Ask a student who's already there

Rental scams are common, especially in the weeks before semester starts, so it is good you are asking. My one rule: never pay anything - not a deposit, not a "holding fee" - until you have turned up and seen the place in person. Warning signs: - The rent is much cheaper than similar places nearby. - The "landlord" is overseas, can't show you the place, and wants money to "hold" it. - They ask for payment by bank transfer to a personal account, gift cards, crypto or a money app. - They push you to decide today. How to check it is real: - Inspect it in person before you sign or pay. A video call is not enough on its own. - Search the address and the photos online - scammers often copy real listings. - Ask for a written lease (residential tenancy agreement) before paying. - Your bond must be lodged with the state bond authority (for example the ACT Revenue Office or NSW Fair Trading), and you should get a receipt. Ask how they will lodge it. Not in Australia yet, or nervous about going alone? Book a MyUniMentor mentor - a student who already lives in your city - to go and see the place with you before you sign anything. They know what a fair rent looks like and which questions to ask the landlord. Your university's accommodation or student support team can also check a listing for free. And if you have already paid a scammer, contact your bank straight away and report it to Scamwatch.

Generally yes - Australian cities are relatively safe. But use the same common sense you would anywhere: - Stay on busy, well-lit streets, and avoid shortcuts through parks or empty areas late at night. - Walk with a friend when you can, and share your location with someone you trust. - Universities have campus security who can help you at night - at UNSW, look up UNSW Security and save their number in your phone before you need it. - In an emergency, call 000. - Keep your phone charged, and know when your last train, light rail or bus home leaves (or plan a rideshare).

For most students, public transport is enough. I study at UNSW Sydney, and the light rail stops right on campus (UNSW High Street and UNSW Anzac Parade), with plenty of buses too. Trains, buses, light rail and ferries cover most of Sydney, and you tap on and off with an Opal card or your contactless bank card. Check whether you can get a concession fare - international students are not always eligible, so look at the rules for your visa and university. Try to find housing near a light rail stop or a direct bus to campus. A car is expensive in Sydney (insurance, registration, fuel, tolls, parking), so most students only find it worth it if they live far from public transport.

On campus is easier for your first term: bills and furniture are included, you are close to class, and you get a social life straight away. It usually costs more per week. A share house is often cheaper and more independent, but you have to handle the lease, bond and bills yourself, and get on with your housemates. A common path is on campus (or a homestay) first, then a share house once you know the area. Never pay a bond or rent before you or someone you trust has seen the place, and always get a written lease.

Bring the food you can't live without, like your favourite spices and snacks - but check what Australian customs allows first, because the rules are strict and you must declare food when you arrive. Also bring a supply of any regular medication with a letter from your doctor, prescription glasses or contact lenses plus your prescription, and some comfortable clothes for both hot and cold weather. Electronics, bedding and kitchen things are easy to buy cheaply here, so don't fill your luggage with them. Bring a plug adapter for Australian sockets (Type I).

Busier than you expect, but mostly not academic yet. At UNSW we have three terms a year, so each term is shorter and moves fast - week 1 matters more than you would think. Week 1 is mostly introductory lectures, finding your rooms and getting your timetable and Moodle sorted. Go to O-Week events before term starts: clubs, campus tours and free food are the easiest way to meet people. Check each course page to see whether tutorials start in week 1 or 2. Set up your student card, Wi-Fi and student email early. And don't worry if you feel lost - everyone does in week 1.

A lecture is a big class - sometimes hundreds of students - where the lecturer presents the main content. It is often recorded. A tutorial ("tute") is a small group, usually 15-30 students with a tutor, where you discuss, work through problems and ask questions. Tutorials are often where participation marks are, and attendance may be required. Labs and workshops are the hands-on versions. My tip: do the readings before your tutorial. That is where you learn the most.

Most people don't actually know each other - local students come from lots of different schools, and everyone's timetable is new. What works: - Join two or three clubs and keep going back: one for your interest, one for your culture or language, one for something new. - Talk to the same people in your tutorials every week. Seeing each other again and again does most of the work. - Say yes to small invitations: a coffee after class, a study group. It takes a few weeks, not a few days. Be patient with yourself.