3. Sydney life

Sydney is a fascinating place, and is regularly voted one of the world’s favourite cities. To make your stay here enjoyable and productive, it is good to learn about the people and their customs, and to find out about transport, health and safety.

Here you'll find:
A short history of Australia
Australian culture and customs
The Sydney lifestyle
Getting around in Sydney
The cost of living
Health care while in Australia
Finding information about Sydney
Personal safety and security

A short history of Australia

Australia was first settled by Aboriginal people between 40,000 and 60,000 years ago, and maybe even earlier. These first settlers spread across the entire continent. More than 200 language groups existed, with distinctive spiritual and kinship systems, art and technology. ‘Aboriginal’ is a European word meaning ‘from the beginning’. Indigenous Australians, particularly in Eastern Australia, prefer to refer to themselves as ‘Koori’.

European settlement of Australia dates back to 1788 when Britain established a penal colony at Sydney Cove with the landing of the First Fleet. You can gain a good understanding of this period by visiting the Hyde Park Barracks Museum in Macquarie Street, Sydney.

Although the Indigenous inhabitants had group ownership of land, the British considered the land to be terra nullius – a Latin term meaning land ‘not belonging to anyone’. There were no official negotiations or treaties with the Indigenous owners of the land. The repercussions of this are still felt today and it was only in 1992 that the High Court of Australia, in a case known as the Mabo case, recognised Indigenous people’s property rights.

British settlement resulted in the death of many Indigenous people through introduced diseases to which they had no immunity, through the destruction of hunting grounds by grazing and agriculture, and through violent confrontations and massacres. Reconciliation to heal the injustices of the past is an ongoing process in Australia.

The information in this section is based on As a Matter of Fact on the former ATSIC website, and is now available at http://nla.gov.au/nla.arc-41033.

The land
Australia occupies an area of over 7 million square kilometres. The population of Australia is, however, relatively small, with just over 20 million people. Australia is a very urbanised country, with almost 90% of people living in the cities and along the coast and nearly half in the two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne. The interior of Australia is very sparsely populated and much of it is desert.

The political system
Since 1901 Australia has been a federation, consisting of six states – New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania – and two territories – the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. The capital city of Australia is Canberra, which is located in the Australian Capital Territory. The government of Australia is based on the British Westminster system of government. The federal government, led by the Prime Minister, consists of a House of Representatives and a Senate. Each state government is headed by a Premier.

A multicultural nation
Australia is a multicultural country with a cultural richness developed through the migration of people from across the world and from the Indigenous people who are the original inhabitants.

There have been several major ‘waves’ of migration to Australia since the convicts first arrived in 1788. British settlers followed the convicts and Australia developed an economy that relied on agriculture and wool. In the goldrush of the 1850s, Irish, American, Chinese, English and other Europeans came to try to make their fortune in the goldfields. The Australian term ‘mate’, used very commonly here, comes from the common title given to two miners who took out a gold mining lease together.

After World War Two, Australia offered a home to many European people who were displaced as a result of the war. Later, migrants from Italy and Greece, Lebanon and other countries came to Australia seeking opportunities to make a better life for themselves and their families. In the 1970s Australia again offered refuge to people whose lives were disrupted by the war in Vietnam, and has continued to invite people from South East Asia to migrate to Australia.

The Australian Government supports multiculturalism and equal opportunity for all Australians regardless of race, language, ethnic origin or religion.

Traditional land owners
The traditional owners of the land on which the University of Sydney is built were the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. At the start of the Orientation Program for International Students, a representative of the traditional owners will welcome you to the land.

Australian people and their customs

When you arrive in Australia you will find many social customs that are different and may seem strange to you. If you understand the social customs of Australian society you will find it easier to interact and feel comfortable living here. It is also beneficial for Australian people to learn from you about the customs of your country.

Australians value equality between people and consider people of different status, wealth, authority and occupation to be equal. People speak politely to each other regardless of the person’s status and there is little formal deference to people of higher status, though these people are treated with respect.

Men and women are considered equal in society and interact with each other in an informal way. Australian women in general are independent and expect to be treated as peers by their male colleagues or fellow students. There are very few servants in Australia, as most Australians do their own household chores. Within a family the tasks are shared between children and adults, males and females.

People dress quite casually in Australia for most occasions. If more formal dress is required it will usually be indicated in advance. At University, you may notice that students and many academic staff dress casually.

Australia is a changing and complex society in which there is interaction between many values and cultures. While this means that Australian customs are always changing, there are some things that are considered to be ‘Australian’.

The Australian accent
When you first arrive you will probably find the Australian accent difficult to understand, but you will soon become accustomed to it. Because there are many people in Australia who have a non-Englishspeaking background, there are interpreters available in health services and hospitals to provide assistance. Government information is also available in many different languages in Australia.

If you do not understand what someone says, it is polite to ask them to repeat it. People will generally speak more clearly if they are aware you are having some difficulty in understanding. You will find that your language skills will develop once you are studying and living in Australia. You can develop language skills by making use of the special classes and other assistance available to international students at the University.

Informal language
Australians are generally informal in how they speak. First names are used early in a relationship. The formal title or family name is used only in very formal situations. It is best to use a more formal address to someone like a lecturer, professor or medical doctor unless they ask you to call them by their given name.

You will find that many academics at the University will encourage you to use their first name once you have met them.

Joking and teasing
One of the interesting things for a newcomer to Australia is the joking humour which Australians use. This teasing and joking behaviour is often quite difficult to accept for people from another culture. Language difficulties can also make understanding the humour difficult.

So how should you react if someone seems to be teasing or insulting you? It is important to remember that Australians tease people they like, and even call them rude names or criticise them, all in jest. It is often a way of trying to say welcome to a stranger in a group. It is also to see if the new person can ‘take a joke’. It is appropriate to act as if you are not worried by it, or even to agree and exaggerate the joke to make it even more outrageous. It is often difficult, particularly if you have just arrived, to know if people are joking or being genuinely rude or prejudiced. It is probably best to give the joker the benefit of the doubt and then ask a trusted friend about it later.

Directness
Australians are often very frank and open in what they say. If you are from a country where delicacy and consideration are important, you might feel this directness is rude. Australians, however, can be tactful and will try to avoid hurting another person’s feelings or causing embarrassment.

Casualness
Australians often try to indicate that they are not particularly hardworking, efficient, clever, artistic, creative, attractive and so on – even when they are. There is some pressure on Australians to not ‘stand out’. This is changing, but there is still a tendency for Australians to denigrate their own achievements and to feel uncomfortable with praise and compliments. This is perhaps one of the reasons they make jokes about things – to avoid ‘showing off’.

Respect
While Australians may seem very disrespectful to people in authority, elderly people, or their parents, there is in fact a subtle respect and deference shown towards people in authority. Questioning, or even suggesting alternative solutions, is not seen as disrespectful towards an authority figure provided the suggestions are made in a polite manner.

Eye contact
Australians make direct eye contact with everyone, whether the person is an equal or of a different status. Children are taught to look directly at adults and people of higher status. Many Australians will feel uncomfortable if you do not ‘meet their eye’. This can be a cultural barrier between Australians and people from cultures where ‘eye avoidance’ and dropped gaze are considered polite.

Time
Australians value punctuality, and the time arranged for a meeting or get together or meal is the time you are expected to arrive.

Offering food and other things
Australians consider it impolite to force people to accept food or other things. They tend to offer once with only one follow-up statement, such as ‘are you sure you won’t have any more?’ This is the opposite in many other cultures where the host insists on the person taking more several times and then the guest accepts. This difference can lead to misunderstandings. It is polite to immediately accept the offer of more food and also polite to refuse more food if you do not want more at this time. Remember that Australians are direct and tend to say exactly what they mean.

Refusing an invitation
It is considered polite in Australia to say directly if you do not want to accept an invitation. When refusing an invitation, Australians will usually explain why, such as having another obligation or not being able to attend for some other reason. If you do accept an invitation it is expected that you will definitely attend. It is considered rude to accept an invitation and not arrive as agreed. If you are unable to attend at the last minute, it is very important to contact your host and apologise before the event.

Tipping
Attitudes to tipping in Australia are changing. It is common now to leave a tip of 10% in a good restaurant if you are happy with the service. It is uncommon to leave a tip in coffee shops or cheaper restaurants, though people will sometimes leave the small change from payment of the bill for the waiter. On weekends and public holidays, a surcharge is often added to your bill to cover the cost of higher wages on these days.

Taxi drivers will not expect a tip, though if you want to you may choose to leave small change or to ‘round the fare’ to the taxi driver’s benefit (e.g. round $9.50 to $10.00). Hotel desk clerks, bus drivers, theatre ushers, shop sales assistants, flight attendants and petrol station attendants are not tipped in Australia.

It is important not to offer to tip a public official, police officer or government employee as this is against the law in Australia and may be considered an attempt to bribe the person.

Eating out and drinking in pubs
If you are dining casually with friends in Australia, you will usually be expected to share the cost of food or simply pay for your own food. However, if someone asks you out for dinner and says ‘I’d like to take you out for dinner’ or ‘I’d like to invite you to have dinner with me’ it usually means they will pay for you. If you are not sure how the bill will be paid, assume you will be paying your share.

It is common for students to go the pub, particularly on a Friday night after a busy week of study. If someone says to you, ‘Are you coming to the pub?’, what they mean is that you are invited to join them. Often you will not even need a personal invitation like this. If everyone is going to the pub, you can just join in with them.

At the pub, you will probably be expected to share in paying for drinks. Usually, each person takes a turn to pay for a round of drinks (a ‘shout’) for everyone. However, you must also be careful about other people buying drinks for you, so make sure you only let good friends buy a drink for you. See the end of this chapter for information on ‘drink spiking’.

Saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’
In Australia it is usual and expected that people will say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ for any request of anyone – friends, family, academic staff, shop attendants, taxi drivers, restaurant staff, and so on. Children are taught from an early age to use these words in making requests.

Relationships between men and women
In Australia, women are legally equal to men and there is equal employment and anti-discrimination legislation aiming to give women full and equal involvement in society. Women speak freely to men and expect to be treated as equals at work and in society generally. Women ‘date’ or go out socially with men without necessarily intending to marry or have a sexual relationship.

There are, of course, varied customs in Australia due to its cultural diversity. It is not easy to give clear guidelines for behaviour between men and women as this is seen as a matter that is agreed between the individuals concerned. To avoid misunderstandings, however, it is important to understand that women in Australia may speak and interact freely with a man with no intention or expectation of a personal relationship. When people of different cultures ‘date’ it is important to discuss with each other expectations and different values and beliefs to avoid misunderstandings.

The Sydney lifestyle

Sydney is the capital of the state of New South Wales and the oldest city in Australia. It has grown from a small colony of 1,000 convicts in 1788 to the largest city in Australia with a population of four million people.

A cosmopolitan city
Sydney combines a thriving business district with historic attractions sited around a magnificent harbour. It combines a variety of architectural styles from different eras, cultures and various nations.

Sydney city streets are lined with old sandstone buildings, best seen at The Rocks. Sydney is a cosmopolitan city with people from a wide variety of backgrounds and cultures. You can find groups and associations of almost every cultural, ethnic and religious identity. The city also has many different spiritual centres for people to worship according to their tradition.

Arts and culture
Sydney has a dynamic arts and cultural life, with theatre, cinema, opera, dance and music performances throughout the year. The Festival of Sydney is held during January each year, with cultural events, street entertainment and many free performances for the public. International and Australian artists perform in Sydney at the many excellent venues, including the Sydney Opera House and the Seymour Centre (which is next to the University of Sydney). Discount tickets are available to students at many venues. The Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW) and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) house many works of Australian and international artists and hold international exhibitions throughout the year. There are also many other museums and galleries throughout Sydney for those wishing to explore local culture.

The harbour
People in Sydney enjoy the beautiful Sydney Harbour with its many swimming bays and foreshore walking tracks, the splendid Botanic Gardens, Darling Harbour and The Rocks area.

Cruises and ferries leave Circular Quay regularly. Major attractions include Taronga Zoo, Manly, Darling Harbour and the Opera House. There are also many other organised tours throughout Sydney, the beaches and the surrounding suburbs to help visitors experience what this city has to offer.

Sport and outdoor activities
Sydney’s temperate climate makes it ideal for sporting and other outdoor recreational activities. Australians enjoy many sports, including football, cricket, sailing, table tennis, basketball, volleyball, swimming, bushwalking, golf and squash. Less strenuous outdoor activities include walking in the parks along the harbour foreshore, enjoying outdoor entertainment at Circular Quay and Darling Harbour, lazing on the many beaches around Sydney and walking around the many markets in Sydney, Glebe, Paddington and other surrounding suburbs.

Winter sports include cross-country and downhill skiing in the Australian Alps from July to October each year. There are special holiday ski packages and you can hire ski equipment and clothing if required.

There are many opportunities to participate in sport at the University of Sydney. More information can be obtained from Sydney University Sport on campus, as well as during the Orientation program.

Restaurants and cafes
Australians enjoy eating out in the many fine restaurants available in Sydney. Restaurants cater for every taste, with expensive elegant restaurants and cheaper restaurants, cafes and coffee shops. Sydney’s cosmopolitan nature is reflected in the wide variety of ethnic restaurants, providing the opportunity to experience cuisine from around the world. There are many restaurants and coffee shops within walking distance of the main University campus. The University Union buildings on campus also provide a variety of food outlets, including cafeterias, coffee shops and bars.

Water sports
Water sports are popular pastimes in Sydney and its surrounding areas during summer. If you plan to participate in any water sport activities it is important to be aware of the potential dangers. Speak to someone experienced before swimming, and do not go swimming alone at the beach or in rivers, creeks, dams or lakes. Do not dive into the water if you do not know how deep it is (test it carefully first).When in the sun always use a factor 15+ sunscreen, as the Australian sun is very harsh and skin cancer rates are high.

Manly, Bondi, Coogee and Maroubra are among the most popular beaches. While you are enjoying the water and surf, it is important to obey the rules and only swim between the flags where it is safe (lifeguards patrol only between the flags). Surf beaches can have high waves and strong currents or ‘rips’ which can carry swimmers out to sea. If you are having trouble in the water, stay as calm as you can and keep waving your arm at the lifeguards. They will come and get you.

Women’s only swimming pool
Coogee Women’s Baths at Grant Reserve, Beach Street, Coogee, are for women and children only. The baths are walking distance from the Coogee bus terminal (buses 370, 372 and 373). There are private cubicles where you can change. The Baths are open all year. Coogee Women’s Baths are run by Randwick and Coogee Ladies and Mature Swimming Pool Club.

Shopping
Sydney has many excellent shops. The city centre has several major department stores and many speciality clothing and other shops. Sydney city centre is only a ten-minute bus trip from the University. Darling Harbour, Chinatown and The Rocks are also easily reached from the University. In the suburbs there are large shopping centres where you can buy food, clothes and household goods. There are also usually some small food stores and vegetable shops in suburban areas. The closest large shopping centre to the University is the Broadway Shopping Centre, walking distance from the University. It has supermarkets, boutiques, restaurants and cinemas. There is also a market called Paddy’s Market at Market City, Haymarket (in Chinatown), a suburb just near the University, which is open on the weekends selling fruit, vegetables and other food, as well as clothing and other items. Prices are cheaper at Paddy’s Market and it is a popular shopping outing for Sydney residents. Because of Sydney’s multicultural population there are many shops selling a large variety of specialised food. For example, halal meat is available from some butchers. Supermarkets often sell a wide variety of foods and spices, and there are many specialty shops in the suburbs and in Chinatown.

The University itself offers a wide range of facilities on campus. These include a post office, banks, newsagents, bookshops (selling new and secondhand books), the University of Sydney Computer Shop, a sports store, a pharmacy, a hairdressing salon, dry cleaning and shoe repairs, an optometrist, a dentist, travel agents and many takeaway food shops, cafeterias and coffee shops. Shopping hours vary in Sydney. Many department stores and small shops are open seven days a week. Most shops are open during the week from 9am to 5.30pm with late-night shopping on Thursday night to 9pm, and Saturday trading from 9am to 4pm. However, many shops have extended opening hours (including Sundays). Go to: www.yellowpages.com.au or www.whitepages.com.au for telephone listings of businesses and shops.

Prices
Prices are ‘fixed’ in Australia, even in Paddy’s Market and other markets. Bargaining, or ‘haggling’, is not expected when you purchase food or other items. However, if you are purchasing a major item, like a car, television or refrigerator, it is possible to ask for a ‘discount’ and the shop may then take a percentage off the price for you. You can gain a good idea of prices and variety from many of the local papers and advertisements on television and in the daily newspapers, as well as exploring shopping options and typical costs of specialised items on the internet

So take some time to enjoy Sydney!
Studying in a foreign country is very demanding and it is important for you to take time to relax and enjoy yourself. The city of Sydney has much to offer, and there are also many facilities at the University of Sydney for relaxation and entertainment. The International Student Support Unit (ISSU), in conjunction with Colourful Trips, organises several trips and activities each year, including day trips to areas around Sydney and beyond. On these trips you can meet other international and Australian students, as well as see some of the countryside. Please visit ISSU to collect the latest Trips and Activities brochure or phone 9351 4749 for further details. Details are also advertised in the ISSU newsletter, posted on the web at the end of each month, for the following month. Check the Colourful Trips website, www.colourfultrips.com

To find out what is on in Sydney at any particular time, check one of the daily newspapers. Every Friday, the Sydney Morning Herald includes ‘Metro’, a weekly guide to movies, theatre, exhibitions, live music and other interesting things to do. Further information can also be obtained from various organisations listed in the right hand column on this page.

Sydney’s climate
The climate in Sydney is temperate, with 342 days a year of sunshine on average. The wettest months are March to May, the coldest month is July and the hottest months are January and February. The average rainfall is 1,200 millimetres per year. Average humidity is 62%.

Getting around in Sydney

Sydney is a large city, extremely spread out compared to most other cities in the world. But there are so many ways to travel – including public transport, taxis, cycling and driving – that you should have no trouble getting around. There are also interstate bus, rail and air services which provide transport throughout Australia.

Public transport
Travelling by public transport is a part of life for many Sydney people. Some travel up to three hours a day because they live in distant suburbs or out of Sydney
altogether. Even if you live within walking distance of the University, you will probably use public transport at some time.

Buses, trains and ferries
Sydney has an extensive bus and train network that links nearly all suburbs. The nearest train stations to the University’s main campus are Redfern Station (ten minute walk) and Central Station (short bus ride). Buses stop right outside the University at several locations.

Ferries cross the harbour from their base at Circular Quay. They are not only a convenient way to travel, they are an unbeatable way to see Sydney. You must
not leave Australia without catching at least one ferry across Sydney Harbour!

The Light Rail is a service that runs only from Central Station to Lilyfield (near one of the University’s campuses, Sydney College of the Arts). The Monorail loops above and around the main streets of the city, including Martin Place. Monorail timetables and fares information are available from www.metrolightrail.com.au

Finding information
Sydney’s public transport system provides bus, train and ferry services. There are both government and private bus and ferry services and also an extensive government rail service. For timetable and route information:

> phone 131 500 between 6am and 10pm
> visit www.131500.com.au

You can access this service to find out the quickest and easiest way to get to your destination by public transport. Information about public transport will also be given to you during the Daily Arrival Information Session (see the booklet ‘Things to do before you leave home’).

Tickets
Most students travel to and from University by public transport. You can buy TravelTen tickets for multiple trips by bus, which are cheaper than single-trip
tickets. (Note that buses in Australia will only stop at official bus stops, and you will need to indicate to the driver if you wish a bus to stop.) You can also buy a
weekly ticket, called a TravelPass, for bus, train and/or ferry travel. Both are available from the newsagents on campus, and most newsagents off campus.
For information on which kind of ticket will suit your needs, contact the telephone service or website listed above.

Travel concessions
A travel concession allows you to pay less for public transport tickets. However, most international students are not eligible for a student travel concession. Only the following international students are eligible:

> Australian government sponsored students, including those with AusAID (ADB, ADS, APS, ALA)
> Students on the Endeavour International Postgraduate Research Scholarship Program (EIPRS)
> Students on recognised exchange programs with the University of Sydney.

If you are eligible for a travel concession, you will be given a Student Card at Stage 2 of your enrolment that includes a travel concession indicator; see ‘How to enrol' in Chapter 2. You must carry it with you at all times when you travel on concession-priced tickets. Do not use tickets purchased with your travel concession card after the expiry date of your travel concession card; if you do, you may be fined by an inspector. Do not use a travel concession card if you
are not eligible, as severe penalties can be imposed. Transport inspectors patrol buses and trains regularly so it is likely that your ticket and travel concession
card will be checked.

Do not blame us!
Travel concession policy is a NSW state government matter and the University has no control over who gets travel concessions. We have lobbied for travel concessions for international students for many years, so far without success.

Taxis
Taxis are widely available, but expensive. All taxis operate on a set rate per kilometre as displayed on a meter on the dashboard, with additional costs for luggage or a phone booking. You can stop any unoccupied taxi (as long as it has its orange light on) from the street or make a booking with any of the following companies:

Legion Cabs 13 14 51
Premier Cabs 13 10 17
RSL Cabs 13 33 11
St George Cabs 13 21 66

Cycling
Cycling can be a great way to get around in Sydney. Many streets near the University are very busy, however, and Sydney car drivers do not always take note of cyclists, so it is important to be a careful rider.

If you want to buy a bike you will find a list of bicycle shops near the University in the Yellow Pages phone book or at www.yellowpages.com.au. If you would prefer a second-hand bike, the best place to look is the Trading Post newspaper (available at newsagents or at www.tradingpost.com.au). This newspaper is full of items for sale or items wanted by people. You should expect to pay $120 at the very minimum for a second-hand bike. Better or new bikes can cost hundreds of dollars.

All cyclists are required by law to wear a helmet, so you will need to take into account the cost of a helmet as well as that of a bike. Helmets cost anything from $40 to hundreds of dollars, depending on quality and style. All helmets sold have to meet safety standards set by the Australian Standards Association. See www.bicyclensw.org.au for more information on cycling around Sydney.

Driving
If you intend to drive while in Sydney, you must be aware of the road rules, licence requirements and especially the Australian laws on drink driving.

Road rules
Australians drive on the left-hand side of the road. Speed limits are displayed at regular intervals on all main roads, but you can usually assume that the speed limit will be:
> 60 km/h on main roads
> 50 km/h on residential streets
> 40 km/h near schools at certain times of the day, and
> 80-110 km/h on freeways.

Do not speed – it is not worth it. Speeding is strictly monitored by the police, and speed cameras operate in various locations. Fines for speeding are often $100 or more, depending on how far the limit is exceeded.

By law, the driver and all passengers in a car must wear a seatbelt. Children must use an approved child restraint or a firmly adjusted adult seatbelt whenever there is one available. A child must never travel in the front seat without using a child restraint or seatbelt, even if the back seat is full. Drivers must make sure children are in restraints suitable for their size and age. For details on approved restraints for children under 13 years of age, see the ‘Road User’s Handbook’, available at any Motor Registry Office. Severe penalties exist for people found in breach of these laws.

When driving, you will see many street signs indicating parking regulations and restrictions and parking meters. If you disobey these signs and are caught, you will be fined and your car may be towed away. There are also strict rules about driving when you have had alcohol (the 'No Alcohol' section below provides further details).

Licence requirements
You do not need an international driver’s licence to drive in New South Wales, as long as you intend to return to your home country after finishing your course. Your home country licence and your student visa must be current and you must have no disqualifications from driving in any country. You can also use an international driver’s licence if you want to, and it is advisable to get one of these (which you must do before leaving home) if you intend to drive in other countries after leaving Australia.

It is a good idea to carry either an international driver’s licence or a translation of your licence (if the home country licence is not in English) showing its validity dates, your name and age and kind of licence held. You should also carry a photocopy of your passport showing your name, age and visa status.

International students can also apply to do the NSW driver’s licence test and drive on a NSW licence; the ISSU suggests that you check these details with the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) on 13 22 13. If you obtain a NSW drivers licence, it will no longer be legal for you to use your home country licence if you drive while you are here.

Licences are obtained from RTA Motor Registries. Go to www.rta.nsw.gov.au or look in the White Pages phonebook or at www.whitepages.com.au for the address of your nearest Motor Registry office. Motor Registries are open Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm. Some are also open on Saturday mornings from 9am to 12 midday. Check opening times on 13 22 13 (full listing is also available on website).

In order to obtain a New South Wales driver’s licence you may be required to take a driving test and/or you may have to answer questions regarding New South Wales road rules. Motor Registries have a handbook of road rules called the Road User’s Handbook which you will need to read to know the New South Wales
road rules. You can also access this Handbook at www.rta.nsw.gov.au.

Don't drink and drive
There are very severe penalties in Australia for driving under the influence of alcohol. It is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol level of more than 0.05, and for beginner drivers the level is zero. Generally this means you can only have one standard drink, (2 for men), in the first hour and one each hour after that. A standard drink is 250ml of full strength beer or 25ml of spirits or a small glass of wine. You can check these guidelines wherever you buy alcohol.

The legal alcohol limit in NSW for all Learner and Provisional licence holders is zero. The zero alcohol limit applies to all Learner Licence holders, Provisional P1 Licence holders and Provisional P2 Licence holders.

The zero alcohol limit has been introduced for new drivers because they are more vulnerable to the effects of alcohol than experienced drivers due to their newly developing driving skills. The penalties for drink driving are severe and convictions involve a criminal record as well as fines and loss of licence. Or worse still, you could be responsible for the death of a friend or an innocent person using the road.
Remember, someone with a small body usually needs fewer drinks to reach the blood alcohol limit than someone with a larger body. it also usually takes women fewer drinks to reach the blood alcohol limit than men. If you are going to a party, plan ahead - leave the car at home, stay the night at a friend's house, or organise for someone to pick you up at an arranged time.

The day after ... getting back to zero
You may be over the zero alcohol limit for much of the next day if you have had a heavy night of drinking. You must not drive until all alcohol has been eliminated from your system.

Check product labels for alcohol content
Some medicines, mouthwashes and foodstuffs may contain alcohol. Learner and Provisional licence holders should check labels for alcohol content (which is sometimes labelled as ethanol). All such products containing alcohol should be avoided by licence holders subject to the zero alcohol limit if they plan to drive.
If you are going to drive, avoid these things. Otherwise you may not be able to convince a Court that you did not consume an alcoholic beverage or another substance for the purpose of consuming alcohol. So, if you are going to a party, plan ahead leave the car at home, stay the night at a friend’s house, or organise for someone to pick you up at an arranged time.

Note: Religious observance
The zero blood alcohol level (BAC) law is designed to target drink drivers, not to prevent young people from participating in religious observances. If you are caught driving with a blood alcohol level above zero, but below 0.02, and you can prove to the Court that the alcohol was consumed during a religious ceremony, this will be a defence.

*information sourced from www.rta.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/alcoholdrugs/bac/drinkinfoabout0_00.html

Buying a car
There are some legal requirements you need to know if you are buying a car. If buying second-hand, read the booklet ‘The Guide to Purchasing a Secondhand Vehicle’, available at www.rta.nsw.gov.au.

There is a compulsory annual car registration fee which includes ‘third party personal’ insurance. This insurance will only cover damage sustained by a person injured in an accident caused by you. It is strongly advisable for you to also take out an extra insurance policy ‘comprehensive’ insurance) for the car, which will cover any damage to another car or property and also, if you wish, cover for damage to your own car. The financial cost of a car accident without car insurance is very high.

You may need to register or re-register your car while in Australia. Cars over three years of age will need an inspection by a registered mechanic before being accepted for registration each year. This is known as a Safety Inspection Report or ‘Pink Slip’.

The cost of living

How much it will cost you to live in Sydney depends on many factors, including where you live, how often you go out, and how you manage your money. While everyone is a bit different, we have made some calculations as an estimate of costs.

Single student
An international student on their own in Sydney (i.e. without family) can manage on approximately AUD$18,000 a year, or approximately AUD $360 a week. This does not allow for luxuries such as extensive social activities or the running of a car (the estimated cost of operating a second-hand car is about $100 per week but increases in petrol costs will affect running costs; see http://mynrma.com.au). The cost of tuition fees or course materials like text books (see below) is also not included in this amount.

Families
Costs for a family will obviously be higher than for a single student and will depend on the number of family members you have. Any applicable school fees for school-aged children from five years upwards and childcare for young children will also increase your overall costs.

International students who receive an Australian Government scholarship are eligible for childcare subsidies and are exempt from public school tuition fees. No other international students are eligible for childcare subsidies. The average cost of childcare is approximately $300 per week for full-time care (five days a week for eight hours a day). For school-age children, tuition fees are $4,500-$5,500 per year ($87-$106 per week) per child.

Estimated costs
It is difficult to calculate an average cost of living because it depends on an individual’s circumstances and lifestyle. In broad terms, a single student will need between $250-$300 per week to cover all living expenses, not including tuition fees. The table below shows some estimated living costs for single students and families. You need to be aware that you may have other additional costs not shown in this table (e.g. entertainment, clothing, medical, hairdressing). These costs may vary from week to week and will depend on your lifestyle choices.

Course materials
Text books and other course materials can be quite expensive. The cost for a single text book can range from $40 to over $150. If you can obtain the list of essential reading from your Faculty Office before you arrive, you may find these books in your own country rat a cheaper price. The alternative is to look for second-hand books on sale once you arrive in Sydney or to become a member of bookshops such as the Co-op Bookshop which provide student discounts.

Family assistance and other income support
Currently, only limited loans are available for international students. These can be arranged through the University’s Financial Assistance Office (tel: 9351 5667). These loans will not cover the cost of tuition fees.

Extra income can be obtained from part-time work. However, work is often limited and you are not permitted to work more than 20 hours per week in term time, so you should not expect to be able to earn enough to cover your tuition fees or living costs.

Remember that Sydney is a large metropolitan capital city and the cost of living is high. Costs vary depending on which suburb you live in. Suburbs close to the city centre and the University are more expensive.

Estimated weekly cost of living
Please see the weekly cost of living tables below to help you understand how much it will cost you to live in Sydney:

Money
Be very careful to avoid generating credit card debts. Often credit cards seem like an attractive way to access money quickly. However, credit cards often have high interest rates and fees that can put you even deeper into debt. Help is available if financial difficulties arise. Credit card agencies will often work out payment plans if you have trouble paying your bills. Be sure to contact them if you are falling behind in your payments. ISSU is also a good point of contact.

Budgetting
The high cost of living in Sydney means that you must budget your funds responsibly. Download our sample budget planner here as it may help you manage your money. In the budget planner:

• ‘Establishment expenses’ refers to major expenses you need to pay only once, like furniture when you move into a house.
• ‘Income’ refers to any money you receive, including scholarships, stipends, funding and casual employment. It is best to calculate your income after taxes and fees are deducted; that is, estimate the actual amount of cash you will have each month available for you to spend.
• ‘Fixed expenses’ means bills for which you have to pay the same amount each month. Loans, rent and car payments are all examples of fixed expenses.
• ‘Variable expenses’ are those costs that change from month to month. For example, you may spend $100 on clothes one month and then nothing on
  clothes for the next two months.
• ‘Optional expenses’ refer to those costs that are not necessary, but often make life more interesting. Entertainment and holidays are examples of optional expenses.

Note: When doing your budget, do not forget to add in childcare and/or schooling costs, and additional costs for miscellaneous items.

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

It is a student visa requirement that all international students and their accompanying dependents have health insurance (you must arrange your family’s cover yourself).

The University will arrange Program Length Cover with OSHC Worldcare. However, if you elect to arrange your own cover for 12 months only it will be your responsibility to renew your OSHC. Do not let your OSHC health cover expire while you have a student visa. Failure to renew your health cover is a breach of Immigration regulations and may lead to loss of your student visa.

To renew your OSHC Worldcare cover, you can go to the OSHC Worldcare website www.oshcworldcare.com.au or you can contact the OSHC Worldcare Customer
Service Representative on campus, located on Level 4, Jane Foss Russell, City Road, University of Sydney.

AusAID students will have their OSHC renewed by the AusAID Unit. Other Australian Government scholarship holders should see a student advisor in the International Office regarding renewal.

Premiums for 12 month period of cover:

From 1 April 09 Single $370 Family $740

See the Health Insurance page.

Sales and enquiries: 13 OSHC or 13 6742
Claims: 1800 651 349
24-Hour Helpline: 1800 814 781

Obtaining your OSHC Worldcare Member Card
You will need to apply for your OSHC Worldcare Member Card online once you have a permanent residential address in Sydney. Your Member Card will be mailed to you. You can see a doctor before you get your card. Just keep the receipt and claim a refund when your card arrives.

How do I apply for my OSHC Peoplecare Member Card?

1. Log on to www.oshcworldcare.com.au
2. On the toolbar, click on ‘Order a Membership Card’
3. Follow the prompts. If you are entering your student ID number, do not enter any prefix, just the number and US after the number, e.g. 062345US.

Medical treatment
In Australia it is usual to first visit a local family doctor, known as a general practitioner or ‘GP’, when you become sick. Only go to a hospital in the first instance if it is an emergency. Your OSHC currently pays the full schedule
(government recommended) fee for some medical consultation with doctors and specialists, and for eyesight testing performed by optometrists. Please check the OSHC Worldcare website for more details on your coverage.

However, if a doctor chooses to charge more than the schedule fee for a consultation or medical service you are expected to pay the difference between the
OSHC coverage and the charged fee. This difference is referred to as the ‘the gap’. The payment arrangement needs to be confirmed with your doctor at the time of making the appointment or directly before the consultation. Please check the OSHC Worldcare website for more details on your coverage.

The University Health Service accepts the OSHC refund as full payment for medical consultations. That means that it costs you nothing to see a doctor there.

Hospital treatment
OSHC covers shared ward accommodation and treatment in a public hospital where the treatment is provided by a doctor appointed by the hospital. If your doctor treats and charges above the schedule fee, you will have to pay the difference. If you choose to be treated in a private hospital, OSHC will pay the schedule fee for treatment and accommodation. Any cost beyond the schedule fee will have to be met by you, and these costs are likely to be very high.

You should advise the hospital that you have OSHC when you first go there. If your doctor refers you to a specialist doctor out of hospital the consultation costs may be much higher than the amount you will be able to claim from your OSHC.

What is not covered?
Your OSHC does not currently cover certain medical services such as physiotherapy, dental, pharmaceutical and optical (lenses, contact lenses). If you wish to be covered for these expenses you may choose to take out additional private health insurance. Before you leave home, have a dental examination and any necessary dental work. Dental care is not covered by the OSHC and is very expensive in Australia. You are also advised to have an eye examination and to obtain any necessary corrective lenses before leaving home, as the cost of glasses and replacement contact lenses is not covered by OSHC.

Note: Pregnancy-related costs (including pre-term deliveries and terminations of pregnancy) are covered only if students and partners are in Australia on a visa that is for longer than three months. The treatment of medical conditions or disabilities which were in existence before you came to Australia are not covered for the first 12 months of your OSHC membership.

University Health Service
The University Health Service provides a full experienced GP service and emergency medical care. International students and their families can consult
a doctor either by appointment or on a walk-in basis (for more urgent matters). The Health Service bills your OSHC provider (OSHC Worldcare or Medibank
Private) directly for the full cost of most consultations. This means it will cost nothing when you see a doctor there.

University Health Service
Wentworth Building G01, Level 3
Tel: 9351 3484
Hours: Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm
Holme Building A09, Science Rd entry level
Tel: 9351 4095
Hours: Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm
www.unihealth.usyd.edu.au

How do I pay doctor's fees?

1. Bulk-billing. Some doctors bulk bill. In this case you do not need to pay any money. Just give your OSHC Worldcare card to the doctor’s receptionist.
2. Non bulk-billing. If your doctor does not bulk bill, you must pay them straight after the consultation. Then you can claim from OSHC Worldwide, who will reimburse you 100% of the schedule fee.
3. Through OSHC Worldcare (for some services, e.g. pathology, in-hospital services). Send the unpaid account to OSHC Worldcare, who will send
   the payment for the insured amount direct to your doctor. Your doctor will contact you if there is any additional payment required which is not covered by your OSHC.

How to I make an OSHC claim?

1. Online. Go to www.oshcworldcare.com.au
2. By mail. Download a claim form from the website and send it to OSHC Worldcare. Prepaid envelopes are available for this purpose at the ISSU and the University Health Service.
3. In person. Visit OSHC Worldcare on campus. The OSHC Worldcare representative is on campus Monday to Friday at the Worldcare Service Desk located on: Level 4 Jane Foss Russell Building (GO2), City Road, University of Sydney.

Finding information about Sydney

Sydney Visitor Information Centre
www.sydneyvisitorcentre.com

Weather
Phone 1196 (recorded service) or 132 500 NSW State Emergency Services unit - for help in storms and floods
Also see: www.bom.gov.au for weather updates

Maps
General maps of the Sydney area can be found at newsagents, for about $7. Street directories, with more detail, can be found at most bookstores, and some newsagents. Useful websites include:
www.whereis.com.au
www.sydney-hotels.net
sydney.citysearch.com.au
www.ltl.com.au
www.google.com.au

Australia Post
Australia’s postal network. Most post offices are open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Service includes private mail boxes. www.auspost.com.au

Sydney daily newspapers
Most newsagents have a wide stock of papers and magazines. Some (e.g. at Darling Harbour and Kings Cross) regularly stock overseas newspapers.
Sydney Morning Herald (Monday to Saturday, plus Sun-Herald on Sundays) www.smh.com.au
The Australian (Monday to Saturday) www.news.com.au
Daily Telegraph (Monday to Saturday, plus Sunday
Telegraph on Sundays) www.dailytelegraph.com.au

Government departments
Government Online Directory: gold.directory.gov.au
Australian Government (federal): www.australia.gov.au
State Government of NSW: www.nsw.gov.au
City of Sydney: www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
Local councils: www.lgsa.org.au
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Consular Offices listings): www.dfat.gov.au

Personal safety and security

Sydney is a safe city compared to many other cites around the world, but it would be wrong to think it is completely safe. Here are some simple rules to follow
which will increase your chances of staying safe.

DO NOT walk in the streets alone outside of daylight hours. If you have late lectures, arrange to walk to the bus stop, the station or your home with other people. If this is not possible, catch the free campus shuttle bus to the nearest public transport, or contact Campus Security and ask for an escort.

DO NOT WALK with your maps open. A lost new international student is an easy target.

STAY TOGETHER if you go out with a group of friends. Do not go off with strangers you have met over drinks or elsewhere. Remember, there is safety in numbers.

WALK QUICKLY AND PURPOSEFULLY if you are walking alone, whether at night or during the day.

STAY IN WELL LIT AREAS. Avoid dark, badly lit areas both on and off campus. Keep to brightly lit areas around campus and brightly lit, peopled streets if you have to walk alone at night.

Be prepared to GIVE UP YOUR BAG if someone tries to snatch it. This lessens the chance of injury to yourself. Your safety is more important than your bag.

ALWAYS keep doors and windows locked at home. Leave windows open only if they are fitted with security bars. If you have a security door, keep it locked at all times. Also, do not ‘advertise’ your valuables. For example, if you have a front room and
people can see your computer through the window, there is more chance someone will steal it.

DO NOT open your door to strangers.

To avoid your drinks being ‘spiked’, ALWAYS buy your own and NEVER leave it unattended. Drink spiking is when someone puts a drug, or sometimes just extra
alcohol (e.g. double scotch), into your drink with a view to taking advantage of you when you are not awake.

BE VIGILANT AND ALERT. Stay aware of what is happening around you. If you feel someone is following you, crossing the street to come closer to you, or behaving in a way which seems suspicious to you, take action. If there are shops or restaurants close by, go in. If there are other people walking in the street,
approach someone and ask if you can walk with them, explaining your reasons. If all else fails, run.

TRUST YOUR INTUITION. In any situation, if you feel that something is not right, trust your intuition and take immediate steps to remove yourself from that
situation. If you are attacked, shout “Call 000! Someone is attacking me!” This avoids people thinking it is a domestic conflict and gives them more ‘permission’ to call 000. (Note that ‘000’ is the number for police, ambulance and fire in Australia;
it is the equivalent of ‘911’ in the US.)

KEEP YOUR LOCAL POLICE STATION NUMBER HANDY near your home telephone, and do not hesitate to ring the police if necessary.

CONTACT CAMPUS SECURITY ON 9351 3333 (and 13333 on an internal phone) if you are on campus and feel unsafe or under threat at any time.

CAREFULLY READ the security brochure which will be given to you at Orientation.