For many Sri Lankan students, receiving an offer from an Australian university is the exciting part. But once the celebrations are over, a different set of questions quickly follows.

Where will I live? How far will I be from university? Can I work while studying? And how will I manage everyday expenses?

These are practical decisions that can have a major impact on a student’s experience in Australia.

Kolitha Fernando, Managing Director of Jeewa Education, says accommodation and part-time employment should be considered as part of the wider study plan — not left until the last minute.

Students studying in Australia may be able to undertake part-time employment within the limits permitted under their visa conditions. There may also be greater opportunities to work during scheduled semester breaks.

However, Fernando stressed that students should not rely on information passed between friends or circulated informally online when it comes to work rights.

Visa conditions can determine when and how much a student is permitted to work, and these requirements should always be checked through an official Australian Government source.

Part-time work can provide students with useful experience and help them manage some day-to-day expenses, but employment should not become the main purpose of travelling to Australia for higher education.

For parents, this is an equally important consideration. A student’s financial plan should not be built around the assumption that part-time employment will cover every expense.

Finding the Right Place to Live

Accommodation is another major decision, and there is no single option that will suit every student.

Some Sri Lankan students may already have relatives or friends in Australia and choose to stay with them, particularly during the early stages of their studies.

Others may prefer university residences, purpose-built student accommodation, shared housing or accommodation with a Sri Lankan family.

The right choice, Fernando said, should depend on several practical factors.

Budget is important, but so is the distance between the accommodation and the university. Students should also consider transport, convenience and their own personal requirements before committing to a place to live.

A lower-cost room located a considerable distance from campus, for example, may result in additional transport costs and longer travelling times. Similarly, accommodation close to university may offer greater convenience but need to be assessed against the family’s overall budget.

For students moving overseas for the first time, the social side of settling into a new country can also matter.

Fernando said Jeewa Education’s onshore counsellors and student gatherings can help students establish connections, meet others and seek guidance as they adjust to life in Australia.

For parents preparing to send a child overseas, accommodation and employment may appear to be practical details compared with selecting a university or obtaining a visa.

In reality, they are an important part of preparing a young person to live independently in another country.

The aim should be to find an accommodation option that is safe, affordable and practical, while ensuring that any part-time work remains within visa conditions and does not take attention away from the student’s education.

For students heading to Australia, getting these decisions right can make the transition from home to university life considerably easier.