Life on the North Coast of NSW
The beautiful Mid North Coast of NSW is a great place to base yourself if you wish to combine a world-class education with a unique insight into Australian culture and our fascinating flora and fauna.
This region offers the ideal environment for relaxation - from bustling resort complexes such as the Gold Coast and Byron Bay to sleepy seaside villages. It is surrounded by literally hundreds of pristine Pacific beaches and national parks as well as the mountains of the Great Dividing Range, making it a paradise for nature lovers.
Our fabulous temperate to sub-tropical climate also provides the perfect native habitat for some of our best-known animals, the koala and kangaroo.
Dolphins and whales are also a regular sight along our coastline.
At TAFE NSW North Coast Institute, we are fortunate to have 17 campuses located across this scenic and exciting part of NSW, from Forster in the south to Kingscliff in the north, which is located right next door to the bustling tourist haven, the Gold Coast.
Each of our campuses is located within close proximity of towns such as Port Macquarie, Byron Bay, Coffs Harbour and Kingscliff (a 20 minute drive from the Gold Coast), making them the ideal base from which to study as well as explore many of the attractions Australia has to offer.
More information about each of these campuses can be found on the campus pages.
Transport
Each town offers public transport which you can use to get around town and to TAFE.
If you are staying in a Homestay arrangement, your host family may be able to drive you there by car. Alternatively, you can purchase a bicycle and ride to campus.
Accommodation
You can stay with a local family in order to truly experience life in Australia.
This is called Homestay. The families provide meals and transport to the campus.
Alternatively you can share rented accommodation with other students, rent your own apartment or house or you may be able to live on-campus.
If you need help finding accommodation or would like more information about Homestays or on-campus accommodation, please contact us.
Cost of Living
The north coast is one of the most affordable areas to live in Australia. Accommodation costs are lower than most major cities and the cost of transport, food and entertainment is very reasonable.
You should allow at least AU$10,000 for living expenses each year, although you may need more money than this in the first year to cover the costs of moving to a new country.
Medical
As an international student you are required to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of your visa in Australia.
This will help you pay for any medical and hospital care you may need while studying in Australia, including prescription medicines and emergency ambulance transport.
Your health cover must be paid in advance to TAFE and your student visa cannot be issued until this payment has been made.
Please note that citizens of Norway and Sweden are exempt from requiring this cover.
If you have a pre-existing condition, you may like to consider taking out extra health insurance as you will not be covered by OSHC.
For more general information on Life on the North Coast of NSW Australia, please follow these links:
Byron Bay http://www.byronbaytouristinformation.com.au
Port Macquarie and Wauchope http://www.portmacquarieinfo.com.au
Taree http://www.gtcc.nsw.gov.au/page/page.asp?page_Id=69
Kempsey http://www.macleayvalleycoast.com.au
Nambucca and Macksville http://www.nambuccatourism.com
Coffs Harbour, Woolgoolga and Bellingen http://www.coffscoast.com.au
Grafton and Maclean http://www.clarencetourism.com
Lismore http://www.visitlismore.com.au
Ballina http://www.ballina.info
Casino http://www.tropicalnsw.com.au/
Great Lakes http://www.greatlakes.org.au
Kingscliff http://www.goldcoasttourism.com.au
Lonely Planet http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/pacific/australia/ also offers excellent guidebooks for Australia in general and NSW in particular.
If you have specific questions, please contact us.
