The University of Sydney is, by reputation, in the top 3 Australian universities. While the order of ranking varies depending on your methodology, they are:

In no particular order within the brackets:
1 - University of Melbourne
1 - University of Sydney
1 - Australian National University

4 - Monash University
4 - Adelaide University
4 - University of New South Wales
4 - University of Queensland
4 - University of Western Australia

9 - Macquarie University
10+ - others


These are broad, overall rankings. Some others universities are very highly rated in some areas (eg, Marine Biology at James Cook University) and some of the above universities have some poor areas (eg, in my opinion, Faculty of Arts at Monash University).

A site that provides reporting of rankings of Australian universities is online at http://www.archsoc.com/kcas/bestunis.html


I don't know specifically much about the course of Film Production at University of Sydney (seriously, did you expect me to know much about individual courses at each university in Australia?)

I'd be surprised if University of Sydney didn't have amongst the most expensive courses in a particular field.

However, the detail that you seek is more than I can provide.

Not hard, I imagine.

Public transport, especially to inner-suburban Sydney, like where the University of Sydney is located, is extensive.
The biggest difficulty that you'll have is obtaining a visa that allows work. Australia, like other Western nations, has a variety of immigration policies that restrict the working rights of some categories of migrants and visitors.

The Australian unemployment rate is currently at its lowest level in over thirty years.

Following on from a few questions about Australian Universities, an extensive publication on this is available online at http://melbourneinstitute.com/public.../MelbIndex.pdf

Seriously?

In the States, when someone asks about the reputation of a school in a particular field, no one would be talking about individual courses. Columbia for journalism, at the undergrad and post-grad levels; NYU for film, again, in both, etc...

Thanks. I had looked at three different programs and the Univ of Sydney's program was the least expensive, hence the question. That could, though, also be a function of a one-year program as opposed to two or more.

I'm assuming that's a three semester year. Bummer about the visa thing, though.

From another thread:

If you're genuine, and if you have English as your first language, if you are tertiary educated, the information provided on the Department of Immigration & Citizenship's website should be sufficient. Many migration lawyers cater to people from non-English speaking backgrounds and those people who are not self-confident in navigating a bureacracy.

Make sure you read stuff literally. One situation* I've seen people get caught on is, for example, if a visa condition says:

*Multiple Entry Visa; and
*Must Not Enter Australia After 1 April 2007; and
*Visa Valid for 6 months from issue; and
*Visa Issued 1 January 2007

All listed conditions must remain true at all times. That means that you may use that visa to enter Australia on 30 March 2007. You may not enter Australia on 30 April - even if you were previously in Australia. If you are in Australia on 1 April 2007, you may remain in Australia until the expiry of the visa (30 June 2007).


Obvious ways to have someone fail a visa applications:
a) lie
b) have a criminal record
c) have previously overstayed a visa
d) etc.


I know of a number of cases of people trying to improperly import wives from eastern-Asian countries including China - I know of one case where a man sought, over a period of many years, six "wives" from China. I would not be surprised if Departmental staff were more dilligent in checking an emigrant from such country as compared to, for example, UK/USA (I have no evidence to support this - just a gut feel).

Thus, if in doubt, provide more evidence rather than less. When they ask for her work history to prove that she's not illegitimate, provide as much as physically possible. When they ask for proof of your close relationship, print out all the emails, instant messenger logs, your phone bills that you have. The $5 cost of a ream of paper is insignificant compared to the cost of being knocked back if you are genuine.

I've never, ever, seen anyone genuine getting knocked back because they have provided too much information - but I have seen many cases of people knocked back because they provided too little information.

If you run into trouble, or if you want more individual assistance, just send me an email (see profile for email address)

*I chose this example because it is particularly common with multiple entry visas such as some prospective spouse visas

Josem, thanks a lot for doing this, I've found things in this thread that would have otherwise taken me months to search for.

I just graduated from university and am about to plan a ~3month stay in Melbourne with the gf. She has a law degree (but cant practice yet) and I have finance deg.(but I plan to play poker there so wtv). We'll both be 23 by then.

We plan on getting an appartment for that time being, but I was interested on how easy it is to find one in a nice area of Melbourne and for only 3 months? Is this do-able or do I have to start looking now, assuming I want it for September.

I guess it's easier to breakdown my questions in point form:

1)how long would it take to get an internet connection installed?
2)In the conversation on AIM you posted, the guy showed a nice building apptments with internet included and many other things. Is this worth it? Or should I rent a unit to get a real australian experience instead of a living like a tourist:P??
3)What areas of Melbourne (clean and secure) would you recommend?
4)Is there any place I could buy used monitors and sell them back? -->multi tabling PP
5)How easy will it be for her to get a entry lawyer type job...if not, any other decent job (clothing sales, waitress, etc)
6)Will u be in Melbourne from Sept-Dec?

Thx a lot, also added u on msn:P

Alex

I have a couple of questions

Josem (or anyone that can answer), my father was born and raised in australia and I've entertained the thought of living there for a year or so after I finally graduate from college(I'm 27 right now). With my father being an aussie national, how hard of a time would I have getting a visa that allows me to work and live in Australia if I wanted to live there. The main places I would want to live are either sydney or melbourne but am also curious as to what living would be like in adelaide or other major cities in either new south wales or south australia. Queensland is a bit too far out of the way for me.

another question, how easy is it to fly to new zealand and obtain a work permit there (mainly thinking about either wellington or auckland, I'd want to keep myself to the north island). I know that new zealand isn't exactly right next door to australia, but it's also something that I've considered

I don't know what you plan on doing, as tourist visas do not allow visitors to work.

I would imagine it is do-able within a fortnight. Melbourne is a city of over 4 million people, so it's not a small town.

If the worst came to the worst, you may pay a premium for a short lease, but I would think that would be unlikely.

It would normally take a couple of days in Melbourne. As soon as you have a location selected, get onto organising this.

I've got no personal experience of those facilities. However, there are many inner-city furnished high rise apartments.

If you're after a high-rise apartment in a central location, Docklands or Southbank would be ideal. South Yarra through to Prahran is also very good, although they won't be high-rise places. Inner South-east Melbourne is the more affluent areas of town.

Ebay?
Unemployment in Australia is at a 30-year low. Be aware that tourist visas do not allow work rights (just as US tourist visas do not allow you to work in the US).

I work for a Federal Member of Parliament, and our national election will be in mid to late November. I would envisage being very busy in the lead up to that. Afterwards, however, I imagine I'll have a lot more time.

no problemo.

In my previous post, I assumed that you were a US citizen.

People from Belgium, Canada, Republic of Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan and United Kingdom can obtain more information about Working Holiday Visas here: http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/work.../417/index.htm


It sounds feasible; more info at http://www.immi.gov.au/migrants/family/index.htm

A flight between Australia and New Zealand is practically domestic these days when it comes to customs and visas etc. I assume that the barriers between Australia and New Zealand are even less than the barriers between the US and Canada.

NZ citizens (assuming they do not have criminal records and have not been deported and do not have untreated tuberculosis etc.) have wide ranging access to Australia - see http://www.newzealand.embassy.gov.au/wltn/VisaFAQ.html for more info.

"Citizens and permanent residents of Australia (who do not have certain criminal convictions) may visit, live and work in New Zealand indefinitely" (source: http://www.nzembassy.com/topic.cfm?CFID=3009349&CFTOKEN=67995009&c= 18&l=60&s=go)

Thanks to diebitter for moving it here.

Going to take a read through.

I am considering moving to Australia from January - May of 2008. After I get a chance to read, I'm sure I'll have a ton more questions for you.

So as far as I understand, my best chance here is submitting a tourist visa application online and asking for a stay of 6 months right? Here's the link:

http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/tourist/676/index.htm

If I don't intend on visiting Australia until January of 2008, should I still do it now? Will the visa be valid until I decide to enter next time?

Is there some other way to stay for more than 3 but less than 6 months as a US citizen?

That sounds fine. US citizens (as, from memory, I think you are) are able to obtain tourist visas of up to 12 months.

Obviously, like tourist visas to the US itself, there are work restrictions.

When you apply for a visa (for any country, not just Australia) you need to include on your application your prospective dates.

Thus, just apply for it to be valid from, say, December 2007 until December 2008. I don't think (from memory - check for confirmation) there is any difference in cost for the length of your visa, so I'd assume you'd be better to get a longer one in case you change your plans.

There are a whole series of events from Boxing Day onwards in Australia, so if you don't have Christmas committments elsewhere, you may gain value from coming around then. Some are listed earlier in the thread, but some well known high profile events include:
-Christmas on a beach
-Boxing Day Cricket Test (MCG, Melbourne) (Dec 26)
-New Year's Eve at Sydney Harbour (Dec 31)
-Aussie Millions Poker (middle half of January
-Australian Open Tennis (2nd half of January)

Yes - the Electronic Travel Authority, which is available very easily at www.eta.immi.gov.au

The conditions are:
However, you do need to leave and return. In contrast to the vast majority of other countries in the world, Australia has no land borders, and thus, leaving and returning is likely to be slightly more difficult than elsewhere.

A flight to NZ or Indonesia would probably be the most effective option.

I had actually wanted to visit New Zealand as I assume there is some worthwhile stuff there. If I plan a flight over there for the very end of March and spend a week or two and then fly back I would be eligible to stay for another 3 months?

If so that sounds like the best option as the ETA seems cheaper and simpler. I just wasn't sure if leaving and returning soon after leaving would work to receive another 3 months.

Bought Lonely Planet's Australia today and go to take a look at it on my flight back to Buenos Aires on Wednesday.

I am not a registered migration agent, and I think there are some restrictions on offering migration advice, so for an expert answer you can legally rely upon, you should contact the embassy where ever you are.

That said, the ETA is "Valid for multiple visits within 12 months from date of issue" and "Maximum length of each visit is three months." Thus, it would seem that what you describe fits into the purpose.

I'm trying to be very careful with the disclaimers, 'cause I don't want to accidentally stuff someone's journey up. While I certainly am trying to respond accurately, I don't want to be blamed for an error - I'm not an expert.

This seems reasonable to me.

I has an ETA. Moving to Australia on January 4th, 2008... woohooo... now just need to decide where

what do you want in a place to live?

I'm not sure. I might split it up between 2-3 places, but ideally at least some time in a big metropolis and some time in a good place for learning to surf. I'd like to spend 2 of the months taking surf lessons at least a few times a week.

I'm 20 years old and will need a car on the Gold Coast for approximately 7 days. Are there any good places to look for very cheap used cars that I could sell back at the end of my stay?

You didn't do a very good job. When is Slider moving to Australia?

I can't imagine that buying/selling the car will be cheaper than renting a vehicle for a week. The time to buy a car and sell it, and fill out all the relevant paperwork would make this far more costly than you expect, I reckon.

A number of places rent scooters on the Gold Coast, which are likely to be cheaper than a car. Depending on your specific needs, of course, this may be suitable for you.

Unfortunately a car is necessary for at least part of the time. When I'm down in Sydney I won't need a car, though.

Since my last post I managed to find this company that will rent to people under 21: http://www.goldcoastcarrental.com.au/prices.php

Would it be extremely bogan to rent (hire) the '88 Holden?

uh, ask him. I don't remember the conversation particularly well now (many months later) but I'm fairly sure that guy wasn't slider.

Let me give you the hot tip that it would be no more "boganish" to rent a 1988 holden than it would be to buy and sell one cheap enough to turnover within a week.

Mind you, the 1988 Holden Apollo is actually just a rebadged Toyota Camry, so you can't go wrong with that.

Just realized how old that was

Guy named Max lived in CA with roommates and lease ends in August. Has a mom from the Phillippines. If that isn't Slider that is one hell of a coincidence.

Well, sure, if you're stalking him, I have no doubt you could figure it out.


It's not as if there's anything secret in it, and the reference to anonyminity was to avoid him getting spammed by random people on aim. I, on the other hand, don't mind, so feel free to chat to me any time (aim: aujoz; msn:michael@michaeljosem.com)