Sydney 2015 Free!
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Sydney 2015 Free! Iglu combines cool design with a fun, friendly place to live. Cool design. So if you’re looking for fresh student accommodation in an Warm hospitality. ultra-convenient location, come stay at Iglu. OPENS JANUARY 2016 Two great Iglu Central SYDNEY Iglu Chatswood Iglu Brisbane locations Set amongst Sydney’s vibrant Located in bustling Right in the heart of the Broadway district with UTS, Chatswood on Sydney’s Brisbane CBD, close to Sydney University, Central North Shore, 10 minutes by Queensland University of Station, Chinatown and the train to Macquarie University, Technology, the University Sydney CBD all within close 15 minutes to North Sydney of Queensland, shopping walking distance. and 20 minutes to the CBD. and much more. fully furnished ensuite bathrooms find out more at: wifi internet 24 hour security iglu.com.au A MESSAGE FROM THE LORD MAYOR OF SYDNEY On behalf of the people who live and work among our communities that make the city a here, it is my pleasure to welcome you great place to live, visit and study. In April, the to Sydney - one of the most exciting and City will host a number of signature events as diverse cities in the world. part of National Youth Week celebrations. With a lifestyle that is second-to-none, This dynamic, accessible and safe city is just Sydney is Australia’s most exciting education waiting to be explored – and this guide will destination. We have leading research help you discover it. facilities and teachers, providing overseas We have a dedicated program to improve students with wonderful educational Sydney. We’re on track to reduce our carbon opportunities. pollution by 70% of 2006 levels by 2030. We Sydney offers great dining and shopping, as have planted thousands of trees in our streets well as some of the best and most inspiring and parks to provide shade, habitat for arts, culture and natural environments to be animals and cool our city. found anywhere in Australia. We’ve set aside $220 million to turn George Sydney is a city that is alive with opportunity Street into a pedestrian and public transport and possibility. While you study here, you will boulevard, and our growing bike network has be able to enjoy sport and cultural events, seen a 113% jump in the number of people including our spectacular New Year’s Eve riding bikes. I hope you take the opportunity celebrations and the biggest Chinese New to use our network of safe, separated Year celebrations held outside Asia. cycleways across Sydney. The annual Living in Harmony Festival in Welcome to our great city. March celebrates Sydney’s vibrant cultures and the collaborative spirit of the more than Lord Mayor of Sydney 200 nationalities that reside in the City of Sydney. Clover Moore The festival showcases the richness of the cultures, histories, experiences and stories ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TRADITIONAL OWNERS The City of Sydney acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional custodians of our land–Australia. cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au The City acknowledges the Gadigal of the Eora Nation as the traditional custodians of this Facebook - CityofSydney place we now call Sydney. Twitter - CityofSydney WELCOME Hi there! Welcome to your new home. We’re here to get you settled in so you can start enjoying your new city as quickly as possible. Use this guide, which is written by locals, to get an insider’s perspective of what Sydney has to offer. It will also help you find great accommodation, get a bank account, find a part-time job and more! We’ve surveyed the city’s neighbourhoods and people so that you can find where you fit in, find new friends, and find your favourite hangouts. It’s a diverse city, and we’re sure there’s things here that you’ll love. We know it’s daunting to move across the world to study, but it is also exciting. This guide gives you the local knowledge you need to step out your front door each morning with confidence. Have a great day, week, month and year. - The Insider Guides Team www.insiderguides.com.au Insider Guides is a product of Insider Foundry www.insiderfoundry.com Proudly produced in collaboration with: © Insider Guides 2014 CONTENTS First Steps Accommodation 410 Money & Banking 114 Everything you need to get started in your new life in Communications 22 Australia. Get the basics out of the way so you can start Jobs in Australia 28 enjoying yourself. Studying in Australia 34 Neighbourhoods City Overview 42 Transport 44 City Centre, Ultimo & Haymarket 48 Surry Hills, Newtown and Glebe 52 There is more to Sydney than just the city centre. This Potts Point, The Rocks & section will help you explore Woolloomooloo 58 the areas that make the city a great place to live. Bondi to Coogee 62 Inner West 66 Getting out of town 70 Scenes What’s your scene? 72 The Adventurer 74 We know there is no such thing as a typical The Connoisseur 82 international student. Identify with different The Fashionista 88 elements in each scene to discover your new favourite The Hobbyist 94 places. The Night Owl 100 Student Support Key Contacts 106 Who to turn to when you need support. 10 First Steps First ACCOMMODATION CITY Sydney STATE New South Wales Finding somewhere to live is a crucial component of a successful study experience in Australia. Whatever you choose it is vital to fully understand all of your options and be aware of your rights and responsibilities. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 What are my accommodation options? You can stay in a private rental property (either alone or with housemates), in a homestay with an Australian family, a student apartment or a residential college. Read on to discover more about each option and how to arrange the style of accommodation that suits you. Each option has their own unique benefits and drawbacks. See the table for a full comparison. First Steps | cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS 11 Option Overview What you get Cost Benefits Negatives Private This is true Furnished = Major furniture $100 - Meeting new people Paying for Rental independent and appliances. $400/ and greater control everything. It can living - renting an Unfurnished = You will have week of your living also get lonely if apartment or a to supply everything for arrangement. Can you’re living by house either alone be cheaper than the yourself. yourself. Steps First or with housemates. alternatives. Student These large - Fully furnished bedroom $200 - They are safe It can be quite Apartment centres are full - 24 hour support $500/ and there is a expensive and of apartments of - Internet week real emphasis on Internet speeds varying sizes (1 to 5 - Often in excellent community - some can be quite slow bedrooms). locations house over 400 at night when - Private ensuites and students! everyone is on at airconditioning available the same time. Residential Located a short - Furnished bedroom $285- Meet lots of different Sharing College distance from (cleaned weekly) $410/ people and have bathrooms can major universities, - Meals week access to great study be frustrating. residential colleges facilities. You also You’re often take care of all of - Internet get fed if you don’t locked into a the basics for you. - Shared kitchen like cooking! yearly contract. - Shared bathroom Homestay A homestay involves - Furnished bedroom $250 - You’ll get most of your Sharing with a living with a family - Meals $300/ meals provided, as family might be in their home. week well as Internet and frustrating. You - Internet you won’t have to may live quite - Utilities worry about setting up far from your utilities. institution. How do I arrange managed accommodation? For residential colleges, we recommend you check with your institution to see which ones they have associations with and which ones have availability. You will then need to apply and agree to their fee schedule. For student apartments, talk to your institution to determine which ones are close by. You can often apply online or in person. As it is a significant expense, we recommend you take a tour of the facility, talk to some residents and talk to the staff. For more information see: iglu.com.au - urbanest.com.au How do I arrange a private rental? Many international students find it hard to take out the head lease of a property as it is very difficult to show references to the agent. Rather, they rent a room in an already rented place. You can find these rooms on flatmates.com.au as well as gumtree.com.au. Never provide any deposit until you have seen the place! Make sure you fully inspect the property before signing a contract, taking note (even dated photos) of any existing damage. Sharing with housemates can be cost effective but make sure you learn as much as possible about your potential housemates before you agree to move in. You also need to pay close attention to any contract you enter into. For more informations see: tenants.org.au (for rental advice) flatmates.com.au (find a room in a place, very popular with international students) First Steps | insiderguides.com.au 12 BEFORE YOU TAKE OUT A LEASE ON A PROPERTY: First Steps First 1 Ensure you have enough money to cover the Bond 2 Arrange a Reference or Guarantor 3 Inspect the property 4 Photograph any existing damage or issues 5 Carefully read your rental agreement before signing it 6 Make sure you receive, and keep, a copy of your rental agreement 7 Establish who is responsible for utilities 8 Pay attention to details regarding the end of your rental agreement What should I recycle at home? Cans (1) - This includes aluminium and steel cans.