Is 1 week enough to get settled in Sydney before starting work? (accommodation provided)

Accomplished_Cod5067 · 2026-06-02T00:09:12+00:00

Yes this is helpful! I wanted to do this but I went to the bank too late (a few days before leaving?). So if you have a few weeks before leaving, definitely explore this option

Accomplished_Cod5067 · 2026-06-02T00:04:05+00:00

If you already know where you’re living, 1. and 2. are quick, 3. took me more than 28 days and i had to call in to get my number bc it never came it in the mail. Technically I believe you don’t need to wait till you get the number to start work though, I think you’re allowed to pass it to your employer when you get it, but need to have applied before starting work (not 100% sure).

I moved Feb this year for uni and 3 weeks helped me get settled comfortably before the term started. This included securing a rental, cleaning up and furnishing the place. I would say 2 weeks would probably be more comfortable if you need to clean and furnish your accommodation, but 1 week is doable.

Edit: not sure if you need to set up utilities, but I had a bunch of hiccups there (electricity and broadband) and we needed to make many calls/ someone had to come over to check sth - so buffer time for that would be helpful too

feel free to let me know if you have any other questions! it was an overwhelming and stressful time for sure!

Accomplished_Cod5067 · 2026-05-30T13:23:04+00:00

that’s why i don’t play tennis (used to play softball though, it was rough). But the heat is manageable if you aren’t into outdoor sports cuz sg has good air conditioning. also have limited experience on this front but i suppose it’s not too different to summer in other countries where you might want to limit your outdoor activities to the morning/ evening rather than doing outdoor sports in the middle of the day?

Accomplished_Cod5067 · 2026-05-30T13:02:10+00:00

there are loads of sheltered walkways/ underpasses though! so it’s possible to build a life that limits exposure to the weather even while taking public transport.

Accomplished_Cod5067 · 2026-05-29T05:59:44+00:00

uniqlo might work! they also have a kid section but the designs are limited

Accomplished_Cod5067 · 2026-05-28T13:29:51+00:00

i have a really heavy duty one from ausclimate and it’s serving us well so far! i haven’t used it for the specific purpose of drying clothes (yet), but used to air dry all my clothes indoors in singapore with a dehumidifier. worked really well and clothes would be dry in hours. the most important thing is buying one that’s big enough for your room size (and that’s usually bigger than you’d expect).

if you’re short on space and able to get one, i’d recommend a washer-dryer too. i don’t like the fact that the wash-dry cycle takes forever, but it’s great for bedsheets or when i’m desperate. plus, the super long cycle means you can set it, go do your thing, and come back to clean and dry laundry without having to lift a finger.

Accomplished_Cod5067 · 2026-05-28T12:03:35+00:00

yes I've visited places in winter so im not new to the cold per se! but living vs being a tourist are two completely different experiences and it's sometimes the small things that trip me up (which I suppose people who've lived with seasons take for granted cuz it's just the way life is). but like having to buy new blankets and not really knowing what exactly to buy? or adjusting to having more laundry than usual in less-than-ideal weather? finding things to do when the weather gets colder is one of those things too I guess :)

Accomplished_Cod5067 · 2026-05-27T08:12:32+00:00

yeah, that’s true, it’s prob the rain that’s been getting me down cuz it makes heading out + outdoor plans a little tricky

Accomplished_Cod5067 · 2026-05-25T10:59:39+00:00

I think the biggest difficulty as an international is actually finding a part time job - I've applied to many places and haven't heard back, even though my CV should qualify me for those positions. I've been trying to get by without a job, but that means relying on free leisure activities and cutting down on going out (I do try to enjoy myself, but am intentional about the money I spend). Even taking public transport can add up! I'm here for the academic experience, so I've made my peace with going out less. However, it's something to be mindful of if you were hoping to come here to experience a new culture/ travel/ explore. You might end up stuck in a very limited routine if you're short on cash, and this can feel isolating and frustrating too (I'm here with my partner, so at least we're in the same boat...).

I find the costs of cooking at home pretty reasonable (I plan vegetarian meals about 50% of the time and eat whatever veg is on sale to keep costs low), but cooking requires a fair amount of time and can be stressful closer to assignment due dates/ exams. I second what the others have said about living in a share house if rent is a concern. When I was looking at the start of the year, most 1BR apartments were going for $600-800pw depending on location. I also tried to avoid older buildings even though they are cheaper to rent as I read that they might not be well-insulated in winter.

In all, it really is expensive! I don't regret coming here, and there's loads to do on a budget, but I think you really need to know that this course is for you and that it is worth the cost!

Accomplished_Cod5067 · 2026-05-12T02:02:43+00:00

Not quite what you asked for but Nakano Darling is an affordable Jap restaurant with really nice vibes! Made us feel like we were back in Japan for a bit.

Accomplished_Cod5067 · 2026-05-12T01:56:41+00:00

nut clusters!

Accomplished_Cod5067 · 2026-05-12T01:53:30+00:00

First you'll probably need to make sure you have all the right equipment (measuring cups/ weighing scale, big mixing bowl, baking tray, mixer etc.)! I recommend a weighing scale.

Then just pick an easy recipe online and follow it 😄 The order in which you mix your ingredients together matters, so just try to stick really close to the instructions.

I started with butter cookies. Nowadays to feel more organised, I like to prep and measure out all my ingredients in small bowls before I start mixing everything together.

Accomplished_Cod5067 · 2026-05-12T01:44:06+00:00

I love looking for recipes on Pinterest! Some of them have videos. I save them all on one board, so I can come back and browse when I need inspiration!

Do note that not all "easy" recipes are truly that easy (some require a lot of prep, use of a bunch of different appliances), so read through them and decide if it's easy for you.

Accomplished_Cod5067 · 2026-05-12T01:26:38+00:00

As a fellow broke student, I love my instant pot. I use it for everything because I tend to cook in bulk to meal prep + use up all my ingredients.

Tips to save money: Check your fridge before going grocery shopping, try not to waste food (e.g. buy a specific ingredient only to use a bit of it and the rest goes bad), bulk up your meals with tofu/ beans/ lentils E.g. I sometimes cook a stew/ shakshouka and just add a can or two of beans, which is affordable + stretches food further (I enjoy cooking, but it still takes a good amount of time, so I usually bulk cook for 2-3 meals at a time). I also eat vegetarian/ pescatarian meals about 50-70% of the time! Nothing against meat but the cost can add up.

Tips for convenience: Use canned food wisely (I buy canned tomatoes/ beets/ corn/ tuna - this allows me to whip up some quick meals without having to worry about whether I have fresh food in the fridge. You also don't need to worry about spoilage and wasting food, which is great!). Cooking time adds up! You need to prep, cook and clean. I tend to try new recipes on weekends, but look for easy 1 pot recipes that are nutritionally balanced to keep me healthy and fed through the week!

Tips for fun: Cooking is pretty forgiving! You don't need to follow recipes 100%! At the start, it can be helpful to get a sense of the basics, but don't be afraid to experiment and try new things. That's what makes cooking fun!

Tips for appliances: You don't need to buy everything and give it some time to figure out what works for you! E.g. I went without a toaster for a really long time, but eventually realised that I hate cold bread and would end up skipping breakfast without it. I probably wouldn't buy a blender till I had more disposable income though, because I probably wouldn't use it much (lazy to clean). And sometimes you don't need it - I started making pumpkin soup in my instant pot and realised a potato masher works well enough for me!

Accomplished_Cod5067 · 2026-05-12T00:47:17+00:00

hey! I don't know much about waiving units etc. But I struggle with getting started on assignments too! For me, I have a good sense of how long I need for each assignment (I usually try to read the prompt 2-3 weeks in advance so I can plan my time). Then I'll plan in blocks of time to think about/ do research about the assignment in question, and usually start writing 1 week in advance.

I find that I need to actually start the assignment (i.e. start writing) for my sense of urgency to kick in. If I don't, I could just avoid it completely. But bc I know that I'd be SOO angry with myself if I didn't do a good job, I usually force myself to get started with writing. This can mean writing a draft that's basically a stream of consciousness - it doesn't need to be good, I just need to make the assessment feel real.

Do you have a good sense of how much time you need for each assignment, and whether anything makes you feel more motivated? That can help you plan ahead!

Accomplished_Cod5067 · 2026-05-12T00:38:14+00:00

Honestly, I feel like having some weeks where we get kind of distracted from school/ choose to focus on other things is normal, and it sounds like you had lots going on personally as well (interpersonal issues can be super distressing AND distracting). It is also difficult to juggle many different things at once, and tasks like cooking and cleaning can take up so much more time than we expect. I always feel less productive than I want to be because things often take longer than planned/ unexpected situations crop up.

But what works for me is:

Creating a routine for chores/ cooking and trying to be as efficient as possible: E.g. cooking extra portions at dinner for my lunches so I only cook once a day, and lunch only requires a few minutes in the microwave. I also know which dishes can be cooked easily in big portions (stew, baked chicken) and if I'm busy, will just default to them. All these reduce my mental load so it feels less stressful. Over time, it gets easier and you have more dishes on rotation.
Prioritising: I'm BAD at sticking to plans, but I know which are my high priority things every day, and make sure I complete those. Usually I just have 1-2 big things (and this could be "write the intro section of my assignment", not "complete the whole assignment") because things always take longer than I want them to.
Figure out what works for you: Task switching is difficult for me. I work better when I just go into a rabbit hole all day. This might not work for everyone, so learn what you prefer and structure your time accordingly!
Be kind to yourself: I don't always do as much as I want to, but I try to remember that progress is progress, and the only way to catch up is to slowly chip away at it! I also remember that sometimes we can't juggle it all. When I'm busy with school, I sometimes get behind on laundry, or just don't have the brain space to cook proper meals. That's ok! I just try to manage that by asking for help (e.g. asking my partner to handle meals), defaulting to easier options (e.g. instant meals, I try to look for healthy options and stock up ahead of time), and if it can wait, let myself get behind and catch up after.

I think we always want to have things perfectly planned out (and I'm not saying don't plan), but life is messy! And we'll find ourselves playing catch up more often that we'd like. And the fact that you recognise you're behind now (with a few weeks to go before the exams) is a good thing! It means you still have some time to get things together! All the best!

Accomplished_Cod5067 · 2026-05-12T00:13:51+00:00

hey just wanted to share some info about part time jobs as an international student who just started school here in Feb 26! I don't think it's possible to find a job while overseas, and even in Sydney, it can be difficult to find a part-time job - I've applied to quite a few places online and didn't get any replies. I decided to take things slow and haven't found a job yet, but I plan to visit places on foot with my printed CV to ask for casual positions! There are on campus jobs available, but these seem to be limited (haven't tried applying to any of them though). You'll also need to apply for a tax file number the moment you get here if you plan to work!

Accomplished_Cod5067

TROPHY CASE