Basic Health and Safety

In this section, you will find information on how to stay well while in Australia and while traveling to other countries. The process of wellness starts before you go abroad with a visit to your doctor. You may need to get inoculations to protect you from various illnesses before traveling. You will also learn some tips about food and water safety.

• What to Know about Australia: Learn all you can about the health and safety issues of Australia and the countries you plan to visit. This includes reading about the cultural and political climate of those countries, as well as learning about how others view people from your country, race, ethnic group, religion, gender and sexual orientation.
• Illnesses, Diseases, and Inoculations: Find out about the various illnesses that might be more common in Australia or the regions and countries to which you will be traveling. Get the appropriate shots and pills, and take the appropriate medications with you if your doctor thinks it's necessary. Find out about any potential side-effects of shots and pills that you may take. For more information on illnesses that may be prevalent in Australia, please see the CDC link in the Resources section of this Handbook.
• Physicals and Check-ups: Get a complete physical, eye exam and dental check-up before going to Australia. The quality of dental and medical care might be different in the various countries or regions you may visit. Also, they could possibly be more expensive than similar care in the United States.
• Can You Drink the Water?: Find out if water is generally safe to drink in different regions of Australia and in the countries to which you will be traveling. To avoid diarrhea and other bacteria, purify questionable water before you drink it. Make sure water bottles come sealed when you buy them. Remember that ice can also be unsafe, as well as the water you use to brush your teeth.
• Food Safety: Poor refrigeration, undercooked meat, and roadside/outdoor vendors could pose problems related to food contamination. If you get diarrhea or food poisoning, remember to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. As with any illness, consider seeing a doctor if your condition worsens. Give your body time to adjust to new types of foods you will be eating.
• Laws and Codes of Conduct: Make yourself aware of both the rules and regulations of your study abroad program sponsor, and the local laws and customs of Australia and the countries which you will be visiting. Understand that you will not only have to conform to the legal system of Australia, but also obey the codes of conduct required of program participants. Also recognize that certain laws may vary from region to region or even city to city.
• Mental and Physical Health: Consider your own mental and physical health issues when applying for a study abroad program, and make all your necessary health information available to your program's administrators so they can assist you with any special needs, or advise you on the risks you might face. Study abroad may include both physical and mental challenges for students, so make sure you establish a support network of program administrators, family and friends who can help you.
• Prescriptions: Get a doctor's signed prescription for any medication you have to bring with you to Australia. Some prescriptions may need to be translated into Australian English if you wish to fill them in Australia. Also include a copy of your prescription for your glasses or contact lenses. Bring an extra pair of glasses. Medications may also not be equivalent in brand, strength or quality. For more information on Australian pharmacies, please see the Resources section of this Handbook.
• First-Aid Kit: Consider a well-stocked first-aid kit as a first line of defense. Some items to include are: sunscreen, bandages, flashlight, sterile pads, insect repellent, adhesive tape, aspirin, antacid, anti-diarrhea tablets, anti-malarial medication, extra bottled water, feminine protection, condoms, rubber gloves, etc.
• Fitness and Exercise: Try to get fit in the time you have before departing for Australia. A healthy body can help you fight off illness and recover faster if you do get sick. Even though it may be harder to follow a structured workout routine, try to stay fit while in Australia. Exercise also helps to increase energy levels and combat depression.
• Walking: Get a good pair of comfortable walking shoes. Without access to a car or public transportation in Australia, you may have to do quite a bit of walking. Break in your shoes before you go.
• Emergency Contacts: Keep your program staff and your emergency contacts at home and in Australia well informed of your whereabouts and activities, and provide these people with copies of your important travel documents (i.e. passport, visa, plane tickets, traveler's checks, and prescriptions, etc.).
• Air Travel: When you travel by air, drink a lot of non-alcoholic fluids, stay away from caffeine, eat light, and stretch often to avoid jetlag. Many airlines are now required to show an in-flight video of stretching exercises you can do on the plane in order to avoid the potential formation of blood clots, which can be caused by cabin pressure. A direct flight is usually easier for most travelers, but flights broken up by stops can also lessen jet lag.
• Transportation: Accidents involving in-country travel, whether by air, bus, train, taxi, car, etc., are a major cause of injury to students abroad. It is important to understand what the safe modes of travel are in Australia and in the countries to which you plan to travel. For more information on transportation in Australia, please visit the Australian Department of Transport's website.
• Bus: Long distance service is reliable and not that expensive. On more extensive routes, companies offer newer, more comfortable, air-conditioned buses. City buses tend to be a little older than those used for long distances. You have more than once choice when it comes to bus companies. Public companies affiliated with the government include Transperth, which offers bus, train, and ferry travel as well as accommodations for passengers with special needs. Buslines is a central directory for all bus, coach, and train travel. Major private bus companies in Australia include Greyhound Pioneer, which offers discount fares, and Dyson's Bus Service to name just a couple.
• Train/Metro: You may want to avoid traveling by train alone at night. In Australia City especially, you will find the metro system to be the most convenient form of transportation to move about the city, although beware of pickpockets. A metro or subway system can only be found in the major cities of Melbourne and Sydney. Transperth offers bus, train, and ferry travel, as well as accommodations for passengers with special needs. Buslines is a central directory for all bus, coach, and train travel.
• Air: Within Australia, air travel can be a good value compared to a long bus ride. If train travel is too slow for your needs, then air travel can be a safe and pleasant option. Since Australia's size and geographical features can present travel problems, air travel may be the best option for moving about the country. Australia's national airline is called "Quantas" and offers domestic specials.
• Cars (Driving): Road rules and laws differ from state to state; some states require both a foreign (U.S.) and an international driver's license. Australians drive on the left over roads that are narrower and less graded than those in the United States. Away from major cities, two-lane roads are standard and distances between destinations are far. There are no speed limits in the Northern Territory, and drivers in the Outback should exercise extreme caution even if they're familiar with 4-wheel drive vehicles. Australian insurance is required for all vehicles, including rental vehicles. You should obtain full coverage insurance when renting vehicles in Australia. If a driver is involved in a vehicle accident resulting in damages or injuries to another party, the driver may be arrested and detained by Australian authorities until a settlement is arranged with the injured party. Furthermore, depending upon the extent of damages or injuries to the other party, you may face charges filed by the Australian judicial authorities.
• Alcohol and Drugs: Use and abuse of alcohol and drugs abroad can increase the risk of accident and injury. Many study abroad accidents and injuries are related to the use and abuse of alcohol and drugs abroad. Violating drug laws in Australia may result in very serious consequences. In some countries you may visit, being found guilty of violating drug laws can result in consequences as serious as death.
• Setting an Example: Set a good example. Remember you are like an ambassador for your U.S. college or university, as well as your culture and country. Behave in a way that is respectful of others' rights and well-being and encourage others to do the same.