Calling Australia Home

What is it about?

Calling Australia Home is a project designed to help overseas students and migrants (new or would-be) to successfully integrate into the mainstream Australian way of life. This section contains information for:

• Overseas students
• Workers (including working holiday visa holders) and Migrants

Overseas students

Life at school and in general can be very different for an overseas student due to different cultural background and practice. Behaviours that are considered appropriate in your home country may not be acceptable in Australia. In order to ensure a wonderful experience in Australia, we recommend that you

1. Speak out and share your thoughts, even if you may not think you have the right answer. Everyone is to be given a fair go in Australia
2. Be straightforward in your communication
3. Take responsibility of your behaviour and action. Be honest
4. Be proactive in your studies. Seek help when necessary, including from your lecturers and tutors
5. Speak English when there are other locals around
6. Participate in local sports and other activities with local friends. Follow local sport clubs
7. Read local news in newspaper and television, and watch local programmes
8. Actively mix around with the locals. This will help not only understanding and integration, but also improve your English
9. Actively engage with your homestay family - help them with housework whenever you can and you may get unexpected returns
10. Obey the law and regulations, including your visa obligations
11. Ensure satisfactory results from exam and maintain min. 80% class attendance
12. If you work, do it legally and do not work more than what is permitted. Submit a tax return annually

During your stay in Australia, you may come across some problems. The most common issues we have encountered with overseas students are:

1. Want to change course or apply for a new course
2. Visa issues, including cancellation and extension
3. Want to find a part-time job
4. Want to find a shared-accommodation
5. Want to apply for migration
6. Where to get special deals for students

Workers (including working holiday visa holders) and Migrants

Starting a new life in a new country is exciting and wonderful, but can it be challenging and frustrating, especially when you find your usual practices are not working or not working as well as you would like to.

Visit the Department of Immigration and Citizenship if you want to find out more about visa or citizenship matters, or visit our Visa Crisis if you want us to help.

Visit Seek if you want to look for a job.

Visit Harmony Day, a government initiative, to find out events that promote understanding, celebrate our successes as a culturally diverse society and re-commit ourselves to harmony and mutual respect.

Recommend this website to friends or relatives overseas who are interested in coming to study, work or live in Australia.