Personal safety

Download Safety Apps  

Safety apps are very helpful if you are in an emergency or dangerous situation.  Here are some we recommend:

• Emergency+ uses GPS data to communicate your exact location to the correct emergency service in your area.   
• Sonder contains safety advice and communication tools for students, including GPS tracking of your route, alerts for fires or automobile crashes and a “check on me” function.   
• St John Ambulance First Aid contains step-by-step instructions on how to treat a patient in medical emergency scenarios, including how to perform CPR and manage allergic reactions, choking or diabetic episodes.   

Going out 

When you go out with friends, it's important to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions to stay safe.

Keep these tips in mind, especially when drinking alcohol:   

• Keep your bag and belongings close to your body and where you can always see them, and don't carry large amounts of money. 
• Make sure you have enough money to get home. 
• Try to travel home with a friend or in a group. 
• Do not walk home alone at nighttime.  
• Never hitchhike.  
• Use pedestrian walkways and cross the street at pedestrian crossings or lights where available. 

On campus 

Most education institutions will offer a range of safety services. It's important to know what they are in case you find yourself in a dangerous situation on campus.

These are standard safety services offered by Australian universities:   

• on-campus security staff  
• security staff escorts  you to your car on campus at night 
• shuttle bus services.    

Using the internet 

When using the internet, like anywhere in the world, you should protect yourself against online scams like 'phishing', online bullying and identity theft.

There are many government resources to help you protect yourself online and report abuse, including: 

• Stay Smart Online: The Australian Government's online safety and security website. 
• ATO scam advice: Information on recognising and avoiding tax scams and fraud.  
• ReportCyber: An online system to securely report cybercrime. 
  
• Attorney-General's Department: Advice on protecting your identity and recovering from identity crime.
• eSafety Commissioner: Information on how to protect your personal information to prevent it from being misused.  

Emergencies

If you ever find yourself in a life-threatening or dangerous situation, call the national emergency number, triple zero (000).