Australia Checklist

Before you leave

Now that you have your student visa, we’re going to give you a checklist on what to prepare for your travels.

• Obtain your student visa
• Ensure you have your Confirmation of Enrolment (this should arrive once your student visa is assured)
• Pack a few comforting personal mementos from home
• When packing, remember that most airlines restrict checked baggage to approximately 20kg (i.e. 44lb).
• Remember to pack suitable clothing for the climate and the season of the year in which you arrive. (Please note that the Australian summer starts in December and ends in February.

Most academic semesters also start in February, which is when most international students commence their course. In this way, suitable items to pack would include t-shirts, jeans and light-weight jackets. Alternately, if you start your course in the second academic semester which is usually July, you’ll be starting your course in Winter. Winter in Australia begins in June and ends in August. In which case, you’ll need to pack clothes appropriate for colder weather. This may entail warm undergarments, jumpers, sweaters and a good winter coat. It really depends on which region you’ll be studying as to whether you’ll need clothes for icy weather such as Melbourne or relatively mild sub-tropical places like Sydney and Brisbane. In this way, it is strongly advised you research the climate of the place you’ll be studying to properly prepare yourself).

• Bring along your favorite tunes on your portable mp3 player. This helps keep you cheerful!
• Take your mobile phone with you and your mobile recharge equipment.
• Safely pack your laptop in your carry-on luggage to prevent its theft or damage.
• Remember to pack other electronic equipment you’ll need like cameras
• You’ll also need to purchase and pack power adaptors suitable for use in Australia.
• Pack some yummy candy to help give you a quick energy boost when you’re waiting in the departure lounges on your travels. (However, don’t pack any exotic items like seeds, cheeses or fruits etc as they are not allowed in Australia and will be disposed of once you arrive. The quarantine laws in Australia are strictly enforced and undisclosed items can attract hefty fines.  
• Ensure you take photocopies of all your important documents and leave a copy with your family and pack a copy too. Documents which should be photocopied include: your passport, visa, receipt numbers on your travelers’ cheques, your flight tickets, travel insurance documents, ATM cards, credit cards and your Confirmation of Enrolment.
• Put all the original documents (of your photocopies) in your hand luggage where you can access them easily.
• Place your passport in your hand luggage to present at every official checkpoint in the airport.
• Lock your luggage (but note that if your luggage is deemed a security risk, it will be broken into and checked inside by airport officials).
• Do not travel with luggage you did not pack. It may contain illegal items for which you could be held responsible for and incur a legal penalty.
• Organize and pack your insurance documents. Travel insurance can cover the cost of lost luggage, cancelled flights and subsequent costs like hotel accommodation etc.
• Ensure you’ve packed your Health Cover (OSHC) documentation. This enables you to receive medical attention and help pay for doctor visits in Australia.
• Money in various ways including: Australian currency to last your first days of arrival in Australia; a reasonable amount of money in traveler’s cheques (in your name) which would equate to AU$1500–3,000 so that you can purchase items to help establish yourself in your new home. (However, if you intend to carry more than AU$10,000 you will need to declare it to Customs officials when you enter Australia).
• Organize your permanent accommodation far in advance of your arrival so that you have somewhere to stay. However, if you choose to find permanent accommodation whilst in Australia, it is strongly advised that you at least organize some sort of short-term accommodation so you can rest a few days and revive your energies before seeking available and suitable places to stay for the remainder of your studies. Of course, by taking the second option, you also have the added benefit of better assessing a private rental accommodation’s suitability i.e. whether an accommodation’s distance from the campus is reasonable and whether its suburb’s facilities are attractive to you over the long-term.  To further help you navigate in this important area, you may contact your Education institution in Australia for direct assistance. You may also contact the YHA which specialize in youth hostels. They offer cheap accommodation options. There are other last-minute internet hotel and apartment booking services too which are useful but expensive. Costs for these services can range from AU$80 to AU$150 plus per night! It is, therefore, a cost saving exercise as well as a practical consideration that you prepare your accommodation far in advance so you source reasonable accommodation at a reasonable price.