Check your passport’s expiry date and ensure it’s valid for the full length of your student visa. Make two printed copies of your passport and visa. Bring one printed copy with you, but keep it separate from the originals. Leave the second printed copy at home with your family. You may also want to take a photo with your phone of your passport and visa, so you have a digital copy as well. Taking these precautions will help in case you lose the originals.
Wait until your student visa has been issued and tuition fees are paid before making travel plans. You should book flights to Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) soon after this. If you will be staying in a homestay, once your flights are booked, your parents or education agent will be required to complete the Flight Details Form and email it to the Department of Education (the department). This is so that the International Student Coordinator (ISC) at your new school can plan for your arrival.
Once you have your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) letter and Australian visa, you can book your flight to Melbourne, Victoria.
Homestay students should not arrive earlier than one week before the first day of school. If possible, you should plan to arrive on a flight that arrives at Melbourne airport between 6am and 8pm. This timing ensures that your school can pick you up from the airport and take you to your homestay family. .
Your parents should contact the department if you cannot arrive in time as this will impact your studies and potentially your visa.
Your health and medical history are important. Make appropriate preparations for your health when travelling to Victoria.
You must continue to use your medication while in Victoria. Stopping your medication without professional medical advice is dangerous and can negatively impact your health and studies.
Before leaving your home country, ask your doctor for enough medicine for the first 3 months of study in Victoria and for a letter that includes the pharmaceutical name of, and reason for, any medicine you are planning to bring or may need to buy in Australia. A documented medical history will ensure you get proper care, keep you safe in an emergency and help you study effectively.
For more information, refer to the Australian Department of Home Affairs health requirements before leaving home at: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/health.
You should take out travel insurance in case you need medical care on your way to Australia. You will also need to arrange Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) as part of your enrolment process. The department can arrange OSHC for you which is an option on the application form. If you selected health cover, speak to your ISC once you arrive at school to arrange for your OSHC card to be sent to your home or school.
Your OSHC starts one week before your course start date, even if you don’t have the card yet. This medical insurance provides basic cover, so make sure you understand any limits or conditions.
Extended health insurance can be arranged once you arrive in Victoria. Your ISC will help you with this, if required. For more information on OSHC, see: studyaustralia.gov.au/en/plan-your-move/overseas-student-health-cover-oshc
It’s important to tell your current bank that you are about to travel and arrange to either access money in Australia or make payments in foreign currency. Your ISC or homestay family can help you set up a bank in Australia when you arrive.
Ask your mobile phone carrier if your phone will work in Australia. You might need a new SIM or handset to use while you’re here.
