ARRIVAL GUIDE 2019 - Flinders University Students
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Contents 03 Welcome 39 Working in Australia 04 Important Flinders University 41 Laws in Australia and emergency contacts 42 Important academic information 07 Arrival checklist 47 Academic expectations 08 Contacting your family 48 Safety considerations 12 Off-campus long-term 52 Fire safety accommodation 56 Sun safety 19 How do I connect to utilities 57 Beach safety 21 Making connections 58 Bush safety 23 Getting around 59 Storm safety 29 Shopping 60 Dangerous animals and plants 32 Health 62 A final word 34 Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) Front cover: Flinders University main entrance, Bedford Park
Welcome Welcome to Adelaide and Flinders University. The information in this Arrival Guide is designed to assist you in settling into your new environment and covers information relating to setting up your permanent accommodation, academic information and living in a new social, cultural and academic environment. You will be well-supported during your stay at Flinders University, and my staff at Flinders International will assist you through your settling-in phase, helping you to connect with a range of on-campus support services and staff in your academic area. We are particularly aware of how challenging it can be to adjust to a new environment, and encourage you to seek assistance early, so that you can adjust as quickly as possible to Flinders and Adelaide. We will support you through every step of your studies at Flinders and look forward to this being the beginning of a life-long association between you and Flinders University. Wishing you the best of luck, and I am looking forward to seeing you on Campus. Sebastian Raneskold Vice-President & Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) 3
Important University and emergency contacts For Advice About Contact Details Using this International Student International Student Services Handbook Services (ISS) (Union Building, J10 campus map)Nearest Parking: Car Parks 1 and 6 Tel: 8201 2717 Email: iss@flinders.edu.au The University Main Switchboard number Sturt Road, Bedford Park, SA 5042 www.flinders.edu.au Tel: 8201 3911 24 Hour Student Flinders Security Humanities, opposite Main Library entrance Emergency (H9 campus map) Tel: 8201 2880 (external) or 12880 (internal) Department of DHA 70 Franklin Street, Adelaide, South Home Affairs Australia Tel: 131 881 www.homeaffairs.gov.au Flinders FLO Student Help Desk Level 1, Central Library (J9 campus map) Authentication Tel: 1300 354 633 (option 3) Number (FAN) and Password Personal Issues International Student International Student Services Services (Union Building, J10 campus map) Tel: 8201 2717 Email: iss@flinders.edu.au Health, Counselling and Level 3, Student Centre (J11 campus map) Disability Services Tel: 8201 2118 English Language Student Learning Centre Registry Annexe (J10 campus map, and Learning (SLC) opposite Student Centre) Email: slc@flinders.edu.au Writing Help Learning Lounge at Central Library (J9 campus map) and Academic Support at Sturt Library (V5 campus map) Email: slc@flinders.edu.au 4
For Advice About Contact Details Maths and Maths Help Learning Lounge at Central Library Statistics (J9 campus map) and Academic Support at Sturt Library (V5 campus map) Email: slc@flinders.edu.au Accommodation Flinders Living University Hall (Q9 campus map) Tel: 7221 8900 Email: flinders.living@flinders.edu.au Visa Questions International Student International Student Services (Union Services Building, J9 campus map) Tel: 8201 2717 Email: iss@flinders.edu.au Medical Questions Health, Counselling and Level 3, Student Centre (J11 campus map) Disability Services Tel: 8201 2118 Disability Disability Advisors in Level 3, Student Centre (J11 campus map) Health, Counselling and Tel: 8201 2118 Disability Services Email: disability@flinders.edu.au Security Flinders Security Humanities, opposite Main Library entrance (H9 campus map) Tel: 8201 2880 (external) or 12880 (internal) Tuition Fees Flinders Connect Flinders Connect, Level 0, Central Library (J9 campus map) Tel: 1300 354 633 Enrolment Enrolment Services Flinders Connect, Level 0, Central Library (J9 campus map) Tel: 1300 354 633 Child Care Flinders University Sturt Drive (S6 campus map) Childcare Centre Tel: 8201 2881 Email: admin@flinderschildren.com.au Student Flinders University Student Level 1, Student Hub (J10 campus map) Employment Association (FUSA) Tel: 8201 2371 Email: fusa@flinders.edu.au Independent Flinders University Student Level 1, Student Hub (J10 campus map) Advocacy Association (FUSA) Tel: 8201 2371 Email: fusa@flinders.edu.au Sport and Fitness Flinders One Sport and Alan Mitchell Sports Centre Fitness (K11 campus map) Tel: 8201 2842 Email: sport.fitness@flinders.edu.au Don’t know who International Student Tel: 8201 2717 to ask? Services Email: iss@flinders.edu.au 5
For Advice About Contact Details Emergency Police, Fire, Ambulance Tel: 000, from mobile phones also 112 Contact for Text call emergency — TTY or ASCII Phone life-threatening 106 for the emergency relay service emergencies Police Attendance e.g. property damage or Tel: 131 444 theft when the perpetrator has already left the scene Medical Flinders Medical Centre 8204 5511 emergencies Health Direct 1800 022 222 Lifeline (Counselling) 131 114 Medibank – OSHC 134 148 provider 1800 887 283 (24/7 Medibank Student Health and Support Line) Mental Health Triage 131 465 Service National 1800 Respect 1800 737 732 Service Poisons Information 131 126 Centre Parents Helpline 1300 364 100 Royal Adelaide Hospital 8222 4000 Women’s and Children’s 8161 7000 Hospital Yarrow Place Rape & 8226 8777 Sexual Assault Service Other Electricity emergencies 131 366 emergencies and power failures Gas emergencies/leaks 1800 427 532 Water and Sewer service difficulties and 1300 883 121 emergencies State Emergency Service 132 500 Consumer rights Legal Service Commission 1300 366 424 SA Consumer and Business Services (Tenancies 131 882 Branch) 6 //6 ARRIVAL GUIDE
Arrival Checklist After your arrival, please make sure you have: Contacted your family to let them know that you have arrived safely Finalised your long-term accommodation Opened a bank account? (see Pre-Departure Guide for details) Activated your Medibank Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) membership card Explored transportation options in your area Found a local supermarket and shopping centre in your area Made arrangements for your children. (see Pre-Departure Guide for details) O btained and activated your Flinders Authentication Name (FAN) and student email account R eceived an email confirmation for your compulsory Flinders International Student Orientation (FISO) Finalised your enrolment Familiarised yourself with the campus Updated your address and contact details in the Student Information System flinders.okta.com/login/default Familiarised yourself with emergency numbers, refer to page 4-6. 7
Contacting your family Your family and friends will be Mobile/cell phones If you have brought your locally connected happy to know that you have mobile phone with you to Australia, check arrived safely in Australia. We that you have global roaming which can be used in Australia. suggest calling them on arrival. Alternatively, the Australian Communication To make international phone calls: and Media Authority will inform you if your Dial: International access code (0011) mobile phone handset is compatible with + the country code + the area code (if Australian conditions. www.acma.gov.au required) + phone number (when adding a If not, you can buy your mobile phone in country code to a number, any leading 0 Australia. (zero) on the area code following it is not Understand what deal you are accepting dialled). before signing a contract with a provider. Calling Australia from overseas For a comparison of mobile phone plans in Australia see the compare mobile phone To contact Australia, first dial the plan module at: www.whistleout.com.au international access code from that country (this will vary in each country), There are two options: then Australia’s country code prefix (61) 1. B uy a phone and use a pre-paid followed by the area code without the first account zero (for instance Adelaide would be 8 2. B uy a plan account. instead of 08), and then dial the required Read the information put out by the number. Government of South Australia to Example: ISS International access assist you: number +61 8 8201 2717 www.sa.gov.au/topics/rights-and- law/consumer-rights/shopping-tips/ buying-a-mobile-phone Some popular mobile phone and network providers in Australia include: www.telstra.com www.optus.com.au www.vodafone.com.au www.virginmobile.com.au (Source: online search) 8
Free telecommunications APPS Calling emergency services There are a number of free DIAL 000 telecommunications applications (APPS) In Australia dial 000 from any phone for available for smart phones. The popular fire, police or ambulance services. APPS are VIBER, What’s App, We Chat, Skype and IMO. 112 may also be dialled from all GSM or GSM derived mobile phones. Dialling 112 will override key locks on mobile phones and therefore save time. For students with a disability Text call emergency —for TTY or ASCII Dial: 106. Emergency Services operators answer this number quickly and will say, “Police, Fire, or Ambulance”. If you are unsure, tell the operator what the emergency is. It is wise to think ahead with the most important information which will help them to respond. Respond with important information first. Note street names and the closest intersection. What has happened and to whom, and what their condition is. Stay calm and follow the operator’s instructions. 9
Contacting your family Internet Internet access on arrival Internet cafes are located in most major Wireless network on campus cities, or you can book a computer at A wireless network operates on most parts a community library. You can use your of the campus, so you can use your own student email after you have activated mobile device to view the internet. There your Flinders Authentication Name (FAN). are guidelines about the requirements activate.flinders.edu.au/main for your software and virus protection, and more information on the parts of the Alternatively, to email family and friends campus that are not supported by the you can find internet facilities at these wireless network connection can be location: found at: Arena Internet Café flinders.edu.au/its/communication- 264 Rundle Street, Adelaide tools/network-access/wireless- Marion Cultural Centre Library network 287 Diagonal Road, Oaklands Park (Tel: 8375 6600 to book) Glenelg Library 2 Colley Terrace, Glenelg (Tel: 8295 2580 to book) McDonald’s and CIBO cafes have free Wi-Fi. For more information on Adelaide city and suburban free Wi-Fi Hotspot coverage, visit: hotspot.internode. on.net/coverage/index.php Image right: Students in the Hub at Bedford Park campus 10
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Off-campus long-term accommodation Unless you already have A unit is a single storey flat. They are traditionally built in smaller groups of on campus long-term between two and eight. accommodation at Flinders A townhouse is a flat that occupies two levels, and these are located in Living or the Flinders Medical small groups of between two and eight. Townhouses often have a small garden or Centre Flats, your first priority courtyard, making them suitable for small will be to find a place to live. families. Granny flats/bed-sits are self-contained Types of off-campus one-bedroom flats. They are usually located at the rear of a house and have accommodation their own entrance. Private rental Furnished/unfurnished The private rental market provides a range accommodation of housing options and the most common Furnished accommodation is relatively are: hard to find in Adelaide and may be • Houses slightly more expensive than unfurnished • Flats accommodation. Furniture can be obtained cheaply in second hand shops (see Houses shopping section for further information). Houses usually consist of a lounge and/ or dining room, bathroom, toilet, laundry, General rental arrangements kitchen and anywhere between two and Most single students live in either shared four bedrooms. or rooming accommodation. Students with The cost will depend on a number of family may choose to live in an individual factors, such as location, size, and number flat or house. of bedrooms and whether or not it is Renting houses and flats in the furnished. private sector Flats Renting houses and flats will always Flats are smaller than houses and often involve signing a legal leasing agreement, have combined kitchen and dining rooms. usually for a minimum tenancy of six Some terms are used interchangeably, so months. Initial expenses are high because you will hear people talk about flats, units, you must pay two weeks rent in advance townhouses and granny flats. and a security bond, which is equal to at A flat is usually located in a group that has least four weeks rent. dwellings on more than one level. Most groups have between two and five levels with up to 10 flats on a level. 12
Signing a lease means you agree to certain For further details, check online at: rules and responsibilities. For landlord’s www.sa.gov.au/topics/housing/ and tenants’ rights and responsibilities, renting-and-letting/rooming-lodging- visit: www.sa.gov.au/topics/housing/ and-boarding-in-private-rental/living- renting-and-letting/renting-privately/ in-a-rooming-house or ask for help starting-a-tenancy by calling the Consumer and Business Sharing Services Tenancies on 131 882. Sharing a house or flat with other people Full board/home stay is the most economical, flexible and This type of accommodation consists of popular form of student housing. Usually a furnished room in a home with two or each person has their own bedroom and three meals a day provided. Laundry and the bathroom, kitchen and living room room cleaning may be included. It is ideal are for everyone to share and maintain. for students new to Adelaide who like Moving into an existing share house can Australian cooking, or those with busy be less costly initially, but you may prefer study schedules. to organise a group to start a new share house yourself. Being able to share and Staying with friends or family live with other people is important. If you know someone in Australia, this is Rooming house/ room only a great way to settle into life here. Your accommodation friends or family can provide advice, A rooming house is a residential property support and encouragement in your first where rooms are available for rent to three days in Australia. However, if you are under or more people. Rooming houses include the age of 18 you must obtain approval boarding and lodging houses. Room only from your education provider first. Please accommodation usually provides you with talk to an International Student Advisor at a furnished room, with the use of facilities. ISS for further information. It differs from sharing as the owner usually rents out the accommodation. The owner may live on the property or visit regularly. You need to ensure that the terms of your rental arrangements are clear, in writing, and are agreed to by both you and the owner. If the owner rents out at least three rooms, the section of the Act relating to Rooming House tenancies may apply. 13
Off-campus long-term accommodation Where do I look for Where do students live? accommodation? The majority of students live on-campus or close to the University in suburbs along The following websites will provide you the main transport corridors of South an idea of the type, cost and availability of Road, Fiveash Drive,Goodwood Road or accommodation in Adelaide. Sturt Road. Flinders website Suburbs close to Flinders University, www.flinders.edu.au/living/short- Bedford Park campus and accessible by term-private public transport are: Multi-agency listings • Bedford Park • Mitchell Park • Clovelly Park • Flagstaff Hill www.realestate.com.au • Edwardstown • Panorama www.homehound.com • Melrose Park • Pasadena www.domain.com.au • St Marys • Sturt. Real estate agents’ listings Some students choose to buy a car, which www.ljhooker.com.au broadens their options. The beachside www.century21.com.au suburbs of Brighton and Glenelg are popular. Suburbs between Bedford Park www.philmcmahon.com.au and Victoria Square campus are: www.garyjsmith.com.au • Mile End • Goodwood www.linandrews.com.au • Plympton • Camden Park. www.raineandhorne.com.au • Cumberland Park www.toop.com.au www.eldersrealestate.com.au How do I choose accommodation? The amount you can afford to pay is Full board/homestay – probably the biggest factor when choosing www.homestaynetwork.org your accommodation. Include paying a bond/rent in advance, Wednesday and Saturday are the connecting electricity and/or gas when best days for Rental Accommodation calculating your budget. advertisements in The Advertiser, Then furniture, bed, table, chairs, etc; Adelaide’s daily newspaper. white goods: fridge, washing machine; The landlord (usually the owner) or a real kitchen utensils: cutlery, crockery, pots estate agent acting on the landlord’s and pans; linen: sheets, towels, tea-towels; behalf usually manages rental properties. bedding: pillows, quilts and blankets; fans/ Ring the landlord or real estate agent to heaters; and food. arrange an inspection of the property. Your first ‘shop’ will be quite expensive, as you will be buying everything. 14
Students in the Hub and Plaza at Bedford Park When inspecting accommodation, ask yourself the following questions. Are there laundry facilities? Is there a telephone line already connected? Do the light fittings work? Is the oven/stove, gas or electrical? Do the toilet and shower all work? Is the place furnished? What kind of furniture? What kind of heating/cooling is there? Is it close to transport, shops, and campus? Will the area be noisy? Is it on a busy road? Is there good security? Will the landlord carry out any repairs before you move in? 15
Off-campus long-term accommodation Will I get help finding Pet ownership Do not buy a pet while you are in Adelaide. accommodation? If you do have a pet, not only will you The ISS runs an accommodation service have the expense of feeding it, but many on campus in the lead up to the start of landlords and real estate agents have ‘no the semester. pets’ clauses in rental agreements. Further, You can ask staff provide information if you plan to return home during vacations on leases, renting and finding long-term you will need to arrange for someone accommodation. to look after your pet. There are laws The ISS will help you to: protecting the rights of animals in Australia and if you neglect your pet (leaving it • look through accommodation listings alone for an extended period) you can • phone real-estate agents or landlords to be prosecuted and charged with animal make bookings to view properties and neglect and at worst, animal cruelty. work out how to get there. • look through accommodation listings Things to keep in mind when • phone real-estate agents or landlords to renting make bookings to view properties and Tenancy agreements work out how to get there. You should never sign a lease unless you Important things to consider have read, understood and agreed to it. There should be two identical copies of Household Contents Insurance the lease—one for the owner and one for If you are in a rental property you may you. consider contents insurance for your Be aware of the length of your stay in belongings. Contents insurance will Adelaide; do not sign a lease for 12 replace your belongings if your house is months if you are only going to be here for robbed and your belongings are damaged eight months. If you leave before the lease or stolen, or you have a house fire and your expires, you are in breach of the contract belongings are destroyed or damaged. and will be required to pay the rent until Obtain quotes before deciding on a new tenants move in. particular insurance company and policy. The following websites provide information Security deposit/bonds on the insurance policies. A security deposit or bond is required by To compare insurance, visit: an owner or agent, and may not exceed • CANSTAR the equivalent of four weeks rent for all www.canstar.com.au/home-insurance properties under $250 per week. For • C ompare the Market properties above $250 per week, the www.comparethemarket.com.au agent can ask for six weeks’ rent. The • iSelect money is held in a trust fund with the www.iselect.com.au/home-and-contents Consumer and Business Services 16
Tenancies and a receipt should be issued and obligations of a rental agreement. to you within three weeks of payment. It Information about these rights is is suggested that you offer your bond in available from the Accommodation Service a cheque made out to the Consumer and or from the Consumer and Business Business Services Tenancies. Services Tenancies either online at: For a rooming house, your landlord should www.cbs.sa.gov.au/renting-and- not charge you more than two weeks’ rent letting or by telephoning 131 882. as a security bond. The purpose of a bond is to guarantee the owner reimbursement Special clauses/schedules if you leave the premises damaged or with attached to leases rent owing. If you leave the property in Read your tenancy agreement carefully good condition and with all rent paid your and make sure you understand if your bond should be returned to you in full once landlord has added any special clause. you have left the property. Bond money and rent receipts Water In a tenancy, water supply rates and To avoid any disputes always ask for a charges are paid as agreed between the receipt for your rent. If the owner refuses landlord and the tenant. In the absence to write a receipt they are in breach of the of an agreement, if the water supply Residential Tenancies Act. is separately metered, the tenant is responsible to pay for all water use and the Application water supply charge. If you find a suitable property you may need to submit an application form. Please Condition reports/ be careful when signing this form as you may be obliged to take the property should inspection sheet your application be approved (these are When moving into your new known as binding contracts). accommodation you will be given an inspection sheet that includes a list • Check with the landlord or real estate of contents with a description of their agent whether the application is binding condition. The landlord will usually fill or non-binding. out the form and give this to you to fill • Only fill out a form if you are definitely out your comments. It is wise to spend interested. at least a week or two with this form, as • Do not apply for more than one place it is easy to overlook faults within the at any one time, unless the agent has property when you first move in. You advised you that it is a non-binding should keep a copy of your inspection application. sheet so that you can refer to it when By signing a lease, the owner and tenant you are vacating your rental property. legally commit themselves to the rights 17
Off-campus long-term accommodation Please note: Keep all documents such as Garbage collection your lease and condition report in a safe Ask your neighbours or local council which place, for example with your passport and day of the week you need to put out your other documents, as you will require these rubbish bins. If you live in a small block of when you leave the property. flats, there may be a shared bin which all tenants use. Speak with your neighbours Things to watch out for during or tenants and ask when you need to put your tenancy out each bin. What do I do if I have a problem with When you are leaving the my lease/landlord? If you cannot resolve the problem between property yourself and your landlord, you can ask It is advisable to give seven working days’ for advice from Consumer and Business notice of your departure to electrical, Services Tenancies. Call them on 131 882. telephone and gas companies. Each will then advise you of any procedures that Legal rights and obligations within you will need to undertake, and take a share households final reading of your meter, disconnect the Sharing a house or flat is usually more service and send your final account for complicated than living alone. While payment. tenants still have to live by the rules of the Consumer and Business Services Tenancies, there are occasions where the rules are not entirely clear. Some examples of this are sub-letting the property, general household rules, unwanted members of the household and appropriate action to be taken when one or more members of the household ends their tenancy. It is important the property is kept clean and tidy at all times. Inspections The agent or owner will inspect your rental premises regularly. They must give you 7–14 days’ notice and arrange a mutually convenient time. An inspection can take place once every 28 days. 18
How do I connect to utilities? Ring and let each provider know the date contract moves with you. and time you would like the connections to Origin Energy (gas) and AGL (electricity) be made. Arrange new connections a few are ‘default providers’. This means that if days before moving to your new home. This you or a previous tenant has not selected is particularly important with electricity a provider, this company will provide your (and gas if you have a gas connection) to gas or electricity service. ensure you are not left without light and Electricity: AGL SA, Tel: 131 245 heating/cooling etc. Gas: Origin Energy Retail, Tel: 13 24 61 Land phone Default providers are obliged to offer a There are two major carriers of home ‘standing contract’ for their default service, telephone services in Australia: Telstra and which is a contract that has no fixed term, Optus. It is your choice to either get a land so you do not have to use them for a for a phone or not. Visit www.telstra.com.au particular length of time. and www.optus.com.au When you change providers, the date of the transfer may be delayed until the Choosing a carrier and/or service previous energy provider for the property provider has taken a final reading. This means that • Once Telstra has connected your you may receive a bill from a provider with telephone, you can choose from a whom you do not have a contract. number of companies to carry your local, In order to avoid delays with your energy STD (interstate) and ISD (international) connections and future disputes about calls. You might find that using phone your bill, ask your landlord or real estate cards is cheaper for international calls. agent which energy provider the previous • Shop around to find a service provider tenant used. You need to make sure the with good rates that suit your telephone previous bills have been finalised before usage pattern. you start as a new account holder. Electricity and gas To help make a decision about the best provider for you, call the Australian You may need to do some research to find Consumer and Competition the best provider for you. Commission on 1300 302 502. The To compare, go to: Australian Energy Regulator website at: www.energymadeeasy.gov.au www.aer.gov.au/consumers When choosing energy provider(s), you In both cases you will probably be asked need to know that most providers prefer about previous energy consumption, so ‘market contract’, which means that you you will need to explain that you are new to are agreeing to use their service for a fixed South Australia. period (usually a year) If you break the contract, you will be charged a penalty. As the contract for energy supply is between you and the provider, if you move house the 19
How do I connect to utilities? How much does energy cost? Internet Your electricity costs will vary for each Compare a number of internet companies, season and your bill will depend on how considering how much you are likely to use many appliances you use, and for how the internet and how many downloads you long. For tips on saving energy please visit are likely to make. When you have found the website on: the most suitable plan (prepaid or plan), www.sa.gov.au/topics/energy-and- you normally ring the internet provider and environment or contact the Energy they will be able to talk you through the set Advisory Service on 8204 1888. up process. A list of broadband providers is also available at: comms.iselect.com.au/ broadband 20
Making connections ISS arranges social activities Movies Cinemas in Adelaide offer cheaper tickets at low cost. We send out on Tuesday nights. Westfield Marion, information using student email which is a large shopping centre on Sturt Road (and very close to Flinders), has a contact lists, so make sure that megaplex with a good range of movies on you check your university email show at any one time. To find out what movies are on and session regularly. times, check: If you are living on-campus, the Hall and Event Cinemas Marion and Village senior residents organise a number GU Filmhouse Glenelg: of activities. www.eventcinemas.com.au Wallis Cinemas: www.wallis.com.au Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas (City): www.palacecinemas.com.au/cinemas/ eastend/ Students in the food court at Bedford Park 21
Making connections Music Sports and social activities Adelaide has a number of live music Ask at the Alan Mitchell Sports Centre venues and for further information check preview.flinders.edu.au/content/dam/ either the Gig Guide, which is published in documents/campus/maps/campus- the Friday edition of The Advertiser, or your map.pdf for information on sporting clubs local Messenger paper for venues and affiliated with the University. Please see: band details. Talk to local students about www.onesportandfitness.com.au Adelaide bands. Check your local Council websites or ask Other event guides include: at ISS for information about sporting and www.liveguide.com.au/Adelaide social clubs in the community. www.adelaidereview.com.au/guides Other activities Community activities Check the following websites for entertainments/attractions: Most local councils run a range of social activities. Visit their websites for details www.adelaidecitycouncil.com and for and select the Community tab and look their Event Guide (free and low-cost), see for Community Events and Community www.cityofadelaide.com.au/whats-on Centres. Art Gallery of South Australia: Mitcham: www.artgallery.sa.gov.au/agsa/home www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au South Australian Museum: Marion: www.samuseum.sa.gov.au/ www.marion.sa.gov.au GlamAdelaide: Holdfast Bay: www.glamadelaide.com.au/ www.holdfast.sa.gov.au The Botanical Gardens: Onkaparinga: www.environment.sa.gov.au/ www.onkaparingacity.com botanicgardens Unley: www.unley.sa.gov.au 22
Getting around What public transport is If your spouse or partner is not a student, they must buy a full price ticket. there and how do I use it? Accompanied children under five years old travel free at all times Bus, train and tram Metro card and metro tickets The website www.adelaidemetro.com. You must use a metro card or a metro au gives you access to general customer ticket to travel on any bus, train or tram. information as well as timetables, new and special offers. Metro Card: This is an electronic smart card and useful for frequent public Public transport information transport users. You can find out about public transport Metro Ticket: This is a paper based fares and receive assistance with planning ticket and best for those who use public your route from: transportation very rarely. • Passenger Transport Information Centre You can buy and recharge a Metrocard (corner Currie and from most post offices, many King William Streets in the city) delicatessens, newsagencies and the • Information Office, Adelaide Railway Passenger Transport Information Centre. Station Single Metro tickets can be purchased on • The Adelaide Metro Info line on board buses, trains and trams. 1300 311 108 Peak and interpeak periods • For hearing impaired, call (TTY) Peak: before 9:01am and after 3.00pm on 133 677 Monday – Friday and all day Saturday. www.adelaidemetro.com.au Interpeak: from 9:01am-3pm weekdays, Concessions all day Sunday and on public holidays. Your Flinders University student ID card Ticket prices are available from the with its full time sticker on it means you can Adelaide Metro website. buy a concession fare on public transport. Paying for your trip Pay the full price for a ticket until you get your student ID card. When you have a To pay, simply hold the card against the student ID card, do not buy a student on-board machine or at the barrier gates ticket (these are for school students), but of the Adelaide train station. buy a concession ticket. Have your student Your metro card will recognise the time ID card with you when using a concession of travel and deduct the appropriate fare. ticket because an inspector can ask you The deducted fare and the balance of to show it on public transport. If travelling your metro card will also appear on the with a concession ticket without your validator display. student ID card, you will be fined. 23
Getting around Lost property Bikes on trains If you think you have lost any personal Take your bike on trains if you do not want belongings while travelling on a bus, train or to ride the whole way to university. If there tram in Adelaide, report lost property via the is space, bikes can be taken free of charge Adelaide metro website. Click on ‘contact from Monday–Friday 9:01am–3pm and us’ and complete the form or call the 6pm to last service and all day Saturdays, Adelaide Metro InfoLine on 1300 311 108. Sundays and public holidays. Outside of these hours you must validate a separate Public transport etiquette concession ticket for your bike. You cannot Buses will only pickup and drop off take a bike on a Bus or Tram. passengers at designated bus stops. How do I get to Flinders University by When the bus you want to catch is public transport? approaching the stop, you need to hail it by standing on the kerb and extending your Buses are the usual type of public arm horizontally. The bus will then stop transport in Adelaide and mostly operate (unless it is an express service) and you between 6am and midnight daily. Trains may board. and trams operate in some suburbs. There is limited accommodation within • Give way to exiting passengers before walking distance or a five-minute bus you get on. ride from Flinders. Aim for a distance of • Purchase a bus ticket from the bus driver 10–30 minutes’ travelling time (by bus) to unless you already have one. Please pay the campus, especially if you are budget with change or a $5 or $10 note. conscious. Bus fares will usually be the • Pay with your Metrocard. same no matter how far you travel. • Be courteous and offer your seat to Each bus ticket lasts for two hours travel people with disabilities, seniors, pregnant so that you can use it again if you need women or adult with strollers. to transfer buses on your journey to the • To exit the bus you must ring the bell after campus. the stop before you wish to get off. What bus do I catch to/or from • Never put your feet on seats. Flinders? • No eating, drinking or smoking on-board You can plan your journey from the vehicles. following resources: • Some buses are express and passengers www.adelaidemetro.com.au cannot get off until a designated stop. www.google.com.au/maps If you are travelling by train from the suburbs to the city, you can buy your ticket on the train. When you travel from Adelaide Railway Station in the city to the suburbs, you must buy your ticket before you enter the platforms. 24
What do I need to know about turning, especially on busy roads when there is a lot of traffic around you riding a Taxi? • Lock your bike when you leave it Taxis are easy to identify. Usually they are anywhere – refer to the link below for white and have a logo on the body of the information regarding free bike shelters taxi. Drivers must display an identity card on campus: stage.flinders.edu.au/ at all times. campus/bedford-park/location/ Fees and surcharge cycling In general, taxi meters are clearly visible so • Do not ride on footpaths, unless they are you can see the cost of your fare. All taxis specially marked must charge standard fare. • Do not ride more than two persons abreast • Do not ride without lights on your bike at Hailing a taxi night You can hail a taxi from a taxi rank or phone one of the major taxi companies. Special Cautions Make sure you invest money in a good lock Major Taxi Companies: and use it, even when your bike is at your Adelaide Independent Taxis 132 211 house. Don’t leave your bike in an unlocked Suburban Taxis 131 008 shed or garage as bikes are very easy to Yellow Cabs 132 227 steal. Be careful if you are riding home late in What do I need to know about the evening. Make sure that your lights riding a bicycle? are clearly visible, wear brightly coloured You can plan to ride to Flinders using clothing and be conscious of the traffic either bike lanes or secondary roads. Bike around you. route maps are a good way to plan your route and these can be downloaded from: What do I need to know about www.sa.gov.au/topics/driving-and- driving a car? transport/roads-and-traffic/traffic- control/bicycle-lanes Driving in Australia Bike SA runs bike workshops regularly and A person who is the holder of a current you can find out about them by looking on foreign driver’s licence of a particular class the Bike SA website at: www.bikesa.asn. may drive a vehicle of that class in South au or contacting 8168 9999. Australia using the foreign driver’s licence if: • Wear a helmet • The licence issued in another country is written in English or • Have a bell and a rear wheel reflector on your bicycle • there is an English translation of this licence or • Use bicycle lanes where they exist • they hold an international driver’s licence, • Indicate when you are stopping and and 25
Getting around • the person is not disqualified from driving Learning to drive in South Australia or elsewhere. If you intend to obtain a licence in If the foreign licence expires, you are Australia, your first step will be to apply for required to obtain a South Australian a learner’s permit. The South Australian driver’s licence. Government office called Service SA Visiting motorists are required to carry Customer Centre at Marion will provide their licence (and English translation if further information. applicable) at all times while driving and You will have to: produce it to police on request. Production • Sit for a written test of the road rules of their temporary visas may also be at the Motor Registration Department. required as evidence of their temporary When you pass you will receive a residential status. learner’s permit. It is important that you understand • You are strongly advised to take lessons the local traffic code and buy a from a Driving School, which can Driver’s Handbook available from most prepare you for the driving test to get newsagencies. You can also download it your provisional licence. Driving Schools from the web at: employ professional driving instructors www.mylicence.sa.gov.au/road-rules with a wealth of knowledge and experience. They are better trained than Driving in SA your friends or other students to teach • Children must be restrained in approved you to drive. child-seats. Please note: Your instructor must have had • Where seatbelts are available, they must a full licence from a recognised country for be worn. two years. • All children up to seven years old must Lessons can cost between $60 and use a booster seat and must not sit in the $90 an hour. Driving school vehicles front seat. are covered by insurance whilst you are • Driving without a licence is illegal. learning to drive. Your friends’ vehicles may • Driving an unregistered vehicle is illegal. not be covered. • Using a hand-held phone or other mobile See the Yellow Pages for listings of electronic device whilst driving is illegal. driving schools. • Observe all speed limits. They vary on • In South Australia there are two types different roads. of tests. One is a logbook system with specified hours and activities to • It is also illegal to drink and drive if your complete. The other is called Vehicle blood alcohol content (BAC) is over .05 on Road Test (VORT). Once you pass (and for ‘P’ plate holders the legal BAC your driving test you will be issued with is zero). a provisional licence (P plate). Certain restrictions apply to P plate holders. 26
See: mylicence.sa.gov.au/the- What do I need to know about driving-companion/provisional- conditions riding a motorcycle/ motorbike? If you are licenced to drive a motorbike in Buying a car your home country, you might consider Some students decide to buy their own car riding one in South Australia. While motor when they come to Australia. New cars are bikes are usually more economical to run expensive in Australia. Students generally than a motor car, they may cost more to purchase a second-hand car from a car insure. Check there is no debt attached to yard or a private sale. A 4-cylinder car of the bike. For information about obtaining a $4,000 to $8,000 should be reasonably Motor Bike licence in South Australia see: reliable. www.mylicence.sa.gov.au/my- Read the information on the Consumer motorcycle-licence and Business Services (CBS) website Please note: Motorcyclists must wear a on buying a used car: www.sa.gov. helmet when riding their motorbike and any au/topics/driving-and-transport/ pillion passenger must wear a helmet. vehicles/buying-and-selling-a- vehicle/buying-a-vehicle Parking on campus Before buying a car always check the You need a parking permit to park at the Vehicle Securities Register to make sure University. You can buy an annual permit that the car is clear of debts from previous from Flinders Connect. Information about owners, as you can be held responsible for parking permits can be found at: these debts. flinders.edu.au/campus/bedford-park/ parking Insurance Some of the money you pay to register the Loop bus on campus vehicle goes into the compulsory ‘third The University loop bus is a free service party person’ insurance fund. This means that runs during semester (including that if you hurt anyone (not yourself) in a exam weeks) on a loop linking the main vehicle accident, you are covered for the University, Sturt and the Flinders Medical injured person’s medical bills. All students Centre (FMC) bus interchange. should buy ‘third party property damage’ Further information and timetable about insurance and consider ‘fire and theft’ the loop bus and Tonsley loop can be insurance. ‘Comprehensive’ insurance found at flinders.edu.au/campus/ provides the most cover, but may be too bedford-park/location/loop-bus expensive for your budget. The cost of any insurance policy will vary depending on your gender, age, driving record and also the size, make and age of the vehicle you are insuring. Contact a number of companies to compare prices. 27
Students in the food court at Bedford Park 28
Shopping Where can I buy food? Where can I do my household Food on campus shopping? Information on foods on campus can be Fresh and dried foods from Western and found at: flinders.edu.au/campus/ Asian regional countries can be bought bedford-park/facilities-services/food- from major supermarkets: drink • Coles: www.coles.com.au Any student with dietary restrictions • Foodland: www.foodlandsa.com.au should ask about ingredients and food • Woolworths: www.woolworths.com.au preparation before buying dishes at any food outlet. • Aldi: www.aldi.com.au Coles and Woolworths offer online Takeaway food near Flinders shopping including home delivery at a University reasonable price. • Hungry Jack’s, corner South and Marion For a wider range of fresh foods go to the Roads, Darlington Adelaide Central Market stalls. • McDonald’s Restaurant,1481 Main South www.adelaidecentralmarket.com.au Road, Darlington Fresh, dried and canned Asian groceries • Food court – Marion Shopping Complex all near the Central Market try: Around the city • Thuan Phat • Sushi Train, Adelaide Central Market and • Seoul Asian Grocery King William Street • Kim Wang Asian Supermarket • Saya Coffee House (Halal food, Middle • Hong Kong Asian Supermarket Eastern and European food, Lebanese • Kuo Chi Oriental Supermarket sweets), 122 Gouger Street • L au Peking Asian Grocer (Westfield • Mekong Thai Restaurant, Halal food, Marion) 68 Hindley Street Halal meat: • Rundle Mall, department stores and supermarket chains • Afghan Supermarket 376 Prospect Rd, Kilburn SA 5084 • East-end of Rundle Street, many restaurants and coffee shops • Go 9 654 South Road, Glandore SA 5037 • Adelaide Central Market, International Food Hall and other food outlets • Bangla Bazaar 224 Prospect Rd, Prospect SA 5082 Pizza pick-up or delivery Indian foods and spice: • Domino’s, 1300 366 466 • Indian Spice Centre • Pizza Hut, 1300 749 924 592 Goodwood Road, Daw Park • Marcellina, 1300 131 967 • New India Market 1500 South Road, Darlington 29
Shopping Kosher grocer: Discount Variety and department • Adelaide Hebrew Congregation 13 Flemington St, Glenside stores Ring 83382922 for opening hours A number of discount variety and department stores offer a range of Shopping hints household items, toiletries, clothes and hardware. Some major discount • Buying food products that can be stored variety stores are Kmart, Target, Big W, for a long time can reduce shopping Reject Shop and Cheap as Chips. Myer trips. Food products that can be stored and David Jones are more expensive for a long time are UHT milk, skim milk department stores. powder, pasta, rice, breakfast cereal, canned meat, canned fish, canned fruits and vegetables, canned soup, tomato Second-hand products paste, dried fruits, frozen vegetables and Second-hand stores, sometimes referred dried vegetables and legumes. . to as opportunity shops or op-shops, offer a cheaper alternative for students on • C onsider online shopping and home tight budget. These shops offer donated delivery to save time and difficulties. clothes, furniture and household goods at a cheaper price. You may like to try Budget shopping Blackwood Lions on Shepherds Hill Road Compare different supermarkets for (Saturday morning) and shops such as cheaper prices and specials. Salvation Army, Vinnies Family Centres • Plan your menu for the whole week and and Goodwill Industries – Find the prepare a shopping list. locations of these shops on White Pages. • Buying in bulk is often cheaper. Second hand items can also be found • It is always cheaper to cook for two or online through Trading Post more people than one. Alternatively, you www.tradingpost.com.au at a very can cook in bulk and freeze meal portions reasonable price. However, you will need for later use. to organise to collect the goods if the seller cannot assist you with delivery. You • Buy fruits and vegetables that are in can also look for second-hand furniture season as they are often cheaper. and domestic goods on: • Groceries in the Central Market www.gumtree.com.au or (Saturday afternoon) are often cheaper www.ebay.com.au than supermarkets. Notice boards around campus are a good • C onsider appropriate food storage resource to use too. methods to reduce food wastage, which in turn saves money. 30
Furniture • L ay-by (For white goods, furniture and clothing, this is a good way to buy when When you are moving into unfurnished you cannot pay in full immediately. You accommodation, you will need to arrange are required to pay a small deposit and your own bedding, utensils, seating, etc. service fee, followed by regular payments Some larger trading stores (e.g. IKEA, until you have paid the total price. The Harvey Norman, Forty Winks, Fantastic shop will hold the item until the final Furniture) have cheap new furniture and payment. Interest is not charged on a they provide a delivery service. lay-by.) Bargaining/ haggling Returning Goods When shopping in Australia, you generally Some stores allow you to return items if don’t bargain or barter (also called you change your mind as long as you hold haggling) over the price of an item. The the receipts and meet the shop’s return displayed price for items is fixed. However, policy. Check with the shop at the time there are exceptions to this rule. You of buying products regarding their return can bargain at garage sales, community policy. markets, second hand dealerships, or at electrical goods’ stores, furniture shops, or when purchasing a motor vehicle if you are offering to pay in cash, or have seen the item at a competitor store for a better price. Purchasing an item The most common methods of purchasing items are: • Cash • Electronic Funds Transfer at Point Of Sale (EFTPOS). EFTPOS is an electronic processing system for credit cards and debit cards. EFTPOS is available at most supermarkets, petrol stations and retail outlets. • Credit cards/debit cards 31
Health Emergencies Lifeline If you are in an emergency situation, please Lifeline’s 131 114 service is staffed by stay calm and use the following numbers trained volunteer telephone counsellors to receive assistance. who are ready to take calls 24 hours a day, any day of the week from anywhere in Dial 000 Australia. The Triple Zero (000) service is the Anyone can call Lifeline. The service offers quickest way to get the right emergency counselling that respects everyone’s service to help you. It should be used to right to be heard, understood and cared contact Police, Fire or Ambulance services for. They also provide information about in life threatening or emergency situations other support services that are available only. Emergency 000 lines should not be in communities around Australia. Lifeline used for general medical assistance. telephone counsellors are ready to talk and Waiting time in public hospitals listen no matter how big or how small the problem might seem. They are trained to Waiting times in public hospitals are long. offer emotional support in times of crisis or Patients are seen on the basis of the severity when callers may be feeling depressed or of their condition (example, heart attack), and in need of advice. those with a more life-threatening condition will receive treatment first and people with Poisons information line minor conditions (example, cold), will be The poisons information line provides required to wait to receive treatment. the public and health professionals with Emergency home visiting doctors prompt, up-to-date and appropriate information and advice to assist in If you have an out of hours medical the management of poisoning and condition, that is not life threatening, you suspected poisoning. The seriousness can contact the National Home Doctor of a poisoning situation is assessed after Service on 13 7425 to arrange for a doctor a detailed history is obtained from the to see you at home. The service operates caller. Members of the public may be then after 4pm weekdays (Monday to Friday), given first aid instructions, information on after 10am on Saturdays, all day Sunday possible symptoms, and advised on the and all day on Public Holidays. need for assessment by a doctor or referral State emergency service to hospital. The Australia-wide Poisons Information Centres have a common The State Emergency Service (SES) is an telephone number: 13 11 26. emergency and rescue service dedicated to providing assistance in natural disasters, Emergency interpreting rescues, road crashes and extreme For interpreting in an emergency situation, weather conditions. It operates in all dial 1800 280 203. You will pay to use this States and Territories in Australia. For service. emergency assistance in a flood or storm dial 132 500. 32
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Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) What is Overseas Student Health How do I use my OSHC card? Cover? If you need to visit a doctor or medical centre, present your OSHC card to the Overseas Student Health Cover is medical staff when requested. You will insurance that provides cover for be charged the doctor’s fee and the • Cost of seeing the doctor government fee component of that may be • Hospital care processed by the medical centre. • Ambulance costs in cases of emergency If the medical centre is not able to process • Most prescription drugs the government fee: • Up to 100% of Australia’s Medical • pay the total amount Benefits Scheme (MBS) outside of • keep the receipt hospital • get back the government fee from your • 100% of the MBS fee in hospitals OSHC provider. It is compulsory for international students and also covers a student’s dependents Family Cover for the length of a Visa. If you are here with your family, or if you Belgian, Norwegian and most Swedish are planning to bring your family at a later students do not require OSHC. stage, please contact Flinders Connect as you will need to buy either Couples or How do I get OSHC? Family insurance cover. Flinders University arranges your Overseas If you have arranged OSHC through Student Health Cover for you through another insurance provider, please contact Medibank. A welcome email will be sent Flinders Connect immediately with the to your email with instructions on how to details of your OSHC policy or lodge a activate your Medibank OSHC when you request through Ask Flinders and make arrive in Australia and access your Online sure you include a scanned copy of your Member Services. OSHC policy and passports. If you need help or have questions about If your family members do not come as your cover a Medibank representative will dependants on your student visa, they be at Flinders Connect at selected times are not entitled to OSHC. We strongly to assist you. recommend that they take out travel insurance before they depart for Australia. If you have any problem with the start date of your policy, please consult your OSHC representative. 34
Medibank OSHC What is not covered by OSHC? Medibank OSHC has a representative on OSHC does not cover: campus. Check with Flinders Connect for • assisted reproduction services, such as information on the days, times and location in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) of their campus visits. If a Medibank representative is not available at Flinders • treatment arranged before coming to Connect call 134 148 and speak to an Australia advisor. • treatment needed while travelling to or The Medibank OSHC helpline can assist from Australia you if you are unwell, you are feeling • treatment during the first 12 months of homesick, alone or stressed. You can also membership for pre-existing medical get legal advice and interpreting services conditions or disabilities are available. The helpline is available to • transportation of a dependant or all students, 24 hours a day, seven days a overseas student into or out of Australia week. in any circumstance Phone: 1800 887 283 anytime (within • treatment covered by provisions for Australia) to speak to a registered nurse or compensation and damages. counsellor. For more information visit www.medibank.com.au/ Note that medical conditions that you overseas-health-insurance/oshc/ have before you come to Australia comprehensive-oshc are called ‘pre-existing’ and OSHC providers may impose waiting periods for the first 12 months. OSHC does not pay for additional services (for example, dental, optical or physiotherapy). Overseas students requiring cover for additional services may take out extras cover provided by an approved OSHC provider, or additional cover with any Australian health fund. Overseas students are also free to add on to their OSHC with other insurance, such as international travel insurance. 35
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) Medical services management of your illness and may give you a prescription for some medication. What do I do if I’m sick? If you have had to take time off from Need to visit a General Practitioner (GP)? studies you will need to get a medical Why not see your onsite GP located at certificate from the doctor to provide to Flinders University campus? Flinders your education provider. If your illness is University has its own Health, Counselling more serious or the doctor is unsure of a and Disability Service which opens from diagnosis, they may refer you for further 8:45am until 5pm, Monday–Friday. Call tests, e.g. blood tests or x-rays, or to 8201 2118 to book an appointment. see a specialist doctor. It is important to Visit: medibank.com.au/oshc and select note that if you are dissatisfied with the ‘Find a direct billing medical centre’ to diagnosis or service of the doctor you see, find your nearest location. Simply present you have the right to obtain an opinion from your Medibank membership card and another doctor. photo identification at the time of your General Practitioner (GP) consultation and your Doctor will submit In Australia you do not go to a hospital to your claim with Medibank on your behalf. see a doctor unless it is an emergency. Depending on the Direct Bill Doctor you You can see a doctor in their private see, you may on occasion experience an practice or medical centre, with part or out-of-pocket expense that is not covered the entire doctor’s fee being covered by by Medibank. We encourage you to talk OSHC. You must make an appointment with your doctor prior to your consultation to see a GP. Some GP surgeries request to confirm if any out of pocket expenses full payment from you at the time of will apply. consultation and you will need to present If you are unable to find a Medibank the receipt to claim the funds back from DirectBill Doctor near you, simply search your health cover provider. for a GP or medical centre in your area: www.doctors-4u.com/adelaide. Don’t Pharmacies/Chemist forget to call the GP or medical centre GP surgeries do not have medications directly to make an appointment. to dispense to you. Take the prescription If you are under 18, your International given to you by the doctor to a pharmacy Student Advisor can help you find a doctor or chemist to obtain the medication. and accompany you to the appointment. Provide the pharmacy with your OSHC card, your full name and address. You Seeing a doctor are able to walk in off the street to any When you attend your appointment, the pharmacy/chemist/drug store in Australia doctor will ask you questions about your and will only have to wait a short while for health and may give you a brief physical your prescription medicine to be prepared. examination, such as checking your Flinders has an on-campus pharmacy. breathing, your throat, ears etc. The doctor will then give you some advice regarding 36
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