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Living in Australia as an Indian Student: Community, Food, Health Cover, Safety and Climate

India is the second most common overseas country of birth in Australia after England: 673,352 people at the 2021 census, 2.6% of the population, up by 220,000 in five years. Few countries make an Indian student feel less far from home. This section covers the community, food, health cover, safety and weather.

Leonid Kurza, co-founder of EdumappleBy Leonid Kurza · co-founder of Edumapple · checked

  • 673,352India-born residents, 2021
  • 2.7%of Australians are Hindu
  • 000emergency number
  • 16%of international students are Indian

The essentials

NeedWhat to knowRead
CommunityLargest in Melbourne and Sydney, then Perth, Brisbane, AdelaideThe Indian community
FoodDeclare all food; no dairy, meat, seeds or fresh produceIndian food
Safety and weather000 for emergencies; climate differs widely by citySafety and climate
Work48 hours a fortnight in sessionWorking while studying
MoneyRent and transport by cityCost of living

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Overseas Student Health Cover

Cover must start on the day you arrive in Australia, not on the first day of classes, and run until you leave. Approved insurers include ahm, Allianz Care, Bupa, CBHS International Health, Medibank and nib. OSHC pays for hospital and medical treatment and ambulance, with limited cover for prescription medicines; dental, optical and physiotherapy are extras it does not include. Insurers quote prices online, so compare before you pay; the visa end date takes your cover dates into account.

Your first weeks

  • Get a Tax File Number before you start work.
  • Open an Australian bank account and register your OSHC card.
  • Register with your university's international office and save its security number.
  • Apply for a student transport concession where your state offers one.

Questions from Indian students: Life in Australia

Is Australia safe for Indian students?
Study Australia describes it as generally very safe and among the safest countries in the world. Take normal city precautions, save 000 for emergencies and 131 444 for non-urgent police matters, and use campus security services at night.
Is Indian food easy to find in Australia?
In Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide, yes: Indian restaurants and groceries cluster where the community lives, and Study Australia notes that vegetarian options are widely offered.
Do I need health insurance in Australia?
Yes. Overseas Student Health Cover from an approved insurer is a visa condition, from the day you arrive until you leave, for you and any family members.
What should I not bring from India?
Fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, eggs, dairy products, seeds and live plants are not allowed, and homemade food generally cannot come in. All food must be declared on the Incoming Passenger Card.
What is the weather like?
It depends on the city: Darwin is tropical with a wet season from October to April; Sydney, Brisbane and Perth are warm; Melbourne, Canberra and Hobart have cold winters, with Canberra's July nights near freezing.

Sources we checked