Before I decided to study in Australia, I read a lot (online) about how cool it is to study in the country (which is undeniable).
However, after I got admission, obtained my visa and arrived in the country, I quickly realized there were several challenges I hadn’t anticipated.
Some of them include:
Disadvantages of studying in Australia for international students
When preparing to study abroad, you’ll read about the advantages of studying in your chosen destination.
While at it, do not forget to turn the page to the other side.
Read the disadvantages as well, it’s good to have a feel of the two sides before arriving.
If Australia is your chosen study destination, below are the disadvantages of studying in the country.
1. High cost of living
The first shock I got was the cost of living – it was crazy, especially in big cities.
Coming from a country where living expenses are relatively low, I found the cost of living in major cities like Sydney quite overwhelming.
Read also: How to cancel a Canada student visa.
Even though I prepared a good budget, the high cost of living forced me to change my plans.
According to Expatistan’s estimation, the average current cost of living in Australia is roughly AU $4,312 per month for a single person.
The craziest part?
The country’s cost of living is more expensive than 87% of countries in the whole world.
Inflation is also on the rise, with Forbes reporting that accommodation has risen by 25%, and medical services by 6.7%.
Electricity isn’t left out, it has risen by over 15.5%, which is the largest annual rise in the country since 2013
In my time, rent, groceries, and transportation quickly drained my budget.
Renting a modest one-bedroom apartment in the city centre can cost you up to AUD 2,000 per month.
How I coped:
- Budgeting: This is very important, especially if you’re a student on a tight budget – I tracked my expenses and created a monthly budget which made me avoid overspending.
- Part-time work: In addition to proper budgeting, I took on a part-time job to add to my income – which helped cover my living expenses.
- Student discounts: I always looked for student discounts and deals, you should try them.
2. High tuition fees
You can say the quality of education and the opportunities you get after studying make it worth it but, frankly, it’s costly to study in Australia.
My program at a top Australian university cost me about AUD 30,000 per year – a significant amount compared to what I’d have paid in other countries.
The fees differ based on your program. If you’re going for a Bachelor’s degree, expect to pay between 15,000 and 45,000 AUD/year.
For Master’s and PhD degrees, you should budget between 15,000 – 50,000 AUD/year.
How I coped:
- Scholarships: I applied for several scholarships and was fortunate to receive one that covered almost all of my tuition.
- Financial planning: Because I was working, I saved enough money.
3. Healthcare costs
The high cost of healthcare is another disadvantage of studying in Australia for international students.
Every international student is mandated to get an Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
Based on my experience, the cost of OSHC depends on the type of coverage you need.
For singles, the minimum cover is AUD$478 for 12 months.
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For couples, it’s about AUD$2,600 for a year, and for families, it can go up to AUD$4,200 annually.
The price looks cool, but that’s not where the issue is.
Even with my mandatory Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), I found that some medical services were not covered.
When you need these services (that are not covered in the OSHC), you’ll pay out of pocket – which can be expensive.
How I coped:
- Choose a good OSHC: I got an Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) that covered everything I needed.
- Preventive care: I focused on maintaining a healthy lifestyle to avoid unnecessary medical visits.
- Emergency fund: Just like me, keep an emergency fund – it’s necessary.
4. Climate and wildlife
Australia is known for its diverse and, at times, intimidating wildlife. Adapting to it was a big challenge for me.
I had a few close encounters with some of Australia’s notorious wildlife.
From spiders and snakes to kangaroos and koalas, the wildlife is a constant presence.
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While some students found this exciting, it was a bit nerve-wracking for me.
For instance, there was this one time I found a large spider in my room.
As someone who isn’t a big fan of creepy crawlies, it was quite an ordeal.
On another occasion, I spotted a snake near my campus. Even though it was safely at a distance, it was still a bit unsettling.
If you love wildlife, you’ll love it in Australia.
However, for those like me (I’m not a big fan of wildlife), I prefer a bit more predictability in my environment, so it was a big challenge.
I do not have any tips on how I coped here, I think I just got used to both the wildlife and the weather.
The same will happen for you.
5. Limited student housing
If you have enough to spend on accommodation, this won’t be an issue.
However, if you’re on a budget, this will be an issue.
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Finding suitable accommodation was a challenge, especially near the university.
High demand led to high rents and limited availability.
Nguyen Bao My, a student at Monash University in Melbourne shared her experience with VnExpress International on the issue of housing crisis in the country, you can read it here.
How I coped:
- Early search: I got my visa early so I entered the country months before my program started. With the available time, I was able to look for accommodation early and it helped me a lot.
6. Social integration challenges
Integration was another big challenge I faced as an international student.
It’ll not be the same for everyone, because some students integrate easily.
It took me time due to the cultural gap and my lifestyle. I didn’t go out much until almost one year in the country.
After my first year, I tried to build meaningful relationships – you can do the same (build relationships).
I did mine by engaging in university events and activities to meet new people.
I also joined some student groups and it was effective.
7. High travel costs in Australia
This was unexpected but I understand because Australia is a vast country.
Travelling between cities or tourist destinations is expensive. The cost of domestic flights and long-distance transportation can add up quickly.
To get by, I looked for student travel discounts and deals.
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You can also try travelling with friends – it allows y’all to share the costs.
8. Limited access to some services
Australia being a top-rated country, I expected more amenities even in remote areas.
However, in some remote areas or smaller cities, there is limited access to services like specialized medical care, international food, and other basic amenities.
Before you choose Australia as your study destination, research the area where you’d be studying to understand what services are available.
If you’re already in the country, you can use online services to access items that are not available locally.
In addition, use community resources and support networks to bridge the gap.
9. Geographical isolation
For me, this was a big deal. Australia’s geographical isolation meant that travelling back home was expensive and time-consuming.
This distance often discourages you from travelling even if you get the chance.
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On the other hand, you’ll feel isolated and homesick.
You can cope by regularly staying in touch with family and friends through video calls – it helped me reduce the feelings of isolation.
Furthermore, you can explore different parts of the country during breaks instead of travelling to other countries.
10. Limited work opportunities
Another challenge I faced while studying in Australia was finding part-time work that fit my academic schedule.
While you’re allowed to work part-time, finding a job that accommodates your classes and study time is challenging.
As a student, balancing work and study is tough enough, but the limited availability of suitable jobs makes it even harder.
Many part-time jobs require you to work during evenings or weekends, which in some cases interfere with your academic activities or much-needed rest.
Furthermore, competition for these jobs is fierce, with many students vying for the same positions.
For example, I spent weeks searching for a job that wouldn’t clash with my class timetable and still offer enough hours to work.
It was a stressful period.
If you’re interested in working part-time, start looking for jobs early and use your institution’s career services.
While job searching, look for flexible jobs that will accommodate your schedule.
11. Challenges adjusting to cultural differences
Adjusting to Australian culture was more challenging than I anticipated.
The laid-back lifestyle, slang, and social norms took some getting used to.
I also experienced homesickness, especially during the initial months.
As a new student, make sure you attend your institution’s orientation programs, it’ll help you understand the local culture better.
In addition, join student communities: I joined student clubs and cultural organizations, which made it easier to meet new people and feel less isolated.
12. Change in the academic system
Another challenge you’ll likely face is the change in the education system.
The system was quite different from what I was used to (it may be the same for you).
The emphasis on independent learning was a significant adjustment.
My initial grades reflected this struggle as I tried to adapt to the new academic environment.
While these are reasonable challenges, the benefits of studying in Australia outweigh the demerits and I can attest to that.
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The country is a great place to study, however, knowing these disadvantages will help you prepare your mind for what you’ll face as an international student.
Disclaimer: This content is not to discourage you from studying in Australia, but, to help you prepare for the challenges, you’ll likely face.
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