Information Booklet - Sydney Campus

Location and General Services - Sydney Campus



Student Resources and Contacts


Faculty of Nursing and Health 02 9487 9630
Nurses Residence 02 9487 9333
Chaplain 02 9487 9617

Avondale's Faculty of Nursing and Health is situated on the grounds of the Sydney Adventist Hospital. Located in Wahroonga, near Hornsby in Sydney's north, the "San", as it is more commonly known, is one of Australia's largest and most comprehensive private hospitals. It is a modern acute care facility with all diagnostic and therapeutic services located on-site.

Accommodation


On the Sydney Campus, the Sydney Adventist Hospital (San) provides a residence with single rooms and a shared kitchen with limited cooking facilities. Students must provide their own bed linen and may bring some furniture (including a small fridge.) Accommodation is available all year round. A holding bond will be required. Students must carry their San ID card at all times for access to various buildings. Accommodation on the Sydney Campus can be arranged by contacting the Nurses Residence Manager, Chris Gray, on 02 9487 9330 or by emailing chris.gray@sah.org.au.

Meals


Access to the cafeteria meals or the cafes at the Sydney Adventist Hospital is available on a pay as you eat basis. There are three cafes on the Sydney campus:
  1. San Cafe/Cafeteria
  2. San Snax
  3. Relish Cafe

A food vending machine is located outside the student common room in the Faculty of Nursing and Health. A refrigerator, sink, microwave and hot and cold drink making facilities are available in the student common room.

Phones


A free phone to Lake Macquarie Campus is located next to Rachel Cardwell's Office in the Faculty of Nursing and Health.

Dress & Appearance


Students should be guided by Christian principles of simplicity, modesty and neatness in their choice of clothing for recreation, classes, meals and worship. Students should present a well-kept and tidy appearance with attention given to personal cleanliness and grooming. Casual clothes such as tank-tops or singlets should not be worn in worship services, the library or in situations where more formal dress is required. Foot wear must be worn at all times in the Faculty of Nursing and Health.

Uniforms


Nursing students are required to purchase a uniform. This must be worn to all clinical laboratory sessions and for scheduled clinical placements. Samples can be tried on at registration/orientation and ordered from Rachel Cardwell. Cost for a uniform pack consisting of two shirts, pair of trousers and one pair of protective goggles is approx $150.

Textbooks


Textbooks can be purchased from the bookshop representative who will be on the Sydney Campus during the orientation program. For more details on costs please contact the Lake Macquarie Bookshop on 02 4980 2141. Prices can range from $6 to $200.

Criminal Record Clearance


All Bachelor of Nursing applicants require a Criminal Record Clearance. During Registration and Orientation (Monday 1 March and Tuesday 2 March), you will need to bring your identification (ID) as (originals only) and your vaccination records. Your identity documents must total at least 100 points and include at least one form of photo ID and signature. The NSW Health Department have imposed a fee for a Criminal Record Clearance and this must be paid during the Registration and Orientation program. You will need to allow up to $60.00 for this fee. (NB this process is currently under review by the NSW Health Department and may require attendance at a Police Station)

Primary Documents (70 points each)(Only one of these may be submitted)
Current Passport (Overseas students need to show a current Australian visa also)
Citizenship Certificate
Birth Certificate

Secondary Documents (40 points each)
These documents must have a PHOTOGRAPH and NAME
Drivers licence
Proof of Age Card or NSW Photo card (issued by the NSW RTA)
Identification card issued by the Commonwealth, a State or Territory as evidence of entitlement to a financial benefit

These documents must show a NAME and ADDRESS (35 points each)
Council Rates notice
Mortgage held by a financial body

These documents must show a NAME and SIGNATURE (25 points each)
Medicare Card - signature not required
NRMA membership
Foreign Drivers Licence
EFTPOS/Credit/Debit cards (only one per institution)
Marriage certificate (for maiden name only)

These documents must show NAME and ADDRESS (25 points each)
Lease or rental agreement
Bank statement
Phone/water/gas/electricity bill (only one of these)

Security Card


You will need a Sydney Adventist Hospital security card and you will be allocated to a group to be taken to the security office for your ID card photo to be taken. Generally you will be able to collect your card either later that day or the next day. You will be required to show either a driver's licence or passport in order for an ID card to be given to you. Please see Lynette Gillies if you do not have either of these documents.

Clinical Information and Placement


Information sessions are conducted at the beginning of every semester about what to expect on your clinical placement days and any specific instructions on what you should do. Important information about the Avondale College "Clinical Experience Policy" for students will be provided. You can view this policy on Moodle under "Clinical Information."

You are required to adhere to the NSW Health Department vaccination guidelines in order to access clinical practice areas. This may require vaccination for various diseases as required by the NSW Health Department. This information is constantly updated on the Avondale College website, with any updates also posted on Moodle under "Clinical Information."

Draft rosters for placements, when available, can be viewed on Moodle. After registration, finalising of your roster is dependant on you having produced adequate documentation to show appropriate vaccination cover and your Senior First Aid certificate, as well as having a current criminal record check. When finalised, the roster is available on, and can be printed from Moodle.

If you have any questions about your roster or special requests regarding the scheduling of clinical placements then you can see Jenny Bell or Tamera Gosling in the Clinical Office.

Undergraduate Examination dates for Semester 1


The undergraduate examinations for Semester 1 on the Sydney Campus are scheduled for June 11-18.

For further details go to the 2010 Sydney Calendar

Financial Information


Centrelink offers a range of financial assistance to students. For more information, please visit www.centerlink.gov.au or call 13 2490 (within Australia) or 0800 441 248 (from NZ) or visit a Centrelink office.

HECS-HELP (Commonwealth Supported Students) is available to Australian citizens, Permanent Humanitarian Visa Holders, New Zealand citizens and holders of a Permanent Visa residing in Australia. This loan is available from the Australian Government to eligible students. Students pay a contribution to their fees while the government funds the remaining amount. The student contribution may be deferred if you are an Australian citizen or Permanent Humanitarian Visa Holder, and repaid through tax once the minimum threshold amount (appox. $43,150 per annum) is reached/earned or a 20% discount applies for up front payments of $500 or more of the student contribution. New Zealand citizens and holders of Permanent Visas must pay their full student contribution up front. Offers for HECS-HELP are based on academic merit and usually allocated early January.

For more information, please visit www.goingtouni.gov.au.

FEE-HELP is available to Australian citizens and holders of Permanent Humanitarian Visas. FEE-HELP is a loan given to eligible fee paying students that contributes to part or all tuition fees. For more information, please visit www.goingtouni.gov.au.

Living Costs:
A comprehensive list of the living costs for studying in Australia is available on the Avondale website. For more information visit Finance

Austudy/Youth Allowance
Austudy is financial help from the Australian Government offered to full-time students who have Australian residency and are over the age of 25. This is not required to be re-paid.

Youth Allowance is available to full-time students aged 16 - 24 who have Australian residency, and is not required to be re-paid.

To apply for these financial aids, you will need to include a citizenship certificate, passport, Medicare membership, proof of enrolment, bank account balance both in Australia and at home, and proof that $18,525 has been earned since leaving high school to claim independence.

For more information, please visit www.centerlink.gov.au or call 13 2490 (from Australia) or 0800 441 248 (from NZ).

Public Transport


Public transport operates daily from the hospital to Hornsby and other local areas. This service is provided by the SanLINK bus. Transit services between the hospital and nearby train stations is available. For public transport from the San to nearby Hornsby and train stations go to www.shorelink.com.au. For train times go to www.cityrail.com.au. For trips involving a combination of public transport options go to www.131500.com.au.

Health Care Services


Medicare is Australia's government healthcare system that ensures all eligible Australian residents and New Zealanders who are permanent residents in Australia have access to affordable, accessible and high-quality health care.

Membership with Medicare provides access to free treatment as a patient in a public hospital as well as subsidised treatment by medical practitioners including general practitioners, specialists, participating optometrists and/or limited dental procedures.

To apply for Medicare, please download an enrolment form from www.medicareaustralia.gov.au.

Australian Students
All students must be registered with Medicare. Students can apply for Medicare cards independent of their parents and should do so before they arrive at College. All students will need to bring their Medicare card to College.

Students may need to provide proof of their student status when applying for a Medicare card and should keep their Letter of Offer from Avondale College for this purpose.

New Zealand Students
Australian Government regulations deem that New Zealand citizens who come to Australia for the specific purpose of study are eligible for Medicare benefits under the Reciprocal Health Care arrangements applicable to New Zealand citizens. Students from both New Zealand and Ireland are entitled to free treatment in a public hospital but are not entitled to non-hospital benefits.

International Students from Countries outside New Zealand and Australia
The Australian Government requires international students to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) in order to receive a student visa. International students pay for this upfront together with the rest of the fees. The Enquiry & Enrolment Centre will enrol international students in Medibank Private. Upon arrival at Avondale, students should call at the Enquiry & Enrolment Centre where they will receive a Medibank Private card. The closest Medibank office to the Lake Macquarie Campus is at 2056 Westfield Tuggerah (approx 20 minutes from college). The closest centre to the Sydney campus is at Shop 3106 Westfield Shoppington Cnr Edgeworth David Drive & George Street, Hornsby.

Medibank Private and ACA Health Benefits Fund
For a more comprehensive health care cover, private medical insurance such as Medibank Private is recommended, which offers the benefit of private hospital usage. For information about Medibank Private please visit www.medibank.com.au. (International students will be registered for Medibank Private (OSHC) by Avondale)

ACA (Australasian Conference Association) Health Benefit Fund is available to students who are connected to the Seventh-day Adventist Church and/or associated entities. For more information about this health fund, please visit www.acahealth.com.au.

Medical Services
Avondale College maintains a small dispensary in each of the residences and liaises very closely with staff at local medical centres.

Australian Students
Ambulance services are not covered by Medicare. Students need to ensure that they are covered for ambulance transport in NSW through membership of a NSW registered fund. This cover is reasonably priced and students can join at any Health Fund office.

International Students with OSHC
OSHC pays 100% of the charge for emergency ambulance transport for the provision of acute medical attention which is required immediately or is of an unforeseen nature, and is provided by a registered medical or paramedical officer. However, benefits for the use of an ambulance (even if offered) for routine journeys, are excluded.

Health Care Cards
The Federal Government will issue Health Care Cards to some students, but there is a means test as part of this application. This entitles the recipient to ambulance cover, dental and optical treatment at a public hospital and to some pharmaceutical benefits. Students should apply at Centrelink for this card, and should first phone Centrelink on 131 021 to ascertain if they are eligible.

Insurance/Income


Avondale College does not hold insurance cover for student's personal belongings. Students are encouraged to take out private insurance cover with a company of their choice. The college is also not responsible for any items that are left in cars, buildings or on campus, and damage or loss of personal property is the owner's responsibility.

Some insurance companies include:
Allianz: www.allianz.com.au
AAMI: www.aami.com.au
ING: www.ing.com.au
Budget Direct: www.budgetdirect.com.au
NRMA (IAG): www.nrma.com.au
Westpac: www.westpac.com.au

Tax File Number


Students on the Sydney Campus may apply for work at the hospital, but cannot work in the nursing field until after their first year of study. Students interested in working in other areas of the San should contact Human Resources. Visit the website at www.sah.org.au or phone 02 9487 9230.

Students who wish to take up available work on or off campus must obtain a Tax File Number (TFN) from their local Australian Tax Office before they arrive at Avondale. New Zealand students can obtain a TFN on arrival in Australia.

Sydney Campus students may go to:

Shop 42 Lemon grove
Shopping Centre
441 Victoria Avenue
CHATSWOOD NSW 2067

Students need to take their passport, birth certificate and bank details, and may need to provide other documentation as required by the Tax Office. Overseas students can apply online at www.ato.gov.au/individuals once they have commenced classes.

Banking


An ATM is located in the San Hospital foyer behind the main lifts next to the Adventist Book Centre and Hairdresser. Banks close to the Sydney Campus (located in Hornsby, Turramurra and Pennant Hills) include Westpac, NAB, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, ANZ and St George.

Information for International Students


Avondale is required by law to tell the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship if you
  • Change the course of study for which you are enrolled;
  • Change the duration of your course of study;
  • Breach a visa condition relating to attendance or satisfactory academic performance.


It is important you provide us with your current address by emailing caryl.stanley@avondale.edu.au . If we do not have your current address, communications relevant to your student visa may not reach you, resulting in possible cancellation of your visa.

Arriving in Australia
International students may need to plan to arrive in Sydney the Friday before the advertised College check-in dates in order to commence the registration program on time. New international students arriving at Sydney Airport for the first time will be met and transported to Avondale in a College vehicle if flight number, airline, date and time of arrival are provided in advance to our International Office by emailing caryl.stanley@avondale.edu.auThis information can also be sent to the details below.

Enquiry & Enrolment Centre
Avondale College
PO Box 19
Cooranbong NSW 2265
Phone: +61 2 4980 2377
Fax: +61 2 4980 2151
Email: enquiries@avondale.edu.au

International students are entitled to one pick-up on arrival and one departure shuttle to and from the Sydney International airport per year. The cost for this service is included in the Facility Fee

Computers


Computer resources and internet access are located within the Faculty of Nursing and Health, library and Nurses Residence, providing equipment for students to study and research.

Lifestyle


The Sydney Campus offers a range of social activities, worship, student-staff forums, sports and clubs.

Shopping Trips


Nearby the San is the Westfield Hornsby shopping and cinema complex. It is home to several major retail outlets and many other specialty stores. A small grocery store, chemist, cafe and hairdresser are also located a short walk from the San.

Sporting Facilities


A swimming pool, tennis court, basketball court and cricket pitch are available for use without further cost for those who have paid their facility fee.

Registration & Enrolment


For Lake Macquarie and Sydney Campus nursing students, Registration and Enrolment for Semester 1 2010 will be Monday 1 March. Further details will be mailed to you in January before your arrival.