Transportation:

Banking Services:

Opening a bank account is simple and does not cost any money at all - just head into any of the banks and let them know you are an international student and would like to open an account.  You will need to bring photographic identification (Passport/Driver’s License/IC/Birth Certificate), proof of your Australian address (Phone/Household Bill) and proof of Enrolment (COE), and IMMI visa grant.

Alternatively, you can open a bank account online while you are still overseas, and upon arrival in Adelaide, present the necessary documents to activate the account. (eg. ANZ provides such an option). Once your account is setup, you will receive a debit card (when ready). 

Major Banks in Australia:

• ANZ, Commonwealth, NAB, Bank SA, Westpac
• Bank branches like ANZ, Commonwealth, Bank SA, and Westpac can be easily found around Rundle.

Flying Chalks’ tip:

Paywave is widely used in the state but ANZ is the only bank that has Apple Pay. All bank’s debit cards come with Visa Paywave services and allows you to purchase items up to $100.  You will have to swipe and sign if your purchases cost more than $100.

Further, Australia is very environmentally friendly and it is encouraged that you sign up to receive your bank statements online rather than by post.

Regarding bank transfers, do ensure that you or your family members have all the required codes (SWIFT) and the correct account numbers in order to transfer funds into your bank account(s) accurately. 

Post Office Services:

Australia Post is the country's primary postal service, responsible for mail and parcel delivery. Their reliability stems from a widespread network, timely deliveries, and a long-standing reputation for consistent service.

There are a few post offices in the city and University of Adelaide has their own Post Office too! The costs depend on where you are going to send (locations are divided by zones), and the weight of the parcel. Korean students can use a dedicated Korean courier service - just ask the shopkeeper at convenience store beside Urbanest.

Flying Chalks tips:

The post offices sell boxes of different sizes for postage, boxing tape and even bubble wrap. Walk into any post office and have a look! Also, do not be intimidated to ask. Many staff are friendly enough to help. However, it would help and speed things up a lot if you pack your stuff nicely before sending them off.

You can also sign up for a MyPost account in order to track the delivery of your parcels and choose where you want them delivered. You can even hold your mail if you are going on holiday - they can hold your mail for up to 12 months and deliver it when you return.

Please remind your friends and family not to send prohibited food, plant material or animal products to you. Agriculture is an important sector in Adelaide and certain items are prohibited to prevent transmission of pests and diseases into the local ecosystem. To see if you can bring a product in, visit http://www.agriculture.gov.au/travelling

Medical services:

The University Health Practice at University of Adelaide is useful and accessible. There is another one on Gawler Street. For physiotherapy services, you may see one at neighbouring university at University of South Australia, but bear in mind they are managed by supervised student physios: http://www.unisa.edu.au/Health-Sciences/Services/Health-clinics/Physiotherapy-Clinic/

You can also call for the doctor to head over to your place in the case of after hours.

Hospitals & Clinics

Your OSHC card is important as it would allow exemption on consultation fees in certain clinics, or exemption up to the standard consultation fee (37.05 AUD). Some other costs may also be discounted. Without your card treatment fees can be quite ridiculous. Your OSHC would have been arranged when you applied for your visa. Clinics outside campus may require you to pay a one-time registration fee.

Note that some clinics require you to make an appointment before heading down. Although it’s quite absurd, some clinics can be fully booked with appointments during ‘peak periods’; or typically the exam period. You can try calling multiple clinics if you require a medical certificate or visit the pharmacy. The pharmacists are usually able to prescribe medication for simple ailments.                             

Depending on your needs, you can purchase a prepaid SIM card or get a post-paid plan. You won't risk getting unexpected charges by opting for a prepaid SIM. However, post-paid plans typically offer more data, calls, and free texts, but exceeding the limits specified in your plan can result in additional charges.

The top 3 telecommunications providers are:

• Telstra

  • Telstra offers the best coverage out of the 3 networks and is Australia's largest mobile network provider. The SIM-only plans for Telstra starts from $62/month

• Vodafone

  • Vodafone offers phone plans at lower rates compared to Optus and Telstra. Vodafone is a cheaper option for students, with plans starting from $49/month. Vodafone offers student discounts for some plans for as low as $40/month for 100GB. 

• Optus

  • Optus offers coverage across 98.5% of Australia’s geographical area. SIM-only plans from Optus start from as low as $49/month. Optus also offers student plans at $39/month for 100GB. 

Weather:

Four seasons exist in Adelaide. Rainfall peaks during winter and dips during summer. The climate is generally very dry all year round. There may be strong winds and hail storms during winter, even in the city centre. On average, it can hover around 10 degrees celsius for Winter, but can reach 42 during the Summer.

Summer

South Australia is one the driest states in the whole of Australia. For people who suffer from skin problems, do bring a moisturizer and/or any special skin care products that you may need. Furthermore, it can get very hot and dehydrating during the summer. Do not underestimate dangers of heat exhaustion especially when temperatures hit 40 degrees celsius. UV protection is quite important. Take note to always wear sunscreen of SPF 50++, which is the maximum permitted in Australia.

Winter

Kathmandu or Uniqlo Heat Tech works extremely well during winter. Winter Coat/Beanie/Scarf/Thick socks/Trench coat/Sport shoes/Boots/Electric Blankets (can be purchased at Kmart or Target). Electric blankets can be a life saver if your roommates don’t want to turn on the heating. Always check the weather forecast before leaving the house. It is usually accurate - so plan your outfit according to the forecast!

All in all, be prepared for huge changes in temperature, even within a single day! Temperatures can drop to about 10 degrees during the night and early morning, but go up to as high as 40 degrees at noon (just happened during summer 2016-2017). Layer up and down as needed.