10 Common Mistakes International Students Must Avoid in Australia (2026 Guide)

Starting your journey as an international student in Australia is an exciting and life-changing experience. You’re stepping into a world of new opportunities, global education standards, part-time work exposure, diverse cultural experiences, and long-term career pathways. But with all the excitement also comes uncertainty – especially during the first few months.

Many students unintentionally make mistakes that impact their studies, finances, well-being, and even their Australian student visa (Subclass 500) compliance. The good news? With the right awareness and guidance, every one of these mistakes can be avoided.

This comprehensive 2026 guide highlights the 10 most common mistakes international students make in Australia – and how you can avoid them.

At Aussizz Group, our education counsellors and migration advisors support thousands of students every year, helping them navigate admissions, visas, OSHC, work rights, post-study work visas and PR pathways with confidence.

Not Understanding Student Visa (Subclass 500) Conditions

A major issue new students face is misunderstanding their visa obligations. Even small mistakes can create long-term complications.

Common misunderstandings include:

• Working more than 48 hours per fortnight during study periods
• Missing classes or failing to maintain satisfactory course progress
• Not updating your residential address or contact details within 7 days
• Providing incorrect or incomplete GS (Genuine Student) details
• Working during periods where work rights are restricted

Why this matters:

Failing to comply with visa conditions can lead to visa warnings, cancellations or future refusals – affecting your ability to access a post-study work visa (485 visa) or PR pathway later.

Aussizz Support:

Our migration experts explain all visa conditions clearly and help students stay compliant throughout their studies.

Selecting the Wrong Course or Education Provider

Many students choose courses based on what friends select, cheaper fees, or quick admissions without checking whether it aligns with:

• Their academic background
• Their interest
• Employment opportunities
• PR pathways
• Future career plans

This often leads to dissatisfaction, poor academic performance, or the need to change courses later – which can trigger visa complications.

How to choose correctly:

• Understand course content and structure
• Check job roles and industry demand
• Review PR occupation lists (MLTSSL/STSOL updates)
• Evaluate the reputation and support services of the provider

Aussizz Support:

Our counsellors match students with the right course and institution based on goals, budget, academic profile and long-term plans.

Poor Financial Planning and Budget Mismanagement

Australia is a high-cost country, and many international students underestimate the actual living expenses.

Common financial mistakes include:

• Relying fully on part-time jobs
• Overspending in the first 1–2 months
• Not maintaining emergency funds
• Ignoring university material costs, travel, OSHC and phone bills
• Not understanding Australian pay rates and workplace rights

Smart financial habits:

• Create a weekly or monthly budget
• Share accommodation to reduce rent
• Use student discount apps (Unidays, Student Edge, Klook)
• Track expenses using simple apps like Notion or Pocketbook

Aussizz Support:

We help students understand OSHC, budgeting, and cost planning better to avoid financial stress.

Overworking and Neglecting Studies

To manage living costs, some students begin working excessive hours – especially in hospitality, cleaning or retail jobs.

While earning money is important, overworking impacts:

• Study performance
• Assignment deadlines
• Attendance
• Health and sleep
• Overall well-being

Remember: Academic progress is a visa requirement.

How to balance:

• Prioritise classes and assignments
• Choose flexible work shifts
• Avoid exceeding work limits to stay visa compliant
• Maintain healthy sleep and study routines

Not Using University or College Support Services

Australia offers some of the best student support services globally – but many students fail to access them, resulting in unnecessary stress.

Services you should use:

• Academic writing support & tutoring
• Mental health counselling
• English-language support
• Career and resume workshops
• Peer-learning programs
• Library and research training

Tip: Attend orientation week to learn about these services from day one.

Not Building a Professional Network Early

Social isolation or sticking only to your home-country circle limits your opportunities.
Building a local and professional network helps you:

• Improve communication skills
• Find part-time and internship opportunities
• Understand workplace culture
• Strengthen your professional profile
• Boost confidence

Ways to build your network:

• Join clubs & societies
• Attend campus workshops
• Volunteer in the community
• Connect on LinkedIn
• Participate in job fairs

Choosing Unsafe or Unverified Accommodation

Accommodation scams are common for new students. Cheap rents often come with hidden risks such as:

• Unregistered landlords
• Overcrowded or unsafe houses
• Illegal subletting
• Bond not being returned
• Poor living conditions

How to stay safe:

• Use trusted accommodation platforms
• Read rental agreements carefully
• Avoid paying bonds without receipts
• Prefer professionally managed student housing

Aussizz counsellors guide students on safe accommodation choices and refer to trusted options.

Ignoring Mental Health and Well-being

Moving abroad can be emotionally challenging. Many students hesitate to seek help due to fear or cultural stigma.

Signs you should not ignore:

• Loss of motivation
• Overthinking or stress
• Homesickness
• Difficulty managing workload
• Anxiety or sleep issues

What helps:

• University counselling services (usually free)
• Regular physical exercise
• Making new friends and staying socially active
• Talking to family regularly
• Maintaining a healthy study–life balance

Your mental health is as important as your academic success.

Delaying Career Planning and PR Pathway Research

Some students wait until graduation to think about jobs or pathways – but by then, valuable opportunities may already be missed.

Start early by exploring:

• Internship options
• LinkedIn profile building
• Industry certifications
• Career and employability workshops
• 485 visa eligibility
• Skills assessments and PR pathways

Aussizz Support:

Our migration advisors help students understand their PR options, occupation lists, skills assessment pathways, and post-study opportunities.

Not Organising Important Documents Properly

Losing or misplacing documents can cause major issues during visa renewal, job applications, or 485 visa lodgement.

You must safely store digital and physical copies of:

• Passport & visa grant
• Confirmation of Enrolment (COE)
• OSHC policy
• Academic transcripts
• Employment records (payslips, contracts)
• Rental agreements

Use cloud storage like Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive for backup.

FAQs

Q1. How many hours can I work as an international student in Australia?

You can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods. During official university breaks, you can work unlimited hours.

Q2. Can I change my course or college after arriving?

Yes, but you must understand DHA requirements. You may need a new COE and should follow your GS justification clearly.

Q3. What is the Genuine Student (GS) requirement?

GS assesses your study intentions, history, financial capacity, and future plans to ensure you are a genuine and committed student.

Q4. How do I manage expenses in Australia?

Create a budget, share accommodation, use student discounts, and track spending weekly.

Q5. Do universities offer mental health support?

Yes. Most Australian universities provide free counselling, wellness programs and academic support services.

Q6. When should I start preparing for the 485 Post-Study Work Visa?

Ideally from your first year – ensuring your course meets DHA requirements and your documents remain organised.

Conclusion: Your Australian Journey Can Be Smooth With the Right Guidance

Studying in Australia offers incredible opportunities – world-class education, diverse work experience, strong post-study visa options, and potential PR pathways. Avoiding these common mistakes will help you stay compliant, confident and focused on your long-term goals.

At Aussizz Group, we stand with international students at every step of their journey – from admissions and scholarships to student visas, OSHC, post-study visas and PR pathways.

Book a free consultation today and speak with our experienced education counsellors and migration advisors to plan your future in Australia with confidence.