Building Financial Stability in Australia
Moving to a new country means navigating unfamiliar financial systems. We help international students understand Australian banking, budgeting practices, and the real costs of studying abroad.
Our programs start in September 2025, giving you time to prepare before arriving in Australia or during your first semester here.
Explore Learning Programs
What International Students Actually Face
You're juggling exchange rates, new tax rules, part-time work restrictions, and trying to make rent. These aren't small challenges when you're far from home.
Australian Banking Basics
Opening your first bank account here can be confusing. We walk through which banks work best for students, how to avoid unnecessary fees, and what documents you actually need. Plus, dealing with international transfers without losing money on conversion.
Real Cost Planning
Tuition is just the start. Rent, groceries, transport, phone bills—these add up quickly in Sydney or Melbourne. We help you build realistic budgets based on where you're actually living, not generic estimates from university websites.
Work Rights and Income
Understanding your visa work limitations is important. We cover how the 48-hour fortnightly limit works, what happens during semester breaks, and how to balance study with part-time work without burning out or breaking rules.
Tax File Numbers and Returns
The Australian Tax Office can seem intimidating at first. We explain how to get your TFN, what tax bracket you're in as a student worker, and when you might be eligible for tax refunds. It's simpler than it looks once someone breaks it down.
Emergency Fund Strategies
When something goes wrong—and it will—having backup money matters. Whether it's an unexpected medical bill or a flight home for family reasons, we help you set aside funds gradually without sacrificing your day-to-day living.
Managing Home Currency
You probably still have financial ties back home. We discuss timing currency exchanges, understanding exchange rate patterns, and keeping track of obligations in two different currencies without getting overwhelmed.
How Our Support Actually Works
1 Pre-Arrival Orientation
Before you even land in Australia, we cover the essentials. What to expect financially in your first month, which apps actually help, and common mistakes other students made (so you don't have to). Available online for students still overseas.
2 First Semester Check-ins
Your initial months here are chaotic. We schedule sessions throughout your first semester to address questions as they come up—not just throw information at you once and disappear. Real situations get discussed with practical solutions.
3 Ongoing Resource Access
Financial situations change. You find a job, move apartments, or your family's circumstances shift. Our resources stay available as you need them, with updated information about Australian financial systems and student-specific regulations.
4 Peer Community Connection
Sometimes the best advice comes from other international students who've been through it. We facilitate connections between students at different stages, so you can learn from people who navigated these exact challenges six months ago.
What Different Students Manage
Everyone's situation varies based on their field of study, location, and personal circumstances. Here's what we've seen work across different backgrounds.
"I came from Ireland thinking Commonwealth countries would be similar financially. Wrong. The sessions on Australian superannuation and health insurance actually saved me from making expensive mistakes during my first year at UNSW."
