Before Going to Australia

Before your move
The better prepared you are the more likely you are to enjoy your study experience in Australia. There are many things to considered before you begin your studies in Australia and it is important that you read this section.

Trip preparations
You will need to do many things to prepare for your trip to Australia. We recommend that you give yourself plenty of time to prepare for your trip. Below is a checklist of some of the things you will need to do after your have accepted your offer and applied for your student visa .
Pre-departure checklist
1 Check that your student visa is valid for the duration of your studies in Australia.
2 Check your passport expiry date. It should not expire during your stay in Australia and we recommend that it is valid for an extra 6 months just in case you need extra time in Australia or you want to go travelling after studying.
3 Book a flight to Australia. There are hundreds of airlines that fly to Australia, check for the best ticket price on the website.
4 Arrange your accommodation either on-campus with your institution or book some temporary accommodation again through your institution or directly with an accommodation provider.
5 Book your airport pick up service with you institution.
6 Get medical, dental and optical check ups before you leave.
7 Get all your important documents translated into English (if necessary)
8 Put together a list of your friends and families contact details!
9 Get an international drivers license if you want to drive in Australia.
10 Make arrangements for someone to look after your mail or affairs while you are Australia.
11 Research information about Customs and Quarantine regulations in Australia.
12 Research information about the city you are going to.
13 Pack and lock all your luggage!
14 Say goodbye to friends and family and tell them you will talk to them soon.
15 Start dreaming about your great experience of Study in Australia!


What to pack

Clothing
As you will see from the Australian Climate section, the temperature in Australia is quite temperate. It can get quite hot in summer but it doesn’t get as cold as a lot of countries in the northern hemisphere.
We recommend you pack sensibly and bring with you what you think you will really need clothes wise.
Jeans, t-shirts and comfy shoes are a must! We don’t want to list each item of clothing you should bring as we think that it is a bit personal!
Bring the essentials with you and whatever you didn’t bring and need, you can always go shopping! Remember, shopping in Australia is great and affordable, so if you need to buy any clothes you can easily buy them within your budget.


Adaptor plugs
Australia has a different voltage and plug design than other countries The Australian three-pin outlet is different from most countries, so you may need to purchase an adaptor plug for the electrical appliances you bought from home e.g. laptop, hair dryer, etc. Adaptor plugs are readily available at travel or electrical stores around Australia. The international adapter plugs you purchase overseas should be fine also, as long as they say they will work in Australia!
It is important to consider that Australia uses 240/250 volts, AC 50 Hz cycle.



Official Documents
It is VERY IMPORTANT that you bring to Australia all of your official documents for study and personal documents which you may need during your time in Australia.

IMPORTANT DOCUMENT CHECKLIST
Passport (check that your passport is valid for the total duration of your study program in Australia)

Student visa (This will usually be in your passport, but bring with you any other document relating to your visa and ensure your visa is valid for your entire study program.)

Offer letter, Acceptance letter, Confirmation of Enrolment Letter (eCoE) and any other formal documentation sent to you from your institution (eg. Scholarship letter etc.)

Documents outlining your academic history which may include your transcripts, educational and work qualifications, reference letters and course outlines if you hope to gain credit for your previous study.

Formal identification papers (eg. Birth Certificate, Proof of Citizenship, valid drivers license and credit cards)

Medical and immunisation records (in English if possible)

Receipts of valuable new goods

Legal documents which you may need in Australia.

Certified copies of your passport (put a copy in your luggage)

A valid Drivers License and/or an International Drivers License if you think you will be driving in Australia.


Cash
It is generally recommended that you carry with you AU$1,000 – AU$2,000 in cash which you can use for essentials and or emergencies when you first arrive in Australia. Remember to keep your money in a safe place.
Please note – There is no limit to the amount of cash you can bring into Australia however, amounts of $10,000 must be declared to Australian customs when you arrive in Australia.

Electrical Goods
If you want to bring your laptop, digital camera, Ipod, hairdryer, etc. to Australia we recommend checking first if they use the same voltage as Australia. Most of these goods are capable to work in different countries but it is better to check before bring them to Australia.
You should check also if you mobile or cell phone will work in Australia. Some companies or mobile phone devices have limitations or specific parameters. We recommend you to contact your local phone provider and ask about this. If you phone is GSM you can visit the website and see if your phone will work in Australia.
Sometimes international students ask us if it is a better idea to buy electrical goods in Australia rather than carry them from their countries. This is a good option if you are staying in Australia for a long period, also it is a good option to ensure that these devices will work in Australia and you will get technical assistance if it is required. We just recommend you to check products and prices before you make your decision.
You may like to have a look on the following websites to find out how much electrical items cost in Australia.

Other items to bring:
Bring a positive attitude with you to start this amazing new journey!

Personal items that will remind you of home (eg. Photos, music, recipes).

Medication and prescription details. Please check the Australian Customs website to check what medications you can bring to Australia.

Optical spares.

Other personal items what will help you in Australia such as a dictionary, alarm clock, umbrella, sports equipment and other accessories.

Basic household items if you are really attached to them as some of these items may not be provided in your accommodation.

Some of your favorite foods, but check what you can bring through Australian customs first!
Contact details of all your friends and family. We recommend you keep all of these details online as this is the easiest way to access them and that way you can’t loose them!


Accommodation Options
Before you travel it is important to plan where you want to live when you get to Australia. It is also important to either book permanent/long-term or temporary accommodation before leaving for Australia to ensure you have somewhere to stay when you first arrive to Australia .

Permanent / Long Term Accommodation
Permanent or Long term accommodation is usually offered by your institution. This is usually based on campus or close to campus you will generally live with other new international students.
Before you get to Australia we recommend you to collect information about the accommodation options offered by your institution and see which one is better for you. This is also a good time to get information on the suburbs close to the institution.
Detailed information about permanent accommodation is available in Arriving to Australia Section.

Temporary Accommodation
Temporary accommodation is available in hostels, backpackers, hotels and motels. International students usually book temporary accommodation if they don’t want to pre-book more permanent accommodation before they arrive in Australia. It is best to book temporary accommodation for at least 1-2 weeks as this would give you the opportunity to get to know the city and surroundings, and see with your own eyes where you want to live.
Your institution can usually help you book temporary accommodation or you can book it directly with your chosen accommodation provider.



Health Insurance
Australia has a special system of health cover for international students and it is generally known as Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
All international students except students from Sweden and Norway are required to have OSHC.
Having OSHC is a condition of your student visa for the total duration of your study time in Australia. This is important as international students are not be covered by Australia’s national health program, which is called ‘Medicare’.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) provides affordable health cover designed to cover the medical and hospital services you may need while in Australia.
There are many OSHC providers in Australia and your university or institution will recommend a provider to you when you apply as most universities have chosen a preferred provider.
OSHC is available for singles or for families who may be traveling with you to Australia. Please note, that it is important that you indicate to your institution, what level of cover you require.
The issuing of OSHC is regulated by the Australian Government. Only Australian health funds that have signed a Deed with the Australian Government can provide OSHC.

The four providers of OSHC in Australia are:
1) Medibank Private
2) Lysaght sub-contracting to OSHC Worldcare
3) BUPA Australia
4) OSHC, sub-contracting to Australian Health Management Group -


How to get OSHC
To enable you to obtain your student visa, you will need to obtain OSHC cover before applying for your visa. Your university or institution will lodge your OSHC application and your payment to the specific OSHC provider at the time of processing your enrolment. You will then obtain all your membership details during your orientation and enrolment program or when you first arrive in Australia.

How much does it cost
The cost of OSHC depends on how long you will be studying in Australia. Your university or each provider will be able to provide more information to you regarding costs. Alternatively, you can visit the individual OSHC website to obtain more information.
You institution may require you to pay the total cost of OSHC which will cover your entire duration in Australia. This can be of benefit to you as you then don’t need to worry about your cover expiring and renewing your cover.

Extending your cover
If your OSHC is close to expiring or has expired you much renew your membership if you will continue to stay and study in Australia.
Usually the provider or your institution will send you reminders to extend your cover however, it will be your responsibility to ensure you are fully covered by OSHC.
Health Benefits are not paid if your OSHC has expired.

What is covered?
OSHC covers most medical expenses and the cost of hospital care which you may need while in Australia. OSHC will also pay for most prescription drugs and emergency ambulance transport. Please carefully check what is covered via your providers website.

What is not covered?
Dental and optometry costs are usually not included but students may also take out additional cover. Students are reminded that OSHC does not cover any pre-existing conditions (such as pregnancy or prior illness) and such expenses must be met by the student.