Student Life

In Tasmania, students benefit from excellent educational opportunities and are also able to study courses simply out of interest.

This means you can take an English course but study drawing or painting just for fun. Tasmanians value a combination of hard work and personal growth in their lives also known as a work/life balance. This definitely applies to students.

People

People in Tasmania come from many different backgrounds. The majority of Tasmanians are of Caucasian appearance however there are many people from different countries who live here. 

Tasmanians generally enjoy a laid back, healthy lifestyle and are often very happy and friendly. 

Culture and Religion

Tasmanians enjoy living in a multicultural environment and embrace the cultural differences with enthusiasm. People from all over the world study and migrate here. Influences from the diverse population are seen everywhere from restaurants to art exhibitions. People in Tasmania are free to practice any religion they choose and churches, mosques or worship centres for most religions are available. You will find that most Tasmanians are very tolerant, understanding and even curious of other cultures and religions.

Accommodation

There are many options for you to choose from and this guide should help. However, remember to ask lots of questions about rent, furnishings or house rules, depending on the situation. 

Homestay

You may like to live in a private home with an Australian family.

This can be either full-board where all meals are provided for you, or a more independent room-only arrangement, where you provide and cook your own meals and share household chores and costs. Homestay families are all carefully chosen.

All Homestay families undergo a police check and an interview by the institution. The home is assessed for its suitability for international students. All students will have their own bedroom with space for study.

Homestay will give you the opportunity to learn about Australian culture, to make new friendships and will give you constant practice in speaking English in real-life situations.

Sometimes staying with a Homestay can be difficult, but it is worth the effort. It will give you a lot of confidence and will help you understand different people and different customs.

Residences and Boarding Houses

Many institutions offer on-campus residences or boarding facilities, so make sure you check with your adviser, agent or the actual institution to find out what's available.

Your own house

Accommodation in flats and houses can only be arranged after you arrive in Tasmania.

We recommend that students begin their experience in Tasmania by staying in Homestay or a Student Residence as it helps you to get adjusted to life in a different country.

Students wanting to rent a flat or house must register personally with real estate agencies prior to rental unless they make a private rental agreement directly with an owner.

Most owners ask for a bond equivalent in value to either two weeks or one month rent.

The bond will be returned to you when you leave the flat, but only if you have met the conditions of the lease and you have left the flat in good condition.

Unfurnished

If you rent an unfurnished house or flat you will usually have to provide everything except a cook-top and oven. Sometimes a refrigerator and washing machine or even the internet will be provided. Rent can be anywhere from A$140 to A$2 000 per week.

Electricity, internet and telephone charges are almost always extra and are quite easy to set up.

Aurora is the name of the Tasmanian power company, but you will have many options for internet, telephone or mobile phone service providers.

Furnished

Furnished accomodation is more expensive than unfurnished accommodation but it should contain all of your basic furniture needs. Rental amounts will vary depending on the size and location of the accommodation.

Average rent is A$200 to A$300 per week for a one-bedroom flat or unit. Electricity and telephone charges are extra.

Shared housing

Shared housing is a more independent style of accommodation that suits many students. A number of students can live in a larger house and share the facilities provided. There could be a mixture of students attending different schools and colleges.

Usually students can expect their own furnished bedroom complete with bed, mattress, study desk and clothes storage. Most shared houses provide bed linen and bedding, however some do not.

Shared facilities include kitchen, bathroom, lounge and laundry.

Items such as basic pots, pans and crockery are provided. The rent may or may not include electricity. The average cost per week can range from A$80 to A$120, depending upon the facilities offered.

Accommodation Prices

Homestay costs from A$180 to A$200 per week for full-board. Your Homestay costs will depend on what is available at the time of your application and tuition payment.

Costs are determined by the facilities provided and by factors such as the distance from your institution.

There are limited room-only Homestay places. These cost from A$100 - A$120 per week.

Residence or boarding costs vary depending on the institution and whether or not meals are included.

Details are available directly from the institutions, from your adviser or agent.

Local backpacker hostels vary their weekly prices according to the season, however students often receive good weekly rates.

If you decide to book directly, let the hostel know you have been directed to them by an institution and that you are applying for special student rates.

Prices range from A$110 to A$150 per week; most prices are for dormitory rooms.

Hobart

The Pickled Frog
Email: info@thepickledfrog.com
Web: www.thepickledfrog.com

Ocean Child Backpackers
Email: Longden.J@bigpond.com

Nararra Backpackers
Web: www.narrarabackpackers.com

Montgomery’s
Email: montys@southcom.com.au
Web: www.montgomerys.com.au

Hobart Hostel
Email: info@hobarthostel.com
Web: www.hobarthostel.com

Central City Backpackers

Email: bookings@centralcityhobart.com
Web: www.centralcityhobart.com

Launceston

Tamar Bridge No. 1 Backpackers
Email: info@backpackerhub.com.au
Web: http://www.backpackerhub.com.au/

Launceston Backpackers
Email: launcestonbpackers@bigpond.com
Web: http://www.launcestonbackpackers.com.au/

Real Estate Agents

To rent a house or flat, you will usually need to apply through a real estate agent. You will need to supply a lot of personal information and referees or guarantors.

Real estate web links that show houses or apartments (also called flats or units) available and prices can be seen at: www.realestate.com.au

Private Housing

You can also rent houses and flats from private individuals. These are advertised in the local papers on Saturdays and Wednesdays.

The Advocate Newspaper (Burnie)
The Mercury Newspaper (Hobart)
The Examiner Newspaper (Launceston)

For more on accommodation: http://www.discovertasmania.com/accommodation
 

Adventure

Tasmania is an amazing state to explore. There are waterfalls, mountains, rainforests, beaches, cliffs, and a large array of flora and fauna.

You’ll see creatures and plant life here that you won’t find anywhere else,  and you’ll see beautiful landscapes that will leave you speechless.

Photographers, naturalists, researchers or just the curious will benefit from the variety of things to see in Tasmania.

The wonderfully wild parts of Tassie create endless opportunities for adventure. Hiking or “bushwalking” is very popular with national parks full of trails located all over the state.

Kayaking, white water rafting, hang gliding, mountaineering, climbing and snowboarding are only some of the other adventures you can seek out.

One thing’s for sure, you’re free time in Tasmania does not have to be boring.

To get some ideas, click here.

Emergency!

The telephone number for an emergency is 000 or from a mobile or cell phone 112. These numbers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week all year long.

You must tell the person who answers if you want Police, an Ambulance or Fire-fighters. Only call if it is a true emergency and you need immediate assistance. This means if you or someone you encounter is in a life threatening situation, if someone has stolen your property from your home, if you are being threatened or someone you encounter needs help or if you have a severe injury or sickness.

You can also call for help in a disaster situation such as a flood or intense weather.

Never call these numbers for directions, if your electricity or phone is out or for something that a GP (general practitioner) or doctor can help you with.

These numbers are strictly for emergencies involving real danger to you or someone you encounter.

Always call local utilities, doctors, or police on their separate numbers for other, non-emergency help.

These numbers can be found in the phone book or by using http://www.whitepages.com.au.