Health

Staff and dependants from Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom have access to Medicare, Australia's national health system under reciprocal health care arrangements. Further information is available from the Department of Human Services.

All other foreign official staff and dependants must pay the full rate for medical treatment received in Australia, including ambulance charges, pathology, ancillary services and prescription drugs. As medical care in Australia is expensive, staff and dependants not covered for medical costs by their home governments should consider private health insurance tailored to their needs as temporary residents. Further information is available from the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman.

Useful links for Canberra-based foreign official representatives

• Find a health service in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
• Canberra After hours Locum Medical Service (CALMS)
• 24-hour public emergency medical services are available at the Canberra Hospital (Garran) and the Calvary Public Hospital (Bruce).

Education

Depending on the state or territory, school is compulsory in Australia from the age of five or six to the age of 15, 16 or 17. Parents have a choice of two school systems in Australia: state (operated by state and territory governments) and private (operated by non-government organisations).

Overseas students in state or territory primary or secondary schools must pay a fee. Primary and secondary school age children of diplomatic and consular staff, however, are not treated as overseas students. They can attend schools on the same basis as Australian children as long as their parents remain accredited by DFAT. Private schools, on the other hand, usually charge tuition fees.

More information on pre-schools, primary and secondary schools in Canberra is available at ACT education directorate.

To support newly arrived students who have minimal English, Introductory English Centres (IECs) co-located in selected primary and secondary schools provide intensive language teaching, before entry into mainstream schooling. Further information is available at Introductory English Centres - Education.

Foreign official representatives and their dependants can enrol in tertiary educational institutions in Australia, provided they meet the requirements for entry, which vary from institution to institution. Fees apply. Staff and dependants who are not eligible for Medicare benefits should seek a waiver of the Medicare component of overseas student fees.

More information about Canberra’s two universities can be found at Australian National University (ANU) and University of Canberra (UC).

The Canberra Institute of Technology provides vocational education and training, and English language courses. More information is available at Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT).

Support for parents of babies and young children

The website of Early Childhood Australia - Early Childhood Australia: A voice for young children - has a useful section with resources for parents.

You can find information about child care options here: Care for Kids: Compare and Review Child Care Near You.

In Canberra, ACT Playgroups is a community non-profit organisation that supports playgroups throughout Canberra. Playgroup is an informal session where babies and children under school age and their parents or carers come together for fun and learning through play. More information is available here: Care for Kids: Compare and Review Child Care Near You.

Help with English language tuition, interpreting and translation

The Canberra Institute of Technology offers courses in spoken and written English from beginner to advanced level – see English Language - Canberra Institute of Technology.

The Special Broadcasting Service (SBS), Australia’s multicultural and multilingual television and radio broadcaster, offers SBS Learn English – free lessons via videos, podcasts, articles and worksheets to make learning English fun, practical and entertaining. More information is available here: About SBS Learn English.

The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) provides access to phone and on-site interpreting services in over 150 languages. Find out more here: Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National).

NAATI is the national standards and certifying body for translators and interpreters in Australia. The NAATI website includes lists of certified language experts who can be engaged to translate and interpret.

Emergencies

For assistance with an emergency (fire, police or ambulance), call 000 (triple zero).

For police assistance in non-emergency situations, call ACT Policing on 131 444.

In general emergencies, e.g. in times of floods, storms or bushfires, up to date news and advice will be broadcast on local ABC radio stations. In Canberra, this is AM 666 kHz, and TV channel 25. The ABC Emergency website publishes information on active incidents as well as advice on disaster preparedness and safety precautions.

The ACT Emergency Services Agency website includes news and alerts, tips for emergency readiness and links to several useful apps including the fire services’ Fires Near Me.

The Bureau of Meteorology (the BOM) issues warnings and monitors severe weather conditions. A link to the BOM app is available through its website at Australia's official weather forecasts and weather radar - Bureau of Meteorology.

Utilities interruptions and municipal services

Planned and unplanned outages of electricity, gas and water are reported on the websites of utilities suppliers. See:

• for electricity: Outages Evoenergy, or phone 13 10 93
• for gas: Outages Evoenergy, or phone 13 19 09
• for water: Emergencies, Faults and Outages - Icon Water , or phone 6248 3111

Access Canberra is the ACT Government’s customer interface. Its website Home (act.gov.au) includes information about services such as garbage collection and recycling, public transport, driving licences and pet registration. Details of public transport routes and timetables are avaliable. You can use the Fix My Street section of the Access Canberra website to report damaged footpaths, roads, street trees and street lights.

Canberra’s public libraries have books, DVDs, CDs, Magazines and newspapers in 23 languages apart from English, with some items available online. See In Your Language - Libraries ACT for details.

Driving

Information about driving in Australia is published in the Protocol Guidelines on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website here: 8. Driving in Australia - Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The ACT Road Rules Handbook Australian Capital Territory Road Rules Handbook is a comprehensive guide to road rules, traffic signs and safe driving in Canberra.

Crisis support

Beyond Blue is a mental health and wellbeing organisation that provides information and support for anxiety, depression and suicide prevention. Anxiety, depression and suicide prevention support - Beyond Blue or phone 1300 22 46 36.

Lifeline runs a 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention hotline. Lifeline Australia website or phone 13 11 14.

In Canberra the Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS) provides crisis intervention services to people affected by domestic violence. Domestic Violence Crisis Service in Canberra or phone 62 800 900.

Women's International Club

The Women's International Club of Canberra (WIC) fosters friendship between women from Australia and other countries who are living permanently or temporarily in the ACT. Members meet monthly and the Club organises regular guest speakers, presentations and performances. Within the club, there are 60 smaller groups which provide opportunities to share interests and develop friendships. Women from the diplomatic corps may join as Visiting International Members.

Women's International Club website

Voluntary work

Many Australian community organisations welcome the assistance of volunteers. Volunteers work in areas such as sport, culture and heritage, science and technology, arts, health and environment, and many more. Volunteering provides opportunities to become involved in the community, to make friends and meet people, and to share and broaden skills and experience.

In Canberra, Volunteering ACT can provide training and advice to potential volunteers and can match their skills and interests with organisations in need of voluntary assistance. Volunteering ACT is based at Belconnen and can be contacted on 6251 4060 or via the website.