International Exchange:
Australia FAQ
Cell Phones
Which phone company and what type of phone plan should I get?
Either Vodofone or Optus are good phone companies. As a traveller, your only option is Pay-as-You-Go
for either company. There are two options for buying credit.
1. You can purchase varying denominations of credit (ie 20$, 30$ or $50 etc). This amount gets
you the dollar amount worth of calling and text. Ie 50$ equals 50$ calls and text. This does
not expire
OR
2. you can purchase a ‘cap’ for 49$ (39$, 29$) and get 250 dollars worth of calling and text. This
expires in one month.
Option 2 is likely the better option if you will be using your phone frequently. If you do not use a phone
and you will just need something for your parents to call you on, Option 1 is best.
Incoming calls and texts are always free and at no cost to the receiver. You do not require credit to
receive phone calls or texts.
Working
On the student visa you are allowed to work for 20 h/wk. But there are not many working opportunities
on or around Curtin (Perth) campus. Do not go with the intention of finding work. If you do, it’s a bonus.
Life in Australia
Dress Code Daily life is relatively casual; as is the dress code. For girls: summer dresses with flip flops are
a likely outfit. Boys: typically wear board shorts and t-shirts with flip flops. Most bars will let you in
wearing flip flops, but be sure to a nice pair of shoes just in case.
It is always important to be prepared, and it is recommended to take at least one outfit that is
appropriate for evenings or an interview etc.
Slang Everyday speech in Australia is overflowing with slang, they regularly shorten words and add ie, as
in Breakie for breakfast, bikkie for biscuit (cookie) or mozzie for mosquito.
Other words are shortened with an o at the end, such as devo for devastated, bizzo for business, arvo
(pronounced avo) for afternoon or Chrimbo for Christmas.
International Exchange:
Australia FAQ
Some words appear to have no connection to their Canadian English counterpart but will just becoming
part of your everyday speech; pash for kissing, schooner for a large beer and skipper for a designated
driver.
There are literally hundreds more slang words that are used regularly by kids, adults and professors in
everyday language.
Cost of living The cost of living is approximately what you would pay in Toronto. Certain items like
make-up and other beauty supplies cost more; supplies should be brought from home
Food items vary depending on the product. Certain produce is more costly, but staple items like bread
and milk are similar (or less) in price.
Travel In Australia
East Coast - The East Coast has most of the attractions and major cities including Sydney, Byron Bay,
Surfers Paradise (Surfers) , Brisbane (Brizzie), The Whitsundays, Fraser Island and Cairns (Caans). There
are plenty of places to see in between and it is recommended to give yourself minimum 3 weeks to
travel between Sydney and Cairns. Travel along the coast is very simple and can be done by city bus,
backpacker bus (see below) or planes, rented cars or ‘Wicked’ camper vans.
Prices vary for each mode of transportation and hostels can be found in almost every city along the way
West coast – West Coast is not as populated as the east coast and there is not as much to see and do.
The West Coast has Margaret River, Killbarri, The Pinnacle Dessert, Geraldton, Monkey Mia and
Exmouth.
Note* Monkey Mia, although it can be found on a map, is not actually a town, it can be compared to a
resort. If you do not want to stay in Monkey Mia, the town of Denham is just down the road. The
Pinnacle Dessert seems far out of the way while driving, but is worth the detour. Geraldton is a good
lunch stop.
Driving – you can drive legally with your Canadian Drivers License. But you must be 25 to rent and be
insured on the car. Driving on the other side of the road is far easier and less intimating than it seems.
The best thing to remember is that everything is opposite, it’s not simply opposing right and left turns,
everything is opposite. Your turning signal and washer fluid are on opposite sides and go in opposite
directions from your car at home. Just take your time, remember everything is opposite, drive in an
unpopulated area for the first 5-10 minutes and you will be pro-star in no time.
International Exchange:
Australia FAQ
What to pack for 6 months
Rule of thumb for packing; lay everything out that you want to take, cut it in half and cut it in half again.
You do not need to take that much. Your clothes that you wear on high rotation are probably sufficient.
It is also a good idea to take clothes/bedding/towels that you can leave behind to lighten your load for
the way home, in addition to having extra room to bring new clothing and souvenirs home.
Whether or not you take bedding is up to you. A pillow should be bought upon arrival to avoid taking up
extra room in a suitcase. Sheets don’t take up too much room and are nice to have your first night, so
you can have something between you and the surface you are sleeping on (bed, floor, couch). A great
item that can substitute sheets and is good for traveling is a sleep sheet. This can be found at camping
stores. It is like a sleeping bag, but as thin as a sheet. A small blanket is advised; this can be taken on the
airplane to stay warm for the long fight and will only take up room in your carry-on.
Things to pack that you may not think of
Headlamp – it sounds dorky, but when you are staying in a hostel and looking for your toothbrush late at
night and cannot turn on the lights- you will thank me ;)
Duct tape – good for everything: fix a whole in the bag, in your shoe, strap bags together, the list is
endless
Transpore/micropore first aide tape – instead of band-aides sticks better and you can have any desired
amount; also good for blisters and shoes that cut after a long day of walking
Sewing kit
Safety pins- for when you don’t have a sewing kit
Travel towel
Alarm clock (or phone)
Food for when you get there (granola bars, peanut butter, can of soup (with flip top), crackers etc)
Spoon, knife, fork, can opener/cork screw
Toiletries that won’t leak, but take small shampoo, conditioner. Buy the rest when you get there
Zip locks – great to prevent leaking of toiletries
Toilet seat covers/toilet paper
Do not take a hair dryer or straightener! - They run on a different current and even with an adapter they
will blow
Tour companies within Australia
Oz experience – most travelers are in their early 20s
New Zealand
Kiwi Experience - most travelers are in their early 20s
Stray - most travelers are in their late 20s- early 30s
International Exchange:
Australia FAQ
Australian quarantine
Entering the country Australia has very strict rules on what can be brought into the country you must
declare food/wood or other natural products when entering the country. Make sure that the food you
bring in is not in a raw form for ie fresh fruit and raw nuts. Most dried fruit is allowed as are roasted
nuts. Check the Australian Quarantine website for more information http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis
Mail same quarantine applies to mail. if you are receiving a package be sure the sender is aware of
restrictions. Also be aware that it may take 8 weeks to receive a package or letter from home.
Don’t be afraid to try new activities, food, talk to new and interesting people; that is why you
are going away, for a new and exciting experience!