Living in Australia

Living in Australia

Australia, the land down under, is one of the most liberal countries in the world. Australian can live where they want, wear whatever they want and say whatever they want. However, each land has some rules and it is better to know what they are if you are going to stay there.

Here are some of the rules you need to be aware of:

• Smoking in public places is not allowed
• Acts of violence against other people, property or animals is a criminal offence
• It is illegal to offer or receive bribe for services
• You must be over 18 years of age to purchase alcohol and/or cigarettes
• It is illegal to buy, sell, possess or use illicit drugs
• Carrying weapons including knives is illegal
• Racism is illegal

Cultures in Australia

Many international students experience what is known as a cultural shock when they arrive in Australia. It is the loneliness, homesickness, frustration of not knowing what to do and how things are done etc that all add to give a cultural shock to new entrants. These feelings are completely natural and very common among international students.  

You need to give yourself some time to settle down before these feelings gradually disappear.

One advantage Australia has over many other countries is that Australia is a multicultural society. More than half of the Australian population has links with overseas cultures, either by themselves or through their past generations. There are lot of community groups in Australia where people from same community gather together and spend some good times. These community groups organize functions where families (including kids) participate in skits, theatre, dance etc.

Joining groups associated with your home community is a nice way of meeting people who have got common background to share. You may also meet other international students from your home community. Joining such groups will give you comfort and will reduce the effect of cultural shock.

Every state and territory in Australia has a website where you can find more information on the multicultural communities. These websites are:

Australian Capital Territory:     www.communitiesonline.org.au
New South Wales:         www.communilink.org.au
Victoria:             www.multicultural.vic.gov.au
Western Australia:         www.multicultural.online.wa.gov.au
Tasmania:             www.tas.gov.au/tasmaniaonline
Queensland:             www.multicultural.qld.gov.au
South Australia:         www.multicultural.sa.gov.au
Northern Territory:         www.nt.gov.au/dcm/multicultural


Services available in Australia


Banks

There are many banking institutions available in Australia with the top four banks being Commonwealth Bank, ANZ Bank, Westpac Bank and National Australia Bank. These banks have got branches in almost every town and city in Australia. Towns or cities may also have branches of the other regional banks which offer same financial services, although at a smaller level.

Opening hours for most of the banks are generally between 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday. Some of the banks open up few of their main branches on Saturdays too.

Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are available in abundance in Australia.  


Shopping

Most of the shopping centres in Australia are open 9am-5pm seven days a week. However, on Thursdays and Fridays, most of the centres are open till 9pm.

The supermarkets in Australia are more generous with their hours and most of them are open from 6am till midnight every day. Some of the supermarkets are even open 24 hours.


Postal services

Postal services in Australia are provided by Australia Post. Australia Post have outlets around Australia where they manage the mail and also sell stationary items. You can also pay most of your utilities bills at Australia Post outlets.


Libraries

Each city and town has public libraries which are open 6 days a week. Usually, you are required to become a member of the library before you can borrow items from it. These libraries stock books, CDs, newspapers, journals and e-books.