Sydney moves fast and doesn’t slow down for new arrivals.
Before you figure out where to eat or what to do on weekends, there are a handful of things you need to sort out, or they’ll cost you time, money, or both. Here’s what actually matters in those first few weeks.
Sort Your Admin in the First Week
Apply for your Tax File Number (TFN) on day one.
You need this before you can work legally in Australia. Apply through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website as soon as you arrive. It takes around 28 days to arrive by post, so the earlier you apply, the better.
Open an Australian bank account with your passport and Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
The major banks all offer student account options. Many students use the Commonwealth Bank’s Smart Access account, which has no monthly fee for those under 30. Go in person with your documents.
| We recommend: Before you leave your home country, take certified copies of your passport, CoE, and any academic transcripts. Many admin processes in Sydney require originals or certified copies, and getting them re-certified from overseas takes time you won’t have in week one. |
Know Your Work Rights Before You Start Any Job
How Many Hours Can You Legally Work
As of July 2023, most student visa holders in Australia can work 48 hours per fortnight during their course, with no cap during official course breaks. These rules come directly from the Department of Home Affairs. Don’t rely on what a friend or employer tells you.
The Underpayment Problem Is Real
Research from UNSW Sydney found that three in four international students earn below the minimum casual wage, and one in four earn less than half the minimum casual wage. Most stay silent because they fear visa consequences.
Employers exploit students’ immigration vulnerability, knowing they won’t complain for fear of being reported. That fear is understandable, but it’s worth knowing.
In July 2024, the Australian government introduced a ‘Workplace Justice visa’ that allows eligible workers still on a valid temporary visa to pursue a workplace exploitation claim.
It can protect against visa cancellation in these circumstances, but eligibility conditions apply, including having certification from an accredited organisation. Check the Department of Home Affairs website for current details.
What to Do If You’re Being Underpaid
| We recommend: Know the current minimum casual wage before accepting any job. As of 2025, the national minimum wage in Australia is $24.95 per hour, and the casual loading takes it higher. If someone offers you $15 or $16 an hour and calls it “standard for students,” it isn’t. Report underpayment to the Fair Work Ombudsman at fairwork.gov.au. You can do it anonymously. |
Finding a Place to Live
Sydney’s rental market is genuinely difficult for international students, and 25% of students in Sydney have reported being the victim of an accommodation scam. The most common scenario is paying a deposit online before arriving, only to find the room doesn’t exist or looks nothing like the photos.
Many international students pay money up front to unverified landlords they find online. When they arrive, and things go wrong, they’re often not legally protected as tenants and face serious barriers to getting help.
Where to Look and What to Expect
- Parramatta is one of the most practical options for vocational students. It’s Sydney’s second CBD, rents are lower than in the inner city, and the train to Central Station takes around 35 to 40 minutes. Expect shared rooms from around $200 to $260 per week.
- Liverpool, further west, is another affordable choice, with shared rooms often sitting at $200 to $250 per week.
- Ultimo and Chippendale sit close to the CBD and TAFE NSW campuses, but you’ll pay for it. Shared rooms in these suburbs often start from $300 a week.
As of late 2024, weekly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Sydney ranges from $300 to $700, depending on the suburb. Shared housing is what most vocational students realistically budget for.
| We recommend: Use Domain or Realestate.com.au for verified listings. For house shares, Flatmates.com.au is reliable. Never pay any money before you have physically seen the room or spoken face-to-face with the current tenants on a video call. Under NSW tenancy law, landlords can only charge a bond of up to four weeks’ rent. If someone asks for more up front, that is a red flag and likely illegal. |
Note: 46% of international students surveyed were renting without a written lease, and 37% were paying rent in cash, which left them with no legal record of their tenancy. Always get a written agreement, even for a share house arrangement. It protects you if something goes wrong.
Getting Around Sydney Without Overpaying
Pick up an Opal card on day one. You can buy one at the Sydney Airport train station when you land, or from most convenience stores and newsagencies across the city.
One detail that catches many new students off guard:
There is a weekly fare cap. Once you’ve spent $50 in a week (adult fare), all remaining trips are free for that week. If you commute regularly, you’ll often hit the cap mid-week.
| We recommend: If you’re travelling between 6:30 am and 10 am or 3 pm and 7 pm on weekdays, you’re in the peak fare window. Shifting your departure by 30 minutes where possible can reduce your weekly spend, and it’s worth doing the calculation if cost matters to you. |
Health Cover Is Not Optional, and It Doesn’t Cover Everything
Your student visa requires Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) before it is granted. The four OSHC providers operating in Australia are Medibank, Bupa, Allianz Care, and nib.
Standard OSHC covers GP visits and some hospital care. It does not cover dental or optical in most base plans. Knowing this before you need it saves a lot of stress.
| We recommend: Search for a bulk-billing GP near where you live as soon as you arrive. Bulk billing means the GP bills your OSHC insurer directly, and you pay nothing out of pocket at the visit. Not every clinic does this for OSHC holders, so call ahead and ask specifically before booking your first appointment. |
Vocational Training in Sydney Runs Differently From University
If you’re enrolled in a Certificate or Diploma course through a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), your schedule will look different from a university student’s.
Vocational courses typically have more contact hours, hands-on assessments, and structured practical components.
In a vocational context, this means understanding that RTOs generally have stricter attendance requirements than universities. Many qualifications have minimum attendance thresholds that are directly tied to your visa compliance. Missing too many classes isn’t just an academic issue; it can trigger a report to the Department of Home Affairs.
Talk to your student services team in the very first week. Ask specifically about your attendance policy, what happens if you miss a class, and who to contact if you’re struggling. Most RTOs have dedicated international student support staff. Use them early, not when you’re already behind.
| We recommend: Keep a simple weekly record of your attendance, assessments, and work hours from week one. If anything ever gets disputed, whether it’s your attendance record or your work hours against your visa conditions, having your own written record puts you in a much stronger position than having nothing. |
Isolation Is a Real Risk
Between 60 and 65% of international students in Australia report experiencing loneliness or isolation at some point during their studies. It’s more common than most students expect, and it tends to hit hardest in the first six to eight weeks.
The students who adjust fastest are usually the ones who build routine quickly, not just academically but socially. Getting involved in any group activity connected to your course, whether it’s a study group, a skills workshop, or a community event through your training provider, creates context for friendships to form.
If you’re struggling, most RTOs and community health centres offer free or low-cost counselling for international students. You can also contact the Lifeline Australia support line on 13 11 14 at any time, day or night.
Sort your TFN, open your bank account, get your Opal card, find your GP, understand your visa work conditions, and get a written tenancy agreement before you hand over any money. Everything else follows from there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my vocational course after I’ve already started in Sydney?
Yes, you can change courses on a Subclass 500 student visa, but your new course must be at the same Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level or higher, and there must be no gap in your enrolment between the two. Please speak with your student services team before making any decision, as switching without proper approval can put your visa at risk.
If I already have work experience or qualifications from my home country, can I get credit towards my course?
Yes, this is called Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), and all registered training organisations in Australia are required to offer it as an option. You’ll need to provide evidence such as employment records, previous certificates, or a reference from a past employer, and your RTO will assess whether your existing skills and knowledge meet the units you’re applying for.
What happens if I fail a unit in my vocational training course?
Failing a unit does not automatically cancel your visa, but you will usually need to repeat it, which can extend your course duration and may require a visa extension. The important thing is to notify your training provider early and work with your student support team on a plan, rather than waiting until the end of the term when options are more limited.
