Your first few days in Adelaide
The first few days after your arrival in Adelaide as a university student are likely to be both exciting and challenging. Every day will hold new experiences for you and you will probably have some questions about your new life. Answers to questions frequently asked by commencing students in their first few days in Adelaide are outlined below to help you get the information you need as quickly as possible.
- Where can I find information about Adelaide?
- How can I get help with accommodation?
- Should I change my banking arrangements?
- How do I get a mobile phone?
- Where do I go to shop for food or eat out?
- How do I get around in Adelaide?
- How and when do I arrange a South Australian driver’s license?
- How can I look after my health?
- What can I do if there is an emergency?
Where can I find information about Adelaide?
There is a Visitor Information Booth at the western end of Rundle Mall where you will be able to get interesting information about life in Adelaide and places to visit, shop and eat at. Maps of Adelaide are available. Also The SA Central Website can connect you to information about all the major resources and services in Adelaide. The Women’s Information Service is a comprehensive source of information for women.
How can I get help with accommodation?
Many students stay with friends or in temporary accommodation to start with to give them time to decide on cost, location and house-mates This also provides time to investigate accommodation options such as student residences, shared houses, apartments or units. Check the site 'Finding accomodation in Adelaide' and the University of South Australia's Accommodation Services website
Should I change my banking arrangements?
Some students from interstate or the country may find it more difficult to access their bank in Adelaide. You may want to find a branch of your bank that is close to either your home or place of study. If your bank account is with an institution that does not have a branch in Adelaide or one that is conveniently located you might consider opening an account with the bank that operates an ATM on your campus:
- Mawson Lakes Campus: Bank of South Australia (Bank SA)
- City East Campus: National Australian Bank (NAB)
- City West Campus: Bendigo Bank and the Campus Post Office is the agent for Commonwealth and National Australia Bank (NAB)
- Magill Campus: Bendigo Bank; Bank of South Australia (Bank SA) on Magill Road
You can open a Student Account which has no bank fees by show identifying documentation.
How do I get a mobile phone?
There are many different phone plans around. Shop around, and read the purchase agreement carefully. It will outline the contractual agreement you are entering into with the phone company.
There are two types of contract which relate to the purchase and use of mobile phones. You can enter an agreement where you pay very little up front and get to use a handset cheaply, but are committed to monthly fees on top of call charges. This commitment is usually for two years. You may be assessed as to your credit suitability, and may need to provide bank and credit card details. You can also purchase a phone outright, and pay for your calls monthly or buy pre-paid cards. This is generally more expensive up-front, but does not commit you to a monthly repayment plan that can be expensive in the long term.
Where do I go to shop for food or eat out?
Most of the supermarkets in the city and suburbs are open from 7.00 am to 9.00 pm Mon - Fri. Sat 7.00 am to 5.00 pm. Sunday trading is between 11.00 am and 5.00 pm. The Central market is open from 8.00 am - 4.00 pm on Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday. On Friday it is open until 9.00 pm.
Adelaide also has a wide range of eating places that cater for differences in taste. There are food courts in shopping complexes, popular restaurants in Rundle Street, Gouger Street and Melbourne Street and fast food chains all over Adelaide.
How do I get around in Adelaide?
Visit the Passenger Transport Information Centre on the corner of King William Street and Currie Street, open Monday to Saturday, from 8.00am - 6.00pm, and Sunday, from 10.30am – 5.30pm, to pick up timetables and guides of bus routes to your campus and accommodation. Adelaide has a transferable ticket system between train, bus and tram.
You can purchase a range of tickets at the Passenger Transport Information Centre, the Adelaide Railway Station and any newsagent including multi-trip tickets which will allow you to travel 10 times on one ticket for a much reduced rate. There are multi-trip tickets for peak and off-peak times at different prices. You will only be able to use student concession tickets after you have enrolled and have a student card.
If you want to take a look at Adelaide it won’t cost you much to get around by bus, train and tram, so buy a value priced daytrip ticket for about $4.00 and travel all over Adelaide for the whole day.
How and when do I arrange a driver’s license?
If you already have a valid driving license from another state you can drive in South Australia for three months. You will then need to change this over to a South Australian driver’s license. Drivers' licenses and car registration can be obtained from: Transport SA., EDS House, 108 North Tce, Adelaide, SA 5000.
How can I look after my health?
Staying healthy is an important part of being able to study successfully and you may not have the same supports around that you have had previously and so staying healthy may be more of a challenge. Eat well, keep fit and get sufficient sleep. it will also be important to find a Medical Practitioner and Chemist close to where you live. Find out about fees and health cover from them.
What can I do if there is an emergency?
In the event of an emergency dial 000 for fire, police and ambulance any time, day or night for 24 hour service. On mobiles which are out of range, or locked, key in 112. A full list of 24 Hour Services and Adelaide public hospitals and their locations can be found on pages 3 and 4 of the Adelaide White Pages (print version). For an emergency on campus contact Campus Security on 88888.