International education: Study in the NT
Living in the NT
Getting to the Northern Territory
Obtaining a visa
International students require a visa to study in Australia. There are a number of visa categories for different types of study, from short English language courses to university degrees and postgraduate research. Courses must be full time and offered by an Australian education provider registered with the Australian Government to accept international students. Courses under three months’ duration can be undertaken on a visitor visa or working holiday visa.
Along with your student visa you will generally be issued with a multiple entry visa, which allows you to travel in and out of Australia for the duration of your course.
Visas are granted by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
Travel to Darwin
Getting to Darwin is easy. The Darwin International Airport is the Northern Territory’s main gateway for visitors and is well-serviced by regular international, domestic and regional flights, including direct services from Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City. The airport is just 13 kilometres from the Darwin CBD and the major airlines operating there are Qantas, Jestar and Virgin Blue.
Darwin is closer to Asia than any other Australian capital city and flying times from most South East Asian destinations are generally less than four hours.
Australian Quarantine
There are strict regulations on what can be brought into Australia, so international students need to be aware of what they can and cannot pack. Thousands of packages addressed to overseas students are intercepted by Australian Quarantine officers each year that contain banned items, particularly food. These well-intentioned gifts from family and friends back home could carry exotic pests and diseases, so it’s important to find out what you can and cannot bring to the country. Download a brochure for international students from the Australian Quarantine website.
Transport
Darwin is relatively small for a capital city, and getting around is quick and easy and public transport is available.
Buses
There is a public bus service that links Darwin city with its surrounds, including both campuses of Charles Darwin University. For those with an Australian student card, travel on the public buses is free. Timetables and bus routes
Driving and cycling
Darwin has an excellent network of bicycle paths and many students find this is a great way to get around. There are numerous bicycle shops in Darwin and second-hand bikes can be bought cheaply and easily through newspapers or bulletin boards.
Some international students might like to purchase a car when they are in Australia. There are many car dealerships in Darwin and the weekend newspaper has a good range of private vehicles for sale. You should be able to purchase a serviceable vehicle for between $1500 and $5000 AUD.
Registration can be paid six monthly or yearly and international students will need to transfer their overseas driving license to a Northern Territory license. For full information on motor vehicle licensing and registration in the Northern Territory, visit the Motor Vehicle Registry website.
The Northern Territory Road Users’ Handbook is a fantastic guide to the Territory’s road rules, licensing requirements and basic driving skills.
Taxis and shuttle buses
You can also get around town by taxi or shuttle bus. Taxis can be prebooked or hailed on the street. There are at taxi ranks, particularly at the airport, in the city and major shopping centres.
Indicative costs: airport – city $20, northern suburbs to city $25, Palmerston to city $45.
Accommodation
International students have four options when it comes to finding somewhere to live.
- On-campus Accommodation
Students attending Charles Darwin University’s Casuarina campus can access accommodation and excellent communal facilities on site. This is a popular option so interested students should enquire and apply early. - Homestay Accommodation
Homestay accommodation is the most common form of accommodation for high school students. The options are staying with a relative that lives in Darwin or boarding with an approved host family.
Some non-government schools offer boarding accommodation. Students attending non-government schools should consult with the school about accommodation options. - Renting a house or apartment
Renting a house or apartment is an option for students aged 18 and over. The rental market can be competitive in Darwin and rental properties can be expensive depending on the type and location. the realeastate.com.au website is a good place to start.
Proximity to where you are studying and access to public transport are considerations to bear in mind when searching for accommodation. It is also important to know your rights and responsibilities when arranging a lease. More information - Renting a room in shared accommodation
Another popular option with students is renting a room in a shared house or apartment. Rooms are advertised in the weekend newspaper and on student noticeboards and vary in price. Students should expect to pay from $100 per week upwards for a room in shared accommodation with shared facilities. An Accommodation Register is available in the Charles Darwin University Info Shop, which lists off-campus housing options, including share accommodation in units and houses.
Culture and lifestyle
The Northern Territory is well known for its welcoming, relaxed lifestyle and successful multicultural society. Darwin, its capital, was virtually rebuilt after Cyclone Tracy hit in 1974, which gives the city a young, modern and vibrant feel. It’s a tropical city that’s bordered by the sea on three sides, and the moderating sea breezes and climate mean an outdoor lifestyle can be enjoyed all year round.
Darwin’s cultural heritage comes from a well-rounded blend of Indigenous Aboriginal customs, European pioneers, World War II history and influences from its close Asian neighbours. Considered Australia’s most culturally diverse city, more than 50 nationalities make up Darwin’s 100,000-plus population. This fantastic mix of cultures is evidenced in the renowned cuisine on offer in the city’s many restaurants and famous open-air markets.
Download the Multicultural Information Directory, which outlines the multicultural groups in the Northern Territory.
Religion
Religious freedom and mutual respect for different religions is an integral part of the Northern Territory’s shared culture. Around half of Territorians describe themselves as Christian, and there are a number of non-Christian religions peacefully practiced, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Indigenous traditional religions. Fact sheets on the religions observed in the Northern Territory
Climate
The Northern Territory is so large it covers two distinct climate zones. The northern end of the Territory around Darwin has a tropical climate with an average temperature of 32 degrees Celsius all year. There are two seasons here; the wet season (October to March) with monsoonal rain and spectacular lightning storms and the superb dry season (April to September), with warm sunny days and cool nights.
Around Alice Springs in Central Australia the climate is semi-arid with Australia’s typical four seasons of summer, autumn (fall), winter and spring. Here you can expect hot summer days, but very little humidity, from December to February and surprisingly cold nights from June to August. Spring and autumn are warm throughout the day and cool at night.
| Darwin's average monthly temperature January - February Min - 24C (75F) Max - 31C (88F) March - April Min - 24C (75F) Max - 32C (90F) May - September Min - 21C (69F) Max - 31C (88F) October - December Min - 25C (77F) Max - 32C (91F) | Alice Springs' average monthly temperature March - May Min - 12C (55F) Max - 27C (82F) June - August Min - 3C (37F) Max - 20C (68F) September - November Min - 14C (57F) Max - 30C (86F) December - February Min - 20C (69F) Max - 35C (95F) |
For current weather forecasts visit Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology website.
Business hours
Business hours are generally 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Post Office
Post Office hours vary but most open at least from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 12 noon on Saturday. Shopping hours are generally 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and 9am to 3pm Sunday. Supermarkets and some major shopping centres have longer hours.
Time Zone
The Northern Territory is in the Central Time Zone, 9.5 hours ahead of GMT. The Territory does not have Daylight Saving time in the summer months (October to March) and is 30 minutes behind Sydney, Melbourne and Tasmania in non-Daylight Saving months, and drops to one-and-a-half hours behind during Daylight Saving months. The Northern Territory is 1.5 hours ahead of Singapore, 2.5 hours ahead of Hanoi and half an hour ahead of Japan.
Living costs
Typical living costs in Darwin (per week)
| AUD | |
| Accommodation (shared or single) | $90 - $250 |
| Telephone/postage | $10 - $30 |
| Food (eating at home) | $80 - $100 |
| Transport | $15 - $20 |
| Electricity/gas | $15 - $20 |
Regularly purchased items in Darwin
| AUD | |
| Bowl of noodles | $4.50 - $5.50 |
| Slice of pizza | $3.00 - $5.50 |
| Bread loaf | $3.07 |
| Milk (2 litres) | $3.20 |
| Bottle of water (600ml) | $2.00 |
| Takeaway coffee | $3.80 |
| McDonalds Big Mac | $3.60 |
| Newspaper | $1.10 |
| Cinema ticket | $13.00 |
| Phone call (local) | $0.50 |
| Bus/ (single) | $1.20 - $2.10 |
Currency
Australian currency (AUD) is in dollars and cents;100 cents equals one dollar. Notes come in $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5 denominations. Coins are available as $2, $1, 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c denominations. As there are no 1 or 2 c, the law provides that the total bill is rounded up or down to the nearest 5 cents. So $19.97 becomes $19.95, $19.98 becomes $20. Overseas currency and travellers’ cheques may be exchanged at most banks and foreign currency exchanges. Some large hotels will also exchange major currencies.
Banking
Banks open from 9.30am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 9.30am to 5pm Friday. Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are accessible 24 hours a day. Check with your bank or financial institution to find out which Australian ATMs will accept your cards. Most stores and supermarkets also have Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale (EFTPOS) terminals where you can pay directly from your bank account as well as make cash withdrawals. The most commonly accepted credit cards in Australia are MasterCard, Visa, Bankcard, American Express, Diners International and their affiliates. Most businesses accept credit cards.
Banking facilities in the Northern Territory are widespread and comprehensive. You will need to open a bank account when you arrive, and several forms of identification are necessary for this, such as your passport, Student ID card and drivers license. Australia’s four largest banks – ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, National Australia Bank and Westpac – all have branches throughout the Territory, along with many other smaller banks and credit unions.
Electricity
In Australia, electrical appliances operate on 240 volts from mains supply power. International students may need to purchase a plug converter to suit Australian three-point sockets to use the appliances they bring with them.
Public holidays
The whole Northern Territory observes 11 public holidays, with one regional holiday observed in each of the Territory’s five main regions. Public holidays typically fall on a Monday or a Friday.
Communication (Postal, phones and internet)
Despite its sheer size and remoteness, communication accessibility is generally excellent in the Northern Territory, particularly in the cities.
Internet access is available almost everywhere, with fast Broadband in major centres. Darwin and Alice Springs have many internet cafes with competitive rates, and students can access the internet from almost anywhere in the Territory. Getting the internet connected where you live is relatively simple with many internet service providers in Australia.
While most towns and all cities throughout the Northern Territory are served by a mobile network, many regional areas of the Northern Territory are without mobile (cell) telephone coverage. A convenient and cost-effective option for international students is to purchase a prepaid handset. There are several telephone service providers offering landline and mobile services including Telstra, Optus and Vodafone.
The Northern Territory’s postal service is managed by Australia Post, which has post offices and mail depots throughout the Territory. A daily mail delivery service operates on business days (Monday to Friday).
