Study abroad·Australia & New Zealand· 8 min read

Staying Safe as a Student in Australia and New Zealand

Official safety facts for international students — emergency numbers, campus security, tenancy and consumer rights, and transport safety, with verify-on-official-source nudges.

Last updated 24 June 2026

Key facts

Emergency number: 000 (Australia) · 111 (New Zealand)
Non-emergency police (NZ): 105
Tenancy rules: Vary by AU state/territory; NZ via Tenancy Services
Driving side: Left, in both countries

Emergency numbers and campus security

Save the emergency number the day you arrive: 000 in Australia and 111 in New Zealand reach police, fire and ambulance. Use them only for genuine emergencies. For non-urgent police matters, both countries have separate assistance lines — in New Zealand, 105 is the police non-emergency number. Universities run their own campus security teams, usually contactable 24/7, who can help with safety on campus, escort services after dark, lost property and incidents. Save your campus security number in your phone and note the location of help points around campus.

Emergency (police/fire/ambulance): 000 (Australia) · 111 (New Zealand)
New Zealand non-emergency police: 105
Save your university's 24/7 campus security number
Locate campus safety help points and after-dark escort services

Your rights as a tenant

Renting rules differ between the two countries and, in Australia, between states and territories, but in both countries tenants have legal protections covering bonds (security deposits), notice periods, repairs and the return of your deposit. Always get a written tenancy agreement and a condition report, and never pay large sums for a property you have not verified. In New Zealand, Tenancy Services (Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment) explains tenant and landlord rights and runs the bond-lodgement system. In Australia, each state and territory has its own residential tenancy authority — check the official body for your state. Rules and amounts change, so verify on the official source before signing or paying.

Get a written tenancy agreement and a condition report
Understand bond/deposit rules before you pay
Never transfer money for an unseen, unverified property
New Zealand: check Tenancy Services (tenancy.govt.nz)
Australia: check your state/territory tenancy authority

Consumer rights and avoiding scams

Both countries have strong consumer-protection laws. In Australia, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and its Scamwatch service help consumers and report scams; in New Zealand, Consumer Protection (part of MBIE) runs a Scamwatch service and sets out your rights. International students are sometimes targeted by scams — fake job or accommodation offers, fake 'government' or 'immigration' phone calls demanding payment, and bogus fee requests. Genuine government agencies will not threaten you with arrest or deportation over the phone or demand payment in gift cards or cryptocurrency. If a call or message feels wrong, hang up and contact the agency directly using its official website. Verify any official-looking request on the agency's real site.

Australia: report scams to Scamwatch (ACCC) at scamwatch.gov.au
New Zealand: check Consumer Protection (MBIE) at consumerprotection.govt.nz
Government agencies never demand gift-card or crypto payments
Verify suspicious 'immigration' calls via the official website, not the caller

Transport and everyday safety

Public transport in Australian and New Zealand cities is generally safe; standard precautions apply, such as staying aware at night, keeping belongings secure, and using well-lit, busy routes. Many universities offer late-night transport or security-escort options on or near campus — check what yours provides. If you cycle or drive, learn local road rules: both countries drive on the left, and helmets are compulsory for cyclists. Always check road-safety rules with the relevant state, territory or New Zealand transport authority, as requirements and penalties differ.

Both countries drive on the left; bicycle helmets are compulsory
Use well-lit, busy routes and stay aware at night
Use campus night-transport or escort services where available
Check local road rules with the relevant transport authority

Health cover and getting medical help

International students in Australia generally hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) as a visa condition, and in New Zealand are generally required to hold appropriate health and travel insurance. These conditions can change — this is general information, not immigration advice; verify on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au (Australia) or immigration.govt.nz (New Zealand). Know how to use your cover before you need it — how to find a doctor (GP), what is covered, and how to claim. For non-emergencies, see a GP or campus health service; for emergencies call 000 (Australia) or 111 (New Zealand). New Zealand also has Healthline (0800 611 116) for free health advice. Keep your insurance details and these numbers accessible.

Australia: OSHC is generally a student-visa condition — verify on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
New Zealand: students generally must hold appropriate insurance — verify on immigration.govt.nz
Know how to find a GP and how to claim before you need it
New Zealand health advice line: Healthline 0800 611 116

Frequently asked questions

What number do I call in an emergency?

Call 000 in Australia or 111 in New Zealand for police, fire or ambulance in a genuine emergency. In New Zealand, use 105 for non-urgent police matters. Save both your campus security number and these emergency numbers when you arrive.

How do I avoid accommodation and job scams?

Never pay for a property you haven't verified, get everything in writing, and be wary of offers that seem too good. Report scams to Scamwatch (ACCC) in Australia or Consumer Protection (MBIE) in New Zealand, and verify any 'official' request on the agency's real website.

I got a call threatening deportation unless I pay — is it real?

This is a common scam. Real government agencies do not phone to demand immediate payment in gift cards or cryptocurrency or threaten arrest. Hang up and contact the agency via its official website. This is general information, not immigration advice — verify on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au or immigration.govt.nz.

What are my rights if my landlord won't return my bond?

Tenants have legal protections over bonds and deposits. In New Zealand, check Tenancy Services; in Australia, check your state or territory tenancy authority. Keep your written agreement and condition report — rules and amounts vary, so verify on the official body.

Official sources

This guide explains the process and is for guidance only. Eligibility, dates, fees and rules change every year — always confirm the current details on the official site before you act.

Verified against: Study Australia (Australian Government) — safety; Scamwatch (ACCC, Australia); Consumer Protection (MBIE, New Zealand) — Scamwatch; Tenancy Services (MBIE, New Zealand); Study with New Zealand (NZ Government).

Last verified: 24 June 2026.