Why semester starts so early at USyd? Or is it same in Australia?

At the University of Sydney, there are two  intakes: Semester 1 runs from February to June, and Semester 2 goes from July to November. This system gives students options for when to start their studies, meaning you don't have to start from Semester 1.

The timing of semesters at USyd aligns with the Southern Hemisphere's seasons which may differ from academic calendars in other parts of the world. There is break from December to February, which is considered summer in Southern Hemisphere. 

While teaching calendars differ from one university to another, I cannot say all unis start at the same time and they might possibly have more than 2 intakes. For more information, visit university websites.