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AusAID Sponsored Students

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AusAID Unit
This unit is part of the International
Office and is the focal point for
AusAID students at the University
of Sydney. Students can contact the
AusAID Unit for advice about any
aspect of their scholarship, academic
progress or welfare.
The AusAID Unit will send you a pre-
departure kit, organise your airport
pickup, temporary accommodation
and Introductory Academic Program.
The unit will help you access
university services and can organise
supplementary academic support
if required. The unit also runs the
AusAID Activities and Events Program
and assists you with your graduation.
If you have any questions about
Sydney, the University or a particular
degree program please contact the
AusAID Unit.
Tel: +61 2 8627 8328 or 8627 8329
Email: ausaid@io.usyd.edu.au
Living in Sydney
AusAID students enjoy living in Sydney
as it offers them a variety of amenities
and opportunities. Please refer to page
9 of this publication for information
about costs related to living in Sydney.
Please remember that as an AusAID
student you are entitled to some extra
benefits, like half price travel on public
transport and scholarship length
Health Cover.
Permanent Accommodation in
Sydney
Most AusAID students find permanent
accommodation within their first two
weeks of arrival. AusAID students have
many advantages in their search for
accommodation in Sydney.
Firstly, AusAID students arrive earlier
in Sydney and are given ample time
to find accommodation before
their studies begin. Secondly, new
students are able to join the AusAID
Units online Facebook group prior to
departure and discuss accommodation
opportunities with current students.
Finally, AusAID students are eligible for
transport concession. There are less
expensive and less crowded suburbs
10 to 20 minutes away from the
University on public transport. Many
AusAID students and their families live
in these suburbs.
The ISSU employs a Housing Officer
during peak times (January to mid-
March and mid June to August) to
assist newly arrived international
students seeking accommodation.
Working in Sydney
As a capital city, Sydney has a huge
range of industries and companies
offering a variety of employment
opportunities and one of the lowest
unemployment rates in Australia.
Dependants of postgraduate AusAID
Students are permitted to work
full time, and AusAID Students are
also granted limited work rights
by the Department of Immigration
and Citizenship.
Transport
Sydney has an excellent public
transport network of buses, trains,
ferries and light rail. The University
of Sydney is close to train stations
and bus stops. All AusAID students
receive a half-price discount on public
transport. Even further discounts can
be gained by purchasing weekly or
multi-journey travel passes.
Food
Sydney is one of the most multicultural
cities in the world. A wide range of
food and produce from all over the
world is available in shops, markets
and restaurants.
The vibrant and eclectic districts of
Chinatown, Newtown and Glebe are
only a few minutes walk from the
University. There are hundreds of
restaurants, many catering to students
on a budget. The University of Sydney
Union also ensures that a wide range
of food is available on campus.
In the suburbs popular with AusAID
students, you will find many shops
selling food from Asia and other parts
of the world, as well as halal, kosher
and vegetarian produce.
Education for the
children of students
All Schools in Sydney have programs
for students who have English as a
Second Language. As Sydney is a top
destination for migrants and their
families, schools are very experienced
in and well equipped to cater for the
special needs of new students. School
attendance for the dependents of
AusAID students is free of charge.
However please be aware that
there will be additional expenses
associated with school attendance,
including the purchase of school
uniforms and books, public transport
and excursions.
If a member of your family of school
age (5-18 years of age) will be living
with you in Australia for more than
three months, they will be expected
to attend school in Australia. For more
information please contact the NSW
Department of Education and Training
(Schools) at:
www.schools.nsw.edu.au/international
Childcare
There is high demand for places at
childcare centres in Australia. They
can have extremely long waiting
lists. If you are planning to put your
pre-school age children in childcare
you should apply to a childcare centre
before you arrive in Australia. The cost
of childcare is approximately $40- $70
a day. AusAID students are entitled
to a government childcare rebate. For
more information on the childcare
rebate go to: www.familyassist.gov.au

AusAID Pre-Departure Information
Arriving in Sydney
You should arrive in Sydney at least
one week before the start of your
Introductory Academic Program
(IAP). This will enable you to search
for permanent accommodation and
settle into Sydney before you begin
your study.
Money
You should bring at least AUD $300
in cash and have easy access to more
funds in case of an emergency (e.g.
with a bank keycard or in travelers
cheques). Do not bring all your funds
in one cheque that needs to be cashed
at a bank. It can take several weeks
for cheques from some countries to be
cleared for cashing by the banks here.
Bank accounts
The University will arrange a bank
account for you. On arrival in Sydney
you will collect an arrival pack from
the AusAID Unit which will enable
you to open this account. Once you
have access to your account, your
establishment allowance and your
funds from overseas can be transferred
into it.
Health insurance
The AusAID Unit will organise your
compulsory OSHC for the duration
of your scholarship program. OSHC
provides free access to the Universitys
health service and public hospitals.
Higher-level coverage, such as
access to private hospitals, is your
responsibility. The AusAID unit will
issue you with a Health Card on arrival
in Sydney. OSHC also offers family
packages; AusAID students wishing
to bring their families to Australia are
responsible for organising this cover
for their families
www.usyd.edu.au/future_students/
international_undergraduate/costs_
scholarships/health_insurance.shtml
Airport Reception Service
The University offers all AusAID
students a personal airport reception
service. To use this service you must
make a booking through the AusAID
Post in your home country. If you
are making your own arrangements
and do not require personal airport
reception service please ensure
that you confirm this with the
University at least one week prior to
arrival in Sydney.
Temporary Accommodation
The University of Sydney will book
temporary accommodation for all
AusAID students. To use this service
you must make a booking through
the AusAID Post in your home
country. If you are making your own
117
arrangements and do not require
temporary accommodation please
ensure that you advise the Post.
Introductory Academic Program
(IAP)
All commencing students are required
to undertake an Introductory
Academic Program. This is a four-week
program consisting of:
Orientation Program
The Orientation Program is conducted
by the International Office. This
program introduces you to the
AusAID Unit, the International Student
Support Unit (ISSU) and your faculty.
It will provide important information
regarding your scholarship, your health
cover, the University in general and life
in Sydney. The Orientation Program
also consists of activities and events
that will enable you to socialise with a
range of students from the University.
Advanced Skills for Academic
Success Program (ASAS)
ASAS is conducted by the University of
Sydneys Centre for English Teaching
(CET) and is aimed at reinforcing your
academic study skills. Attendance at
the Orientation and ASAS Programs is
compulsory.
118

SEMESTER ONE 2010 How to apply What has thrilled me from the
Australian Development first day I arrived here is the
Intro Academic
18 Jan Scholarship Applicants support system, be it academically,
Program starts
You must submit your application socially or in any other way. It
Lectures Begin 1 March form directly to AusAID in accordance doesnt take one a fortnight to
with the deadlines which they have feel at home and a part of the
Holiday (Easter) 2 April 9 April Global University.
specified. Please contact the AusAID
7 June 11 Office in your home country for Ntsiuoa Sekete, Lesotho
Study Vacation
June further details.
All my expectations were
Examinations 14 - 26 June Read this brochure
surpassed. My lecturers are very
Semester Ends 26 June Select your preferred course inspiring people who talk from real
experience and with whom I can
SEMESTER TWO 2010 Contact the University of Sydney
also enjoy a friendly relation.
AusAID Unit or the relevant faculty
Intro Academic for further information regarding Teresa Zakaria, Indonesia
14 June
Program starts your preferred course
The University of Sydney has a
Lectures Begin 26 July Submit your application to the very multicultural environment.
Holiday 27 Sept 1 Oct AusAID Office in your home country Studying here indeed makes me
by the closing date. Your AusAID feel confident and well equipped
Study Vacation 1 Nov 5 Nov Office will be able to advise you of to help my country achieve greater
this date. heights. The social activities and
Examinations 8 Nov 20 Nov
Australian Leadership Award free barbeques are also awesome,
Semester Ends 20 Nov Applicants making sure students enjoy
If you would like to apply for an themselves as well as learn.
SEMESTER ONE 2011
ALA scholarship you will be required Jean De Pano, Philippines
Intro Academic to apply directly to the University
17 Jan
Program starts of Sydney before submitting your When I first arrived at the
Lectures Begin 28 February scholarship application to AusAID. University of Sydney I was amazed
For further information on applying by the size and beauty of the
22 April 1 directly to the University of Sydney campus. Then I asked myself if the
Holiday (Easter)
May visit: www.usyd.edu.au/international/ school really lives up to its look.
international_students.shtml The answer is yes. The University of
6 June 10
Study Vacation Sydney has all of the resources one
June Once you have an offer of admission
from the University, you can apply can imagine to make ones study
Examinations 13 - 25 June directly to AusAID for the ALA a success.
program. Please visit: Sean Somatra Kim, Cambodia
Semester Ends 25 June
www.ausaid.gov.au/scholar/ala.cfm