About Sydney

Sydney, Australia’s famous harbour city, boasts world-renowned architecture, beautiful beaches, impressive restaurants, eminent cultural institutions and the odd celebrity or two. Admired for its natural beauty, climate, and lifestyle, Sydney is a truly world-class destination.

Key Attractions

• Experience the great inner-city cafes and good eats – from Harry’s Singapore Chilli Crab to Harry’s Café de Wheels (no relation!)
• Overload your senses in Chinatown – Yum Cha is a definite must
• Strut your stuff with the beautiful people on Bondi Beach (and remember to swim between the flags)
• Get touristy in and around Circular Quay and Darling Harbour – make a day of it, there’s heaps to do
• Check out one of the exceptional productions at the acclaimed Belvoir Street Theatre

Events

January-April

• Sydney Festival
• Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
• Tropfest

May-August

• Sydney Writers’ Festival
• Sydney Underground Film Festival
• Come Together
• Sydney Film Festival
• Vivid Sydney

September-December

• Art & About
• Crave Sydney International Food Festival
• Sydney Fringe Festival
• Sydney Christmas and New Year Celebrations
• Sydney Tourism

Additional links and resources

• Sydney Tourism - sydney.com
• Tourism NSW - visitnsw.com
• What’s on Sydney - whatsonsydney.com
• Urban Walkabout Sydney - urbanwalkabout.com/sydney

Local Services in Sydney

Emergency Services

In an emergency call: 000 (Ambulance, Fire, Police)
Poisons advice: 131126

If it’s not an emergency but it could be serious, call 13 HEALTH – qualified staff will give you advice on who to talk to and how quickly you should do it: 13 43 25 84

Legal Services

For legal advice and information, or to find a Solicitor, visit the Law Society of New South Wales.

Please note that serious matters should be directed to your country’s consulate.

The Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has a 24 hour Consular Emergency Centre. For more information visit dfat.gov.au or call the emergency consular helpline on 1300 555 135.

Accessing Money

There are a numerous banks and Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) in the Sydney CBD. Banks are open from Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm (except on public holidays). ATMs are accessible 24 hours a day.

• Commonwealth Bank of Australia
• ANZ
• Westpac
• National Australia Bank (NAB)
• St George

Internet Access

The Internet is readily available on campus during opening hours.

You can purchase portable broadband Wi-Fi and plug and play devices (pre-paid or on a contract/plan) from the service providers below. It is worth doing your research to make sure you get a deal that suits your needs and budget.

• Telstra mobile broadband
• Vodafone mobile broadband
• Optus prepaid mobile broadband

Medical Centres

Myhealth Medical Centre

Ultimo Medical Practice

Pyrmont Harbourside Medical Centre

Sydney Medical, Dental & Cosmetic Centre

Town Hall Clinic

Counselling

Darlinghurst Community Health Centres

Places of Worship

Sydney is an accepting and multicultural community welcoming people of all religious beliefs. Below is a list of the closest places of worship to the SAE campus for several faiths.

Buddhist

Catholic

Jewish

Islam

Presbyterian

Sydney transport

Getting around Sydney on public transport is easy. Buses and trains operate throughout the city, suburbs and beyond. A ferry system also services the inner city and harbour suburbs.

Visit NSW Transport Info for ticketing and timetable information, or to plan your journey.

Getting to SAE Sydney

Frequent bus, train, and light rail services operate near the Sydney campus.

The closest bus stops are:

• Railway Square is located north of the campus and includes Bus Stands K, L, M, and N on George Street and Lee Street. Less than 5-minutes walk. 

The closest train station is:

• Central Station

Car Parking

Car parking in the Ultimo and Broadway area is available but can be expensive.

Bikes

Sydney has a number of cycleways to help you get around the city on your bike safely and with ease. There is value in planning your route: visit sydneycycleways for more information.

Regent Street, from Harris Street, is considered bicycle-friendly.
Please remember to always wear an approved bicycle helmet and take care while riding on the roads.

Taxis

• Taxis Combined
• Premier Cabs
• Silver Service taxis
• UBER
• City Hire Cars

Accommodation in Sydney

There are a number of off-campus accommodation options if you choose to study in Sydney.

Students who are moving to Sydney often stay in a hotel, hostel/guesthouse, or nearby student accommodation when they first arrive. Many students then move into shared rental accommodation when they are more familiar with the city and surrounding areas.

Hostels and Guesthouses

Hostels are usually run by organisations such as Youth Hostels Australia (YHA). Students share kitchen and bathroom facilities. This is an economical, short-term option.

Student Accommodation

Designed specifically for students, you will have the privacy of your own bedroom and bathroom in a shared apartment, with access to larger communal living areas and facilities. We recommend:

• UniLodge
• iglu
• urbanest
• Link2

Homestay Network

Homestay accommodation gives students an opportunity to live with an Australian family. This is a great way for younger international students to immerse themselves in Australian life and culture, while maintaining the familiarity and safety of a family environment. Homestay accommodation costs range from AU$260 to AU$300 per week. To find out more, visit homestaynetwork.com.au.

Shared Rental Accommodation

Sharing a rental property is a popular and economic option for both international and local students. If you choose this option you will share the cost of renting a house or apartment with your ‘housemates’. The cost of shared rental accommodation varies depending on the location, size and condition of the premises; you should expect to pay between AU$165-$350 per week. Some things to remember about shared rental accommodation:

• Landlords require rent to be paid in advance
• A security bond, equal to one months rent, is required at the beginning of your lease
• Be prepared to supply your own furniture
• Cost of utilities such as electricity, water, telephone and Internet is usually in addition to rent

To search for rental properties check out the notice boards on campus, look for advertisements in the local newspapers or go online: realestate.com.au/rent or domain.com.au/rent.

Living in Australia

Read about living in Australia here.