About Australia
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Country: | Australia |
| Capital: | Canberra |
| Area: | 7.692.030 km² |
| Population: | 21.3 million |
| Form of government: | Constitutional monarchy |
| Head of State: | Queen Elizabeth II |
| National Holiday: | January 1st, 1901 |
| Climate: | Continental climate with the nicest weather from September to November or between March and May. |
| Currency: | Australian Dollars |
| Oficial Language: | Australia has no actual official language but English is the most commonly spoken with Chinese, Italian and even Greek being spoken. |
About Sydney
About Living In Sydney
- When are the national holidays in Sydney?
- What is the temperature in Sydney?
- Where can I send and receive e-mails?
- Do I need to bring an electrical adapter?
- Can I work and earn money in Australia?
- When are banks open?
- What are the shopping hours?
- Can I get a student discount on public transport?
- Can I get the foods I eat at home?
- Can I use my mobile phone in Australia?
- When are the national holidays in Sydney?
- What is the temperature like in Sydney?
- Where can I send and receive e-mails?
- Do I need to bring an electrical adapter?
- Can I work and earn money in Australia?
- When are banks open?
- What are the shopping hours?
- Can I get a student discount on public transport?
- Can I get the foods I eat at home?
- Can I use my mobile phone in Australia?
You can find a list of Public (National) holidays for Sydney here.
Sydney has 4 seasons and an average of 300 sunny days per year!
Average temperatures are:
Spring (September - November) 15-25°C
Summer (December - February) 20-28°C
Autumn (March - May) 18-25°C
Winter (June - August) 8-20°C
We have 2 computer rooms with a total of 56 PCs available for e-mail. The computer rooms are open from 8am-5pm. You may use the room whenever there are no classes scheduled. If you have a laptop computer you may use our wireless network between 8am-5pm.
Electricity in Australia is 220-240 volts AC. You will need to bring a transformer for any appliance that is not dual 110/240 voltage. Transformers in Australia cost approximately A$80. Also, dual voltage appliances need a three pin plug. These can be purchased in Sydney for approximately A$10.
If you are on a student visa you may work for 20 hours per week. You must obtain work permission before you begin working. The student services officer at UEC (GV Sydney) can help you with this upon arrival. If you are traveling on a tourist visa you are not permitted to work.
Banks are open from 9.30am-4pm Monday to Thursday and 9am-5pm Fridays. They are usually closed on Saturdays and Sundays although some may open on Saturday mornings.
Shops in Sydney are generally open 7 days a week. The hours are usually as follows:
Mon-Sat: 9:00am-5:30pm
Thursday: 9:00am-9:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am-5:00pm
Supermarkets are often open until 10pm or later.
No, international students must pay full adult fares unless they are under 15 years of age. Ticket inspectors regularly check your tickets at city stations and fines are over A$100. Buying travel passes and weekly tickets is one way to save money on transport costs. See the transport infoline for more information about travel costs. The student services staff will be able to help you work out the best ticket for your trip.
Australia is one of the most multicultural countries in the world. Major supermarkets stock a good range of international ingredients and you will be able to get many of the foods you eat at home. There are great restaurants throughout the city for all cuisines and you will never have to travel far to find a great place to remind you of home.
Visit the Eatability or Sydney Eats websites for information about the range of restaurants in Sydney. Student services staff can also help you locate the Sydney suburbs that are great for shopping for foods from overseas.
Many overseas mobile phones can operate in Australia and you should check with your local supplier before you leave home. Australia's digital phone network is compatible with GSM 900 and 1800 which is used in Europe. Many students bring their handsets and then buy a SIM card when they arrive. This will allow you to make cheaper calls.
