a place! Yes, the whole thing is damn expensive, but this is a commitment, and I think the Aussies are doing the right thing by making people really pay - that way they know you're serious about getting in!
Anyway, if you have any questions I'll try to help, I'm no expert but all the paperwork is certainly stuff you can fill in on your own!
Go for it...