Before you Leave

After you have carefully scrutinized Australia’s educational opportunities, decided on your preferred study destination in Australia and successfully obtained a student visa for Australia, for many of you, your visit to Australia will mark your first visit to the land downunder. A variety of experiences await you and it’s quite natural to face them with a blend of both excitement and anxiety about the unknown. The challenge is to take full advantage of the opportunities presented to you. The benefits of being part of a multicultural student population and society in Australia will give you the chance to develop your knowledge and understanding of new cultures. Your time in Australia will be both challenging and rewarding.

For any student the process of successfully adapting to the rigors of a new study system in a different culture can be little difficult and can take some time. While academic success will be your main focus, you should make the most of the other opportunities that will present themselves to you for your greater personal growth and success.

Before you are ready to depart for Australia, make yourself comfortable by planning your initial days in Australia. Institutions in Australia help international students make this important transition by giving them an airport pickup, arranging for temporary accommodation and by giving them an orientation session. But before you leave, get to know Australia through the eyes of a student by seeking answers to the queries and situations you might face. Given below is a general checklist of items you should make yourself aware of.

Important documents (originals in your carry-on luggage and photocopies in your check-in luggage)

  • your valid passport with a valid Australian student visa; (Electronic Approval Print Out)
  • your letter of offer from the Australian institution, your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), confirmation of your airport pickup by the institution (If organised through institution ) and your accommodation details;
  • receipts of any related payments you have made including tution fees, OSHC (Health Insurance) etc.
  • attested mark sheets and certificates and work experience letters;
  • your birth certificate and credit card;
  • prescriptions to support your use of any required medications.

Packing

It’s worth packing a few mementos from home that will give you some comfort when you’re missing your friends and family, but keep in mind that most airlines have a checked baggage restriction of about 20kg (about 44lb).

The type of clothing you should bring with you depends on the part of the country you will be living in, and the time of year you arrive. The Australian summer coincides with the first academic semester in February, which is when most international students arrive. This means that you can probably get by with jeans, t-shirts and light jackets. If you arrive in time for the second academic semester around July, you’ll need to pack some warm jumpers or sweaters, long-sleeved t-shirts and a coat to cope with winter weather. However, Australian winters are mild in comparison to the icy weather you’d encounter in the Northern Hemisphere. Check out www.bom.gov.au for the latest weather information around Australia.

Check in Luggage

  • When packing your luggage, make sure you keep the items you might need to declare at customs easily accessible. Keep in mind that the check- in weight for economy class is usually 30 kg (check baggage allowance with your airline). Your luggage should be clearly labelled with your name, contact address and the address of your institution.
  • It is advisable to lock your luggage, however if a search of your luggage is necessary due to security issues the lock may be broken. Never agree to bring a bag or other items to Australia for someone else as it may contain something illegal and you will be held accountable for it.
  • Keep your passport and the  Confirmation of Enrolment from your institution with you at all times, along with your contact details of the International Office at your institution. If you are unsure of what to do at the airport, ask an official for help.

Certain things which you can and should keep in your luggage are:

  • Required clothing and footwear.
  • Backpack, stationery, blanket, bedsheets, pillow cases, towels, alarm clock etc
  • Electrical appliances like music system, computer etc can be carried but carry valid bills along. Australian voltage is 240Volts, but you will require a different electrical plug or socket.

Money

You should bring enough Australian currency in cash for your first few days, without carry large amounts of cash on you. You should also have easy access to about AU$1500–3,000 in travellers’ cheques (in your name) so that you can start establishing yourself and setting up your new home quickly.
Note that if you are carrying more that AU$10,000, or equivalent currency, you must declare it to Customs officials when you enter Australia.

Arriving in Australia

  • Before arrival in Australia, you will be issued a Customs Declaration form on the aeroplane. This form requires you to declare any food items or other items prohibited from entry into Australia. If you are carrying any of the items listed on the Customs Declaration Form, you will be required to declare them and pass through the Red Channel where an Australian Customs Officer will ask to inspect your goods that you have declared. If there is nothing to declare you can pass through the green channel. You can import goods worth AUD 400 if you have owned and used them for less than 12 months. Anything above amount that is taxable. Please note that all luggage is x-rayed upon its arrival in Australia so make sure that you declare any items listed on the Customs Declaration Form.
  • If you have booked for an airport pickup, a representative of the institution will greet you. If you have booked for a temporary accommodation, you will be taken there.
  • When you arrive at your institute, please collect your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) receipt.

Insurance

Chances are pretty good that your trip will go smoothly and you won’t encounter any problems. Even so, you should plan for the unexpected. Cancelled flights, lost luggage and wallets can end up costing you a lot of time and money, so take out travel insurance before you leave. It won’t guard against bad things happening, but it will protect you against having to cover unexpected costs.

All student visa holders entering Australia must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their stay. OSHC will help you pay for any visits to the doctor you may have while in Australia. Go to the Overseas Student Health Cover page for information on what your OSHC will cover.

Exchanging Foreign Currency and Opening a Bank Account

Australian currency is the only acceptable mode of cash payment in Australia. Foreign Exchange facilities are widely available at all international airports and through banks operating in Australia. It is also a good idea to set up an Australian Bank account so that you can organise any transfers of money into your account by a direct bank transfer. To open a bank account you will need to fill out a bank application form and submit your passport, student ID and your Tax File Number.

The normal banking hours in Australia are from 9:30am – 4pm, Monday to Thursday and 9:30am – 5pm on Fridays.  Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are widely used in Australia for after hours banking. Both Credit and Debit (EFTPOS) cards are widely accepted in most shops.

Adjusting to study and life in Australia

A different country means experiencing a culture that is different to the one that you are used to. It is normal to experience a form of “culture shock” initially but this will pass quickly. When in new culture it is a good idea to observe the habits and customs of other people for they may express their feelings differently from people of your own culture but it is also important to have confidence in your own traditional values. Learn about the Australian social and educational culture.

  • Australia is one of the most multi-cultural societies in the world. Over 20% of Australian citizens were born overseas and they are drawn from over 200 different nations. Around 20% of Australians speak a language other than English in their home. All forms of religion are represented in Australia and they are freely practised.
  • Australians are generally friendly, direct and informal in their dealings with each other. Australian’s believe in equality and a “fair go”. People who work in non-professional or “blue collar” jobs such as cleaners, bus driver etc receive the same respect as those who work in professional jobs. Also it is illegal to discriminate against others on grounds of race, gender, religion etc.
  • Punctuality is important, therefore if you are running late, you should always inform whom you are meeting.
  • People in Australia form queues to buy food, wait for service from a bank teller, to board a bus or train and it is impolite to push ahead of someone already in the queue.
  • People often use the first name, even with respected elders.

There is a lot more you will learn about Australian people but be positive, be flexible and try to adapt. Listen, observe and ask whenever you are in doubt.

The method of study in Australia may be very different to what you have experienced so far. Therefore it is important to give yourself a head start. Keep up to date with Australian news and current affairs (try Australian news websites and become familiar with Australia’s education system and learning culture. When you arrive, practice listening to the Australian accent – it is different but you will soon understand the local terms and way of speaking.

In Australia, students are expected to conduct independent research, collect and analyse data by themselves or in-groups, to raise questions, to participate in discussions and debates with other students and teachers. Rote learning does not exist and students take an active part in the learning process. Students spend a great deal of time in libraries and laboratories conducting their own research. To be a successful student you will need to adapt to these new methods of learning and assessment. Students are assessed continuously through essays, presentations, tests, assignments etc. One thing that may surprise you is the amount of access that you will be able to obtain with your tutors and lecturers. If you are having an academic problem, discuss it with them – don’t let it develop from a minor issue into a major problem for you.