Staying Connected
Student Portal / Before You Arrive
Leaving home to live and study in Adelaide can be exciting and challenging.
Find out how to stay connected, learn about money, and discover the City of Adelaide.
Student Portal / Before You Arrive
Leaving home to live and study in Adelaide can be exciting and challenging.
Find out how to stay connected, learn about money, and discover the City of Adelaide.
Once you’ve arrived in Adelaide, you’ll want to keep in touch with family and friends back home.
Get an Australian phone number by signing up for a phone or SIM card with a local network. Our preferred provider is Vodafone Australia, who have a range of great deals for students, including mobile data. There are a number of Vodafone stores in the Adelaide CBD, or you can find your nearest Vodafone store using their Store Locator.
When you set up your phone, you'll have to choose:
The Adelaide Free WiFi network gives you access to free internet in Adelaide in many cafes and public places across the city. Look out for the 'AdelaideFree' network when scanning for WiFi in the City of Adelaide.
Many cafes and restaurants in Adelaide also offer free WiFi for paying customers. You can ask for the password when you order.
Flinders University, University of South Australia, and The University of Adelaide, also offer free WiFi on-campus for staff and current students.
Most student accommodation providers in Adelaide will include free WiFi and internet. If you are renting privately, however, and want to have internet at home without using your mobile hotspot, you will need to sign up for internet from a local provider.
Some popular local providers include:
Wondering how to make international phone calls from Australia?
To make an international phone call from Australia,
Australia Post is Australia’s national postal provider. If you need to send mail or parcels, you can find your closest Australia Post here.
Once you’ve arrived in Adelaide, you’ll want to keep in touch with family and friends back home.
Get an Australian phone number by signing up for a phone or SIM card with a local network. Our preferred provider is Vodafone Australia, who have a range of great deals for students, including mobile data. There are a number of Vodafone stores in the Adelaide CBD, or you can find your nearest Vodafone store using their Store Locator.
When you set up your phone, you'll have to choose:
The Adelaide Free WiFi network gives you access to free internet in Adelaide in many cafes and public places across the city. Look out for the 'AdelaideFree' network when scanning for WiFi in the City of Adelaide.
Many cafes and restaurants in Adelaide also offer free WiFi for paying customers. You can ask for the password when you order.
Flinders University, University of South Australia, and The University of Adelaide, also offer free WiFi on-campus for staff and current students.
Most student accommodation providers in Adelaide will include free WiFi and internet. If you are renting privately, however, and want to have internet at home without using your mobile hotspot, you will need to sign up for internet from a local provider.
Some popular local providers include:
Wondering how to make international phone calls from Australia?
To make an international phone call from Australia,
Australia Post is Australia’s national postal provider. If you need to send mail or parcels, you can find your closest Australia Post here.
Adelaide is one of Australia’s most affordable cities.
With a lower cost of living than most other Australian cities, you have more money to enjoy your time in Adelaide.
Australia's national currency is the Australian dollar (AUD). Our colourful banknotes depict famous Australians in $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 denominations. There are also 5, 10, 20, and 50 cent coins in circulation, as well as $1 and $2 coins.
If you need to exchange money for Australian dollars, there are many options in the city, including exchange booths, banks, and many travel agencies.
Having an Australian bank account gives you easy access to your money whilst you are enjoying your student life in Adelaide.
You can open a bank account with a bank of your choice. The big four banks in Australia - Westpac, ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, and NAB all offer banking options specifically tailored to international students studying in Australia.
Establishing a bank account in Australia is generally free and easy. In some cases you can open an account online, or visit a bank branch in Adelaide with your passport, a copy of your visa or student ID, an address in Australia, and your Australian mobile phone number.
Adelaide is one of Australia’s most affordable cities.
With a lower cost of living than most other Australian cities, you have more money to enjoy your time in Adelaide.
Australia's national currency is the Australian dollar (AUD). Our colourful banknotes depict famous Australians in $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 denominations. There are also 5, 10, 20, and 50 cent coins in circulation, as well as $1 and $2 coins.
If you need to exchange money for Australian dollars, there are many options in the city, including exchange booths, banks, and many travel agencies.
Having an Australian bank account gives you easy access to your money whilst you are enjoying your student life in Adelaide.
You can open a bank account with a bank of your choice. The big four banks in Australia - Westpac, ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, and NAB all offer banking options specifically tailored to international students studying in Australia.
Establishing a bank account in Australia is generally free and easy. In some cases you can open an account online, or visit a bank branch in Adelaide with your passport, a copy of your visa or student ID, an address in Australia, and your Australian mobile phone number.
Automatic teller machine
A service that allows you to pay your bills using internet baking or phone banking
A point-of-sale electronic payment system used widely in Australian businesses. You can use your debit or credit card to pay for things using an EFTPOS facility.
Also known as an ATM card. This allows you to directly access the money in your bank account through ATMs and EFTPOS.
The Goods and Services Tax put on the supply of most goods and services in Australia. Prices displayed in shops usually include the GST.
PayWave (Visa) or PayPass (MasterCard) are contactless payments and are accepted at most shops in Australia. Contactless payment allows you to pay for purchases under $100 by tapping your card against the reader. There is no need to sign or enter your PIN.
Your Personal Identification Number (PIN) is a four to six-digit number used as a security code to access your bank accounts when you use phone banking, ATMs, or EFTPOS.
A day-to-day bank account which gives easy access to your money.
Find your way around with the City of Adelaide's immersive Highlights Virtual Tour. Visit 37 locations in the City of Adelaide through 360° images or video.
Find your way around with the City of Adelaide's immersive Highlights Virtual Tour. Visit 37 locations in the City of Adelaide through 360° images or video.
The Bureau of Meteorology, which has the nickname 'The BOM' is the offical Government agency that provides weather updates for Adelaide, Australia.
The Bureau of Meteorology, which has the nickname 'The BOM' is the offical Government agency that provides weather updates for Adelaide, Australia.