Facilities

Library

The Vane Green Library represents the Defence Library Service (DLS) at the Australian Defence College (ADC). The DLS network comprises 22 libraries that are located at various military facilities and institutions throughout Australia. As a member of the DLS the Vane Green library has reciprocating borrowing rights with other Defence libraries. The Vane Green Library provides support to course members and directing staff through the provision of  resources, research assistance and education and training in the use of library systems.

For further information please see the Library's Home.

Lap-top computers

Each full-time participant will be issued a laptop computer for the duration of the DSSC.

The laptops are configured for use as stand-alones or connected to the Local Area Network (LAN).

Banking Facilities

A Defence Credit Union operates on a part-time basis from an office within the College. A number of other banks have branches and automatic-teller facilities at shopping centres within 5-10 minutes drive of the College, including Weston (Cooleman Court) and Woden.

Recreational Facilities

There is a fitness centre with shower and change facilities. Each person is provided with a locker. A variety of exercise equipment is available as well as on-site volleyball courts and flood-lit tennis courts.

There are popular jogging and bicycle tracks in the vicinity of the Centre.

Slightly further afield, within the bounds of Canberra, there are many other recreational facilities which cater for most tastes. Beautiful parks are a feature of the city's layout. There are several recreational reserves that are available for fishing and bushwalking. The region is also developing a thriving wine industry with numerous cellar doors and restaurants within 30km of the city centre.

Canberra is located within a convenient distance of many of Australia's key attractions. These include the South Coast of New South Wales which is a two and a half hour drive from Canberra and features many pristine beaches. Australia's highest peak, Mount Kozciuszko in the Australian Alps, can be reached by road within three hours. In winter, the Australian Alps have some of Australia's best snow fields and the area is well served by resorts (The ski season extends from June to October).

Accommodation

There is no 'living-in' accommodation at the Centre. Course members are expected to organise their own accommodation in Canberra before the program commences. The Centre does not have the staff to provide comprehensive assistance in the busy lead-up period to the start of the academic year. Consequently, Australian course members are expected to organise their own accommodation in Canberra before the program commences. Course members coming to Canberra from overseas should contact their High Commissions or Embassies well in advance for assistance in obtaining accommodation. This includes both temporary accommodation on arrival, if required, as well as permanent residence.

A large number of properties become available in Canberra's rental market during the Christmas period with the diplomatic and defence communities contributing significantly to that turnover and providing many of the homes available for rent. The properties, however, rarely remain on the market for long as competition for rental properties is high.

For more information visit the Citysearch site: http://canberra.citysearch.com.au.

Schooling

Education opportunities for students in the ACT are many and varied. Schooling, for International Students who have no English or English as a second language, is available in several locations in the ACT and eligibility is zoned by residence. While information from previous course members is an excellent guide, it should be noted that government policy changes periodically.

For information concerning schooling in the ACT, the ACT Department of Education has a helpful website at http://www.det.act.gov.au.

Further information concerning education in Australia is available at the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relation at : http://www.dest.gov.au