3.9 Laws and Safety in Australia

Obeying the Law

One of the reasons we have such a wonderful lifestyle in Australia is due to our representative democracy, the separation of powers, and our respect for the rule of law. We have a lot of laws in Australia and as a result, society runs smoothly.

In being granted a visa to study in Australia, you signed a document (Australian Values Statement Temporary) agreeing to respect Australian values and obey the laws of Australia for the duration of your stay.  Failure to comply with the laws of this land (including State and Territory laws) could result in a fine or the cancellation of your visa and possible deportation back home.  If you are convicted of a serious crime, it could result in imprisonment. Nobody wants this to happen!

You can find a comprehensive outline of Australian law and the legal system at:  www.australia.gov.au.

Child Protection Laws

All people under the age of 18 are protected by very strict Child Protection laws. Any professional who comes into contact with children during the course of their duty is obligated to report any reasonable suspicion of a child suffering harm of any kind. All children, regardless of where they come from are protected by these laws. The relevant laws in the state of Victoria are:

For college students who are wanting to work with children in a work capacity during their stay in Australia must go through a thorough screening process and be issued with a Working with Children’s card. Refer to http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/ for more information.

Home Security

House-breaking is one of the most common crimes.  Most house break-ins appear to be crimes of opportunity with entry gained through an open or unlocked window or door.  Most intruders are looking for (and often find) a house left open or unlocked where they can get what they want with ease and make a quick getaway.

Some General Security Tips:

1. Your house number should be clearly visible from the street in case of an emergency.
2. Keep your front door locked when you are at the back of the house. 
3. Do not leave messages on the front door. It lets people know you are not home. 
4. Avoid having parcels left on the door step. 
5. If you have to have something delivered while you are out, have the neighbours collect it. 
6. When out, leave a radio or television on or a light in the evening to give the impression you are home. 
7. Keep cash and valuables out of sight. 

Contents Insurance

It is recommended that if you are in a rental property that you obtain Contents Insurance for your belongings. This is a form of house insurance that insures the contents of the house.  Landlords will usually have House Insurance but your belongings will not be covered. Contents insurance will replace your belongings if your house is robbed and your belongings are damaged or stolen, or you have a house fire and your belongings are destroyed or damaged. This may cost you up to $200 per year depending on the value of your belongings.

Internet Safety and Security

Internet Access on Arrival

Wifi internet is available to students across the entire campus of Lyndale Secondary College at no cost. During your first week, you will be shown the ICT office, where technicians can assist you if you encounter any problems with connecting to the internet.

It must be emphasised that mobile phones and tablets do not meet the requirements of the college’s Bring Your Own Device policy. A computer with English as the Operating System language must be used for school work. Furthermore, the college has a no phone policy while in class time. 

The internet has now become an essential business, social, entertainment and educational resource for most Australians. The increasing level of economic transactions on the internet is making it the focus of criminal activities. It is important that internet users protect themselves from falling prey to these activities. The following tips list some simple precautions you can take to minimise the chances of becoming a victim of online criminals. 

1. Install anti-virus and other security software, such as anti-spyware and anti-spam software. Use and update this software regularly. 
2. Regularly download and install the latest security patches for your computer software, including your web-browser. Use automatic software security updates where possible. 
3. Use a firewall and make sure it is turned on. Firewalls help prevent unauthorised access to, and communications from, your computer. 
4. Delete suspect emails immediately. Don't open these emails.
5. Don't click on links in suspect emails. Visiting websites through clicking on links in suspect emails may result in malware (malicious software), such as a ‘trojan', being downloaded to your computer. This is a commonly used and effective means of compromising your computer. 
6. Only open an attachment to an email where the sender and the contents of the attachment are known to you.
7. Don't download files or applications from suspect websites. The file or application could be malware. Sometimes the malware may even be falsely represented as e-security software designed to protect you. 
8. Use long and random passwords for any application that provides access to your personal identity information, including logging onto your computer. Don't use dictionary words as a password. Ideally, the password should be eight or more characters in length. Change passwords regularly. 
9. Use a limited permission account for browsing the web, creating documents, reading email, and playing games. If your operating system allows you to create a limited permission account, this can prevent malicious code from being installed onto your computer. 

(Source: Australian Communications and Media Authority)

Personal Safety 

Australia is quite a safe country, but trouble can still happen. When you are out and about it is important to be alert and aware of your personal safety. For students going out at night, remember that Homestay accommodation often have a curfew and you are expected to meet the requirements of that curfew.

If you are out and about:

1. Be alert to your surroundings and the people around you, especially if you are alone or it is dark 
2. Whenever possible, travel with a friend or as part of a group 
3. Stay in well-lit areas as much as possible 
4. Walk confidently and at a steady pace. 
5. Be wary of casual requests from strangers, like someone asking for a cigarette or change - they could have ulterior motives. 
6. Make eye contact with people when walking - let them know that you have noticed their presence 
7. Do not respond to conversation from strangers on the street or in a car - continue walking 
8. Think ahead - consider how you are going to get home - what about pre-booking a taxi/Uber or arranging transport with a friend or family member? 
9. Be aware of your surroundings, and avoid using personal stereos or radios - you might not hear trouble approaching 
10. Always keep your briefcase or bag in view and close to your body 
11. Be discrete with your cash or mobile phones 
12. When going to your car or home, have your keys in your hand and easily accessible 
13. Consider carrying a personal attack alarm 
14. If you do not have a mobile phone, make sure that you have a phone card or change to make a phone call, but remember - emergency 000 calls are free of charge.
15. Make sure you have enough money to get home or to phone. 

(Source: Australian Federal Police)

Public Transport Safety

Travelling on public transport should be a safe and comfortable experience. Numerous security measures have been adopted to maximise the safety of travellers including: security officers, police, guards, help points, good lighting and security cameras. Most drivers also have two-way radios and can call for assistance.

Buses

Waiting for a bus:

• Avoid isolated bus stops 
• Stand away from the curb until the bus arrives 
• Don't open your purse/wallet while boarding - have your money/pass already in hand 
• At night, wait in well lit areas and near other people 
• Check timetables to avoid long waits.

Riding on the bus:

• Sit as close to the bus driver as possible 
• Stay alert and be aware of the people around you 
• If someone bothers you, change seats and tell the driver 
• Keep your purse/packages close by your side. Keep your wallet inside a front coat pocket 
• Check your purse/wallet if someone is jostling, crowding or pushing you 
• If you see any suspicious activity, inform the driver.

Trains

Many of the same safety tips when travelling by bus apply for trains.  

In addition:

• Most suburban trains have security cameras installed or emergency alarms that will activate the cameras.
• Carriages nearest the drivers are always left open and lit
• Try not to become isolated. If you find yourself left in a carriage on your own or with only one other person you may feel more comfortable to move to another carriage with other people or closer to the driver. 

Taxis/Ubers

Travelling by taxi is generally quite a safe method of public transport. To increase your confidence when travelling by taxi, consider the following suggestions: 

• Phone for a taxi/Uber in preference to hailing one on the street. A record is kept by taxi companies of all bookings made
• You are entitled to choose the driver of your preference. If a driver makes you feel uncomfortable you are within your rights to select another taxi/Uber
• Sit in the back seat of the car. This is the safest option 
• Specify to the driver the route you wish to take to reach your destination. Speak up if the driver takes a different route to the one you have specified or are familiar with   
• Take note of the Company and fleet number. This will help in identifying the taxi/Uber if required. If you are walking a friend to catch a taxi, consider letting the driver know that you have noted these details e.g., "Look after my friend, Mr/Ms Yellow Cab No.436" 
• Stay alert to your surroundings and limit your conversation to general topics 
• If you don't want your home address known, stop a few houses away from your destination 
• If the driver harasses you when travelling in a taxi/Uber your options include: 
• Ask the driver to stop. You may choose to make up an excuse to do so
• Leave the taxi when it stops at a traffic sign or lights 
• Call out to someone on the street to attract attention and seek assistance. This may also cause the driver to stop
• Read out the fleet number and advise the driver you will report him/her if they don't stop

(Source: Queensland Police Service)

Road Rules 

Pedestrians

We are all road users, whether we drive a car or walk across them as pedestrians. It is important to know the road rules. School crossings are present around most Australian schools. If you need to cross the road to come to school, you MUST cross at a school crossing (preferably with a crossing guard). 

When out and about, always look for a pedestrian crossing with traffic lights or indicated by white stripes on the road. You MUST cross at a crossing where one is available. It is an offence to cross a road within 20 metres outside of a designated crossing. For crossing with traffic lights, it is also an offence to cross a road when the pedestrian lights are not green. 

Whenever you cross the road, whether it is at a designated crossing or not, always look in both directions to ensure your safety while crossing. It is also prohibited for pedestrians to walk along freeways and expressways due to the high speed of traffic on these roads. 

For more information: https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/road-rules/a-to-z-of-road-rules/pedestrians

Bikes

If you ride a bike in Australia, you must use bike paths where they are available and you MUST wear protective head gear such as a helmet. You may ride your bike to school, but ensure you have a bike lock so you can safely secure it in the bike shed to the rear of the outside basketball/tennis courts.

For more information: https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/road-rules/a-to-z-of-road-rules/bicycles

Driver’s license

If you are 16 years of age, you may wish to begin study to gain your Australian driver’s license. Before you start to drive, even if you have driven in your home country, YOU MUST KNOW THE ROAD RULES before you attempt to drive (even 2 metres)! Many lives are lost on Australian roads every year and international visitors are at high risk! 

It you are interested in gaining your license and looking at buying a car, there is a lot to learn. Vic Roads, the government body for road use in Victoria, contains all the information you will need on their website, https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/. For more specific information on gaining your driver’s license: https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/licences. Vic Roads also have limited information about getting your license in different languages. 

Avoiding Dangerous Areas and Activities 

It is important to always be alert and aware of your surroundings and to avoid dangerous areas and activities, particularly at night. 

A public place can vary through the course of the day. It may be used by different groups of people at different times. It may be busy at certain times and isolated at others. It may be different during the day than it is at night. These differences can have a very different impact on the way you feel when you are in them. 

For example:

Making New Friends

There is no magic trick to making friends. And if you are in a foreign culture it can seem more difficult than usual to find people who you really “get along” with.  Be kind to yourself - remember that making friends takes time. If you make the most of social opportunities during your life in Australia, just as you would back home, it will be quicker and easier for you to fit in, make friends and feel at home.

Lyndale Secondary College has a wide range of activities and clubs you can join in order to make new friends. If you wish to really improve your English, talking with other students who speak a different language than your first language is always a good idea. There are always other students who come from your country studying at Lyndale as well, and it is understandable that sometimes you want to speak your first language, especially when you first start. As you progress, you will speak more and more English at school, and less of your first language, and this is normal.

However you meet people outside of Lyndale Secondary College, remember to be careful. When you meet someone new, be cautious until you get to know the person better and feel you can trust him or her. If a stranger starts talking to you, they are probably just being friendly. But be safe, and don’t give them any of your personal details like your full name, your phone number or your address. With people you don’t know well; always arrange to meet them in a public place, like a café or a park, instead of inviting them to your home or going to theirs, until you feel you have built a relationship with them, know more about them and feel comfortable with them. 

Many international students spend time socialising with other students and people from their own country and culture while they’re in Australia. These people can make you feel accepted and you may be able to communicate much more easily with them than you can with the locals, particularly when you have just arrived. When everything around you is new and different, it can feel like a big relief to find people from your own country and cultural background. But remember, you need to be careful at first, until you get to know them better, just as you should with anyone else. Even though you may feel like you have a lot in common, remain cautious until you feel you know them reasonably well and can trust them. Crimes against international students are sometimes committed by people from their own culture. 

If you have any concerns or questions about someone you have met, or want to talk to someone about Australian mannerisms and communication “norms” (widely acceptable behaviour), make an appointment to talk it over with the international student coordinator.