Living and Working in Canberra, AustraliaInformAtIon PACk

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WHY ACU? 3

LIVInG In AUStrALIA 4

medicare and private health insurance 4

Banking 4

taxation 5

Superannuation 5

Useful websites for living in Australia 5

LIVInG In CAnBErrA 6

natural attractions and climate 7

Cultural attractions 7

Housing and property 8

Schools and education 8

Getting around Canberra 9

Cost of living 10

more information about Canberra 10

This information booklet has been developed to provide you with relevant information about your living and working arrangements within Canberra, Australia. We acknowledge that moving and working within a new country is an exciting experience and there are many logistical aspects to consider, therefore ACU wishes to make this transition as easy for you as possible. Please consider the information in this booklet as a general guide to working in Australia and the Australian way of life, with a particular focus on Canberra.

Our information booklet contains general information and is to be used as a guide only. In Australia and as an employee within this country, it is solely your responsibility to make decisions around the financial, legal and medical affairs that affect you. ACU takes no responsibility or liability of the accuracy of the information provided in this document or information provided on the listed websites. This booklet does not constitute legal or financial advice, not does it endorse the products/services listed throughout.

LIVING AND WORKING IN CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA. Information Pack3

We’re uniqueWe empower our students to think critically and ethically, and gain the skills to bring about genuine change in their communities, professions and industries, guided by a fundamental concern for justice and equity, and the dignity of all human beings. When you join ACU you know you will not only be joining a university, but one that strives to uphold its mission and emphasise its Catholic identity.

ACU lives its mission daily: through community engagement programs on the Thai-Burma border, working with Burmese students to have access to internationally recognised qualifications in higher education; through our unique Clemente Australia program that brings university level education to disadvantaged Australians; through assisting the East Timorese rebuild their educational infrastructure and programs; through our nursing students undertaking clinical placements in rural Australian communities and in Vanuatu. These are just a few examples of how ACU creates links with broader communities to make a genuine difference.

Where We areACU has six campuses around Australia – Brisbane, North Sydney, Strathfield, Canberra, Melbourne, and Ballarat. ACU has approximately 23,000 students and over 1,500 staff.

We value you As a publicly funded university, we welcome staff and students of all beliefs and backgrounds, and uphold a respectful, open-minded and culturally diverse learning environment.

Mission and values Our Mission and Values underpin everything that we do at ACU, and the standards of quality in our teaching, research and service. We are a community characterised by free inquiry and academic integrity.

The University’s inspiration, located within over 2,000 years of Catholic intellectual tradition, summons us to attend to all that is of concern to human beings. It brings a distinctive spiritual perspective to the tasks of higher education.

Through fostering and advancing knowledge in education, health, commerce, the humanities, the sciences and technologies and the creative arts, ACU makes a specific contribution to its local, national and international communities.

The University explicitly engages the social, ethical and religious dimensions of the questions it faces in teaching and research, and service.

ACU has a primary responsibility to provide excellent higher education for its entire diversified and dispersed student body.

our visionACU is Australia’s outstanding Catholic university and a leading Catholic university in the world. Teaching and researching within the great Catholic intellectual tradition, it is national in its reach, public in its relevance and committed to the common good.

For more information about ACU, visit our website – www.acu.edu.au

WHY ACU?

LIVING AND WORKING IN CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA. Information Pack4

LIVInG In AUStrALIAAustralia has an enviable reputation for being one of the most accessible and liveable countries in the world. Diversity lies at the heart of Australia – in our culture, population, climate, geography and history. For this reason, we are so welcoming to new people who come to join us.

Australia is multicultural and multiracial, which is reflected in the food, lifestyle, culture and experiences. Australia’s population is

approximately 22 million people, with most living in New South Wales and Victoria. Canberra is Australia’s capital city and its political centre. However, the capitals of NSW, Sydney, and of Victoria, Melbourne, are the most populous cities. Australia’s population is concentrated along the coastal region of Australia from Adelaide to Cairns, with a small concentration around Perth, Western Australia. The centre of Australia is sparsely populated.

With its natural beauty, Indigenous culture, a vibrant cultural life and pleasant climate, Australia is an easy place to live. To help you to settle in Australia, the following sections outline what you will need to do when you first arrive and start working. You will need health cover, a bank account, and a Tax File Number, when you first start working.

The Australian Government provides help with basic hospital and medical expenses through a program called Medicare Australia. Newly arrived migrants can check their eligibility to enrol in the Medicare program by going to a Medicare office with their passports, travel documents and visa information.

Most temporary visa holders are not eligible to enrol in Medicare and must have their own private health insurance prior to arrival in Australia. This is referred to as Overseas Visitor’s Cover. This insurance scheme helps with the cost of treatment in private hospitals, dental or optical care or transport in ambulances

(which are not covered by Medicare). There are exceptions – for example people on temporary visas who have applied for a permanent visa and meet the necessary rules, may be able to access Medicare.

Private health detailsOnline: www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/Content/private–1

Some temporary visa holders from certain countries can access limited reciprocal health care under Medicare. This relates to immediate necessary treatment in public hospitals only, not to elective health care. The Medicare website (www.medicareaustralia.gov.au)

provides further details regarding eligibility. The Human Services website provides information about the countries that have Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with Australia and eligibility for Medicare.

For Medicare information for visitors from the Republic of Ireland and New Zealand see: www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/publications/ma1856-36

For Medicare information for visitors from the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Belgium, Norway, Slovenia, Malta and Italy see: www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/publications/ma1856

medicare and private health insurance

BankingBanking institutions in Australia range from local credit unions that provide services to members through to large national banks as well as a range of overseas banks. There are four major banks in the Australian banking sector: ANZ Bank, Commonwealth Bank, National Australia Bank and Westpac. However, you should investigate whether your current bank has a presence in Australia, as many of

the European, UK and American banks have established branches locally.

It is best to open a bank account within six weeks of arriving in Australia, as only a passport will be required as identification. After the six weeks, you will be asked for extra identification in order to open an account.

You can also open an Australian bank account

from overseas by visiting the particular bank’s website and searching for “Open an Australian bank account”. You can also ask your overseas bank whether they have branches in Australia and if they will open an account for you.

The www.bankers.asn.au website has more useful information regarding our major banks and banking systems.

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SuperannuationIn Australia, superannuation is compulsory for most employees. Superannuation is a savings program that ensures workers have money to live on when they retire. In most cases, the money is not accessible until you reach retirement age. Employers are required by law to contribute to an employee’s superannuation fund. Nine per cent is the minimum rate that employers are required to pay into an employee’s superannuation account and some industry funds pay higher than the minimum. In the higher education and research sector,

employees are employed under awards or agreements that require the University to make a higher percentage contribution into superannuation. The superannuation fund universities use is UniSuper. Your conditions of employment and superannuation entitlements will be outlined in your letter of offer.

There are some exemptions from the requirement to pay the minimum nine per cent for temporary visa holders who are covered by their own country’s social security system,

providing Australia has an agreement with that country. Temporary residents may claim the money in their superannuation fund, when departing Australia. Please note: this will be subject to withholding tax.

Further information on superannuation and taxation is available from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Telephone: 132 861 Online: www.ato.gov.au or UniSuper 1800 331 685

Useful websites for living in Australiaaustralian GovernMent:www.australia.gov.au

www.ato.gov.au

settle in australia:www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/settle-in-australia/beginning-life/_pdf/eng.pdf

A 46 page booklet about Life in Australia:

www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/values/book/english/lia_english_full.pdf

taxationAll Australian residents pay taxes on their income when it exceeds a certain amount each year. Taxable income includes a salary from a job, business earnings and interest earned on money deposited in a bank or from other investments. If you are working in Australia on a temporary visa, your tax liability will depend on your time spent in Australia, your visa status and the source of your income.

The Australian tax year runs from 1 July to 30 June. Under Australian law, most people are required to lodge a tax return each year, containing details of all income earned from all sources and taxes paid. In most cases, tax is deducted directly by employers from each salary payment and paid to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). This is called ‘Pay As You Earn’ (PAYE) tax.

A 1.5 per cent Medicare Tax Levy is payable by all residents in Australia. Temporary residents can apply for the Medicare Levy exemption when lodging their tax return, as they are not eligible for Medicare.

For further taxation information, please contact the ATO or a qualified taxation adviser. ATO Telephone: 132 861 Online: www.ato.gov.au

tax File nuMber aPPlicationTo be eligible to receive income in Australia, you will need to have a Tax File Number (TFN). You can phone the ATO on 132 861 to obtain a TFN application form or online at www.ato.gov.au This is one of the first things you will need to arrange prior to starting work.

If you do not provide your employer with a tax file number, you will not be able to claim the tax free threshold, which means that you will pay more tax.

If you are a non-resident of Australia for taxation purposes, you can apply for a TFN by using the Tax file number-application or enquiry for individuals living outside Australia form or visit www.iar.ato.gov.au to apply online (if you hold a current working visa). You will receive

your TFN no more than 28 days after the ATO receives your completed application and required documentation. All documentation you send to the ATO will be returned to you by registered mail and the TFN will be forwarded to the postal address listed on the application form.

salary PacKaGinG oPtionAt ACU, you are able to salary package a range of items, such as motor vehicles and laptop computers out of pre-tax salary, which will effectively lower the tax you pay and increase your take-home pay. Additionally, as a rebatable employer, the University is eligible for a rebate of 48 per cent of the amount of Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would otherwise be payable on salary packaged items, up to a limit.

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LIVInG In CAnBErrACanberra, the capital city of Australia is Australia’s largest inland city. Canberra is home to over 365,000 people and has all the lifestyle amenities, city services and events of a world-class capital, yet the bush is on its doorstep and Sydney, the snowfields and south coast beaches are within easy reach.

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Surrounded by mountains, forests, grasslands, rivers and lakes, Canberra’s location is unique for an Australian city. Over 70 per cent of the Australian Capital Territory is open space. Some of the key attractions include Canberra Nature Park, Mulligans Flat Woodlands Sanctuary, Namadgi National Park and Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. Within 30 minutes of the city, you can experience magnificent scenery, meet local wildlife or explore the

indigenous and European heritage. There are plenty of outdoor activities for the whole family to enjoy, from mountain biking at the world class Mount Stromlo facility, sailing on Lake Burley Griffin, golfing at one of the 10 courses or visiting the Snowy Mountains for a day on the slopes.

The Canberra region has a temperate climate of mild to cold temperatures with four distinct seasons.

natural attractions and climate

Season Average maximum Average minimum

Summer (December to February): warm to hot 26°C 12°C

Autumn (March to May): mild 20°C 7°C

Winter (June to August): cool to brisk 12°C 1°C

Spring (September to November) cool to mild 19°C 6°C

Canberra is a city of endless pleasures with a cultural calendar that is overflowing. There is a healthy appetite for the arts within the vibrant community and a great array of events, including international exhibitions that regularly swell tourist numbers. As the nation’s capital, Canberra is also home to most of Australia’s major cultural institutions. The Australian War memorial is a famous landmark and museum, as is the St John’s Schoolhouse Museum, built in the 1840s. Blundell’s Cottage, now fully restored, is another slice of history, showing life at the time of settlement.

The National Gallery of Australia has a stunning array of art displays for the keen enthusiast and while you are on Capital Hill, visit Parliament House, the Old Parliament House and the Royal Australian Mint.

The annual high energy event, four-day Summernats Car festival is another event that draws car enthusiasts from all over Australia and the world to celebrate everything about cars and racing, including entertainment, food, music and stalls. From September to October, take part in the floriade festival, a celebration of spring.

Watch more than one million flowers bloom and celebrate the music, art, cultural celebrations, recreational activities and entertainment on offer throughout the city.

Cultural attractions

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Once you have decided on working and settling in Canberra, your next step is to find somewhere to live. Generally, people rent or buy a house or an apartment through a licensed real estate agent.

Properties for sale or rent are advertised in daily newspapers, usually on Saturdays, as well as various internet sites and through estate agents. Some popular real estate websites are: www.realestate.com.au and www.domain.com.au

Local real estate agents can help you to find houses or units in your price range and preferred location. The websites above provide agent details under ‘Find an Agent’.

Temporary residents are generally restricted from purchasing property unless the temporary visa is valid for more than 12 months. The restrictions in place for temporary residents are governed by the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) and you will need to apply to this Board for approval if you wish to purchase property.

Please refer to: www.firb.gov.au for more information.

If you will be renting a unit or house, you will need to sign a written agreement with the landlord or real estate agent so any terms and conditions are agreed to and documented. This is known as a lease or a residential

tenancy agreement, which is a legal contract between a tenant and a landlord and will usually be for a fixed period of six or 12 months. However, you are entitled to negotiate the time period of the lease before you sign. You may be able to renew a lease at the end of a fixed-term period.

The lease will also set out the weekly or monthly rent payable as well as additional payments, such as one month’s rent in advance and a rental bond. A bond is a deposit paid to the landlord and is generally the equivalent of one month’s rent unless it is a furnished property. The landlord or real-estate agent must lodge your bond with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority.

Housing and property

If you have school-aged children, you should enrol your children in a school as soon as possible. All children aged between six and 17 must attend school. The first year of primary school is called kindergarten and children complete another six years of primary school, Years One to Six, before going on to secondary or high school (Years 7-10). The final two years of high school (Years 11 and 12-Senior Secondary System) are referred to as ‘college’ in the ACT.

Students attend school on weekdays, Monday to Friday, usually between the hours of 9.00am to 3.00pm. However, some independent schools may have compulsory activities on Saturday mornings, such as school representative sport.

It is a legal requirement that students attend school until they complete Year 10. Students are examined for their School Certificate in year 10 and an ACT Year 12 Certificate in year 12. The student will also receive an ACT Tertiary Entrance Statement, which outlines the ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission

Rank) which will determine which courses the student is eligible for admission to at universities and colleges in ACT.

There are two major types of schools in ACT for both primary and secondary levels:

• public schools (also known as state schools or government schools)

• independent schools (non-denominational or religious schools, including Catholic schools).

Details about ACT government (public) schools can be located at: www.det.act.gov.au

Details about Independent Schools: www.privateschoolsdirectory.com.au/canberra-schools.php

The school year runs on the calendar year, beginning in late January and ending in December for the summer holidays. Students attend school for about 40 weeks per year, divided into four school terms. Holidays between each term typically last for two

weeks, while the summer holiday break, from mid-December to end January, is for six weeks.

Public schools are fully funded by the government and free to attend. However, you are usually asked to pay a voluntary school levy per student per year. You will also need to pay for uniforms, some books and extra-curricular subjects. Independent schools are fee-paying schools and you will need to apply directly to the school of your choice to see if your child is accepted and then pay the annual fee. Some independent schools offer scholarships or bursaries.

Schools and education

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Canberra has been designed to be easy to get around, with cycle ways along the major roads, plenty of local walking tracks and an extensive public transport system. Whether it is for fun or for transportation, people in Canberra have more bicycles than cars per head of population. Walking tracks will take you all around the lake or through the green havens made up by the city’s parks or take a stroll along the city footpaths exploring the city’s shopping and café precincts.

Public transPortCanberra is renowned as one of the greatest planned cities of the world, which means getting around is easy, convenient and quick. Many people living in Canberra choose to ride the bus, cycle and/or walk to work. There is no designated public rail system for around the city.

Canberra’s public transport system, ACtIon, is a fast, safe and reliable bus service. ACTION’s bus fleet includes 115 easy access buses. Each of these buses is equipped with an extendable ramp, a wide front entrance, and space in the bus to accommodate wheelchairs or prams. “Easy access” means there are no steps, so getting into and out of the bus is easier for everyone. Buses on ACTION’s Intertown Route are also equipped with bike racks. Services such as bustext for timetable information and Bike ‘n Ride make ACTION a great way of getting around.

myWay cards now provide an easy rechargeable ticketing system as an alternative

to cash fares. Patrons purchase a card that is tagged on and off each bus ride and is able to be recharged via direct debit or BPAY. $20 preloaded Myway cards are available online and from recharge agents in the Sydney Building in the City Bus Interchange.

Canberra is within easy reach of other major cities. Sydney is just a three-hour drive with divided highway all the way. Travel to Sydney by bus or train is also accessible and affordable. An interstate CountryLink railway service connects Canberra to Sydney.

For more information about Canberra’s public transport system, visit: www.action.act.gov.au

drivinG yourselFThe most important rule for driving in Australia is that we drive on the left-hand side of the road. You must also wear a seatbelt and have your licence with you when driving or you will be fined. In Canberra, the speed limit on the open road rises to 100 kilometres per hour and, in some sections of freeway, 110 kilometres per hour.

Canberra’s districts are connected by parkways-limited access dual carriageway roads and are easily accessible for drivers. An example is the Tuggeranong Parkway which links Canberra’s CBD and Tuggeranong. Travelling from Canberra to Sydney is about three hours by road on the Federal Highway (National Highway 23), which connects with the Hume Highway (National Highway 31) near Goulburn.

Drivers’ licences are issued by state and territory governments and usually require applicants to pass a knowledge test, a practical driving test and an eyesight test. A person cannot drive without a valid licence.

Holders of temporary visas may drive in Australia on their overseas licence, provided they have a current driver’s licence from another country in English (or with an official translation). Qualified NAATI translators can assist in the translation to English.

Permanent resident visa holders are allowed to drive in Australia for the first three months after arrival on their overseas licence, provided they have a current driver’s licence, which has been translated into English if in another language. After this time, they need to apply for an Australian state or territory driver’s licence.

Go to the Rego ACT (ACT) website - www.rego.act.gov.au/licensing/licencemain.htm - for more information.

Getting around Canberra

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Cost of livingOne of the concerns for anyone wishing to move to a new country is the cost of living and whether they will have a better standard of living if they make the move. To assess this you need to do your own research.

Your research should include an assessment of:

• your current situation - how much money you have to bring in, whether you are selling property overseas and your expectations in terms of where you will live and the size and type of accommodation

• your future situation - how much you will earn after tax and day-to-day cost of living to maintain the standard of living you expect

• standard of living or quality of life - many people moving to Australia are looking for a higher standard of living while others are looking for a better quality of life. You need to decide what it is you are looking for and whether the balance is right for you in making the move.

In the most recent Mercer Cost of Living report from March 2012, most of Australia’s major cities – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Canberra – ranked in the top 30 most expensive cities in the world. Canberra is currently ranked 23rd. However, while some things are relatively expensive in Australia compared to other countries, there are a lot of leisure activities that are free or very affordable. If you want to

compare the costs of living in Canberra with the cost of living in your home city, you can obtain a copy of the Mercer Cost of Living Report on www.mercer.com.

There is an ACT Government website www.act.gov.au that contains information on the cost of living as well as information on housing, education and child care. Expenses that you should consider before moving to Canberra include the following:

HoUSEHoLd

• Rent or mortgage costs

• Food and groceries

• Expenses involved in owning your own home – such as home and contents insurance, council rates and water rates

• Utilities such as electricity, gas and water

• Telecommunications, including telephone, mobile phone and internet access costs

• Furniture and appliances.

trAnSPort

• The cost of buying, registering, servicing and running a vehicle

• Car insurance

• Public transport costs.

PErSonAL

• Clothing and shoes

• Personal care and cosmetics

• Medical costs and health insurance.

fAmILY

• Childcare

• Education costs including school fees, books, uniforms, camps, excursions.

otHEr

• Debt expenses including repayments on personal loans, car loans, credit cards

• Savings including superannuation contributions and regular investments

• Take-away food and restaurants

• Sports and hobbies

• Entertainment including films, theatre, newspapers, magazines, books and music

• Holidays

• Gifts

more information about CanberraLIVInG In CAnBErrA

www.act.gov.au/

www.liveincanberra.com.au/

CAnBErrA CAmPUS (SIGnAdoU) dEtAILS

www.acu.edu.au/about_acu/our_campuses/canberra_campus/