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Sydney, NSW

  • City Info
    City of Sydney, NSW

    Sydney is the first European settlement in Australia. Established by Cap. Arthur Phillips on 26 January 1788. It is the largest and most multicultural city in Australia.

    Location

    Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman sea. The city is built on hills surrounding Port Jackson which is known as Sydney harbour.

    Sydney, NSW CBD

    The CBD extends southwards for about 3km from Sydney Cove, the point of first European settlement.
    Every January, the city celebrates with the Sydney Festival.

    Seasons

    Winter
    Jun to Aug
    9°C - 18°C

    Spring
    Sep to Nov
    14°C - 18°C

    Summer
    Dec to Feb
    19°C - 28°C

    Autumn
    Mar to May
    15°C - 22°C

    Time

    Eastern Daylight Time: GMT +11hours. Daylight Saving Time ends April 1st, starts October 7th

    No Smoking

    Smoking is not permitted in NSW within 5 metres of non-residential entrances, and between 5 to 10 metres at beaches, sporting stadiums, near children's playgrounds, at restaurants, bars or clubs either indoor or outdoors $220 on-the-spot fines apply for breaches.

    Post Office

    Mon-Fri: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
    *Some Open Saturday: 9:00 am – 12 noon

    Population

    4'925.000

    Money

    Notes or Bills
    $5|$10|$20|$50|$100

    Coins
    ¢5|¢10|¢20|¢50|$1|$2 (odd cents rounded to the nearest 5¢)

    Education providers

    CRICOS registered institutions for international students: 12 Public Universities, 1 Private University

    Electricity

    240/250 volts/50 Hz

    Weather

    Temperate climate

    Shopping

    Mon-Wed: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
    Thu (suburbs) & Fri (CBD): 9:00 am- 9:00 pm
    Saturday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
    Sunday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

    Banks

    Mon-Thu: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
    Friday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
    Some bank branches are open on Saturday morning: 9:30 – 12 noon

  • Explore

    EXPLORE SYDNEY

     

    Sydney, capital of New South Wales and one of Australia’s largest cities, is best known for its harbourfront Sydney Opera House, with a distinctive sail-like design. Massive Darling Harbour and the smaller Circular Quay port are hubs of waterside life, with the arched Harbour Bridge and esteemed Royal Botanic Garden nearby. Sydney Tower’s outdoor platform, the Skywalk, offers 360-degree views of the city and suburbs.

    Sydney Aquarium, Taronga Zoo and Wildlife Sydney Zoo shelter animals like koalas, kangaroos, sharks and snakes. Pyrmont’s Sydney Fish Market has a working seafood auction and restaurants serving the day’s catch. There are multicultural dining opportunities all over the city, including in Haymarket’s Chinatown and the restaurants serving the Italian community in Leichhardt. A ferry ride through the harbour is part of the experience in visiting outer Sydney destinations such as Bondi and Manly Beaches – both popular for surfing.

    Main attractions include:

     

    Sydney Opera House

    Sydney Harbour Bridge

    The Rocks

    Darling Harbour

    Bondi Beach

    Taronga Zoo

    Weekly markets selling quality fashion, art, handcrafts, fresh produce, etc.

    (Courtesy of Google)

    EXPERIENCE AND LIFESTYLE IN SYDNEY

     

    www.sydney.com

    www.kidsafensw.org/

    www.volunteeringaustralia.org

  • Transport

    Sydney Airport

    https://www.sydneyairport.com.au/
    https://www.sydneyairport.com.au/parking-and-transport/arriving/international/transport-options-international
    C 15 Kms approx. to CBD
    30 minutes (allow more time for peak traffic hours)

    Getting around

    It is important to learn about all the public transport modes around Sydney and nearby cities such as Wollongong, the Blue Mountains, the Hunter Valley and Newcastle. The cheapest and more convenient way to go around is to purchase an OpalCard. See https://transportnsw.info/tickets-opal/. Transport services are divided into three distance-based fare bands. The closer your destination, the cheaper the fare is.

    Useful tips

    • Students doing VET (Vocational programs) and Higher Education (University courses) can obtain discount in public transport.See https://transportnsw.info/tickets-opal/ticket-eligibility-concessions/child-student-concessions/tertiary-students.
    • If you are entitled to Student discount, carry your student ID card with you at all times.
    • If you are travelling late at night on weekends, find out if there is a night route that goes near your destination as some routes are not scheduled on weekends.
    • Disabled and elderly people as well as pregnant women have priority seating.
    • Do not eat, drink or smoke in public transport or in taxis.
    • Always make sure that you have you Opal Card topped up.

    Forms of transport

    For the bus, train, ferry and light train the fare you pay for the trip depends on how far you travel (zones) and also the time of the day. If you want to save money, travel off-peak. Save 30% on train fares for journeys on weekends, public holidays and before or after the peak hours. Sydney Trains peak times are 7-9am and 4-6.30pm weekdays. Always keep a bus/train time table in yourwallet https://transportnsw.info/routes or download the Transport NSW app at https://transportnsw.info/apps. Remember that times for the above services change on weekends and designated holidays.

    WALKING

    is a healthy alternative for transport. When crossing a street, wait for the green pedestrian icon. Do not walk or run over a red pedestrian light.

    RIDE A BIKE

    To cycle you must wear a helmet at all times and follow the road rules.

    BUSES

    Make sure you haiI the bus so the driver stops to pick you up! Always touch on at the beginning of the trip and then off at the end of trip before you leave the bus.

    TRAINS & LIGHT RAIL

    Each train line has a distinctive colour in the map and on the screens at the station to help you find your way easily.
    FERRY Each ferry line has a distinctive colour in the map and screens at the station to help you find your way easily. A fun and unexpensive way to see Sydney harbour and its surroundings!

    RIDING A MOTORCYCLE

    Always wear a helmet. Check with Roads and Maritime Services at www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/licence/rider/index.html.

    DRIVING

    We drive on the left side of the road. To drive in Australia, you need an English translation of your driver’s license. To learn the road rules in New South Wales, check this link http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/safety-rules/road-rules/. If you are going to drink alcohol, do not drive.

    TAXIS

    A safe mode of transportation in particular if you have been drinking after a party. You can pay the taxi fare with your credit card if you do not carry cash. Always ask for a receipt.

    Public transport

    Service name: Sydney Buses: Bus, Train, Ferry
    Timetable: http://www.sydneybuses.info/routes
    Fares: http://www.131500.com.au/tickets/fares/all-fares#mybus
    Location: 219-241 Cleveland Street, Strawberry Hills 2010
    Opening hours: Mon - Fri 8.30 am - 4.30 pm
    Service phone: 61 2 131 500
    Website: http://www.sydneybuses.info

    Private transport

    Service name: Airport Link: Train
    Timetable: http://www.airportlink.com.au/time-tables.php
    Fares: http://www.airportlink.com.au/price.php
    Location: Mascot Station, Cnr John and Bourke Streets, Mascot NSW 2020
    Service phone: 61 2 8337 8417
    Website: http://www.airportlink.com.au

    Interstate transport

    Service name: Transport Country Link: Train
    Timetable: http://www.countrylink.info/timetables
    Fares: http://www.countrylink.info/book_your_trip
    Opening hours: Callcentre: 6.30 am - 10.00 pm
    Service phone: 61 2 13 22 32
    Website: http://www.countrylink.info

  • Hospitals

    IMPORTANT NOTE:

    International Students must go to Public Hospitals as their Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC) does not cover expenses in private hospitals.

    Seeking Medical Assistance

    • Carry your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) card with you at all times.
    • When visting the doctor, you will need to pay for their services (some doctors may bulk bill at no cost to you).
    • Keep all receipts so you can obtain reimbursement later.
    • All medical emergencies are covered by your Overseas Student Health Care (OSHC).
    • If you are unable to attend classes due to being sick, you should obtain a medical certificate from your doctor.
    Royal Prince Alfred Hospital

    (02) 9515 6111
    50 Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW 2050

    Sacred Heart Hospice

    (02) 8382 9444
    170 Darlinghurst Road,Darlinghurst, NSW 2010

    St Vincent's Hospital

    (02) 8382 1111
    390 Victoria Street,Darlinghurst, NSW 2010

    Sydney Hospital / Sydney Eye Hospital

    (02) 9382 7111
    8 Macquarie Street,Sydney, NSW 2000

  • Government Offices
    State Library

    Address
    Macquarie Street
    Sydney NSW 2000

    Opening Hours
    Mon-Thu 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
    Fri 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
    Sat-Sun 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

    Website
    Website

    City Library

    Address
    456 Kent Street
    Sydney NSW 2001

    Opening Hours
    Mon-Fri 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
    Weekends closed

    Website
    Website

    Australian Taxation Office

    Address
    2 Lang Street, Sydney, NSW

    Residential Tenancy Authority

    Address
    1 Fitzwilliam St
    Parramatta NSW 2150

    Website
    Website

    Dept. of Immigration & Citizenship

    Address
    Ground Floor,26 Lee Street
    Sydney NSW 2000

    Opening Hours
    Mon-Fri 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

    Website
    Website

    Fair Work Ombudsman

    Address
    Level 5,255 Elizabeth Street
    Sydney NSW 2001

    Opening Hours
    Mon-Fri 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

    Website
    Website

  • Emergency & Assistance

    How to make an International call:
    0011 + Country Code + City Code + Number
    If you don't know your country code, call 1225

    National Phone Codes

    (02) Sydney (NSW) & Canberra (ACT)

    (07) Brisbane & Gold Coast (QLD)

    (08) Perth (WA), Adelaide (SA) & Darwin (NT)

    (04) Mobile (Australia wide)

    (03) Melbourne (VIC) & Hobart (TAS)

    (13 or 1300) Local calls

  • Student Services Directory

    There are no Education providers yet in sydney