KEEPING YOURSELF SAFE IN AUSTRALIA

Safety Points to remember

  • Always remember in case of emergency please contact Belle Austriaco – 0400 997 507 or via wechat/linke/whatsapp. 

  • Keep your emergency card with you at all times.

  • Be able to give your full name, address and telephone number if required.

  • Do not give out your friends numbers without permission.

  • Do not send sexy pictures of yourself or others to your friends via mobile phone or online.  Once pictures or files are sent via mobile or posted online you no longer have any rights to the image or file, it is free for anybody’s use.

  • Never accept lifts from people you do not know or go anywhere with people you do not know.

  • Don’t go out alone at night. Travel in groups and always have a mobile or point of    contact.

  • Never accept a drink of alcohol that you have not seen be prepared for you.

  • Sexual assault is sexual activity that a person has not agreed to.

  • Keep your personal belongings safe and secure at all times.

  • If you ever need some help please come see us at the International office.

Cyber Safety

International students from China are being targeted by increasingly sophisticated online scams. While university students are the main victims, secondary school students are also vulnerable. For more information see: National Anti-Scam Centre warns of spike in scams threatening Chinese students | Scamwatch and Department of Education factsheet about scams targeting Chinese students (available in both English and simplified Chinese). It is imperative that ISCs create awareness of this scam.

Legal Points to remember

  • It is illegal for you to purchase cigarettes and alcohol under the age of 18. It is illegal for someone over the age of 18 to purchase cigarettes for anyone under the age of 18 and it is illegal for someone to purchase alcohol for anyone under the age of 18.

  • It is illegal to be in a sexual relationship with someone who is under the age of 16 years old.

  • It is illegal to travel on public transport without a valid ticket.

  • You can apply for a driving license at 16 but there are strict rules once you have passed your test.

  • For the first year after passing a driving test a driver is restricted to Red Plates which means you can only have one passenger in the vehicle.

  • For the following three years a driver is restricted to Green Plates.  You are not permitted to have any alcohol in your body whilst driving on Red or Green Plates.

  • There are legal services available if you need some help with work or other matters.

  • If you ever need some help please come see us at the International office

TC has regularly been invited to Government house where Victorian Parliament meets

Sun and water saftey

Australia is known for its warm climate and beautiful beaches, but it is important to stay safe when outdoors or in the water. See how you can enjoy it safely.

The Australian sun can be very hot and may be stronger than what you are used to in your home country.

There are some steps you can take to protect your skin:

  • Check the weather forecast before you plan on being outdoors - BOM 

  • Wear sunscreen protection (such as SPF30+ water resistant sun cream) and apply before you go outside.

  • Apply sunscreen at least 25-30 minutes before swimming and ensure you re-apply sunscreen after swimming.

  • Wear a hat and UV protective sunglasses.

  • Avoid spending time in the direct sun between 10am and 4pm, as this is when the sun is strongest.

  • Make sure you follow these tips even when it isn’t sunny – you can still get burnt on cloudy or overcast days.

Australia has many beautiful beaches and waterways, but it is important to take care when swimming. Here are some tips for staying safe in the water:

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  • Never dive into water if you are not sure how deep it is.

  • Only swim at patrolled beaches (a beach where there are lifeguards on duty - look for signs) and always swim between the red and yellow flags where lifeguards can see you.

  • Many Australian beaches have ‘rips’. These are strong underwater currents that can be hard to spot but which can draw you away from the shore quickly. If you swim between the flags you should not have any problem with rips. If you do find yourself in a rip, try not to panic or swim against it. Stay with your surfboard or other floating device if you have one. Swim gently parallel to the beach out of the rip zone, or wave and call for assistance from lifeguards or other swimmers and surfers.

For more information on water safety visit the Surf Life Saving website.

Child Safety

Templestowe College is committed to promoting and protecting the interests and safety of all our students.

To find out more information please go to TC’s Child Safety Page

More information from the Department of Education – International Education Division:

 

Other Key DET (IED) policy and procedures