Living in Sydney

State: New South Wales (NSW)
Population: 7.5 million
Average maximum temperature: 21.7°C
Street vibe: Fast paced

The city of Sydney is the capital of New South Wales and the most populated in Australia. It is situated on the country's east coast, and the metropolis encompasses the world's biggest natural harbour and spreads to the Blue Mountains towards the west. The people who live in Sydney are also famously called 'Sydney-siders'.

CULTURE AND LIFESTYLE

Australia is a multicultural country and Sydney has a rich cosmopolitan culture. People from around the world have migrated to Australia for many years and have brought with them their culture and wonderful food. In Australia, the main language is English and the official currency is the Australian dollar (AU$).

LANGUAGE

Nearly half (49.1%) of the city's residents in 2011 were born overseas, of which 34.% came from a country where English is not the first language.

Over a third (34%) of the city's residents speak a language other than English at home.
The dominant non-English languages spoken at home are Mandarin, spoken by 5.9% of residents followed, by Cantonese (3.7%) and Thai (2.4%).
The city is also home to one of Sydney's largest communities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

WEATHER

Australian seasons are the reverse of the seasons experienced in China, Europe, and North America. The summer months in Australia are from December to February, autumn is from March to May, winter is from June to August and spring is September to November.
Sydney can be best described as 'Sub-Tropical'. Unlike other parts of Australia, Sydney never gets too hot nor too cold. Winters are pleasant and summers are hot with a huge number of options to cool down thanks to Sydney's location on the Australian coastline.

For more information please visit: http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/learn/about-sydney/weather-and-climate

CLOTHING

The Australian sun can be very fierce so if you plan on arriving in the summer-time, wear plenty of high factor sunscreen and a hat. Lightweight clothing such as t-shirts, shorts, light cotton pants and dresses are desirable. Arriving during winter shouldn't be much of a problem as the temperature is often in the high 'teens' and sometimes low 20s. Warm woollen sweaters and jackets will be needed to keep you reasonably comfortable.

TRANSPORT

Sydney offers various kinds of public transportation including trains, buses, light rail, monorail, ferries and taxis. Sydney Buses and City Rail reach every part of Sydney, providing a convenient and affordable service. Visit http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/explore/getting-around/public-transport for more information.

To get real-time travel information for buses, trains, light rail and ferries in Sydney download the TripView App. It makes planning your travel around the city a lot easier. You will get information on delays, vehicle locations and service interruptions. It will help you to select the best available option for your journey.

ACCOMMODATION

There are several options available for students, including rental accommodation, shared accommodation, and homestay. Most international students prefer to share rental accommodation to reduce costs. For more information on accommodation options in Australia, visit http://insiderguides.com.au/category/accommodation/.

IMC staff assist students to find accommodation. Although accommodation is usually readily available, the beginning of each semester is a very busy time and accommodation may take a little longer to find during these periods. Homestay with an Australian family who provide accommodation and meals is a good option for international students. Students need to make a request for this service at least two weeks in advance and conditions and charges apply.

For further information contact IMC at info@imc.edu.au.

LIVING COSTS IN SYDNEY

Australia is a sophisticated, friendly and affordable country which enjoys one of the highest standards of living in the world. Knowing the average living costs in Australia is an important part of your financial preparation.

To help you stay organised visit https://insiderguides.com.au/cost-of-living-calculator/ to estimate how much you need to live in Sydney based on your lifestyle choices. The cost of living calculator produces approximate costs for Sydney and excludes tuition fees. you may spend more or less depending on the course you choose, where you choose to live and your lifestyle.
For more information on living in Sydney, visit http://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

Sydney is the financial and business capital of Australia and is also a significant domestic and international tourist destination. It is regularly declared to be one of the most beautiful and liveable cities in the World. Sydney has it all, from the Opera House to museums, from a multitude of outdoor activities to shopping. For the culinary connoisseur, you have the fish markets and Chinatown along with thousands of restaurants offering cuisine from China, Japan, Lebanon, Turkey, Europe, Thailand, India and many others. Sydney has so many things to see and do. The locals passionately support sports such as rugby, tennis, cricket and surfing. Sydney is a dynamic and exciting place and you won’t be disappointed!

SUN AWARENESS

The Australian sun is intense and may be harmful to your skin. To avoid being sunburnt and skin damage take the following steps:
During summer, before you go outside or to the beach, apply SPF 30+, broad spectrum, water- resistant sunscreen to all areas except those that will be covered by clothing. Do not forget your sunglasses.
On very hot days, make sure you take extra SPF 30+ sunscreen, a broad brimmed hat, a bottle of water, a long-sleeved shirt with a collar, and long pants if you intend on staying outdoors for an extended period of time.

BEACH SAFETY

Sydney has some of Australia’s most beautiful and popular beaches. Remember to enjoy them safely. Always swim in between the red and yellow flags, not outside them. The flags mark the safest place to swim and the area where lifesavers and life guards patrol. Raise and wave your hand if you need help when you are in the water. Feel free to speak to the lifesavers and ask them advice or report any problems.

BUSH SAFETY

Sydney and NSW have many spectacular national parks and areas of natural beauty we encourage you to explore and enjoy safely. Before you organize a trip make sure someone knows where you are going, try to go with others, preferably a guide who is familiar with the area. Wear good walking shoes, take a first aid kit, plenty of food and water. Always remember to check the weather forecast and take anything you might need if the conditions change – a jumper, rain coat etc – It is important to stay on trails and walking tracks and be very careful if you plan to swim in lakes or rivers. Do not dive in and look for signs advising of any dangers. Do not feed or touch animals. Try to stay within mobile phone range. Visit NSW National Parks: www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/safety/bushwalking-safety.