Destination: New South Wales
General Things to Do Weather Time Health Education
Welcome
Our Sydney team extend a warm greeting to you and welcome you to our great nation and in particular, New South Wales.
If you intend to relocate to Australia and have not yet arranged for a home visit and customised moving quotation, please complete our online Contact Request Form. Once we receive your completed form, one of Wridgways experienced moving consultants will contact you, and arrange for a representative to visit you in your home, anywhere in the world. You will then receive a firm, customised moving quotation.
Wridgways offer comprehensive moving and relocation solutions. Not only can we provide moving, storage, insurance and packing services, we can also help you find a new home, temporary accommodation, deliver cultural transition programs, find suitable schools for your children and introduce you to your new city with our orientation service.. just to name a few. Contact our Sydney office or our Relocation division to find out more about our extensive services.
General
With a great climate, a relaxed lifestyle and plenty to see and do, Sydney is arguably one of the best destinations in the world, for any new resident or tourist.
Take time to explore the glorious Sydney Harbour, sample fine wines and luxurious cuisine, take full advantage of the infamous shopping, visit the various art galleries, catch a performance at the world renowned Sydney Opera House, or even climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
So if you plan on residing in funky Sydney, get ready for a breath taking experience.
Things to do... Places to visit
Want to explore Sydney but don't know where to begin?
Just a short ferry ride from bustling Circular Quay, Tooronga Zoo offers some of the best views in the world, whilst viewing some of the world's finest native and exotic animals. Why not have your photograph taken with a koala, see the Gorilla's roming in their forest surroundings, visit the popular Cats of Asia display or walk through the free-flight bird show for a spectacular experience. Either way, the best way to get to this amazing zoo, is by taking the ferry, then the Sky Safari funicular.
Since its opening in 1973, Sydney's most defining landmark the Sydney Opera House has been graced with more than 100 million visitors. The result of an international design contest won by Danish architect Joern Utzon in 1956, the massive creation took almost 17 years and AUD$102 million to complete. The Opera House is open to the general public, but we recommend you see the full extent of this magnificent venue and take one of the guided tours. There are two on offer; the one hour Front Of House tour takes in the public areas (tours leave every half-hour from 9am-5pm, daily); the Sunday 90-minute Backstage Tour shows you behind the scenes of the Opera House's main performance areas. Please note all tours must be pre-booked.
Just 20 minutes from the CBD, Bondi Beach is a Mecca for all beach goers. Bondi is popular with its local, joggers, body beautiful bathers and travellers alike. Enjoy a few laps in the Bondi Iceberg Oceans Pool, relax on the sand, rollerblade on the boardwalk, paddle with the kids in the north-end baby pool or workout in the trendy outdoor gym. After all that, you'll be ready for a little retail therapy at the local stores and weekend markets.
Under the shadow of The Harbour Bridge lies Sydney's most historic area, The Rocks. Its where Sydney's history truly began. Also housing Cadman's Cottage, one of Sydney's oldest surviving buildings this spot is oozing history, but it also brags a range of shopping options. Browse The Argyle Centre for art, craft and local designer wear or spend an afternoon strolling round The Rocks Market, which transforms George Street's northern end each and every weekend. Or perhaps a pub crawl or more your thing? Then The Rocks is the place to crawl, with numerous watering holes just waiting to be explored and dozens of great eating houses too.
This hands-on museum is guaranteed to stimulate the imagination. The Powerhouse Museum, as the name suggests, is a converted power station. The ever-changing exhibitions focus on science and technology, popular culture and decorative arts. The centre also caters for a variety of shows including rock concerts fashion shows and creative workshops. Afterwards relax and enjoy coffee and snacks in the Courtyard Café.
Related Internet Sites:
» City of Sydney
» Sydney Tourist Info
» Sydney.com.au
Weather & Climate
Sydney enjoys warm summers, mild springs, kind autumns and cool, wet winters.
The average daily temperature in Sydney during the summer months, is 28 degrees celcius and 16 degrees celcius during the winter months.
Sydney's summer extends from December to February and is warm to hot. Autumn is mild and extends from March to May, winter is cool and fairly wet for the most part and extends from June to August and spring is fairly mild and constant and extends from September to November.
The warmest Sydney months are generally January and February, which are often dry with the occasional summer shower. June and July are the coldest months and September and October are by far the wettest months.
Time
New South Wales is on Australian Eastern Standard Time (GMT +10 hours). Daylight Savings Time is in effect in NSW from early spring to early autumn, during which time clocks are set forward one hour (GMT +11). Other states have varying policies on Daylight Savings so double-check when you're crossing state lines.
Health
Australia offers a high standard of medical care and facilities. All cities offer privately funded doctors surgeries, hospitals and clinics as well as Government funded facilities. Most Australians are covered by private health insurance to avoid the long waiting periods associated with certain treatments, but many also enjoy the government funded public health system referred to as Medicare.
Medicare is Australia's universal health insurance scheme and provides access to free treatment in a public hospital and free or subsidised treatment by practitioners such as doctors, including specialists. Australia's public hospital system is funded jointly by the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments and is administered by State or Territory health departments. Contribution to the health care system is made through taxes and a Medicare levy which is based on taxable income.
Are you eligible for Medicare?
People who reside in Australia are eligible if they meet any of the following four criteria:
- they hold Australian citizenship
- they have been issued with a permanent visa
- they hold New Zealand citizenship, or
- they have applied for a permanent visa, restrictions apply to persons who have applied for a parent visa (other requirements apply).
However, for new arrivals to Australia it is interesting to know that The Commonwealth Government has signed Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with some countries. Under these arrangements, residents of these countries are entitled to restricted access to health cover while visiting Australia. For further information,
» visit the Medicare website
Ambulance services are offered Australia-wide and provide emergency services, clinical care, paramedic training and non-emergency transport. It is among the best in the world in providing state-of-the-art emergency care.
The state government provides free services to some pensioners and Senior Card holders, however, this service is generally not free of charge in Australia. It is suggested you contact your state ambulance authority and discuss the option of membership subscription with them as soon as possible.
» Ambulance NSW
Dental services are extensive in Australia and dentists operate within private practices in most communities throughout the country. Dental services are not free, but can be partly or completely covered within a private health fund membership or dental protection plan.
To obtain details of your closest dentist, visit:
» www.dentist.com.au or
» Dental Services Australia.
Further information about Health in Australia, is available on the Internet at the following related links:
» Public Health System in Australia
» Medicare public health system
» Private Health Insurance Administration Council of Australia
Education
The school system in Australia is divided into two sectors; government-run or "free-of-charge" public, education system and the independent or "private" education system.
New South Wales' state schools are coeducational. Children may begin their education with kindergarten and/or preschool, in preparation for primary school. Preschool provides a year of non-compulsory education, for four and five year olds.
By law, children must attend school between the ages of 6 and 15. Primary school is the first compulsory stage and covers Years 1 to 7. Children usually commence Primary school in the year of their sixth birthday and continue this level of education for seven years.
After completing Primary school, most children attend secondary or commonly referred to as High school. High school offers years from Years 8 through to 10, children often commence their High school education aged between 12 and 13 years. On completing Year 10, students have the option of continuing to Years 11 and 12 or leaving school.
The school year usually runs from late January to mid-December. It is divided into two semesters, with two terms in each and vacation breaks for Easter, winter, spring and summer.
Secondary Schools
Choosing a secondary school for your child can be a daunting task, particularly if you are moving from an overseas country. For parents who are new to Australia, it may be difficult to know what questions to ask to make an informed decision.
If you require assistance with school searches, please contact our Sydney office or our Relocation Division. We also suggest you visit the numerous education websites available for further details, please see links provided below. We hope it will help you as parents, make the important decision your child's secondary education.
We suggest that before you begin your school search, you clearly establish what your educational priorities and educational requirements, for your child are. Consider the individual personality, strengths, weaknesses, skills, likes, dislikes and needs of your child. This will enable you to create a clear picture of the kind of school that will reflect your educational values and will best suit your son or daughter.
The New South Wales secondary school year is broken into two semesters and four terms. Semester 1 commences in January and concludes in June and Semester 2 commences in July and concludes in December.
If you are planning to transfer to New South Wales from interstate or overseas you, or your school, will be required to provide the school principal with all school reports and certificates, as evidence of your child's previous schooling and level achieved.
Further information about the full range of Education New South Wales services is available on the Internet, at the following related links:
» NSW Department of Education & Training
» NSW Education
» NSW/ACT Independent Education
» Catholic Education Commission NSW
What does education cost?
New South Wales State schools do not charge annual tuition fees. The parents and citizens' associations of most schools, however, do request that parents/caregivers donate a financial contribution. The amount varies from school to school.
In most schools, parents are responsible for providing such items as stationery and uniforms. Parents also bear the costs of sending their children on school excursions and to camps and for participating in extracurricular activities.
Private school fees vary from approximately AUD$1,000-$6,000 per year for Catholic and smaller private schools and up to AUD$5,000-12,000 for the larger private schools.
