Transportation:

Sydney offers a great public transportation system that features a comprehensive network of train, bus and ferry services. Light rail lines, airport links, sightseeing buses and taxi services complement the network.

There is a free Sydney CBD shuttle bus that runs every 10 minutes in both directions to and from Central Station and Circular Quay via George Street. They are green buses and have the route number 555.

Operating hours: Weekdays - 9am to 3:30pm (Thursdays till 9pm), Weekends - 9:30am to 6pm

The NSW government's Transport Info site can help you plan your trip, even if it involves changing between different modes of public transport. Use this site to calculate the best way to get from A to B when travelling to or around the City of Sydney. It also provides fare and timetable information: http://www.131500.com.au/

You can get a free smartcard ticket, called an Opal card, to load funds for use on trains, buses, ferries and light rail. 

1. Trains

Train stations in central Sydney include Central, Museum, St James, Town Hall, Wynyard, Circular Quay, Martin Place and Kings Cross. They are easy to travel between or to hook up with services going to the northern, southern and western suburbs. Trains to the eastern suburbs (enroute to the famous Bondi Beach) leave from Martin Place Station.

Services run from 4am to around midnight on most train lines. Information kiosks can be found at Central and Circular Quay stations. All stations on the network have 24 hour ticket vending machines. Sydney train map: http://www.sydneytrains.info/stations/pdf/suburban_map.pdf

2. Buses

Sydney Buses travel through the city and beyond almost 24 hours a day. Most of the bus routes within the City of Sydney only offer prepaid to reduce delays. Hence, you will need to buy a ticket before you get on board. There are ticket outlets all over the city and you can usually find one near bus stops.

3. Light rail

Transdev operates the light rail network connecting Central Station, Capitol Square, Paddy's Market, Exhibition Centre, Convention, Pyrmont Bay, The Star, John Street Square, Sydney Fish Market, Wentworth Park, Glebe, Jubilee Park, Rozelle Bay and Lilyfield.

Services operate daily every 15 minutes from Central to Lilyfield between 6am and 11pm Monday to Thursday and between 6am to midnight Friday and Saturday. There is a 24 hours service from Central to The Star operating every 15 minutes from 6am to midnight then every 30 minutes until 6am.

4. Ferries

Ferry services across Sydney's world-renowned harbour leave from the terminal at Circular Quay and travel to an array of harbourside destinations including Taronga Zoo and suburbs such as Balmain, Kirribilli, Neutral Bay, Mosman and Rose Bay. Services also travel to the northern reaches of the harbor at Manly and west along the Parramatta River. Information kiosks are located at Circular Quay and Manly.

5. Taxis

Taxis in Sydney can be hailed from the curb on the street or engaged at one of several designated taxi ranks throughout the city center. Taxis can also be booked directly with one of numerous private taxi companies operating across the city. Below are the taxi fares during the various times of the day.\

Flying Chalks tip: Make sure you use your student ID card to purchase student concession transportation passes. You will have a discount on bus and train prices with this card versus the regular one. International students may no longer qualify for this scheme according to the NSW transport website but it is worth checking out.

Banking services:

As an international student, you can open a bank account that will not charge monthly fees. There are two banks on the Camperdown/Darlington campus - the Commonwealth Bank and the National Australia Bank. Both banks offer the international student account and also have ATMs across the city so you will be able to access your account easily.

You can apply for your bank account online. Once you have been approved and notified of the details of your account, you will need to go to the bank and show them your passport at which time you will receive your debit card. To begin banking at Commonwealth as a student, you can go here!

Major Banks in the Country

1. Westpac

Opening hours: 9:30am to 4:00pm (Mondays - Thursdays), 9:30am to 5:00pm (Fridays), closed (weekend)
Homepage: https://www.westpac.com.au
Customer Service: +61 13 20 32

2. Commonwealth

Opening hours: 9:30am to 4:00pm (Mondays - Thursdays), 9:30am to 5:00pm (Fridays), closed (weekend)
Homepage: https://www.commbank.com.au/
Customer Service: +61 13 22 21 

3. National Australia Bank (NAB)

Opening hours: 9:30am to 4:00pm (Mondays - Fridays),  closed (weekend)
Homepage: http://www.nab.com.au/
Customer Service: +61 13 22 65

4. Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ)

Opening hours: 9:30am to 4:00pm (Mondays - Thursdays), 9:30am to 5:00pm (Fridays), closed (weekend)
Homepage: http://www.anz.com/singapore/en/personal/
Customer Service: +61 13 13 14

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.

The Australian Postal Corporation has a few post offices near the Camperdown campus. See this site for more details: https://auspost.com.au/pol/app/locate/post-office/nsw/the-university-of-sydney/2006

Medical services:

As an exchange student at Sydney University, you will have no trouble accessing medical care should you need it.

As an exchange student on a student VISA, you are required to purchase Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) – the student medical insurance. Your health cover provides access to the University Health Service and public hospitals in Australia. The cost of OSHC depends on how many months you are staying in Australia.

Once you have been issued a Firm Offer to study at USYD, USYD can arrange OSHC on your behalf as part of the Acceptance of Offer procedure. Once payment is made, USYD notifies DIMA (Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs) that the OSHC has been arranged. Students can then apply for their student VISA.

Once covered by OSHC, you can access the services offered at the University Health Service clinic. The University Health Service offers experienced general practitioner and emergency medical care services to all members of the University community: students (undergraduate and post graduate), staff, families, friends, visitors, employees or other organizations on campus and former students and staff. These services include:

• Treatment of illness, injury, & other physical problems

• Assistance with emotional & personal difficulties

• Women’s Health: gynecological & breast examinations, pap smears (& optional enrolment in reminder programs), pregnancy, ante-natal care, advice on terminations

• Advice on contraception & sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS

• Routine medical examinations & health checks (cholesterol, blood pressure, etc.)

• Sports Medicine: treatment of injuries, referral to physiotherapy & specialists

• Pathology testing, including blood tests

• Travel Medicine: advice & immunization, including for Yellow Fever

• Advice & immunization for students undertaking courses of study associated with health risks

• Advice & assistance for students with examination difficulties

• Special arrangements for students with disabilities

• Referral to specialists & X-ray services

• Recreational & Occupational Diving Medicals

University Health Services clinic

Address: Wentworth Building G01 on Butlin Ave: Level 3.
Opening hours: February to December - 8.30am to 5.30pm (Monday to Friday except on public holidays), Last appointment at 4.45pm 
Contact number:  9351 3484
You can make an online appointment as well.

Bring your current valid Allianz OSHC Card and photo ID with you to your appointment. If you need further medical attention, the staff at the University Health clinic will refer you to a specialist.
 

Union Pharmacy (Pharmacy at the University Health Clinic)

Address: Level 3, Wentworth Building on Darlington Campus.
Opening Hours: 8am to 5pm (Monday to Friday)
Contact number: + 61 2 9660 3338.

Discounts apply for Access Card holders. The pharmacy is able to assist with all your health care needs including:

• fast prescription service

• beauty and skincare products

• cosmetics

• vitamins

• crutches for hire

• fax service

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:

Sydney has fairly mild weather. Since it is by the sea, the weather is often windy and can change at a moment’s notice. It will be sunny one minute and rainy the next.

Summer (December – February) in Sydney means enjoying the great outdoors. January is usually the warmest month in Sydney with an average temperature range of 18.6 – 25.8°C. 

Autumn (March - May) is one of the most pleasant times of the year to visit as the humidity is lower.

Winter (June - August) is still a perfect time of year for getting out and enjoying Sydney's many natural attractions. The coolest months are June to August when daytime temperatures rarely fall below 7°C. The coldest month is July. 

Spring (September - November) is when the days become warmer again but the humidity is not as high as summer. Mean daily temperatures range from 11 - 23°C.