By Justin Keevers

For Indian students looking to gain a quality education coupled with a unique Australian experience, Canberra fits the bill. The Australian capital embodies a lifestyle that appeals to students and has helped earn its reputation as a top-ranked student city. It offers an urban lifestyle while maintaining space to breathe, think, study, make new friends and try new experiences.

Here’s the ultimate guide, to help students utilize all the opportunities, know their rights, and simply enjoy their time living in the capital city of Australia as they shape their careers.

Need to find work and professional experience

International students get paid the same and have the same workplace rights as all workers in Canberra. The institutions and the student associations extend support to open doors to employment opportunities and help international students understand the employment landscape. Many employers in Canberra need part-time and casual employees, which creates opportunities for students looking to work.

Visa conditions – An international student must be mindful of their visa conditions before applying for a job. There is a typical allowance of 48 hours of work each fortnight during teaching periods and unlimited hours during semester breaks. Additional details can be checked with the respective institution or the Department of Home Affairs.

Internships, work experience, and work-integrated learning – These are short periods of unpaid or paid work that are usually related to the chosen field of study. They are sometimes part of the curriculum required to complete studies. However, students can also seek these opportunities out themselves.

Choosing the right experience can provide invaluable insight into the selected industry. Furthermore, one also gets to network with professionals who can offer advice and potentially help get a job post-graduation. For the ones keen on exploring volunteering opportunities across Canberra, can refer to the Volunteering ACT. Volunteering aids in expanding a student’s networking opportunity that will bring them added benefits.

Study Canberra is currently funding hundreds of places for international students to participate in the Study Australia Industry Experience Program. This program allows international students to work in a team environment to solve a real problem for an Australian employer. In doing so they can gain valuable experience for their resume and expand their professional networks.

Staying healthy and safe in Canberra

Locating the right services quickly can help save time, and perhaps even prevent one from being in a health crisis. Both the Australian National University (ANU) and the University of Canberra (UC) have free medical and counseling services on campus. Additionally, from medical assistance to general safety, here are some places one can reach out to in times of need.

In Australia, ‘000’ (triple zero) is the most important phone number to remember in the unlikely event of a life-threatening emergency. This will connect one to ambulance, police, and fire aid services. One can also dial 1800 022 222 any time of day or night for free and confidential health advice.

The Australian National University and the University of Canberra offer students a free online course called Consent Matters. The course helps students understand sexual consent and ways to recognize situations when consent can and can’t be given, irrespective of gender or sexuality.

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is compulsory health insurance for international students studying in Australia. OSHC will assist students in meeting some medical costs if they require access to these services.

Counseling and other support services are always hands-on and available at campuses to extend their support to students.

Opportunities to join Canberra’s workforce

Graduates in Canberra enjoy strong employment outcomes, and the city has one of Australia’s highest employment rates and highest average incomes. Because Canberra is a regional hub, international graduates can access an extended temporary post-study work visa, allowing them to live and work in Canberra for longer than some other major Australian cities.

Private employment – More than 60% of Canberra’s jobs, across more than 25,000 businesses, are in the private sector. The key growth industries are hiring, with big opportunities in renewable energy, space science, information technology and cyber security, agricultural technology, and environmental sciences to name a few.

Reaching out to professionals through past interning experiences, networking events and faculty connections can help you get your foot in the door and identify opportunities. Using online websites like seek.com or registering with recruitment agencies are other great ways to test the employment market.

Be your boss – Canberra welcomes new ideas and is the ideal choice to start or grow a business. Support for start-ups is available through a range of services, such as the Government-funded Canberra Innovation Network which empowers entrepreneurs to make an impact through accelerator programs, workshops, coaching and funding.

Legal rights as a student and at work

The city offers transparent and comprehensive channels of support, should anyone find themself needing them. Services such as the Ombudsman, student representative councils and WorkSafeACT will allow students to seek answers and know their rights, should the need arise.

Your rights as a student – As a student, an education provider or student representative council is a good first port of call when questions arise about rights as a student or when seeking advice as to suspending studies, changing courses or degrees, or issues one may have with how one’s education is being provided.

Your rights at work – International students get paid the same and have the same workplace rights as all workers. This includes guaranteed minimum pay, protection from unfair treatment, and a safe working environment. To find out more, check out Fair Work Ombudsman, which includes an online language translation option.

In a nutshell, Canberra is making sure to have the most inclusive, safe, and thriving environment for all international students to get the best opportunities.

(Author is Assistant Director, Study Canberra, ACT Government)