Information for New Residents in Canberra
Canberra geography and climate
Although located close to Sydney (about three hours drive), due to higher altitude and distance from the Pacific Ocean Canberra has a very hot summer and cold winter. It has the lowest temperatures among the major cities of the southern part of the continent. Canberra offers a beautiful landscape surrounded by hills and lakes. The entire city has been built according to a master plan. The residential suburbs are spread throughout the city in six districts. Bangladeshis live uniformly in all parts of Canberra.
Housing, Real Estate agencies
Living in a particular area depends mostly on individual preference. People tend to live close to work. The most common practice of renting or purchasing a house in Canberra is through a real estate agent. There are many real estate agencies operating in Canberra. Find them in newspaper, yellow-pages or on the Internet and register your requirement with them as early as possible. When inspecting a property for rent or purchase give particular attention to the insulation of the house and heating system - otherwise the heating bill in winter will surprise you.
Schools, colleges and universities
There is a primary school in almost every suburb, and a high school and a college (year 11 and 12) for a group of suburbs. There are two universities - Australian National University is located centrally in the City and Canberra University is in the northern suburb of Bruce.
Shopping centres
Canberra has a well structured hierarchy of shopping centres. The neighborhood shopping centre serving a group of suburbs normally have a supermarket, news agency, barbershop, post office, real estate agency, takeaway food shops, fast food outlets etc. A district shopping mall offers all of the above plus departmental stores, cinema halls, government department shop fronts, banks and a variety of shops. People visit local shops for daily items and the malls for other items and recreation.
Medical facilities - GPs, emergency, pharmacies, hospitals
For medical service most people select and stick with a General Practitioner (GP) as their family physician. There are two public hospitals in Canberra: Canberra Hospital in Garran and Calvary Hospital in Bruce. General practitioners operate only during working hours and normally require prior appointment for consultation. Emergency services are provided 24 hrs in the public hospitals. Pharmacies are located in all shopping centres. A prescription from the GP is required for the purchase of any prescribed medicine.
Transportation - car only city, bus services, time table, tickets
Canberra is designed as a car-only city. Public transportation is limited to a bus service that run on scheduled times only. Bus time tables and tickets are sold at the bus interchanges and in news agencies. Life without a car in Canberra is very difficult hence a driving licence is a must to survive in Canberra.
Recreational facilities
Canberra's recreation facilities include sporting clubs and grounds, swimming pools, theatre, cinemas, bike riding, jogging and bush walking.
Cultural and religious facilities
There are many community organisations in Canberra that offer cultural and religious facilities and services. A network of public libraries, the National Library, Art Gallery, National Museum, War Memorial are popular places among Canberra residents and visitors.
'Halal' shops and Asian groceries
Life in Canberra, especially for people with special need like us, is much better than what it was a decade ago. There are Asian groceries in almost every part of Canberra and there are at least three places where people can buy 'halal' meats.
If you are coming from outside of Australia
-
get a Medicare card
-
get a tax file number
-
get a bank account
-
get a driving licence.
If you are coming from other parts of Australia
-
if unemployed register with Centrelink
-
decide preferred area to reside, find home through real estate agencies
-
find closest general practitioner (physician), dentist, pharmacy, shops
-
start socialising with local Bangladeshis and work colleagues.
Hope the above information is useful for you. Do not hesitate to contact any member of the Association for assistance and support.