1. Title Goes Here LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

2.  PURCHASING A MOBILE PHONE AND A MOBILE PHONE PLAN

3. Prepaid Phones Prepaid phones allow students to buy a handset without signing a contract or needing a credit rating. To make calls requires the purchasing of phone cards in advance so they will not receive phone bills or build up credit debts. When students run out of credit on their phone they need to purchase a recharge to be able to use the phone again. Students can get a prepaid phone at any age provided they have the money to pay for it. PURCHASING A MOBILE PHONE AND MOBILE PHONE PLAN

4. Mobile Phone Contract or Payment Plans If you decide to purchase a mobile phone on a payment plan you will need to sign a contract which means you have legal obligations to meet. You are not just buying a mobile phone, you are also buying a connection to a service provider and some form of credit (the payment plan or fixed term contract). You will need to be 18 to sign a mobile phone contract. Often companies will require an adult to guarantee the contract, which means that if the student fails to pay their bill the adult will then be responsible for the bill. Technically the contract can be transferred into the student’s name once they turn 18 but it may not happen automatically as the company may require a credit check, more than one from of ID and a credit card. PURCHASING A MOBILE PHONE AND MOBILE PHONE PLAN

5. What things should I consider before deciding on a phone? If you are thinking about getting a mobile phone, updating a current phone or changing plans do your homework first. Always remember that there is no such thing as a free phone! You need to ask yourself:  Can I afford a mobile?  Do I understand what the contract says?  Is this phone a good buy? Before you decide: You should seriously think about what you will use the mobile phone for and whether you will be able to pay the bills. Work out how much money you have left after paying all your other expenses. If you are considering a mobile phone contract you should also think about whether your financial situation is likely to change between now and the time your contract expires.

6. PURCHASING A MOBILE PHONE AND MOBILE PHONE PLAN Shop around Think about what you'll use your phone for, how often, and what time of the day you will use it most. Consider asking questions like:  Do I have to pay for the phone and connection?  What are the call charges to different places at different times? When is 'peak' and 'off-peak'?  Is there a minimum charge regardless of how long your call lasts?  How is your call billed: per second, per 30 seconds or per minute?  Is it cheaper to call other phones connected to the same network?  How much are extra features like voicemail and SMS?  Do you pay for someone to leave a message and do you have to pay to retrieve messages?  What's the minimum monthly payment? Are there any free calls?  What are the ongoing commitments, is there a cancellation fee?  If you buy a second-hand phone is the sim card unlocked? Some carriers charge to unlock sim cards.

7. PURCHASING A MOBILE PHONE AND MOBILE PHONE PLAN Use your phone responsibly Be aware of how much calls cost including how many you make, how long you stay on the phone and the time of day that you make calls. If there is a competition that requires you to call or SMS or if you are registering votes for Australian Idol or Big Brother find out how much each call is going to cost you. If you let a friend use your phone you will be still charged for calls that they make. If your phone is lost or stolen you may also have to continue to make minimum payments- check your contract. It is illegal to sell your phone while it is still under a service contract.

8. What if I can't pay or I want to break the contract? If you find that you have signed up to a mobile phone contract or payment plan that is beyond your budget and you get behind in payments contact the phone company to see if you can negotiate an arrangement to pay that you are able to manage. If you don't pay your phone bill the phone company can take you to court. This may result in a judgment against you which can lead to a 'bad credit rating'. In fact you can get a 'bad credit rating' when you default on payments and there is no judgment. This means it will be difficult for you to get credit (a loan) and in some cases you may not be able to get credit at all. PURCHASING A MOBILE PHONE AND MOBILE PHONE PLAN

9.  MAIL AND PARCELS

10. MAIL AND PARCELS Quarantine and international mail The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) checks goods arriving at international mail centres, airports and seaports. AQIS screens all of the 180 million items of international mail sent to Australia each year. Quarantine officers, x-ray machines and detector dogs screen mail to find items of quarantine risk. AQIS intercepts approximately 60,000 high risk items in international mail each year. Tips for sending international mail to AustraliaAustralian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS)  Mail sent to Australia should not include prohibited food, plant material or animal products.  The declaration label must be filled out clearly and correctly – include ALL contents and packaging on the declaration.  Do not pack items in egg cartons, wooden boxes, or cardboard boxes that have been used to hold fruit, vegetables and meat/smallgoods. This packaging is a quarantine risk and is prohibited.  Do not use straw and dried plant material as these are prohibited. Use newspaper or foam to wrap fragile goods.  Thoroughly clean all footwear, sporting and camping equipment to remove any traces of soil and seeds.  Inform friends and relatives overseas of Australia’s quarantine laws and ask them not to send prohibited food, plant material and animal products.  Many items which are removed from international mail are commercially available in Australia. They have been imported under strict quarantine import conditions. Breaches of quarantine laws can lead to fines of up to $60,000 and 10 years imprisonment.

11. WHAT HAPPENS TO QUARANTINE ITEMS? When items are withheld for quarantine reasons the person receiving the item is given a range of options depending on the quarantine risk:  treating the item to make it safe (for example fumigation, irradiation);  holding the item until an import permit can be presented;  re-exporting the item or returning it to the sender; or  destroying the item. These services and treatments (except for destroying the item) are subject to fees which are payable by the person who receives the package. In some instances, treatment may damage goods. AQIS makes every effort to minimise the risk of damage, but does not accept liability for damage that may occur as a result of a treatment. AQIS will hold items for 30 days. If AQIS is not contacted within this time the goods will be destroyed. MAIL AND PARCELS

12. Internet and mail order purchases Quarantine laws also apply to goods ordered on the internet or through mail order, such as:  flower, tree and vegetable seeds and bulbs;  food products;  therapeutics and other medicinal products for both humans and animals; and  tea with fruit pieces. Before placing your internet or mail order, remember to check Australia’s quarantine import conditions. Australia’s quarantine import conditions

13. MAIL AND PARCELS International cultural and seasonal events and Quarantine It is common for international mail to contain items for celebration of cultural or seasonal events. Unfortunately many of these items must be withheld for quarantine reasons. For example, mooncakes containing egg yolk or meat. Please think of other items to mail to Australia to celebrate these and other cultural and seasonal events. Tell your friends and relatives overseas about Australia’s quarantine laws and ask them not to send prohibited food, plant material and animal products.

14.  OPENING AN AUSTRALIAN BANK ACCOUNT

15. OPENING AN AUSTRALIAN BANK ACCOUNT You should open a bank account as soon as possible. If you have been in Australia for less than six weeks, your passport will be enough identification to open a bank account. If you have been in Australia for longer than six weeks, you will need some further identification. The bank, building society or credit union will advise you about necessary identification. A bank account is created on the spot. You will receive an ATM card and other details a few days later by mail. While you are waiting for your card, you can access your account by going into the bank. You should compare interest rates, charges on cheque books, etc. Most students open an account that has access to an automated teller machine (ATM) via a card. Cash is then accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Although most banks charge very similar fees on everyday bank accounts, some differences exist with Term Deposit accounts for larger balances.

16. OPENING AN AUSTRALIAN BANK ACCOUNT Useful Websites that will provide information about opening an Australian Bank Account  www.bankers.asn.au www.bankers.asn.au  www.commbank.com.au www.commbank.com.au  www.anz.com.au www.anz.com.au  www.westpac.com.au www.westpac.com.au  www.legalaid.qld.gov.au www.legalaid.qld.gov.au  www.australianexplorer.com/australian_banking.htm www.australianexplorer.com/australian_banking.htm  www.bugaustralia.com/essentials/money.html www.bugaustralia.com/essentials/money.html  www.nab.com.au www.nab.com.au  www.stgeorge.com.au www.stgeorge.com.au You may be able to open a bank account online before you arrive in Australia. Visit the website of your preferred bank for more details

17. OPENING AN AUSTRALIAN BANK ACCOUNT Most supermarkets and shops/department stores have facilities to purchase goods with your ATM card, known as Electric Funds Transfer at Point of Sale (EFTPOS). You can also withdraw money at an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM). ATM’s located in most shopping centre’s and around the city. If you need to go into the bank for any reason normal banking hours are  Monday to Thursday from 9.00 am until 4.00 pm  Friday from 9.00 am until 5.00 pm  Most banks are closed on Saturdays however some do open for a couple of hours in the morning It will not be necessary to enter a bank branch for your everyday banking. Almost all your withdrawals and deposits can be done through the ATM, over the telephone or via the Internet.

18. MONEY MATTERS

19. Currency Australian currency is decimal with the dollar ($) as the basic unit - 100 cents equals 1 dollar. Notes come in $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5 denominations. Each note is a different colour and has a different design. Coins are minted in $2, $1, 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c denominations, although individual item prices are still quoted in 1c, 2c, 3c, 6c, 7c, 8c, and 9c. The total of purchases is then rounded off to the nearest 5c. 5c 10c 20c $1 $2

20. MONEY MATTERS Exchange of currencies You can change your foreign currency into Australian Dollars at the airport, any of the major banks, or Travelex Foreign Exchange. Transferring money to Australia Money can be transferred to an Australian bank account by bank draft, or international money transfer. To transfer money, you need to know and include the bank name, branch name, account number and BSB number of the account you wish to deposit into. Bank drafts can take 6-8 weeks to process, and there may be fees involved.

21. Changing money on arrival There are money changers (Bureau Exchange) located at international airports, but you may get a less favourable rate than the exchange rate in your home country. How much to bring with you On arrival in Australia, you will need to have some Australian currency in case you need to make telephone calls or small purchases. It is recommended that you arrive with approximately $300-500 in cash, especially if you arrive over the weekend, when banks are closed. You should avoid carrying large amounts of money. It is recommended that the rest of your money is in bank drafts, travellers cheques, credit card, or alternatively you can arrange to transfer funds electronically once you have set up an Australian Bank Account. MONEY MATTERS

22. Bringing money into Australia When travelling to Australia, please be aware that if you are carrying a total of AUS$10,000 or more in cash of any currency, you MUST declare the money on your Incoming Passenger Card and when questioned by Australian Customs Officials upon arrival. A failure to declare this money may result in the money being taken and you being arrested and prosecuted. It is not an offence to bring this money into Australia. It is an offence not declare the money. MONEY MATTERS

23. Title Goes Here ENJOY AUSTRALIA