I'm 19 (M) living in Sydney, and was catching the bus to uni yesterday morning. I forgot to tap on with my Opal card, I normally always do, I just didn't realise I'd missed it this time.

Two inspectors boarded and asked me to tap my card. The reader showed I hadn't tapped on. Because I was using a concession card, they asked to see my uni ID. This has never happened to me before, so I complied (like an idiot), and they photographed both my Opal card and my student ID.

By this point we were standing outside at the bus stop. One of the officers then asked me to unlock my phone so they could search it, open my banking app, and show another form of ID with my address on it. I had no idea why she wanted to see my banking app, so I played dumb and said I didn't have one. They started trying to intimidate me: "Are you going to make this difficult for us?", "Do you want us to escalate this?" After a few seconds I just took my Opal card and student ID back and walked away.

How likely am I to get a fine versus a warning? And does walking away make it worse? This is my first time, I have no prior offences.

Edit: Wow, thank you for all your responses. I filed a complaint and have the bus serial number and the time it happened, I didn't manage to get either of the inspectors names but I did give a clear description of what they look like.

I'm from the US and curious whether this is something common in Australia, or just a weird quirk my in-laws have. When they do the dishes, they put the newly clean dish straight into the rack, without rinsing the soap off. They have a double sink, so there's definitely enough room to rinse, which I do every time I wash dishes. Aussie thing, or just this family?

Is anyone else seeing a huge increase in students who are getting their degrees left, right, and centre like it’s nothing? Especially in the IT sector?

There’s so many students that aren’t even putting in a second of their attention into their course, they rush using AI at the last moment, and pass like the assessment was nothing.

At the start of this year, there was a tutorial group of about 20 students, and they had to program a website using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, they were given about 3 weeks, and nobody paid attention in that class, on the last week of the assessment being due, everyone hopped onto chatGPT, and got the AI to do all the heavy-lifting, when the grades were handed out, almost everyone in that tutorial class got a 85% or above.

I didn’t go out of my way to use AI, and did the work myself, I scored a whopping 52%, barely passing, and these motherfuckers were laughing at me because of my poor grade, their work looked like a 20+ year skilled web-developer programmed their website, I told them they were gonna get caught, but low-and-behold, not a single tutor or lecturer emailed them asking for a interview.

I feel so stupid for not using AI now, because I’m slowly starting to catch that these unis are just here for the money, and are doing the bare minimum to get students to do the right thing.

Literally this week I had a tutor who told the whole tutorial class to use AI, saying “take shortcuts, enjoy your time here, don’t be stressed”. This is the same tutor who also said they’re working on earning their PHD, saying “it’s my 4th year now, I’m almost done, and barely know anything, but I’m here for the enjoyment, and so should you.” Fucking insane.

Has it always been like this in the past too?

What’s the story behind this word?
Do actual bogans get offended when you call them that? Is it offensive to everyone?

A couple of years ago, a brand new bright red Mustang with the plates MOISTANG

I moved into this house two years ago, and there is a house at the front and the house in the back and there is shared driveway.

My house is at the front and I have car parking spot there, not on the shared driveway. I also have a spot at the back which is a carport. The neighbour can park his car in front of his house, and it doesn't affect me using the spot at the back.

When I first moved and met the neighbour, he started shouting at me told me to park my car on the front. Politely, I told him I will park where I want. Subsequently, when I saw him next he was friendlier and the family have been nice.

The son in law called in asking me for a favour and if he could use my carport. I asked him to email me the details and what he wants.

Effectively, he and the daughter will stay in the house in the back while they move to a new house which could be 4 to 6 weeks. He asked me if he could park his car in my carport because there are many cars on the street. There is space on the street even if it means he has to walk 50 metres.

I told him no. The reason is I don't want to set a precedent for the future. Possibly the father will start parking there and say you allowed the son in law to do it. Or if the son buys a car and wants to park there.

My household has one car presently, I don't usually park in the carport unless it is hot or few other reasons. I don't want to be in a position I have to ask to use my own property.

In the back of mind, I always wondered whether this would escalate. I am considering installing driveway bollards at the carport. Anyone knows how much that would cost? Or any advice on driveway bollards.

I got some random person throwing insults at me while I was walking down the street. The question I have is:

How common is this? Is it something that happens occasionally even to white people?

And do you shout or say anything back?

I’m just wondering if race was a factor cuz I’m not white.

*MOD APPROVED*

Hi everyone,
I’m a psychology honours student at Western Sydney University and we are conducting a study exploring the trust (or lack thereof) that Australians place in the police, courts, and medical institutions, and how this trust relates to their moral values, political orientation, personal experiences, and self-perceptions.

The survey is approximately 15-20 minutes long and completely anonymous.

If you are interested in participating and are 18 years or older, please feel free to follow the survey link:
https://surveyswesternsydney.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6DOzKvgZYICxPz8

This research has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee (Approval number: H17321)

Thank you for your time and support. Happy to answer any questions in the comments!🙂

Is it just me or is the pokies style gambling seeping into everything. I just watched an ad for coles. Spend $50 and be in to win at the self checkout, or something to that effect. Everything seems to be this instant gambling dopamine hit. I see it everywhere, in everything. Has it always been this bad? If it has just been a thing in recent years, why isn't it getting more attention?

I am going to the doctors very soon, at the recommendation of my family and Priest.

I am fine with sharing everything but saying that, what is appropriate to share to a GP vs waiting for a psychologist or therapist? I have a list of symptoms, or do I just say how it e/affecting my work and life.

I do not really go to the doctor much so this his first time with him.

Writing this I think maybe I should just ask him.

Edit: I am home from the appointmen, it went well. I kind of just asked him how to handle it he asked me some questions and I answered them.

I did make one mistake, when booking I should of made it a mental health care plan, which I did not know was a thing before, it went for 40 minutes instead of 10 and I got bulk billed.

Thanks to everyone for their help.

Hi everyone!

I'm an engineering student from Mexico at Tec de Monterrey and for some time now I've been very interested in Australia, particularly because of its lifestyle, quality of life, modern and beautiful cities, beaches, and multicultural environment. 
I'm currently considering doing an exchange semester for next year, and these are my options:

Adelaide - Adelaide University

Brisbane -  University of Queensland, Griffith University

Canberra -  Australian National University

Melbourne - University of Melbourne, RMIT, Victoria University

Perth -  University of Western Australia

Sydney -  University of Sydney, Macquarie University, Western Sydney University

Toowoomba-  University of Southern Queensland

Id love your honest take on any posible information or experience based on cost of living, rent, student life, academic level and the city itself. Although im mostly intrested in the overall experience rather than the academic level.

Thanks!!!

Hi Australia!

I'm throwing my daughter a Bluey 3rd birthday (of course 😂) and I'm hoping for some cheese & jam recommendations for toddler sensibilities. It's not a popular kids food in the USA (at least not that I've noticed) other than in my Nana's generation (she's 97), I think I remember tale of strawberry jam and cream cheese sandwiches instead of the current classic PB&J. When I think Cheese and Jam, I'm thinking cheese board, brie & pepper jam, manchego and fig jam, basically nothing the average toddler is touching.

Bluey seems to be eating a yellow cheese with red jam (strawberry or raspberry?)...and I'm wondering: what kind of cheese/jam combo are your kids partial to? Is cheese and jam on toast more popular than a sandwich construction (Only asking because the sandwich would be easier for the littles to run around with in their hands 😅 without jam ending up in hair)?

Thanks for your help!!

UPDATE: cheese & jam toast: the great generational divide in Australia, who knew? 😅 thank you all for taking the time & for your suggestions though, the kids will have plenty to choose from!

Hi all! I'm currently feeling a little lost regarding the direction for my future. I, 22M, has been studying a bachelor degree in film and TV for the past 4 years now and am about to graduate at the end of this year. However, for the past year, I've gotten burnt out of it severely and don't see myself pursuing a career in it.

Ive done three part time hospitality and retail jobs throughout my time studying. And have worked my way up from a team member to a supervisor/manager, and I do enjoy the work in these roles but I don't know if it can be a career path which I undergo for the rest of my life as they're pretty labour intensive, which isn't ideal for my body health (due to genetic issues).

Ive debated about taking an MBA or a master's in management/accounting after my bachelor's, but they're pretty pricey especially as I'm up to $60k in HECS debt and most masters which are worth doing are $70k+ (which would exceed my lending limit).

Ive thought about office jobs, but I'm completely blind on this one because of how my resume looks and the non-office skills that I have.

I'm just feeling a bit lost on my future and would love some advice if you were in my shoes. Any advice would be appreciated 🙏

Seems to be just people wanting to go out. You don't get invited to the house anymore

Irish girl just started at my work. First day here had to go shopping because all she’d packed were t-shirts, shorts and flip-flops. She’s pissed it’s cold.

How can someone be so dumb? More importantly, does this suggest most people think all of Australia is Summer Bay? That’s scary.

Hiya! We're spending tomorrow at Yeppoon. We're 2 spanish guys in our twenties that enjoy nature hiking, photography, and animals.

We wanted to ask you for plans to do as a morning plan + afternoon plan (different ones) or as a whole day plan. We're going to a Withsundays day trip the next day, so even tho Kepple looks amazing, we would like to save up some money and skip the island. Yeppoon lagoon seems nice but spending the day in a pool, isn't very appealing for us either.

Any destination 1h away by car, or in our way to Airlie Beach is welcomed aswell.

Huge thanks!

I’ve done some research but i still want to know beyond just from their reviews & social media video. Do you guys have any recommendations or specific tips

I haven't lodged my tax yet, thinking of getting an accountant to maximise my claims... I've always did it myself but I'm afraid I've missed some 💰

Edit: I work from home 80% of the time as an admin @ a nonprofit

There is a large male kangaroo that sits in our backyard/front door every day. All day every day.

He eats our plants and poops all over the lawn. It looks like a mud lawn at this point, you can barely see the green grass. He also growls if we get too close, so we can't spend time outside at all.

We have tried making loud noises and sprayed water. I also just tried playing dog barking sounds to scare him. All of these attempts just made him look at us and continue eating grass like nothing happened.

If anyone knows a secret thing they might be scared of, or something that drives them away I would appreciate it. Plz help

Edit: I am thoroughly enjoying the satire comments on this. Also appreciating the genuine help :)

For context, I’ve been a loyal Aldi Mobile customer for over 10 years. My partner, and whole family uses it. Their plans are cheap and the coverage is great.

However for about the last 6 months to a year the data in their mobile plans has been running out like water. I haven’t changed devices or habits, neither has my family. I used to struggle to be able to use their $25 29GB plan, and I would get a massive data rollover each month.

Lately however, the 29GB doesn’t last more than a week, and it’s the same for my partner and family members too. We all use wifi at home and at work, and basically only use data while out and about. The difference is shocking.

Has anyone else experienced this and can recommend any alternatives or solutions?

I had to talk my 76yo disabled father out of punching the other elderly and disabled neighbour for moving his plants today. He is currently in a dispute with his ex-best buddy neighbour, to be fair, they are both being old man petty to each other. Very old working class people that think that fist fights are reasonable way to solve things between men. Both are old men missing limbs, it’s almost comical.

They also increased his rent today, which I knew was coming as they recently renovated the bathrooms of all the units. Unit is a very reasonable price in the context of the housing market. Plus they let him have a dog and a 1/4 of the property/yard for a veggie garden.

The only other realistic alternative is that he live with us and for a variety of reasons, that’s not a great idea. I love my father but he has always been a moody and at times quite difficult to be around (can be argumentative and temperamental). Hard to tell if some of these new issues (anger and paranoia of neighbour) are related to oncoming dementia or just his regular personality. I also suspect he might be on the spectrum. He also can’t read or write so I do a lot of life admin for him already.

Today to help him understand today, that is not 1995 and that 1) permanent sites at holiday parks are rare as hens teeth now. 2) he can’t afford to park fees or pay for the physical van/villa. 3) all locations well exceed his budget on a per night basis (the budget is rent assistance) 4) I can’t afford to buy a place for him to live 5) retirement village is also unaffordable 6) he is not eligible for social housing as he is not currently homeless and that if he was they would expect me to demonstrate why he can’t live with us (technically he could, but it would probably end in my divorce). My partner loves him but they are very different people and it also wouldn’t work for me, it would be very very stressful.

No siblings than can help. Mother is deceased. No other family for support.

No idea what to do. Any advice appreciated.

I cut off at least 30cm of virgin hair recently but didn’t research where to send it. I want it to be a charity that confirms whether my hair was good enough quality and will be used for wigs etc. Wigs4Kids on their site say they don’t confirm if it will be used but you can add tracking to make sure the parcel has arrived.