The Northern Territory is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multicultural community. Religious freedom and mutual respect for different religions is an integral part of our shared culture.
The Northern Territory Government’s Multicultural Directory has information on all the multicultural organisations in the Northern Territory. Visit: www.dcm.nt.gov
Maximum temperatures are in the low 30s year-round – for example, the average maximum temperature in June is 30.6 degrees Celsius with low humidity and the average December maximum is 32.6 with high humidity.
Darwin has distinct wet and dry season with most rain falling from November to March.
Darwin is three to four hours from most Australian capital cities, two hours from Denpasar and four hours from Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City.
Domestic services are provided by Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Blue, AirNorth, and Tiger Airways. International routes are services by Jetstar, Malaysian Airlines, Philippine Air, Air Asia, AirNorth and Silk Air.
Living in homestay
Living with a homestay family gives you the opportunity to learn about Australian life and improve your English language skills.
In homestay accommodation you have your own bedroom and study desk, and share a bathroom. The homestay family provides 2 meals a day on weekdays and 3 meals on weekends. Homestay fees vary.
Health and Wellbeing
Health and medical services are available throughout the Northern Territory through public and private general practices, clinics and hospitals.
The Essington School Darwin has its own Medical Centre on the main campus to provide general practice medicine to all its students and families.
The Darwin Private Hospital is for patients with private health insurance.
Royal Darwin Hospital offers a wide range of specialist services and is a teaching hospital aligned with Flinders University in Adelaide through the Northern Territory Clinical School.
Private dentists, general medical practitioners, specialists and allied healthcare professionals such as physiotherapists, optometrists and pharmacists practice in the major towns.
There are two health care systems that operate in Australia; national public health through Medicare Australia for all of the residential population to access and the medical insurance system through paid private health insurance.
The Northern Territory is generally a very safe place to be, but there are some things visitors need to be aware of to stay safe and healthy.
Just as you would at home, be aware of your surroundings and try to avoid situations that make you feel unsafe or uncomfortable.
Environmental hazards
Is it important to protect yourself from dehydration and excessive sun exposure. Drink plenty of water and use sun protection.
Education services
Student interests are protected by Education Services for Overseas Students Act, which regulates education and training services.
All providers of education for international students must be registered with the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). Each registered institution will have a registered provider number as evidence of current registration.
Mobile phones and internet
The Northern Territory has a range of phone and internet services. Your accommodation may include the use of a fixed landline; however keep in mind it will be expensive to use this for international calls.
It is wise to purchase a SIM card or Australian mobile phone number when you arrive. You will have the choice of a prepaid or contract service.
Prepaid gives you the flexibility because you can decide how much you want to spend and easily ‘top up’ the amount of credit. Specialised mobile phone shops, supermarkets and post offices sell reasonably priced mobile phones and prepaid phone credit.
If you will be using your mobile a lot, a contract might be a better deal than prepaid. You may also want to look at the mobile phone coverage provided under each contract. Providers offer various data packages to accommodate your use of communication services such as Skype.
Availability of internet services is similar to phone services in that you can choose prepaid or contract. Many internet providers in Australia also provide phone services.
Most Northern Territory workers living in the major towns can be home within 15 minutes to 20 minutes, with commuting even quicker in regional centres. An efficient public bus service runs in Darwin.
Public transport
Bus transport operates in Darwin and Palmerston offering students travel concessions, with free travel available to Northern Territory primary, middle and senior school students.
Hire cars and taxis
Taxis and hire cars are available in the major towns in the Northern Territory.
Driving in the Northern Territory
Driving in Australia is the same as in the Philippines on the left hand side of the road, the opposite to Europe and the Americas where driving is on the right hand side.
A range of banks and local credit unions operate in the Northern Territory. The four major banks in Australia are NAB, Commonwealth, Westpac and ANZ.
To open an account you will need to have your Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE), passport, Letter of Offer and other forms of identification.
You can access your money at automatic teller machines (ATMs), which are readily available throughout the Northern Territory. You may be charged
a fee for using an ATM not associated with your own financial institution.
You should also be able to use your bank card from your home country at most ATMs. However, there will be additional fees.
There are a wide variety of shopping centres throughout the Northern Territory offering speciality stores, supermarkets and discount major stores.
The Northern Territory offers some of the most unique travel experiences in the world and is well known for Uluru, Kings Canyon, Katherine Gorge and World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park. The Northern Territory is also famous for the richness of Indigenous history, art and culture.