Sydney international student guide
This guide will help you discover lots about how to settle into your temporary hometown.
We're committed to the safety and wellbeing of people studying, living and working in the city.
A number of issues may affect the experience of international students in Sydney.
Difficulties like language barriers, making friends and integrating into local communities can sometimes add to the stress of study and lead to feelings of social isolation.
In collaboration with key stakeholders, we have developed a number of free resources and programs to help newly arrived international students feel welcome and to help with their orientation.
Our programs and support
Welcome to Sydney
Each year, the Lord Mayor of Sydney welcomes international students at Sydney Town Hall.
Student leaders and ambassadors
Through our multi-award winning international student leadership and ambassador program, international students improve their communication and leadership skills, gain practical work experience, expand their professional networks and make new friends along the way. Participating students also work with us to design and deliver community projects.
Make use of our libraries, pools and facilities
We provide a network of libraries and international students are welcome to become members. You can access our extensive collections, including IELTS, online resources, free wifi and study spaces.
Our community centres are open to international students. KGV Recreation Centre in The Rocks provides high quality sports and fitness facilities including multipurpose indoor and outdoor courts, a spacious gym and popular exercise classes.
360 membership gives students access to our aquatic and fitness facilities. Each centre has a 50m pool for swimming laps and a smaller pool for beginners plus gyms, fitness classes, massage/physiotherapy and cafes.
High quality creative arts classes are available at concession rates from our Pine Street Creative Arts Centre.
Living in Sydney
Service NSW
Access online services for identity documents, income tax, public transport and more.
Study NSW
The NSW Government’s website for international students provides information about the education system and types of study in NSW. It also includes information on accommodation, working and work rights, banking, health and safety, shopping and transport.
Working in Australia
Your student visa may restrict the number of hours you can work while you're studying in Australia. You can find out more about visa requirements at the Department of Home Affairs.
The Fair Work Ombudsman is a federal government agency that provides free advice and enforces Australian workplace laws. Its top 5 tips to international students include:
- Don't work for free: You need to be paid for all hours you work including opening and closing a business and attending meetings and training for work. Be careful of unpaid internships that are not strictly observational or organised by your education provider for course credits.
- It's a good idea to keep a work diary: Make note of how many hours you work each week so you know how much you should be paid.
- You shouldn't be paid less: International students get the same pay and conditions as Australian employees. You need to be paid in money, not goods and services.
- You must get a pay slip: Every time you are paid you need to receive a pay slip that tells you how much you were paid, the hours you worked and how much tax was taken out.
- Contact the Fair Work Ombudsman: If you need any more advice, help or support you can call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94.
Accommodation
Our share accommodation tips are available for download in multiple languages.
If you encounter illegal accommodation, you can get further advice on our website and lodge an anonymous report.
