International Student in Australia: Pre-Departure and Pre-Arrival Checklist

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Mrunmayai Bobade
Updated on Jun 09, 2022 06:08 PM IST

Confused about what to bring to Australia and what not to bring? If you are preparing to start your adventure of studying in Australia, there are a few things you must know. This article provides all the insights you need to know about things to do before and after arriving in Australia.

Pre-Departure Checklist for International Students Going to Australia

Received yourConfirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and student visa for Australia? Congratulations! This is where your adventure of studying abroad begins. Now you need to create a to-do list to prepare for your departure. You will soon begin shopping, arranging flights, packing luggage, and whatnot. Undoubtedly, studying abroad requires substantial planning, but knowing in advance what you need to do before and after arriving in Australia helps simplify this process.

As an international student, you can expect a wide range of experiences ahead. So it is natural to feel a mix of exhilaration and fear of the unknown as you approach them. The task at hand is to maximise the opportunities that have been offered to you. Being a member of Australia's diversified student population and society will allow you to broaden your cultural knowledge and awareness. It might be a bit difficult to adjust to a new country in the initial days, but remember that it will be a rewarding experience once you get to know the country.

The task of successfully adapting to a new study system in a foreign background can be tough and time-consuming for any student. While academic success should be your primary goal studyingin Australia, you should take advantage of the various opportunities for personal growth and success that will present themselves to you.

Living alone in a foreign country, on the other hand, not only instils a sense of personal responsibility but also develops interpersonal skills. When it comes to personal responsibilities, make sure you have all of the essentials packed in your luggage before travelling to Australia. A good checklist is essential for this, as there are numerous items that an international student must bring with them before travelling or arriving in Australia. Let us now discuss what you should do before and after arriving in Australia.

Right from filling out an Australian student visa application to providing an international student checklist for Australia, our experts have helped many Indian students to study at their dream Australian university.

Are You Planning to Study in Australia as an International Student?

Things to do Before Arriving in Australia

Make yourself at ease before departing for Australia by organising your first few days in the country. International students are assisted by Australian institutions in making this vital move by providing airport pickup, temporary housing, and an orientation session. However, before you depart to Australia, research well about the country and the place where you will be residing, either on-campus or off-campus. A general checklist of items you should be aware of is provided below:

Important Documents and Photocopies

Whether you are staying on-campus or off-campus, or if you are in the middle of a medical emergency, you should have certain vital documents with you. The following documents are a must-carry for international students travelling to Australia:

  • Letter of acceptance from an Australian university

  • Enrollment confirmation letter (CoE)

  • A valid passport and an Australian student visa

  • Confirmation of your airport pickup and your lodging information by the university

  • Important certificates, attested mark sheets, and work experience letters

  • Health insurance details

  • Prescriptions to help you with any required medications

  • An international driver's licence, credit card, birth certificate, and ten passport-size photos

  • Receipts for any associated payments, such as school fees and health insurance

  • List of important phone numbers and addresses in both Australia and India

Check-in Luggage

Make sure the things you might need to declare at customs are conveniently accessible when packing your luggage. Keep in mind that the economy class check-in weight is normally 20 kg (check the baggage allowance with your airline). Your luggage should be prominently labelled with your name, contact information, and your institution's address.

Keep your passport and your institution's Notice of Arrival or Confirmation of Enrolment, as well as the International Office's contact information with you at all times. If you get confused about what to do at the airport, ask for help from an official.

Note: Never agree to carry a bag or other item to Australia for someone else since it could contain prohibited materials for which you may be held responsible.

Other Essential Items to Carry

After you have packed all of the necessary documents, it is time to pack the rest of your belongings. The following items can be purchased when you arrive in Australia or carried if your luggage is not overloaded:

  • Backpack, blanket, stationery, pillow coverings, bedsheets, towels, alarm clock, and other personal items.

  • Clothing and footwear

  • Electrical items, such as a music system or PC, can be transported, but only with legitimate bills. Although the voltage in Australia is the same as in India i.e., 240 Volts but you will need a separate electrical socket.

How Much Cash Should You Take?

International students are already at risk of being mugged or duped if they are not extra careful in a foreign place. In such a situation, one of the most important precautions students can take is to avoid carrying a large sum of money. A minimum amount of AUD 1,000 in cash and travellers' checks is usually plenty for your first few days in Australia. Post this, you can take out cash as and when necessary.

Aside from the checklist, there are other aspects to the Australian student visa applications that can only be completed timely. With years of expertise, our study abroad counsellors have assisted many Indian students to study hassle-free in Australia.

Things to do After Arriving in Australia

Just like there were so many things to do while planning your pre-departure to Australia. Similarly, there are other tasks that you must complete after arriving in Australia. It is natural to take time to acclimatise to new surroundings and develop new acquaintances all at once. For this, it is also essential that you properly review the following information to ensure a cosy continuation of your studies in Australia.

Customs Declaration Check

A Customs Declaration form will be given to you before you arrive in Australia. You must declare any food or other things that are forbidden from entering Australia on this form. If you have any of the things specified on the Customs Declaration Form, you must declare them and go through the Red Channel, where an Australian Customs Officer will ask to check the goods you have mentioned.

A representative from the university will greet you if you have scheduled an airport pickup. You will be brought to your temporary lodging if you have reserved it. After this, you must notify your university of your arrival and attend the institution's orientation session.

From the minute you arrive in Australia, you are covered by health insurance. For this, you need to collect your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) receipt when you arrive at your institute. Confirm your OSHC at a Medibank branch or customer service centre near you.

Know Your Work Rights as an International Student

As an international student, you can apply to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) of the Australian government for permission to work 20 hours per week during your academics and full time during vacations.

The cost of applying for a work permit is AUD 50. You can apply for a work permit only after you are in Australia, and you will be unable to work without one. When filling out an employment declaration form before starting a job, keep in mind that international students who work in Australia are required to pay taxes as per the government rules.

The Australian Taxation Office will require you to apply for a Tax File Number (TFN) and complete the TFN Application Form. When opening a bank account, you will also need your TFN.

Open a Bank Account and Exchange Foreign Currency

In Australia, cash payments are only accepted in Australian dollars. Foreign exchange services are generally available at all international airports as well as throughout Australian banks.

It is also a good idea to open an Australian bank account so that you may arrange direct bank transfers for any money transfers into your account. To open a bank account, you must complete a bank application form and submit your student ID, passport and Social Security Number.

Australia Student Visa Rules and Regulations

International students need to adhere to important rules that are bound to the Australian Student Visa. The following are the most important rules to remember for new students in Australia:

  • You are expected to study a full-time programme.

  • To keep your enrolment valid, you must attend at least 80% of your scheduled lectures (education institutions are required by law to maintain attendance).

  • If your address in Australia changes or you transfer to another educational institution, or you withdraw from the course you are enrolled in, you must notify the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

  • When the university is in session, students can not work more than 20 hours a week.

  • If you plan to stay in Australia after your student visa expires, you must renew it before the expiry date.

Note: Any violation of the requirements of an Australian Student Visa will result in its revocation and a students departure from the country.

Pre-departure Student Checklist for Australia

It is always a good idea to start planning ahead of time to avoid a last-minute rush. This will ensure that your journey is trouble-free and that you feel at ease once you arrive in Australia. Here is a complete pre-departure checklist for international students to keep in mind before departing or arriving in Australia for a hassle-free stay:

1. Visa Ensure that you have a valid visa well in advance of your departure date. Before you take the flight, make sure you have all of your visa documents required for Australia (including your electronic confirmation of enrollment or eCoE).

2.Vaccination International students must travel no sooner than seven days after getting a dose of a TGA-approved or recognised vaccine (Covid-related or other required vaccines). International students must show confirmation of immunisation and a negative result from a recognised test within three days before departure.

3. Passport Before you travel to Australia, be sure your passport is valid for at least the first six months. Making hard copies of your passport is also a smart idea in case of any emergency you may face in Australia as an international student.

4. Travel insurance You should consider travel insurance in addition to your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), which covers things like cancelled flights and some medical expenditures. For more information and guidance on the best travel insurance policy for you, contact your education or travel agent.

5. Contact details Carry a list of emergency contact information for family and any personal contacts in Australia, as well as your embassy, lodging, and institution information. If you run into any problem or confusing situation after arriving in Australia, these contact details may help you get out of it.

6. Inform education provider of your address You must notify your education provider of your residence address within seven days after arriving in Australia, as per the Australian visa condition 8533.

7. Accommodation Before you arrive, double-check that your accommodation has been booked and confirmed. Make a note of the accommodations address and phone number.

8. Set a budget- Aside from visa fees, tuition, flights, and lodging, you may need to set a budget for extra expenses. These expenses include mandatory healthcare and travel insurance. Also, there are so many things to buy, starting from new clothes to books, for which you must have a new budget planned ahead.

9. Unlock your phone- You will be able to use any SIM card if your phone has been unlocked from your current network operator. When you arrive in Australia and do not want to buy another phone, this makes things a lot easier. If you are looking for a new phone, the majority of them are sold as unlocked, allowing you to choose your operator.

10. What you can (and cannot) bring into Australia You must be aware of what you can and cannot bring into Australia because it has strict rules about the entry of certain items. If you fail to disclose biosecurity goods accurately at the Australian border, you can face penalties. This implies that you must declare the following items when you arrive in Australia:

  • Anything edible, plant-based, or animal-based

  • AUD 10,000 in Australian Dollars (or foreign equivalent)

  • Ammo, weapons, and firearms

For any international student, it is important to know what to do before and after you arrive in Australia. An updated international student checklist is necessary to ensure that you are prepared for any eventuality. You can also take assistance from those who have already studied in Australia as they can guide you in detail about everything related to studying in Australia.

Do you feel this information is insufficient? There is always more to learn about which only specialists can provide! For more information regarding the checklist for Australia, contact us at abroad@collegedekho.com.

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