Migrating at 13: A Teen’s Journey Through Money, Study & Life in Australia

The citizenship decision at 17 that saved my family $40,000 — and taught me that timing isn’t just everything in life, it’s everything in money.

Who: Student, 13-18 | From: Qatar → Adelaide → Sydney | When: 2018-2023 | Status: Permanent Resident → Citizen

One year. That’s how close I came to my parents having to pay international student fees instead of domestic rates. At 13, I thought moving to Australia was about new schools and friends. By 17, I understood it was about financial systems, tax file numbers, and how a piece of paper called citizenship could mean the difference between my family thriving or struggling.

My Teen Migration Story: From Qatar Dreams to Australian Reality

Q: What were your first impressions when you arrived in Australia?

A: When I moved to Australia at 13 with my family, I pictured a life full of freedom, sunshine, and endless opportunities, the kind of life I had only seen in movies. The wide streets, the beautiful open nature, and the laid-back, calm pace of life were a stark contrast to my bustling, high-rise-filled childhood in Qatar.

Q: How did your financial reality change after migrating?

A: Back in Doha, I had never thought much about money. Most things were taken care of by my parents—schooling was private but subsidised by my father’s job, and the cost of living was simply part of a comfortable routine.
But Australia was different. Even before we’d unpacked all the boxes in our Adelaide rental, my parents were learning about Medicare, school levies, public transport cards, and how everything from internet to utilities was billed separately.

It wasn’t just about currency conversion; it was a complete shift in how life was paid for.

Q: What did you notice about your family’s approach to money after the move?

A: For the first time, I saw my parents budgeting, something they’d rarely needed to do back home. We realised that managing money in Australia meant planning ahead, even for basics. It was a mindset change for the whole family.

Q: What financial lessons did you learn as a high school student in Adelaide?

A: At school, I quickly picked up more than just English idioms and Aussie slang. I learned how to:

• Top up my MetroCard for public transport
• Compare prices when shopping for groceries and essentials
• Understand the value of earning through part-time jobs like many of my classmates

Everything came with acronyms: ATO, TFN, HECS, CSP and it felt like learning a new language. I opened my first bank account, learned how to use online banking, and started managing my own spending and saving.

Q: How did university life impact your financial journey?

A: After finishing high school in Adelaide, I was accepted into a Biomedical Engineering degree in Sydney. The move was exciting and expensive. Rent, transport, and groceries were all more costly in the city.

Q: How did being a permanent resident and later a citizen help with university fees?

A: One thing that didn’t cost more was tuition, thanks to my citizenship.
Because I had become an Australian citizen just after turning 17, I was eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) , which meant my university fees were significantly reduced. Plus, with a HECS-HELP loan, I didn’t need to pay anything upfront.

My repayments would only start once I earned above a certain threshold after graduating. That gave me a sense of freedom and confidence.

Q: What if you hadn’t become a citizen in time?

A: If I had still been classified as an international student, I would’ve had to pay over $40,000 upfrontwhich may have meant no university at all.
The CSP and HECS-HELP schemes allowed me to study without placing that financial burden on my family. They could continue paying off their home loan, covering our everyday costs, and supporting my younger siblings.

OzMoneyTalks Take: Lessons for Migrant Teens and New Permanent Residents in Australia