Arriving in Australia to Study

Welcome to Australia! You’ll be in good company! In fact, you’ll be choosing a popular study destination where students from over 150 countries study in Australia’s world-class education system.

What to Expect!
The education system In Australia is rated highly by world standards. It has a tradition of fostering independent thinking, multicultural exchanges, innovative learning approaches and creativity. So whatever course of study you choose, you’re sure to benefit from studying in Australia. The experience will provide you with academic as well as personal and professional advantages.

In fact, our website is designed to help you make your transition into life as a student in Australia. You’ll find information about your rights and responsibilities and how to make the most of your stay. So read on!

So you had a long flight and arrive in Australia excited but tired. Where to now?
When you are flying into Australia, the aircrew will hand you an Incoming Passenger Card. You will be required to fill this in and hand it back to the aircrew. Questions noted on the card relate to your identity and also what items you are carrying in your luggage. Please answer these questions accurately as you may be required to open your luggage for inspection by Customs officials at the Clearing Immigration and Customs checkpoints.

Once you reach Australia’s airport, and you feel a little lost, there will be many airport workers throughout the complex that can help you locate the appropriate official for help. Also, the airport features many signs that you can easily follow which shows you where the Immigration check-point is located. It is at this location that you will be asked to present your passport, visa and Incoming Passenger Card. It be also be useful to have your Confirmation of Enrolment document handy in case you asked to present this to the official. Although, it may seem daunting when you arrive in a new country, Australian airports have first-class facilities and its trained staff will be very happy to assist you. So don’t be afraid to ask for directions or help.

After you have successfully cleared the checkpoint, you will be permitted into the baggage lounge. It is here you will claim your luggage and then you may proceed to Customs and the baggage examination area. This area is sectioned into the Green (nothing to declare) and Red (something to declare) areas. If you choose to line-up in the red lane, your luggage (including hand luggage) will be x-rayed.  Also, a Customs official will require that you open your luggage for inspection of declared items.

The Customs official will decide whether you may keep your declared item, hold them in quarantine for a timeframe (where you can claim them at a later date) or dispose them. It is, therefore, essential that you ensure you’re well-aware of Australia’s quarantine laws; otherwise you may waste money on items that will be confiscated and placed in the trash bin! Whilst it may seem harsh to throw out your items deemed “unsafe”, this measure is a necessary precaution to ensure that Australia’s native fauna and flora are protected from introduced diseases and pests which pose a threat to Australia’s unique and beautiful wildlife and wilderness. However, once you have cleared this section, you may progress through the Customs checkpoint.

Please note that if you do not declare all your luggage items on your card, and you are randomly chosen to have your luggage inspected by officials, you could face being fined $220. If you may false statements, you could even be further prosecuted and fined more for more than $60,000.  There is even the risk of a 10 year jail term. So it really is vital that you pack only items that you are sure are legal to carry into Australia. However, if you do make an innocent mistake when packing, you will not be penalized if the goods you carry into Australia are declared.


What not to pack in your luggage?

The following items are prohibited in Australia. (Note: You can find further information on the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service website at www.agis.gov.au):

• Cooked or raw food items such as: canned meat products, eggs, egg products, seafood products, instant noodles, coffee, tea, cakes biscuits, confectionary, spice, dairy products, vegetables, dried fruit, rice, beverages, seeds and nuts.
• Animal materials including: wool, animal hair, feathers, horns, skins, furs, shells, bird’s eggs, live animals, coral, bee products, bones, horns, wool, animal hair, arts and crafts made with animal materials.
• Plant products such as: raw wooden items, wooden carvings, souvenirs, handicrafts, straw products, rattan baskets, potpourri, dried flowers, cane ware, bamboo, painted or lacquered wooden carvings, fresh flowers, and any other items that contain bark.
• Carrying AU$10,000 or more with you (or equivalent in foreign currency (this entails notes and coins of legal tender). You must declare this upon arrival or departure.
• Prescription medicines: there are restrictions and guidelines on these items so please examine the Australian Therapeutical Goods Administration at www.tga.gov.au for more information.
• Any type of weapons, firearms, and ammunition are absolutely prohibited. Australia has strict gun laws.

Leaving the airport

After you have successfully cleared the incoming passenger checkpoints, you will have gained official entry into Australia! As a welcome visitor of Australia, you will be directed to the arrivals hall. It is here you may exchange some money into Australian dollars. There are Currency Exchange booths in all parts the airport. Also, the arrivals hall is where you can meet-up with your Australian family or friends. It is also the main place where your pre-arranged Education representative can pick you up from the airport. (It can get crowded in this area as people disembark so it might be a good idea for your Education representative to hold a sign-up for you with your name!).

However, if you’re not meeting people at the airport, Australia’s Public transport is a highly reliable service and available at all international airports and most regional airports. This includes Public buses and trains. There are also privately run Taxi services, which you could use to transfer you from the airport to your accommodation. Whilst more expensive than Public transport costs, it is another way for you to travel from the airport. Of course, you can always speak to relevant staff at the airport to ascertain the best mode of transport for you to get. Lastly, note that if you need to make a connecting domestic flight, you may need to travel a short distance at the larger airports. (However, rest assured that these larger airports usually offer intra-airport terminal shuttle services to get you there faster, so do ask an airport official for directions to this service).