The City

Melbourne is the capital of the State of Victoria and Australia's second largest city with a population of around 3.5 million people. It has many excellent educational institutions that cater for the needs for international students.

Melbourne was first settled in 1835 and has developed into a friendly, beautiful and exciting city that boasts an outstanding quality of life. Key features include good public transportation, high levels of public safety, great shopping, culinary excellence which includes a wide variety of international cuisine, many international sporting events and warm summers and cool winters. Melbourne is a vibrant and harmonious multicultural society with open and friendly people. You will find a warm welcome in Melbourne.

General Interest and Miscellaneous Links

• Melbourne - Australia's Most Elegant City at www.visitvictoria.com
• Gippsland Tourism Victoria at www.gippslandtourism.com
• Victoria's Government Information at www.vic.gov.au
• VICNET - Victoria's Network at www.vicnet.net.au
• General Information at www.mel.dit.csiro.au/MelbInfo.html
• Information on the parks, rivers, marine areas and heritage properties in Victoria at www.parkweb.vic.gov.au
• One of Melbourne's daily newspapers at www.theage.com.au

Costs

The cost of studying in Australia compares favourably with other destination countries for international students. There are now many thousands of international students studying at universities, English language institutions, and other vocational education and training institutions and schools in Melbourne. Australia is a close study destination for students from the Asia-Pacific region. This makes it cheaper to get to, easier to return home during vacations and makes it possible for family members to visit during your stay or at graduation.

Australia - Leading-edge Learning

Melbourne and Australia offer an internationally recognised education and training system providing world-class opportunities for international students. Australian institutions use leading-edge technologies and learning programs that promote flexible and innovative approaches to teaching and research. Undergraduate and postgraduate courses covering a broad range of disciplines including humanities, computing, engineering, health sciences, law, accounting, applied science, business studies, marketing, hospitality and tourism and many others are offered that are responsive to your needs and those of industry.

Australia - a National System of Qualifications

Australia has a nationally consistent yet flexible framework of qualifications in the secondary school, vocational education and training and university sectors.

This is called the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

AQF qualifications are linked so you an advance from each level to the next and between sectors.

The AQF is endorsed by the Australian Government and recognised across Australia.

Accomodation

International students make use of a variety of accommodation in Australia. This includes:

• Homestay.  This is where you stay with an Australian family, which will provide you with your own room and meals. As a guide this costs around $160 to $180 per week.
• Shared Accommodation.  This usually involves sharing accommodation with a family together with use of facilities in the home but with you being responsible for your meals. As a guide this costs around $100 per week.
• Rental.  Some students arrange to lease accommodation such as flats and apartments. Costs depend very much on size and location. This will require agreeing to a formal contract and payment of a bond (normally one month's rent).
• Student Hostels.  These are purpose built facilities that are designed to meet the requirements of tertiary students. They include single and/or double rooms with cooking facilities and 24 hours per day management and security. Some hostels provide dormitory style accommodation on campus with shared cooking facilities.

What We Do

Thai Links knows Melbourne and Australia well and it also knows Thailand and neighbouring countries in our region and the requirements that international students have. We can provide you with the answers and support you need to successfully relocate to Melbourne and to Australia. We offer a highly personalised and professional service, which is strongly focussed on understanding and meeting your requirements.