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Step 5 - Pre-departure


Step 5 - Pre-departure

Before making final preparations for your trip, ensure your student visa is granted.

Institution admission notice and information package

The institution in which you have enrolled will send you a confirmation of enrolment and an information package. This package is very important because it contains information on your selected course, your accommodation options and important events that you should attend during the first weeks of study. It may include information about the city you are going to, its climate, your likely clothing requirements, information about local customs, shopping facilities, accommodation, transport, banking, mail and telephone services, the estimated cost of living and the amount of money you should bring with you when you first arrive, arrangements for your welcome and settling-in period and the date by which you are expected to arrive. Be sure to contact your institution if you don't receive this material before leaving your country.

Arranging finances, transport and accommodation

Unless you are being supported by an agent you will have to purchase your air tickets. 
You should make sure you have a place to stay when you arrive in Australia so it is a good idea to ask the institution to arrange a homestay or other accommodation for 2-4 weeks. During this time you can find your permanent accommodation. If you have not asked the institution to arrange accommodation you will need to book your own accommodation. The international office of your institution may be able to help you find suitable accommodation, either on-campus or off-campus, once you arrive in Australia.
You should also exchange some money for Australian Dollars. Traveller cheques are accepted in most major cities and there are auto bank facilities that accept the major credit cards. For further information on accommodation options and study costs, please have a look at the Study Costs section of this website.

Pre-departure seminars

It is recommended that you check with your institution or a local Australian Education Centre whether there are pre-departure briefings arranged. 

Australian quarantine and customs

Students are often surprised by how strict Australian Customs Services and quarantine can be. If you're in doubt about whether your goods are prohibited or not, declare it anyway on the Incoming Passenger Card which you will receive on the plane. Students have received on the spot fines for not declaring items. 
When you have goods to declare, your luggage, including your hand luggage, may be x-rayed. A Customs official will ask you to open your luggage so that they can inspect these items. If the Customs official decides that an item is not quarantined, you will be allowed to keep the item and move through the Customs checkpoint. If the item is quarantined, the item will either be confiscated and destroyed, or held for decontamination and returned to you at a later date.
Many items are prohibited from entry into Australia. You can find a full list on the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service website at www.aqis.gov.au
Some items that international students mistakenly try to bring in include:
  • food (includes cooked and raw food and ingredients, dried fruit and vegetables, canned meat products, dairy products, egg and egg products, fish and other seafood products, instant noodles and rice, herbs and spices, biscuits, cakes and confectionary, tea, coffee and other beverages, and seeds and nuts);
  • plant material (including painted, lacquered or raw wooden carvings, handicrafts and souvenirs made from plant material, straw products, bamboo, cane or rattan basket ware, potpourri, fresh or dried flowers, and items that contain bark);
  • animal products (including feathers, bones, horns, wool, animal hair, skins, furs, shells, coral, bee products, live animals, and birds’ eggs); and
  • amounts of A$10,000 or more carried with you, or equivalent in foreign currency (meaning notes and coins of legal tender), must be reported on arrival or departure.
There are also restrictions on which prescribed medicines you can bring into Australia. Check with the Australian Therapeutical Goods Administration at www.tga.gov.au
All firearms, weapons and ammunition are also prohibited.
You are on your way. After your arrival in Australia you will receive orientation at the institution.

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