Curtin University of Technology

Northern Territory


Kent Street
Bentley
Western Australia 6102
Web address: www.international.curtin.edu.au
ADS contact phone: +61 (8) 9266 3348
ADS contact fax: +61 (8) 9266 2605

Relevant campuses: Bentley, City, Kalgoorlie, and Northam.


Community and surrounds
Perth is the capital city of Western Australia, the largest state of Australia. The city has a population of 1.4 million, making it Australia’s fourth largest city. It is located on the southwest coast of the Australian continent with the Indian Ocean at its shores, situated along the banks of the Swan River and overlooked by Kings Park, a 400-hectare area of native gardens.

The city is in the same time zone as Singapore ,Malaysia and Hong Kong and there is only a one-hour time difference from Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Laos. Perth is one of the closest Australian capital cities to Africa.

Perth is a modern city, with a clean and well-planned central business district. The city centre provides for excellent shopping, as well as a vast range of restaurants, night life and entertainment venues. Perth is free from many of the crime and congestion problems of other international cities. As it is home to people from around the world, Perth offers all the benefits of a cosmopolitan city, such as speciality food stores, places of worship and social networks, which enable Perth’s diverse population to maintain the lifestyles of their cultures.


Climate
In the winter months (June to August) average temperatures are 9 to 17 degrees Celsius. In the summer months (December to February) temperatures can reach 40 degrees but usually average 18 to 30 degrees Celsius.


Cost of living and accomodation
In the winter months (June to August) average temperatures are 9 to 17 degrees Celsius. In the summer months (December to February) temperatures can reach 40 degrees but usually average 18 to 30 degrees Celsius.

On-campus accommodation costs between $75 and $106 a week. Off-campus, homestay can cost approximately $140 to $160 a week including meals; a furnished bedroom can cost between $70 and $100; a rental property with three or four bedrooms can cost between $180 and $300 a week; and larger residences will cost between $280 and $350 depending on location and quality.


Campus descriptions
The university has four campuses. Three of them are located in the city of Perth.

The main campus, Bentley, is like a large town, it has a lake and is surrounded by conifer trees. Banking facilities, travel agencies, childcare and medical facilities are located on campus. It is close to public transport and is just six kilometres from the centre of the city. The university has a dedicated AusAID office based on the Bentley campus. Three dedicated staff are available for AusAID student concerns and issues.

The university has two remote campuses in Western Australia. The Northam campus is located in the Avon valley, 96 kilometres east of Perth and the Kalgoorlie campus is in the gold mining district, some 594 kilometres east of Perth.

The Northam campus is the home of the Muresk Institute and operates a 1720-hectare farm, which is also used for teaching and research.

The Kalgoorlie campus was formed from the amalgamation of the Western Australian School of Mines and Kalgoorlie College. Both campuses have accommodation, food outlets, regular public transport, student associations, sporting facilities, library and information resources, computer facilities and are walking distance from health facilities. They also have access to all main campus facilities and services.

The sizes of the campuses are as follows: Bentley 24,219 students; City 562 students; Kalgoorlie 444 students; Northam 189 students.


International student population
At Curtin University of Technology in 2003, there were over 5,500 international students. Of these over 3,500 were from East Asia, 25 from Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands, over 1,000 from the South Asia and the Indian Ocean region and over 240 from Africa. Most of the remaining overseas students were from Europe, America, Canada and Norway. Curtin University has at least 130 AusAID students from a broad range of countries.


Family and community services
The university health service is available to all students, their spouses and children, and students can find medical centres throughout Perth and its suburbs. There are a number of medical practitioners located in the city centre. A pharmacy and an optometrist are also available on the Bentley campus.

The Western Australian State Government provides free education at government schools for dependent schoolage children, and there are also many childcare centres in and around Perth. Both remote campuses are well serviced by similar community facilities.

The Northam campus also offers counselling services. The AusAID office has a staff member dedicated to assisting students with family concerns and issues. The Council for International Students of Western Australia (CISWA) offers support for students and their families. All AusAID students become members on arrival in Perth. CISWA provides students and families with such services as: organising trips to the country, holiday programs, country hospitality, AusAID student functions across campuses, English classes for spouses, and an International Women’s Group. It also publishes an excellent book which Curtin provides free of charge, Everyday Living in Western Australia. The publication has information on general living issues in Western Australia.


Childcare facilities
Curtin has a childcare facility on campus. Several childcare centres surround the campus. Many AusAID students' children are enrolled at the on-campus childcare centre. AusAID students are also eligible for a government childcare subsidy and this can be organised with Centrelink. The AusAID Liaison Office also facilitates single parents to network and access additional support for children. Students must be responsible for their children's welfare and support during their stay in Australia.


Foods for different cultures
All types of cuisine are available in Perth including Indian, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Lebanese and Italian. There are many shops that sell food and ingredients from Asia A number of Asian grocery stores are located in suburbs close to the city centre (Northbridge). Halal food is available from several of the many restaurants, stores and food outlets nearby. There are also specialty shops which cater to the needs of Perth’s many cultures. Local delicatessens which stock essential food and household items are open for longer hours (usually from 8.00am to 9.00pm or later each day). There are also several markets open on the weekends and public holidays and these are located in the suburbs of Canningvale, Subiaco, Fremantle, Gosnells, Wanneroo and Malaga.


Religious facilities
The university's chaplaincy service is a totally confidential service available to meet student needs. If you are looking for someone to talk to, want to join a group, have questions about your spiritual journey or your religious commitments, or if you have a problem you do not know how to solve, the chaplaincy will help you find your way.

The university Chaplain is available to all students at Curtin for assistance and support, particularly in matters of faith and spirituality. Such advice and assistance may be provided directly and/or in liaison with other appropriate persons or agencies. The Chaplain is available to meet your needs. The university Chaplain is located in building 109 at the main Bentley campus and can be contacted on 9266 7850.

There is now a Curtin Buddhist Association and a Muslim Student Association.

There is a special designated space for religious services (building 599). It provides space for the various visiting Chaplains who attend the campus and also for many student activities. Currently visiting Chaplains representing the Anglican, Baha'i, Baptist, Buddhist, Muslim and Roman Catholic traditions. Other traditions are also active on campus and information is available through the University Chaplain.

A Mushallah (building 510) is available for Muslim students, and Friday prayers are held weekly at 12:50pm.

Most religions are well catered for in Perth. There are many facilities — churches, temples, mosques and so on — in close proximity to the Bentley campus or within easy driving distance. The remote campuses are also well-serviced by community facilities, and the Northam campus has its own Chaplain.


Public transport
From the airport: The International Office offers an airport reception service for international students new to Curtin. Students will be collected from the airport and taken to temporary hotel accommodation. Please note that the airport reception service is not available to those going to private addresses. Perth’s international airport is located 13 kilometres east of the city. Flights operate between Kalgoorlie and Perth.

Getting around: Perth has a modern public transport system, supported by an integrated network of buses ($1.20 depending on how far you live from campus), ferries and rapid transit train services. Concession fares are available to students with a student card.

A free shuttle service transports students around the Bentley campus and to student housing on weeknights during semester. Public transport from Muresk College (Northam) is generally organised by the Muresk College. There is a train to Northam, however, students need to liaise with Muresk to organise travel to Perth and return.

The Western Australian School of Mines is five minutes walk from student accommodation. Transport to Perth on the overnight Prospector train is $90 for a return journey.

Alternatively, students can apply for permits to park their car on campus. Cycling is another good means of transport for students living close to the university.