Do you think you are ready for a new chapter in your life? Before leaving for New South Wales, make sure you are fully prepared by reading our list of things to know before you leave for work or study in Sydney .
1. Don’t forget your sunscreen
Full of surfers, sand, sea and lots of sun, summer in Sydney is spectacular! While you may already be used to some sunshine, the earth’s ozone layer is particularly thin on Australia, meaning more harmful UV rays reach the ground and you’re much more at risk of getting burned. Take care of your skin: wear sunscreen every day with a high protection that can block UVA and UVB rays and always carry it with you to be able to reapply during the day.
2. Choose a beach
Are you a surfer from Manly Beach or a Bondi Beach guy? Sydney has many beautiful beaches around it: some large and some small, some perfect for surfing and others ideal for a leisurely swim, but two of the city’s most iconic beaches have long been ‘rivals’. Visit the beaches of Bondi Beach and Manly Beach, join the debate and choose your favorite.
3. Learn the slang
You’ll learn pretty quickly that every word in Sydney is shortened and a “y” or “o” is added at the end. Here are some examples: “afternoon” becomes “arvo”, “barbeque” becomes “barbie” and “flip flops” becomes “thongs”.
4. Choose a place to live
If you’re interested in cheaper accommodation surrounded by other students, check out Sydney’s younger suburbs like Newton, Kingsford and Enmore. Websites like Flatmates and Domain can help you find a room in a shared house. Winter in Sydney can be quite cold too, so look for a place with double glazing and good central heating. Don’t forget that your school or university will also be able to help you find accommodation.
5. Get ready to love Vegemite and Tim Tams
Vegemite is a dark, bitter cream, not as good as the original British Marmite (although I might be slightly biased), and it’s super popular in Australia. If you want to live like a local in Australia, you’ll need to get used to the taste of Vegemite or get good at changing the subject when it comes up during a conversation. Try saying, “Ooh, how I wish I had a Tim Tam right now!”, So you distract them by mentioning the nation’s most loved chocolate brownie.
6. Healthcare
Residents have access to Australia’s free healthcare system, Medicare, along with temporary visitors from certain countries, such as the UK and New Zealand. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is required for overseas students studying in Australia for their entire trip. It covers visits to the doctor, some hospital treatments and some prescriptions. Talk to your school when planning your study abroad program for help with OSCH.
7. Go around
Sydney’s public transport consists of buses, a rail network, a subway and some ferries. There is a range of apps like AnyTrip or Citymapper that can help you plan your route and get around the city. Pay for your trips using your contactless card or use an Opal Card , which you can buy at most newsstands and top up using the app on your phone. Fares with an Opal Card are generally cheaper.
8. Get a SIM card
Instead of paying more to use your number abroad, grab an Australian SIM card when you arrive to keep in touch with friends and family. I recommend OVO or Vodafone for SIM cards with 10 GB of internet or Telstra to get a rate with some international calls included.
9. Jaywalking is a minor offense
Even if it is not enforced regularly, crossing the street where there are no pedestrian crossings or obstructing traffic can result in a penalty. If you are caught jaywalking in New South Wales, be prepared to spend $ 75!
10. Don’t forget to go outside of Sydney
While Sydney’s city center might seem a bit of a concrete jungle, there are plenty of opportunities to get out and explore nature while living in New South. Visit the Royal National Park to take beautiful walks surrounded by greenery to admire coastal views; you can also get there by car or by taking the Illawarra Line. For more tips, read our article 10 things not to miss in Sydney .
