Pre-Arrival Information

Climate

Summer

From December to February, expect maximum temperatures of 25 – 35 degrees, and minimum temperatures of 18 – 19 degrees Celsius.

Autumn (Fall)

From March to May, expect a maximum temperature of 28 degrees, and a minimum temperature of 18 degrees Celsius.

Winter

From June to August, expect a maximum temperature of 17 degrees, and a minimum temperature of 11 degrees Celsius.

Spring

From September to November, expect a maximum temperature of 28 degrees, and a minimum temperature of 15 degrees Celsius.

Bio-Security Information

View the latest bio-security information relating to international students entering Australia.

Transportation

Driving

  • Stay on the left side of the road
  • By law, drivers and passengers must wear a seatbelt
  • There are also strict laws against drink-driving
  • Understand all the road rules before hitting the road

Public Transport

  • Use buses, trains or ferries
  • Plan your trip ahead by visiting the Transport NSW website
  • Purchase an Opal card from a convenience store, pre-load it with funds to cover your travel and download the Opal travel app. Remember to tap your card when you get on and off the bus, train or ferry.

Taxi

  • Wave down taxis on the street, or pre-book via NSW Taxi Council
  • Plan your route, and check the rate before calling.

Uber

  • Download the Uber app via the app store on your mobile phone or visit the Uber website.

Food

Parramatta has a fantastic variety of cuisine – Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian, Korean, Thai, Lebanese and many more. This is not just limited to cafes and restaurants, there are supermarkets dedicated to Asian, Indian, and Middle Eastern foods; and most large supermarkets also provide a selection of foods from other cultures.

Australians eat a lot of meat, eat seafood as a traditional Christmas meal, have a natural curiosity about foods from other cultures, and experience regular health-food crazes and trends. Try a little vegemite on buttered toast!

Recreation

Sports are very popular in Australia. We enjoy surfing, kayaking, sailing, cycling, swimming, rugby, bushwalking, canoeing, horse-riding, rock-climbing, football, cricket, and basketball.

Favourite cultural events include large music festivals, New Year’s Eve, Sculpture by the Sea, and Mardi Gras. Refer to the City of Sydney’s official event guide, ‘What’s On Sydney’.

Sydney has many attractions including beautiful beaches like Bondi and Manly; the stunning Sydney harbour with the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge; peaceful walks through the Botanical Gardens or national parks; or travel just outside the city to the Blue Mountains.

Welcome Pack

Please read the the information below as it is a guide to all the information you need for a successful start to your studies.

Orientation: Orientation Day is designed to provide you with the essential information to start you on your journey. The date of Orientation Day will be confirmed in your offer letter.

This event will include prominent guest speaker presentations and other important course information to help you with your study. Lunch will be provided. Attendance at Orientation is compulsory to ensure you have a smooth transition to the International College.

Find information about how to get to the Parramatta City campus.

Parramatta City campus map

Student Email – your student email account is the official communication channel that the International College uses to contact you, so you must check it regularly. You also need to make sure you use your student account when contacting the International College via email.

Student Portal – access online systems and services including student records, tutorial registration email, learning management system, forms, policies and more.

Where to Go for Help?

Student Centre – this is your first point of contact for help, information, forms, course guides and more. You can also make an appointment here for course advice and other free student assistance services including:

View the full list of services and help available for students.

Other useful links to help you get settled into living and studying in Sydney includes:

Good luck with your studies.

Timetables

Once you are enrolled in a course and in the units that you wish to complete during the term, you can generate an individual timetable that will be saved and you can access anytime via the Student Portal.

Examination timetables will be made available to you a couple of weeks before the examinations are due to commence so that you will have ample time to prepare and make sure that you can attend on the days and times that your examinations are scheduled.