Welcome to Australia!
If you’re an overseas student in Australia and you’re a gay or bisexual man, it can be an exciting time. It may be your first time living in another country, or the first time away from your family.
The guide below is an introduction to a few important things for gay and bisexual international students in Australia. We hope it will answer some of your questions and — most importantly — help you stay safe and enjoy your time studying here.
In this article:
International student housing
Your first priority might be finding somewhere to live. Our housing guide has everything you need to know about finding housing in Australia as a queer international student. This website lists all of the student accommodation properties in Australia.
Orientation
Orientation Week (also called O-week) is a great way to get involved in your university. There are usually many events where you can meet people with shared interests. Most universities have clubs and groups you can join, including sports, hobbies and politics. There are often LGBTQ+ or culturally specific groups as well.
Jobs for international students
You might want to get a job while you’re studying in Australia. There are certain conditions for working as an international student (such as work hour limits), so check your visa conditions here. Employers often post jobs on sites like LinkedIn or SEEK. Your university website may also have resources to help you find a job.
How to make friends as an international student
There are a lot of ways to meet people as an international student:
- Search online in your local area for clubs and social groups. These cover a wide range of interests, including sports, religion, English conversation, or just socialising! There are also many groups for meeting people with a similar cultural background, such as ANTRA (for Chinese LGBTQ migrants) or Fruits from Brazil (for LGBTQ Brazilians).
- Major cities will also have LGBTQ-friendly places where you can make friends and meet other guys, including bars, nightclubs, cafes, and bookshops. Check out our travel articles for recommendations.
- Online dating apps like Tinder, Hinge, Grindr, Hornet, Sniffies and Scruff are a way to meet other guys for friendships, romance or more. To learn more about the language used on dating apps, check out our article: The sexual health terms every gay and bi man should know.
Your health
If you’re new to Australia, it might be tricky to understand the health system. For example, Medicare is Australia’s basic health insurance. It gives Australians and some overseas visitors access to medical services at low or no cost. Emen8 has articles to help you understand how Medicare and private health insurance work. As an international student, you will likely need Overseas Student Health Cover, which helps cover the cost of certain medical treatment and hospital care.
Many universities also have cheap or free medical services on campus. Check your institution’s website for ‘medical services’ and call to check for fees.
Gay and bi+ guys here take care of their sexual health. It’s common in Australia to get tested regularly for HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Testing helps you protect yourself and your community. Hear how easy it is to get tested in Australia in this interview with Miguel.
You can get tested at your university medical service, sexual health services, or a doctor (General Practitioner). Your results are confidential (private between you and the doctor). Find a service to get tested using our interactive map.
There are things you can do to protect yourself and the people you have sex with from HIV and other STIs. These include:
Finding help and support
If you are worried or have questions, support services are available to help. These services are confidential, which means anything you discuss will be kept private.
Welcome by Emen8 is a free WhatsApp service for multicultural gay and bi+ guys who are new to Australia. Start a 1-on-1 chat with guys who share your background. They can help you find the right services and settle into the community in Australia. Welcome by Emen8 is available in English, Filipino (Tagalog), Mandarin, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai and Vietnamese.
We hope you enjoy your time in Australia!
Got any questions about navigating life as an international student? Welcome by Emen8 is a free, confidential WhatsApp service for multicultural gay and bi+ guys who are new to Australia. Start a chat with guys who share your background. They can help you find the right services and settle into the community in Australia. Welcome by Emen8 is available in English, Filipino (Tagalog), Mandarin, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai and Vietnamese.
About the Author
Oli McAuslan (they/them) is a queer, non-binary writer and designer based in Naarm (Melbourne). Oli holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Gender Studies from the University of Sydney. Since 2024, they have been the lead writer and editor of the Emen8 blog. Their work spans the intricacies of identity, health, pleasure, and culture for queer, trans, and gender-diverse folk. In their spare time, you can find them reading queer fiction or perusing vintage fashion markets.
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