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Thursday, July 26, 2007

Driving License in Australia

Qualifying for a Driving License in Australia:

The information provided in the following article applies to any one who plans to stay in Australia for quite a long time and needs to drive around. The information provided is only related to Class C driving licenses. For other licenses such as taxi, bus, heavy vechile, etc, please check the respective RTA websites.


Can I use my country's driving license?

Ok! For the impatient one, I will answer the most frequently asked question stated in bold. Yes you can use your country's driving licence in Australia.

If you hold a current overseas Driver's Licence of a particular class you may drive a vehicle of an equivalent class in Australia if:

  • you also hold a current international driving permit
  • your foreign licence is written in English or is accompanied by an English translation of the details on the licence. Translation services are provided by different state government agencies e.g. www.translate.sa.gov.au. www.crc.nsw.gov.au/interpreting/index.htm
  • you are not disqualified from driving in Australia.
You are required to carry your license (and English translation if applicable) at all times when driving. You must produce the license and your temporary visa to Police on request.

If you are an international student in Australia, you can use your country's driving license for as long as you have the status of an international student. But, as the following article explains, it is in one's own interests to acquire an Australian driving license.


Why Should I get an Australian Driving License?

  1. It serves as your primary identification document. Every where you go, you will be asked for your driving license e.g. credit cards, police checks, etc.
  2. Most jobs involving driving require you to have a class C, also known as full driving license. Without a class C license, the insurance companies charge extra for covering you in case of an accident or emergency. Therefore, it is best to have a class C driving license.
  3. Many other benefits which I cannot think of now.

How to get a class C Australian license

If you are coming from overseas, make sure you bring your home country's driving license. Your home country's driving license must be at least 3 years old at the date of application for your Australian driving license. If your home country's driving license is less then 3 years, you will not be awarded a full unrestricted driving license. Rather, you would be given a provisional license. Provisional licenses have their own restrictions like not driving over a specific speed limit etc.


Once you have your home country's driving license, just walk up to any RTA close by, and present your self at the counter. Depending upon which country you are from, you might not have to give any tests to convert your country's driving license into a full Australian driving license. You can check that list on the RTA's website.

If you are coming from the sub-continent, you will need to pass two exams before you convert your home country's full driving license into a class C Australian driving license.

The first exam is a computer based test comprising of forty MCQs related to basic concepts of driving and have familiarity with the different traffic signs used in Australia. The complete pool of MCQs can be downloaded from the RTAs website. This test costs around $40 AUD.

The second test is a practical test in which an instructor accompanies you on a short drive and tries to assess your driving skills. It is advisable to get some pre-test coaching from a qualified driving instructor who can teach you how to pass the exam. Most candidates cannot clear the practical driving test because of their lack of knowledge regarding basic driving concepts. This test costs around $43 AUD. There is a long queue for tests so waiting periods can be very long. Make sure you book your test early.

If you have any questions, let me know, and I will try to answer them for you.

Junaid

Migration Agent Registration Number: 0964018

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Tips and Tricks for International Students in Australia

First time in Australia? Few tips for you

Being an international student in Australia, I went though many ups and downs. I would like to share some important information with you and provide you with vital tips and tricks for survival in Australia.


1. Finding Accomondation ?

Answer: a) Best website - www.realestate.com.au and also www.domain.com.au

b) Uni - Notice board (most of the uni's have notice boards where you can find heaps of available accommodation. Most Unis also have online boards which you can access online before you come to Australia and hence make arrangements for yourself even before you land in Australia) usually near to student council offices and most unis have their own housing websites.


Word of Advice regarding accommodation

It would be very beneficial for you to live as near as possible to the university. If you cannot afford to live near the university campus, then live a few suburbs away from the university and commute to and from the university using a bicycle. I know many people who live far from the university but I still prefer living near the university because of the associated benefits. I will writing a more detailed article regarding living and lodging in Sydney.


2. Transportation ?

Answer: Best part I like is that you do not need to buy diffrent tickets for Bus, Tram, ferries and Train. Same ticket works for you everywhere in public transport. International students please remember that there is no concession tickets for you.

More info can be found at http://www.131500.info/realtime/default.asp

You even have a online trip planner.


3. Job Search ? What kind of jobs are in demand?

Answer: Best two sites are

a) www.seek.com.au
b) www.mycareer.com.au

Unis also have their own job boards. Keep an eye on them too.

Getting a professional job in your own field is a little bit difficult but not impossible. Most students from the sub-continent do not have the skills to make a good resume and give the right answers to all the knotty questions most employers ask in the interviews. If you are an international student, chances are that you will have a twenty hours per week work restriction on your visa. The study load combined with work rights limitations makes it very hard to find a job because most employers want full time employees. I will be providing more information on how to get a good job in Australia and how to make a good resume. Keep checking my blog.


4. Weather & Clothing

Answer: The weather is quite moderate through out the year in Sydney depending upon where you live. The farther you live from the coast, the more colder/warmer it is depending upon what weather conditions. In Melbourne it is very cold in winters and very hot in summers.
Please note that because Australia is in the southern hemisphere, the summers and winters are not at the same time of the year as they are in other parts of the world. In Australia, winters come in June, July while summers come in December, January.


5. Vegitarian? Looking for cheap Vegetables and utensils?


Answer: Paddys market is the best place to buy cheap fruit and vegetables. Please note that vegetables as compared to meat, chicken and fish are expensive in Australia.


5. Electronic Items ?

Answer: Australian standard is 240 volts with frequency of 50 Hertz. Most of the universal converters are available in super markets.


6. Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service


Answer: Please read it carefully, Australians are strict and serious about this. Australian Quarantine Services.

If you don't pay attention to what is written above, you might get fined for violating Australian Quarantine rules and regulations. This might even happen on your first arrival.



7. Flying in Plane for the first time?

Answer: In your hand luggage you should carry

  1. Your passport and student visa, aeroplane ticket, money, important documents and valuables
  2. Items that will be declared at Australian Customs
  3. A spare copy of the front pages of your passport and visa
  4. Emergency clothing and a jacket
  5. Suitcases and other luggage should be 'LOCKED' and tagged with your name, address and contact telephone numbers.
Junaid

Migration Agent Registration Number: 0964018

Monday, July 23, 2007

M.Sc Inter-networking from UTS

The result was announced on the 18th of July 2007 for the Autumn semester. Much to my relief, I had cleared all subjects and finally I am a Master in Inter-networking from the University of Technology Sydney.

The Inter-networking degree is a one and a half years long course which can be upgraded to an extended degree by studying additional four subjects. I chose the extended option and studied four additional subjects.

The M.Sc Inter-networking program is a specialist course which emphasizes on setting up Wide Area Networks(WANS) and Local Area Networks (LANS). The lab equipment is provided by Cisco Systems Inc. Most of the degree is hands on practical work using Cisco Routers and Switches. Some subjects have no lectures at all and are purely based on lab work which is why the exams are also mostly lab based practical exams. Though, some subjects do have written components as a part of the over all assessment.


The cost per subject as of today is $2700 AUD, which is slowly increasing every semester. Taking sixteen subjects would result in a bill of $43,200 AUD. This is a huge amount but worth it. Plus you need to add the cost of living which can be roughly $1000 AUD per month.


My stay at UTS has been a very positive experience and has given me skills which will help me a lot in the booming job market of Australia.

I will be posting more information related to Australian universities and what life is at an Australian University.

Junaid

Migration Agent Registration Number: 0964018