Living in a new country is an exciting experience, but it’s important to keep yourself safe and recognise when a situation may be different and more risky compared to what you’re used to at home.

Australia is generally a safe place to live and study, but there are some risks you should be aware of. Study Australia has a useful guide to staying safe, with particular information for ensuring your personal safety when you are out and about, on public transport and using the internet.

There are some situations in particular that may be new to you, especially in summer, so we recommend you exercise some caution.

• It’s important to always be safe around water, especially when you are going for a swim in the ocean or another body of water like a river or lake. Patrolled beaches have red and yellow flags you must swim between to avoid being caught in dangerous rips and currents. The red and yellow flags also mean that lifeguards are present on the beach and will keep their eye on you when you are swimming between them. Never jump into bodies of water you aren’t familiar with, especially natural lakes and rivers. Find out more about water safety in Australia, translated into many languages.
• Fire awareness is essential in Australia. In summer, many of our rural areas are at risk of bushfires and subject to Total Fire Bans. If you plan to enjoy outdoor activities during the summer, it’s important you understand the risks and what to do in a fire emergency. The CFA Victoria website has more information about what a Total Fire Ban means.
• If you are out and about at night, you should follow this helpful advice to ensure the personal safety of you and your friends. It includes information on staying safe on public transport, while drinking, in the outdoors and on the road. Always be aware of your surroundings when you’re in public (try to avoid becoming isolated, and stay in well-lit, populated areas) and always leave valuable items at home, not in your car or your bag.

In an emergency

You should also learn what to do if you experience or witness an emergency. You can call Triple Zero (000) for free anywhere in Australia and be connected to police, fire and ambulance services. If you are not sure which service you need, tell the operator the situation and they will guide you. If you are not confident explaining in English, tell the operator your language and you will be connected to a translator who can help.

Online safety and security

All students, but especially international students, can be particularly vulnerable to cyber threats and online scams. Our online safety and security pages contain lots of helpful tips about how you can secure your digital devices, protect your personal information and recognise a scam while you are studying in Australia.