FAQ

The most common types of accommodation during an exchange in Australia are homestay, student residence, shared house and rental.

In the country, bills are paid weekly or fortnightly, and this also applies to accommodation costs.

Another common practice in the country is the "bond", which is a security deposit that the tenant makes to the owner of the property or real estate agent before moving in. The amount, which ranges from two to six weeks' rent, is held until the end of the rental contract. If the apartment is not damaged during the stay, the tenant will receive the full amount of the bond when they leave the property.

Family home

Students who choose this type of accommodation will live with a family who will "adopt" them for the duration of the contract. This option allows the exchange student to experience the culture up close and learn more about the habits of the country's natives.

The houses are mostly located in residential neighborhoods away from the big cities. Families can provide meals, as contracted, and may impose certain rules on student guests, such as arrival times. It is recommended that students talk to the prospective host families to find out everything that is included in their accommodation package and also to find out more about the daily lives of the residents of the house, the room they will be staying in, the location of the property, access to public transport and whatever else is of interest.

Student residence

Some companies offer a student residence service. In this space, usually a building, students can have their own room or share it with other people, with access to facilities such as internet and bedding. Areas such as the kitchen and laundry are shared.

Students should bear in mind that exchange students from all over the world can use the service, which means that different cultural habits will meet in the same space. If you have any requirements, you should inform the company before you book your accommodation.

Shared house

This type of accommodation consists of sharing a house or apartment with other people, either students or locals. One of the residents is responsible for the contract and will sublet the rooms to the others.

The number of people in the space depends on the size of the property and what has been agreed between the residents themselves, i.e. a room can house from one person to as many as is acceptable to the owner of the property and those who live there. It's important to note that the organization of the space, such as household chores, also varies according to the location. Normally, interviews are held to get to know who is interested in joining the house and the rules of the house are presented.

Rent

Those who want more privacy can rent their own space. This can be done through companies that rent out studios, for example, or directly through real estate agents.

Property rental in Australia works on a points system. Each document presented has a score, such as a payslip, passport, visa, proof of income and letter of recommendation. Property inspections are scheduled in which all interested people go to see the place and decide whether or not to apply.

Some precautions should be taken, as in any other rental process. It is recommended that students visit the area at different times to see if it is what they are really looking for.

Where to look

The most popular websites in Australia for finding accommodation are: www.flatmates.com.au  / www.flatmatefinders.com.au / www.gumtree.com.au You can also join Facebook groups such as : Where to live / Sydney Student Accommodation / Shared apartments etc.

How to search

Here in Australia it is very common for people to share their apartments with strangers, such as international students, backpackers or anyone looking for a more affordable option. In most cases, it's not the property owners or real estate agents who make these rooms available, but people who have rented the property on a long-term basis with a contract in their name and sublet available rooms in the property. This is legal practice in the country.
It's important to keep a few factors in mind before you start your search, such as:

• Location - close to shops, school/work, public transport options and timetables
• Property itself - whether it's new or older, clean, well-furnished, secure
• Bedroom - How many people in the room, spacious, cupboards, study space
• Flatmates - How many people in the house, nationalities, resident profile
• Amount - Usually charged per week and the amount may or may not include consumption bills. It's important to check this before making a deal

To avoid wasting time and getting frustrated, it is essential to predefine which of the above items are really relevant to you, in case you give up any of the points mentioned above. If you live further away or share an apartment with more people, the price will be more affordable, but if you are more demanding and want to live well located, with few people, in a room just for you and in a new or recently renovated apartment/home, the price will be much higher.

Ask everything you need to know before closing a deal and avoid misunderstandings.

As a guarantee, it's common here to ask for a deposit called a BOND, which is usually two extra weeks' rent, paid before you move in and the extra weeks returned when you leave the property, without causing any damage or owing any money.

Step by step

These are the steps to start your search:

• Define region (we recommend focusing on a maximum of 3 neighborhoods)
• Define relevance factors (as mentioned above) and then define your budget accordingly.
• Register on the sites above - Develop a nice profile, talking about yourself and posting an appropriate photo.
• Start searching the sites
• Schedule the visits (try to concentrate some for the same period so you can optimize your search)
• Evaluating your options
• Agree values, dates and terms when choosing a room
• Organize payment
• Prepare to move in - Leave the room you're moving out of clean so you always keep good references and take photos of how you left the property in case there are any questions about returning your previous Bond.

And agree when you will receive the keys to your new property and what time you will move in to avoid any confusion when you enter.
If you have luggage and large, heavy objects, make arrangements in advance with a friend to help you, as it's not always guaranteed that there will be people available and willing to give you a hand at the new property.

Suitcase size

Each airline has its own rules on the number and weight of suitcases per passenger, ranging from two suitcases weighing 23 kg to 32 kg. The exchange student should check directly with the airline that issued the ticket.

 

Hand luggage

• A maximum of 1 liter divided into 100 ml containers is allowed. Attention! You may not carry a 200 ml bottle with half the liquid. Bottles must have a maximum capacity of 100 ml;
• Any amount of money is allowed. However, any amount over $ 10,000 must be declared;
• Aerosols and gels are not allowed;
• Sporting goods, kitchen utensils, tools and other items with sharp edges or points capable of injuring a person are not allowed.

 

Checked baggage

Not allowed:

• Perishable foods such as fruit, vegetables and meat.
• Weapons in general, including those for self-defense, such as pepper spray and stun guns;
• Steroids;
• Drugs;
• Items made of wood (only allowed if they are free of bark, insects and insect damage);
• Sedatives from the benzodiazepine group (e.g. diazepam, lorazepam);
• Pornography;
• Leather and animal skin products that have not been properly treated and cleaned.

It's allowed, but with limits:

• Other medications, including other sedatives and hormones, are allowed as long as they are accompanied by a prescription in the passenger's name translated into English and in quantities that do not exceed three months;
• General merchandise purchased at Duty Free that does not exceed the value of $900 per adult and $450 per child;
• 2.25 liters of alcohol (over 18s);
• 50 cigarettes (unit) or 50 grams of tobacco (over 18s).

For more tips on what to pack in your exchange luggage, visit our blog.

 

Incoming Passenger Card

All travelers entering Australia via the airport must fill out a document declaring the items they are carrying. The form must be filled out in English, and this document will be presented with the passport to an immigration officer before the passenger picks up their luggage.

See this document translated into Portuguese here.

 

Yellow fever vaccine

Travelers must carry International Certificate of Vaccination or ProphylaxisYou will need proof of vaccination against yellow fever when you enter Australia.

Any passenger who is one year old or older and who has spent one night or more in a country declared to be infected with yellow fever must carry this document at the time of travel, as it may be requested by Immigration Officers in Australia.

 

Check list of documents for boarding:

• Airfare;
• Valid passport;
• International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis;
• Copy of your Australian visa.

When they arrive at their final destination, many travelers hire a transfer service, i.e. a company or person responsible for picking them up at the airport and taking them to their accommodation.

In addition to these services, exchange students can use cabs and Uber. For those who want to save money, Australia's main airports have integrated train stations and special buses.

To find out more about the transportation options in each city, visit the official websites:

• Brisbane;
• Melbourne;
• Sydney.

RSA or "Responsible Service of Alcohol" is a one-day course that covers the laws on serving alcohol, who to serve and how to identify symptoms of drunkenness.

In Australia, anyone who works in a bar or where alcohol is sold needs to take this course.

Each state has its own license and related rules.

A compulsory certificate for anyone working in the construction industry, the course is designed to develop knowledge of the field and alert you to how to practise the profession safely.

The license becomes null and void if the person does not carry out construction work for two consecutive years or more. Each state has its own license and related rules.

This qualification is mandatory for those who intend to work in traffic control and guidance.

In this course, students learn how to use "stop" and "slow" signs and how to guide pedestrians and drivers on paths and routes blocked by a construction project or event.

Each state has its own license and related rules.

This course is mandatory for those who intend to work on establishing a traffic control plan due to a construction project or event at a given location.

It does not qualify the worker to use stop/slow signs and to select or modify an existing traffic control plan.

The course is compulsory, for example, for those who work with children or the elderly and teaches them how to use equipment such as CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation), how to administer epinephrine and so on.

To find out more, visit the official government website.

It's a professional experience in which you work for a company while you're still studying for your degree.

To complete some courses, such work experience is mandatory. Engineering students, for example, need adequate exposure to professional practice if they want to be accredited by Engineers Australia.

Even if it's not compulsory, getting work experience is a way of getting to know how things work in your chosen field. It's also an opportunity to show potential employers how you perform in the workplace, as well as being a plus on your CV.

Companies usually run the work experience for a few weeks and the activity usually coincides with school vacations, so that studies are not interfered with.

The activity can be both paid and unpaid, depending on the company.

An internship is the transition from study to work. This activity serves to develop a student's skills, making them more capable and competent when they enter the job market. The internship program is generally structured with the aim of developing the future professional. In most cases, this activity is unpaid.

Note: Unpaid activities will be considered illegal if the person is in an employment relationship with the company or organization. To find out more, visit the Fair Work website.

Most cell phones in Brazil are compatible with chips from Australian operators, which have 2G, 3G and 4G coverage throughout most of the country.

When they arrive at their exchange destination, students can buy a SIM card, which costs around AUD 5, at newsagents, convenience stores, markets and at the mobile operator's own stores, and activate it using their passport. Activation instructions vary according to the operator and usually come with the SIM card.

Number

The cell phone number in Australia, which starts with "04" followed by 8 more digits, can be activated in the prepaid system, where the student recharges as much as they want per month via a mobile app or website, or in the postpaid system, where a contract is established with an operator and an amount is fixed per month for a certain period.

Operators

The largest and most common operators are Vodafone, Optus and Telstra.

Messaging and calling apps such as WhatsApp work in Australia, but Australians tend to use SMS more.

How to make long-distance and international calls:

From Australia to Brazil: dial 0011+ 55+ (city code) + Telephone.

From Australia to Brazil collect: dial 1800 881 550 and follow the Embratel attendant's instructions.

Calls to different states within Australia: dial 0+(state code) + phone number. The state codes are: Queensland (7), New South Wales (2), Australian Capital Territory (2), South Australia (8), Victoria (3), Tasmania (3), Northern Territory (8) and Western Australia (8).

From Brazil to Australia: dial 00 + XX (operator code) + 61 (Australia code) + (Australia state code) + phone number.

If you are calling a cell phone, you do not need to dial the first zero of the number.

The telephone service known as "Triple Zero" (000) is the fastest way to get the right emergency service to help in a risky situation. Using this number, you can contact the police, fire brigade or ambulance service.

The operator will ask for the type of emergency and address and will then connect the person with the correct service.

If the caller has difficulty speaking English, they can ask for an interpreter. There is no charge for the call.

Public transportation in the main destinations for exchange students in Australia consists of bus lines, trains and ferries.

Each city has its own electronic boarding pass and fare collection system, which varies according to the distance traveled, zones crossed and times used. This type of charge is only possible because the passenger "taps" the card at the turnstile when boarding and disembarking the transport.

These cards are rechargeable and can be bought at newsagents, supermarkets and authorized stores. It is also possible to buy a ticket for a single trip, but this is usually more expensive.

To find out more, visit the page for each city.

The official identification document for Brazilians in Australia is their passport. However, a driver's license is also accepted for some activities, such as buying alcoholic beverages or entering an establishment that is open to people over 18.

For those who prefer not to carry their passport everywhere for security reasons, it is possible to get a Photo ID Card, which replaces the document in situations where the person needs to identify themselves within the country.

Each state has its own rules and procedures for issuing the document.

It is possible to drive in Australia with a Brazilian driver's license, but always accompanied by an English translation, and respecting the type of vehicle allowed by the original document.

In most states, drivers can use their Brazilian license for as long as their student visa lasts. After this time, if the type of visa changes (resident or work) or the Brazilian document expires, the person is obliged to apply for the license of the state where they are residing, take a theory test and a practical test.

When applying for an Australian license, the driver will not necessarily start from the first stage of the Australian document. What will determine which type of license the person will get is how long they have had their license in Brazil.

Tax File Number is a nine-digit number issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), the agency responsible for Australia's finances and tax system, which identifies the taxpayer.

Similar to the CPF in Brazil, the TFN is the registration number for tax and the Australian "guarantee fund". Everyone who works in Australia needs to have this registration.

The government's deadline for generating your number is up to 28 working days.

If you move address, keep an eye on the receipt of this documentation.

If the document hasn't arrived within 28 days, you can call 13 28 61 (you can ask for a Portuguese interpreter if you need one).

And once the document arrives, you can access the ATO (Australian Taxation Office) system and make any changes you want.

Everyone studying in Australia needs to create a USI, Unique Student Identifier.

Through it, the government is able to monitor the educational development of each individual.

This registration generates a code, made up of 10 numbers and letters, and creates a secure online record of your studies in the country.

The Australian Business Number (ABN) is the eleven-digit number used to register a company as an individual, similar to the CNPJ in Brazil. Those who use the ABN must issue invoices to contractors after providing services.

To find out more, visit the official government website.

Documents and information required

To apply for an ABN as a sole proprietor, you need to have your hands on it:

• Tax File Number;
• Legal name of the company;
• Contact information (telephone, e-mail);
• Details of commercial activity;
• Business address.

Before applying

You are entitled to open an ABN if:

• acquire or start a business in Australia or
• companies registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

It is very important that you are aware of all the responsibilities before applying for an ABN. Once you open an ABN, it's up to your organization to invest in benefits such as retirement, paid sick leave and annual leave.

If you open the register, you must comply with the legal requirements. If your business situation changes, it is recommended to update or cancel the ABN.

The ATO regularly reviews people who have been issued with an ABN to check that they are entitled and that their details are up to date. Even if the person has already achieved registration, entitlement can be reviewed.

When applying online for an ABN, you will be asked questions to check whether you are eligible for registration. The applicant should be aware that fines of up to $ 12,600 can be imposed for each incorrect or false piece of information.

If you are not entitled to registration, your application will be denied. Candidates can check whether they are entitled before starting their application by clicking here.

Employee and employer

Employees are not entitled to an ABN. This means that you are not entitled to an ABN to receive for work done as an employee (including as an apprentice, assistant or worker), even if you or your employer call the relationship a contract. It is illegal for an employer to ask an employee to obtain an ABN as a condition of employment.

A genuine employer is running a business when:

• It pays its own income tax and GST directly to the ATO;
• You get your own customers, for example by advertising your products or services;
• Can delegate work to others;
• Quote the price of the service, including negotiating your own prices;
• He keeps a separate business bank account from his personal one;
• It pays for the insurance of its own business, as a public liability.

Activities for starting a genuine company

If your company is not yet up and running, you will need to have started start-up activities before applying for the ABN, such as:

• Consult financial, business or tax advisors;
• Complete a business plan, feasibility study or financial projections;
• Buy a third business;
• Advertising, creating a social media account or a website for the business;
• Buy business cards or stationery for the business;
• Apply for financing;
• Obtain business licenses or insurance to operate (such as public liability and professional indemnity);
• Register with professional and/or industry associations;
• Register a patent and/or copyright;
• Lease or acquire facilities, equipment or stock for the business;
• Hiring employees;
• Issue quotes or tenders for work.

Although you don't need to have carried out all of these activities, you should have done at least some of them.

After application

When the ABN application is successful:

• You will receive your 11-digit registration number immediately;
• You can continue and sign up for other commercial registrations;
• Your details will be added to the Australian Business Register (ABR) - but you can request that certain details are not released if there is a risk to you or your family because of the information available on ABN Lookup and data.gov.au;
• A confirmation letter will be sent to you within 14 days with the registration details (it is your responsibility to keep this information up to date).

If you receive a reference number, it may mean that the ATO needs to check some details of your application or needs more information.

If your request is unsuccessful, you will receive a refusal number. You will also receive a letter within 14 days confirming that your request has been refused, the reasons for the refusal and the options available to you.

GST

GST is the 10% tax on goods and services levied in Australia.

You must register for GST if:

• Your business or company has a GST gain (gross revenue less GST) of AUD 75,000 or more;
• His non-profit organization has a GST gain of AUD 150,000 per year or more;
• You want to claim fuel tax credits for your company.

If your business or company does not fall into one of the above categories, registering for GST is optional. However, if you choose to register, you must remain registered for at least 12 months.