Emergencies
For emergencies such as fire, ambulance or police, phone 000. When you dial 000, you will be asked whether you want fire, ambulance or police and why you want this assistance. You will also be asked for your name and address and telephone number. Australia police protect people and properties, detect and prevent crime, and preserve peace for everyone. They are not connected to the military or politics. The police can help you feel safe.
Fire
The fire brigade extinguishes fires, rescues people from fires in cars and buildings, and helps in situations where gas or chemicals become a danger. As soon as a fire starts call 000 no matter how small or large the fire may be.
Ambulance
Ambulances provide immediate medical attention in an emergency and emergency transportation to hospital. To access an ambulance, call 000.
Medical assistance
Emergency medical treatment is available 24 hours a day at the emergency or casualty department of a public hospital, or at some medical centers. Public and private hospitals are listed in the White Pages telephone directory under ‘Hospitals’ and you can also find them by searching on the internet. If you need to go to hospital, remember to bring your health insurance card and any medicines you are currently taking. For anything other than an emergency, seek medical help from a general practitioner (GP) or local medical Centre.
Insurance
As an international student in Australia, you are required to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the entire duration of your study in Australia. But there are also other types of insurance which you may find useful.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
International students undertaking formal studies in Australia, and their dependents (for example, spouses and children under 18 years old), must obtain OSHC. It includes cover for visits to the doctor, some hospital treatment, ambulance cover and limited pharmaceuticals (medicines).
OSHC insurers can provide a range of different OSHC products. These may range from a basic product which covers only the compulsory minimum services to comprehensive products which cover, in addition to the compulsory minimum services, extra services as specified under the particular policy. You can find more information, including a list of the providers and average costs, on the Department of Health www.health.gov.au website.
Your OSHC will help you pay for any medical or hospital care you may need while you’re studying in Australia, and it will contribute towards the cost of most prescription medicines, and an ambulance in an emergency.
OSHC does not cover dental, optical or physiotherapy. If you want to be covered for these treatments you will need to buy additional private health insurance, such as:
• Extra OSHC provided by some OSHC providers;
• International travel insurance; or
• General treatment cover with any Australian private health insurer.
You can find a list of these providers and search for the one that suits you best at www.privatehealth.gov.au or
www.iselect.com.au
Travel Insurance
Australia has a very reliable travel industry, but cancelled flights, lost luggage or other un-planned issues can arise.
If you are travelling with valuables or are on a travel schedule you have to meet, travel insurance can help cover any mishaps or missed flights.
You can arrange travel insurance through a range of providers including travel insurance companies, airlines and travel booking companies.
Home and Contents Insurance
Home and contents insurance covers the building you live in and your belongings, such as furniture, clothes and appliances.
If you rent a property, building insurance is the responsibility of the owner and you do not need to worry about it but contents insurance is worth considering if you have valuable items you couldn’t afford to replace very easily if something happened to them.
Vehicle Insurance
If you purchase a car, motorbike or other vehicle you will need to consider what type of insurance you will need to purchase. Depending on what state or territory of Australia you live in there may be compulsory insurance you need to purchase.
For example, in NSW you must purchase Compulsory Third Party insurance which covers you for personal injuries caused to someone else in an accident.
You should check with the relevant government agency in your state or territory to find out what, if any, compulsory insurance you might need.
Australia has a range of choices when it comes to managing your money, from banks that cover the whole country to local credit unions and building societies.
Here are some quick tips on setting up your bank accounts:
- You can set up a bank account before or after you arrive.
- To open an account you will need to have your Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE), passport, Letter of Offer and other forms of identification.
- You may also need an Australian Tax File Number (TFN). You can find information about getting a TFN at the Australian Tax Office (ATO). The website of ATO is www.ato.gov.au
- Financial or student support officers at your university or college will be able to give you information on how to set up a bank account.
- You can also read advice from the Australian Government’s website.
Money, Banking & Currency
The basic unit of Australian currency is the dollar (AUD). There are 100 cents in one dollar ($1). Australian dollar notes come in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. Coins are issued in denominations of 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2.
Prices are rounded up or down to the nearest 5 cents in shops and supermarkets. For example, you would pay $1.95 for an item priced $1.97, but $2 for an item priced $1.99.
Accessing your money
You can withdraw your money at automatic teller machines (ATMs) which can be found all over Australia. It is generally free to withdraw money from an ATM that is associated with your financial provider.
Be aware that if you use another provider’s ATM they will usually charge you a fee. The ATM will advise you of the fee at the point of withdrawal.
Even if you haven’t set up a bank account before you get here, most ATMs recognise international cards, so you will be able to use your credit or debit card from your home country. Just remember that there are fees associated with withdrawing money from your home account including transaction fees and the currency exchange rate. These vary by provider so check with your home financial provider before you arrive in Australia.
Moving money overseas or to Australia
Australian banks offer various services for moving money to and from Australia. For all these services, fees and charges will apply. These can be found on financial provider websites.
You can have funds electronically transferred into your Australian bank account from overseas banks. To send money to another country you will need to provide the banking details of the person you wish to send money to. Your financial provider will then electronically transfer the funds from your account to their account.
Banking Ombudsman
The Australian Banking and Financial Services Ombudsman assists individuals and small businesses to resolve complaints concerning all financial services provided by banks. For example, there may be an instance where you see that money has been withdrawn from your bank account without your consent. In this case, it may be necessary to talk to the banking ombudsman to resolve the issue. Free interpreter services are available. For more information on the banking ombudsman visit: www.fos.org.au or call 1300 780 808.
Accommodation
The following types of accommodation are available for International students:
- Full Board (Home stay): AU$200 – AU$270 per week
- Student house: AU$150 – AU$200 per week
- Half – Board: AU$150 – AU$200 per week (plus expenses).
- Leasing a House/Flat: AU$200 – AU$350 per week (unfurnished)
This accommodation can be booked prior to arrival.
Two weeks advance notice is required before you depart for Australia. Further details can be obtained from the International Student Welfare Officer.
Some useful internet sites for housing are
Student Housing Australia: www.sha.com.au
Share Accommodation: www.studentaccommodation.com
Youth Central Housing and Accommodation: www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au
Study in Australia Accommodation: www.studyinaustralia.gov.au
Unilodge: www.unilodge.com.au
Riverside Apartment: www.riversideservicedapartments.com.au
Your rights as a tenant
It is important to remember that as an international Student, you have the same renting rights as local residents. Review the information below about renting and tenants’ rights.
Consumer Affairs Victoria: www.consumer.vic.gov.au/internationalstudents
Australia has a wide range of industries and many have part time employment opportunities.
If you have existing qualifications and/or professional work experience, you may be able to secure casual or part time work in your field.
Internships
Paid or unpaid internships can be a great way to get exposure to the professional, financial and creative industries.
Volunteering
There are many charities and non-government organisations (NGOs) in Australia and they always need volunteers to help out. It can be a great way to meet friends, get some hands on work experience and give back to the community.
Your Rights
Everyone working in Australia, including international students or those on working holiday visas, have basic rights at work. These rights protect entitlement to:
• A minimum wage.
• Challenge of unfair dismissal from the job
• Breaks and rest periods.
• A healthy and safe work environment.
To find out more about your work rights visit the Australian Government’s fair work website www.fairwork.gov.au You will also need to get a tax file number to work in Australia. Visit the Australian Taxation Office (ATO)) website www.ato.gov.au to find out more information on getting a tax file number and as well as information about paying taxes in Australia.
Finding Work
There are plenty of ways to find work that suits you, including:
- Newspapers and online job sites.
- Some institutions provide job notice-boards on campus and online. Contact your institution’s international student support staff to find out what options your institution offers.
- Register your details at a recruitment firm; many of them help place people in casual or short-term work.