Australia Transport

Modes of commuting in Australia

Australia’s public transport is a very efficient and affordable transport system. Some of the states offer concessions on tickets for international students. You should ask your education institute whether the state you will be studying in offers such discounts or not.

The mode of public transport varies from state to state. Where buses and trains are available in almost every state, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth residents can also enjoy ferry rides while travelling from one place to another. Melbourne has a very good tram network which lot of international students prefer.

Information on time-tables and the areas covered can be obtained from lot of public places such as newsagencies, post offices etc. In most of the states, this information is also available online. The websites are different for each state and your education institute would be able to direct you to the website applicable for the state you will be studying in.

Although public transport is a very safe and inexpensive option to travel, students must take caution while travelling. Expensive items such as laptops, iPods should be kept out of sight. If you need to travel at night, you should prefer taking a taxi. If you decide to take public transport, you should be mindful of other passengers travelling with you. If you feel uncomfortable, you should alert the driver.

Many international students also prefer to buy a second-hand car or a bicycle because of the convenience of travelling wherever and whenever. Where the second hand cars cost less than AUD10,000, a second-hand cycle will only cost around AUD200.

If you do decide to buy a second-hand car, make sure you get it checked by authorised bodies who will provide you with a certificate confirming the condition of the car and whether or not it is safe to drive.

Third party insurance on your car is compulsory in Australia. This insurance will cover the cost of the damage done on other cars or properties in case you have an accident. If you wish, you can also take out a comprehensive insurance policy which will also make a payment for your own car if it is damaged during the accident.

All the costs associated with buying and maintaining the car (including insurance, registration etc) are the responsibilities of the person who buys the car. Therefore, even though car may seem a very affordable proposition (as some of the second-hand cars are sold for under AUD2,000), it is important for the student to do the long-term calculations properly before taking such a step.


You do not have to get an Australian licence if you are in Australia for less than 3 months. However, your current licence must carry a translation if it is not in English. If you will be in Australia for more than 3 months, you will need to contact the relevant state authority to obtain information on how to get an Australian licence.

Wearing a seat belt is mandatory for the driver and all the passengers of the car. If your car is pulled over and one of your passengers is not wearing a seat belt, you will be held responsible and fined.

Australian police also takes driving under the influence of alcohol very seriously. There are numerous restrictions on how much alcohol you can consume before driving and it also depends on the type of licence you carry. For example, a driver on learner’s licence cannot consume any alcohol before driving.

Motor vehicles in Australia are driven on the left side of the road.


Travelling interstate

Most common mode of transportation for interstate travel is the air travel. With the advent of low cost airlines, some of the air fares are cheaper than a bus ticket for interstate travel. The cost, along with the fact that major cities in Australia are very far from each other, lot of the commuters prefer air travel for travelling interstate.