Flights

Qantas and South Africa Airlines fly to Australia (Perth and Sydney) from South Africa.  Flights to Australia from Mauritius are run by Air Mauritius, twice weekly.  It is also possible to travel to Australia via transport hubs in the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and South East Asia.

Arrival and Support Services

If requested, institutions can organise airport pick-up and transfers to ease students into their new lifestyle. Orientation programs that include a tour of the institute and its facilities, an introduction to key staff as well as detailed information on studying, transport and how to survive in a new environment are organised. Accommodation can also be arranged.  Institutions can help arrange on-campus residential accommodation, if available. In these situations students will have their own rooms and meals are usually provided. Or they can assist with arrangements for accommodation in hostels.  Shared accommodation is another popular option, with students having the opportunity to live in shared houses or apartments with other Australian students, international students or young working Australians. In shared arrangements students are usually required to share the cost of rent, electricity, telephone and food. Counsellors can advise students on how the local shared accommodation system works.

Australian institutions offer a wide range of support services to help students enter and complete their studies, providing international student offices, counselling, learning centres, study support, libraries, student associations and/or social and special interest groups.

Adjusting to life in Australia

A variety of experiences await international students arriving in Australia for the first time and it is natural to face them with a blend of both excitement and anxiety about the unknown. The challenge is to take full advantage of the opportunities that arise.  At the same time, there will be many opportunities for you to become involved in African and Indian Ocean Islands communities in Australia.  You can do so by joining student associations, community and church groups and accessing community newspapers such as The African Weekly, published in Sydney, checking websites like http://www.africanoz.com.au/, http://www.users.bigpond.com/clancy/wwwlinks.htm or listening to program on SBS Radio http://www9.sbs.com.au/radio/ and other community radio stations. The following organisations may also be handy contacts:

African Communities Council of Victoria (ACCOV)

210 Dorcas St, South Melbourne, VIC 3205

Tel +61 3 9696 9011

African Communities Council of New South Wales

Inner West Migrant Resource Centre

6 Holden Street Ashfield NSW

Tel +61 2 9716 5593

Australia-Africa Association of Queensland

Tel +61 7 3394 4104

Australia Committee on Africa

PO Box 276, East Maitland NSW 2323

Tel +61 2 4934 1240

Australia Southern African Business Council

http://www.asabc.net/

Exchanging Foreign Currency and Opening a Bank Account

Australian currency is the only acceptable mode of cash payment in Australia. Foreign Exchange facilities are widely available at all international airports and through banks operating in Australia. It is also a good idea to set up an Australian Bank account so that you can organise any transfers of money into your account by a direct bank transfer. To open a bank account you will need to fill out a bank application form and submit your passport, student ID and your Tax File Number.

The normal banking hours in Australia are from 9:30am - 4pm, Monday to Thursday and 9:30am - 5pm on Fridays. All universities would have a branch office of one of the major Australian banks located on or near their campuses. Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are widely used in Australia for after hours banking. Both Credit and Debit (EFTPOS) cards are widely accepted in most shops.