You are not expected to cross every box. AUSCO is an introductory program so many of these learning outcomes will be achieved after you have had experience of living in Australia and attending further orientation programs there. Overview of Australia Do you: Can you: Can you do these: recognise English as Australia’s national language recognise Australia is a very large continent with different climatic zones understand Australia is a multicultural society with a large migrant population know the values underpinning Australia’s parliamentary democracy understand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have been living in Australia for approximately 50,000 years ask general knowledge questions life in Australia identify Australia’s states and territories including capital cities identify Australia’s historical waves of settlement name some of the different behaviours you might see in Australia explain your democratic rights and responsibilities, and how the election process works name the key political parties in Australia name Australia’s key public holidays and explain why they are celebrated complete the citizenship test enrol to vote access information on political parties and platforms Settlement services Do you: Can you: Can you do these:
understand resettlement is a long-term process recognise there are challenges during the initial stages of resettlement recognise the importance of asking for help when needed understand that are government and community service organisations available to help with resettlement understand you will be assigned a caseworker understand are several important tasks you must complete upon arrival in Australia identify the key tasks you must complete within the first few weeks of arrival in Australia describe the role of caseworkers and proposers identify government and community service organisations available to assist with resettlement identify other basic services which may be available in the local community, for example, sports clubs, social groups access translating and interpreting services fill in basic information on official forms use public transport open a bank account register with Centrelink register with Medicare enrol in an English program Housing Do you: Can you: Can you do these:
understand there are health checks you must undertake prior to and on arrival in Australia understand that it is highly recommended that your children receive immunisations know that some schools need a record of a child’s immunisation status to be presented when they start day care or school understand there is free or subsidised basic health care through a system called Medicare understand that not all health services are free, for example dentistry and optometry understand health includes mental health and there are free counselling services to support you know to bring your medical documents with you to Australia explain where to go for health assessment requirements on resettlement to Australia explain what Medicare does and does not cover describe the differences between public and private health services including the role of private health insurance outline different health services including when and how to access them explain the value of preventive health measures including immunisation identify the mental health and counselling services available in your settlement region complete your health assessment requirements on arrival in Australia register for Medicare take personal responsibility for the health and wellbeing of yourself and your family emergency services if required to do so access the appropriate health services for your needs communicate your health needs yourself or through the interpreter service Education Do you: Can you: Can you do these:
understand the role of the AMEP appreciate the importance of learning English to access higher education and employment understand the education system consists of a public and private sector understand the difference between public and private schooling understand that government education is free understand the responsibilities of parents in children’s education understand are pathways to tertiary and further education know that you can have qualifications translated into English free of charge by submitting them at an AMEP centre use key vocabulary about education terms compare and contrast the Australian education system with your own experiences make decisions about schooling of children describe possible pathways to tertiary and further education identify support services available to people wanting to study attend parent teacher interviews with TIS support research, select and enrol in an appropriate tertiary course enrol children in a local school and complete the necessary paperwork understand that school absences must be approved by the parent in written form to the school understand when school holidays are, and be able to make arrangements for the care of school aged children during school holidays Law Do you: Can you: Can you do these:
understand the job market is competitive understand that overseas qualifications can be recognised in Australia understand the importance of learning English to gain employment appreciate that jobs are awarded on merit to those with relevant experience and qualifications understand the rights and responsibilities of employees in Australia understand job application and interview processes know that you can have your overseas qualification certificates translated free of charge by submitting them at an AMEP centre use key vocabulary about employment identify various job opportunities in Australia describe ways to find employment develop verbal and communication skills for interviews complete personal details on job applications write a résumé and cover letter research employment opportunities online pursue the recognition of overseas qualifications Money Do you: Can you: Can you do these:
understand that internet banking is a common Australian banking practice appreciate the high cost of living in Australia understand the role of credit in Australian society and recognise the potential dangers involved with going into debt understand various Centrelink payments and their approximate amount understand common Australian banking institutions and practices identify Australian currency and understand its value in comparison to your current currency identify opportunities to reduce household expenditure use key vocabulary about money and banking use an ATM and EFTPOS facilities to withdraw money and make purchases put together a basic household budget Travel Do you: Can you: Can you do these: