2. The first few weeks in Sydney

You are now on your way to Australia! On arrival and in the first few weeks, you need to think about finding permanent accommodation and then about visiting the University to learn about and enrol in your course.

Here you'll find information about:
Arrival at the airport
Transport from the airport
Come and see us
University campuses – transport and contact details
How to enrol
Computers and email on campus

Arrival at the airport

As your plane is touching down, the excitement grows, but there are some formalities to deal with before you can relax and enjoy yourself. On the plane you will be given an Incoming Passenger Card and a Travellers’ Statement to complete, and you will need to have these and your passport ready as you go through Immigration and Customs.

Once you get off the plane, you will have the chance to make last-minute duty free purchases before making your way to Immigration. It would be useful for you to pick up a copy of the ‘Sydney International Airport Arrivals Guide’, which contains helpful information for any newcomer to Sydney. Copies are usually available on stands in the corridors as you move towards Immigration.

Immigration
At the Immigration checkpoint, you will have your passport and Incoming Passenger Card checked and stamped. You then move on to collect your luggage.

Luggage collection
The number of the carousel where luggage from your flight will be unloaded is usually announced as you get off the plane. The flight numbers of planes are also put up on signs above the carousels. Once you have collected your luggage, head towards Customs.

If your luggage does not arrive on the flight, you should report this to an airline representative and provide your contact details so that your luggage can be tracked down and forwarded to you as soon as possible.

Customs and Quarantine
The Australian Customs Service acts as the ‘gatekeeper’ for all visitors and returning residents to the country. You and all of your luggage must be cleared by Customs when you arrive in Australia, and may be searched.

It is your responsibility to declare any goods, by completing the Travellers’ Statement and giving it to Customs. If you have no items to declare, you can exit through the green pathway. If you do have items to declare, you will need to go through the red pathway.

What should be declared?
Duty will be charged on goods exceeding a total purchase price of AUD $400. Examples of such goods are perfume, jewellery, watches and souvenirs (alcohol and tobacco are not included in this allowance). For more information, go to www.customs.gov.au.

Customs does not exercise control over mobile phones other than collecting any duty and tax that may be applicable. There are, however, restrictions with connections. For more information contact the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) on 02 9245 4000 or at www.acma.gov.au). Cordless phones cannot be imported unless approved by ACMA.

If you bring a computer, you will have to declare it at Customs. Make sure that you have a receipt showing the date of purchase. If your computer is less than 12 months old, it may be considered as a ‘temporary import’ and attract a security bond of 10% of the purchase price (to make up for the 10% goods and services tax normally charged on such items). This amount is refundable – it will be given back to you when you leave Australia at the end of your studies. However, if you explain to the Customs officer that you are an international student and show them your international student visa, the 10% security bond may be waived. If your computer is more than 12 months old, you will not have to pay any security bond; please bring receipts to prove this.

Quarantine regulations
Australian Quarantine regulations require that, when completing your Travellers’ Statement, you declare any animal or plant item with you or packed in your luggage. In most cases your goods will be inspected, treated if necessary (there may be a fee for this) and returned when the pest or disease risk is eliminated.

Prohibited items are not allowed entry. You may be able to bring such items but you must obtain approval from the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service before you commence your journey (as noted here). Declare any items you are unsure about to the Quarantine officers at the airport, who will allow you to keep any item if it is not considered to be of risk to Australia. The penalty for infringing Quarantine regulations is very severe and involves court proceedings.

Please read the brochure ‘What Can I Take into Australia?’ in your Pre-Departure Package, or go to the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service website at www.aqis.gov.au

Do not risk it
If you are in doubt about what to declare, ask a Customs officer. There are serious penalties for people who make false declarations. Also, it is illegal to carry illicit drugs, steroids, weapons, firearms and certain articles subject to quarantine into Australia. If you are uncertain about any drugs or medicines you are carrying, check with a Customs officer.

Another risk is carrying goods for other people. If you are caught with prohibited or restricted items, you will be held responsible. There are severe penalties for people caught in the possession of drugs. To avoid this problem, pack your luggage so you are sure of what is in your possession. www.sydneyairport.com.au

Arrivals Hall
Once the formalities are completed you are free to leave the restricted area of the airport and head for the Arrivals Hall. You will find a map of the Arrivals Hall in the booklet ‘Things to Do Before You Leave Home’ in your Pre-Departure Package. This will help you to find the Airport Reception Desk, which is usually located next to the airport’s Information Desk.

If you lose any of your personal belongings while you are in the Arrivals Hall, go to the Lost and Found Office, located on Level 3 of the airport or phone 9667 9583 during office hours.

Airport Reception Desk
This desk is specifically for newly arrived students like you. It is part of a service provided by a group of universities, including the University of Sydney.

If you have sent us your Airport Arrival Booking Form (see Chapter 1), the staff on the desk will know exactly when you are coming. They will give you an Airport Reception Kit to help you with the next step after arrival. It contains a welcome letter, information about the University, a map of the University and information about temporary accommodation.

Note: Cumberland Campus students please ask for the Cumberland Campus pack.

In case of emergencies, the staff at the Airport Reception Desk, or the airport’s own reception staff, should be able to assist you with any concerns you have.

Public phones and money exchange
At this point, you will probably want to contact your relatives and inform them of your safe arrival. You can make phone calls from any public phone. In the airport terminal there are phones that use coins, phone cards and credit cards. Local calls cost 40 cents. Long distance (STD) and international (IDD) calls can also be made from these phones. It is more practical to use a phone card or credit card phone when calling STD or IDD. You can make enquiries about operator-assisted international calls by dialling 1234 for user pays calls or 12550 for reverse charge calls. If you need telephone directory assistance, contact 1223 for Sydney and all parts of Australia and 1225 for overseas phone numbers.

If you need to exchange money or traveller’s cheques, there is a Travelex Foreign Exchange office located in Arrivals Hall B & C. Travelex is open daily from 6am to 10pm.

Transport from the airport

Sydney Airport is nine kilometres from the Sydney city centre. The main University of Sydney campus is located within the suburbs of Darlington and Camperdown and is only minutes away from the city centre. There are several ways to get to your accommodation from the airport.

Hire car
If you want to travel to your accommodation by hire car, there are several hire car offices at the airport to choose from. If you want to plan ahead, you can make a reservation with Astra Hire Car before you leave your home country.

Train
There is an Airport Link train service with stations in both the Domestic and International terminals. The journey time to the city is about 11 minutes. Space for luggage is limited. The cost is (at time of printing) $13.00 one way or $19.30 return. The closest stop to the University of Sydney is Central Railway Station (on Eddy Avenue). It is then a short ride to the University by taxi or public bus.

Shuttle bus
Sydney Airport provides a shuttle bus service to city-area hotels at a cost of (at time of printing) $9.00. The nearest stop to the University is Unilodge (five minutes’ walk away from the main campus).

Taxi
Taxis take approximately 20 minutes to reach the city from the airport and cost between $20 and $25. Fares in all Sydney taxis are determined by the meter on the dashboard. Passengers pay any bridge or road tolls. A surcharge of 20% of the distance rate can apply between 10pm and 6am.

Taxi companies:
Legion Cabs 13 14 51
RSL Cabs 13 22 11
Premier Cabs 13 10 17
St George Cabs 13 21 66
Taxis Combined 13 33 00

Come and see us

Once you have had a moment to relax, it is time to make use of the free help available at the University of Sydney. As an international student the two places you need to get to know are the International Student Support Unit (ISSU) and the International Office (IO).

Daily Arrival Information Session and Orientation
As a newly arrived international student you will greatly benefit from attending a Daily Arrival Information Session and the Orientation Program, both provided by the ISSU:

• The Daily Arrival Information Session gives you essential information about health cover, banking, taxation, transport, campus services and enrolment.
• The Orientation Program tells you about important on-campus services, how to adjust to life in Australia, and how to prepare for academic study at the University.
• If you need help with accommodation, you can attend a Housing Information Session held immediately after the Daily Arrival Information Session. For further information on accommodation see Chapter 4.
• You should also go to your faculty welcome session. Details are provided at Daily Arrival Information Sessions. See the booklet ‘Things to Do Before You Leave Home’.

You will find the dates, times and venues for the Daily Arrival Information Sessions and Orientation Program on the Orientation page and in the booklet ‘Things to do Before You Leave Home’ in your Pre-Departure Package.

International Student Support Unit (ISSU)
It is the job of the International Student Support Unit (ISSU) to support international students. We give help and guidance when you first arrive, and are available if needed during the rest of your time at the University. We do our best to make your experience as an international student a rewarding one.

For international students and their families the ISSU provides:

• Information – including pre-departure information, Daily Arrival Information Sessions and Orientation
• Social programs – including Unimates (where you can make new friends), the Accompanying Partners Program, the Returning Home Program, and trips and activities
• Counselling – including help with personal or family problems, homesickness, difficulties adjusting or making new friends, and coping with studies.

You are welcome to phone or come and see us about any problem you may be experiencing or simply to get information. Our service is free and confidential.

In emergencies, Campus Security can contact an ISSU counsellor for you after normal working hours. The emergency number is 9351 3333 or freecall 1800 063 487.

Temporary address at ISSU
If at the time of enrolment you do not have a permanent Sydney address, you may wish to provide the ISSU as a mailing address, as follows:

‘Your Name’
c/o International Student Support Unit (ISSU)
Level 5, Jane Foss Russell Building (G02)
University of Sydney, NSW 2006

The ISSU should only be used as a temporary mailing address and is only available to receive student mail for the first six weeks of the semester. After that, all mail will be returned to the sender. For security reasons, we do not accept parcels.

Please note: Mailboxes in the foyer are not locked and ISSU cannot guarantee the security of your mail. You may want to arrange for your ATM (bank) card or credit card to be sent to your bank for pick up.

International Office (IO)
The International Office assists students with:

• admission
• course transfers
• enrolment issues
• visa support
• overseas student health cover (OSHC)
• scholarships
• AusAID and ADB matters
• Study Abroad and Student Exchange
• fee payment processing
• overseas loan schemes.

There are several units within the International Office that cater for particular groups of international students.

International student advisers
The international student advisers can help you with general advice and support about visas, enrolment issues, liaising with your faculty, and academic progress. There are specialist advisers for Study Abroad and Exchange Students and AusAID and ADB scholars (see below).

Tel: 9351 4079
Email:

Study Abroad and Student Exchange Unit
This unit manages all aspects of admission, enrolment and student advice for Study Abroad and Exchange Students.

Tel: 9351 3699
Email:

AusAID Unit
This unit is the focal point for AusAID and ADB students. Students can contact the AusAID Unit for advice about any aspect of their scholarship, academic progress or welfare following arrival in Australia.

Tel: 9036 6281
Email:

Faculty welcome and support
In the first few weeks your contact will mainly be with the International Office and the ISSU. While you will continue to have contact and be given support by staff at these offices, your faculty will be your main point of contact during your studies. See Chapter 5 for Faculty websites.

University campuses - transport and contact details

Main Campus (Camperdown and Darlington Campuses)
You can get a train to Redfern Station and then walk to the Camperdown Campus. Free buses run to and from Fisher Library and Redfern Station in the evening during semester. Alternatively, you can take a bus to the University. Many buses leave from the city, go to Railway Square (Central Station), and then continue to the University (check with the bus driver). Some go along the City Road side of the Camperdown Campus (closest to Darlington Campus). Other buses run alongside the Parramatta Road side of the campus, past the Footbridge Theatre (closest to the Quadrangle).

Address: University of Sydney NSW 2006
Tel: 9351 2222
Web: www.usyd.edu.au

Burren Street Campus (Graduate School of Management)
To get to the Graduate School of Business you can take a train to Macdonaldtown Station, and then walk to the School at Burren Street, Newtown (one minute’s walk). Alternatively take a bus to the city end of King Street, Newtown, and walk down to the campus (five minutes’ walk). The campus also houses the Institute of Transport Studies and Institute of International Health.

Websites:
Institute of Transport and Logistical Studies: www.itls.usyd.edu.au
Institute for International Health: www.thegeorgeinstitute.org

Camden Campus
This campus is home to the faculties of Veterinary Science and Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. It is located at Camden, 65 kilometres south-west of Sydney.

Websites:
Faculty of Veterinary Science (also at main campus): www.vetsci.usyd.edu.au
Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources: www.agric.usyd.edu.au

Cumberland campus (Faculty of Healh Sciences)
You can reach Cumberland Campus by train and bus. The nearest railway station is Lidcombe. It takes 20-30 minutes to walk to campus from the station, or you can catch a bus from the station. Westway Bus and Coach Service buses (915 and 920) depart from Lidcombe Station on the southern side and from the Cumberland Campus. Campus maps are available at www.fhs.usyd.edu.au/faculty/
campmaps.htm

Address: East Street, Lidcombe NSW 2141
Tel: 9351 9627 (undergraduate enquiries)
9351 9355 (postgraduate enquiries)

Mallett Street Campus (Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery)
To get to the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery you can take any bus that runs along Parramatta Road past Missenden Road. Get off at Mallett Street and turn left. The campus is located about 200 metres on the left-hand side. The campus also contains the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre.

Address: 88 Mallett Street, Camperdown
Tel: 9351 0693
Email:

Websites:
Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery: www.nursing.usyd.edu.au
NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre: www.ctc.usyd.edu.au

Rozelle Campus (Sydney College of the Arts)
Sydney College of the Arts (SCA) is four kilometres from both the Sydney’s central business district and the University’s main campus and is easily accessible by public transport and by car. From Circular Quay in the city you can take buses 500, 501, 504, 506, 507, 510, 515, 518 and 520. Buses 440 and 445 travel to Balmain, where you can take a ferry to Circular Quay. Lilyfield light rail station is 1.5 kilometres from the campus and provides light rail transport to Central Station. SCA also provides designated areas for student and visitor parking. Students purchase an annual parking sticker from the cashier for a nominal fee.

Address: Balmain Road, Rozelle NSW 2039
Tel: 9351 1104 or 9351 1000
Fax: 9351 1144
Email:
Web: www.usyd.edu.au/sca

St James Campus (Law School - Postgraduate)
The Law School is currently located behind the New South Wales Supreme Court next to Hyde Park in the city. The closest train station is Martin Place, with city buses running close by. A new Law School building is under construction on the Main Campus in Eastern Avenue and should be completed during
2009.

Check the website: www.law.usyd.edu.au for up-to-date information about the location of the new Law School Building.

Address for 2008: 173-175 Phillip Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Tel: 9351 0346 (undergraduate inquiries)
9351 0314 (postgraduate inquiries)
Web: www.law.usyd.edu.au

Sydney Conservatorium of Music
The Sydney Conservatorium is located in the business district of Sydney, flanked by the Royal Botanic Gardens and a short walk to the Sydney Opera House.

Email:
Web: www.music.usyd.edu.au

How to enrol

Enrolment is the formal process of registering for courses. During enrolment, you will select your units of study and receive further advice on your chosen programs.

Exactly when you enrol will depend on what dates the University sets. When dates are available, they will be published on the University’s website, together with information on the specific enrolment requirements, at http://www.usyd.edu.au/future_students/ (please check this page regularly). However, it is worth thinking about enrolment soon after you arrive, so that you are aware of the enrolment dates and are ready to enrol.

Full-degree students
You are considered a full-degree student if you are commencing and completing your entire degree at this University.

Enrolment Stage 1
All full-degree students, both undergraduate and postgraduate, must enrol at their Faculty Office. For example, if you are enrolling in a Bachelor of Science degree you must enrol at the Faculty of Science. It is important to enrol on the date that has been allocated for your course and faculty. If you are unable to enrol on the allocated date, you must contact your faculty as soon as possible. See http://www.usyd.edu.au/future_students/

Enrolment Stage 2
After you have completed Stage 1 you will be directed to a Stage 2 enrolment site where arrangements will be made for you to receive your official University of Sydney student identity card. If you are at a campus other than the Main Campus, you may receive your card at your Faculty in Stage 1.

Confirmation
Two to three weeks after enrolment you should receive a letter confirming your enrolment details. Please check your statement of enrolment carefully and report any problems to your faculty.

Enrolment for Study Abroad and Student Exchange
You are considered a Study Abroad or Student Exchange student if you are in Australia on a Study Abroad or Exchange program. Your enrolment will take place, where possible, before you arrive in
Sydney. The final stages of your enrolment will take place during the ISSU Orientation Program. During Orientation you will be given information on matters such as enrolment procedures, personalised
timetables, variation of enrolment details, and instructions on obtaining your student card. It is very important that you attend Orientation.

Change of address notification
It is important that the University maintains correct contact details for all students. Therefore you must update your contact details electronically by logging into MyUni as soon as you have moved into
permanent accommodation. If you change your accommodation you must update this information on MyUni. This is a visa requirement for all student visa holders. See the 'Computers and email on campus' section for details of logging into your student account.

Computers and email on campus

All University of Sydney students are given a free email account, called a Unikey Account. Your UniKey login name (e.g. ‘ywah3701’) and UniKey password will be given to you on enrolment. (If you have paid your fees and cannot wait until enrolment for your Unikey login name and password, please go to Information Technology Services, Boundary Lane, opposite the International Student Centre; they may be able to help.) For your email address, just add ‘@mail.usyd.edu.au’ to your UniKey login name (e.g. ‘ywah3701@mail.usyd.edu.au’).

The Unikey login name and password will also give you access to MyUni, where you can view your personal and academic details, such as examination timetables and academic results. The Unikey will also give you access to the Accommodation and Careers Centre Databases.

To access your email, go to www.mail.usyd.edu.au. To forward mail from this University account, go to www.usyd.edu.au/ict/switch/SydneyMail/forwardemail.shtml.

Two important matters:

• Please check this account regularly as we will send you important messages during your time here
• You MUST update your address on MyUni. This is a visa requirement.

Also see Internet, email, computers and photocopying in Chapter 5.