Travel
Booking your travel
You can book your flights once your application has been processed, your deposit has been paid and your student visa has been issued.
It is advisable to arrive 2-3 weeks before your course starts. This will allow you to organise accommodation and settle in before you begin classes.
Travel insurance
It is advisable to purchase travel insurance when you book your flights to Australia. Travel insurance can offer protection against a range of unforeseen events, including; medical emergencies, flight cancellations, emergency accommodation and vehicle accidents.
Money
Arrive with some Australian dollars to help you access amenities and make some local purchases like groceries.
It is also helpful to have a credit card for emergencies. The most common credit cards used in Australia are Visa and MasterCard. American Express and Diners Club credit cards are also accepted by some businesses.
International arrivals
On the plane, you will be given an incoming passenger card. You will need to fill in your flight details and customs information.
When you arrive at the airport, you will need your passport and incoming passenger card for the entry control point.
When you have passed through the entry control point, you will collect your baggage and exit the terminal via customs and quarantine.
Quarantine, customs and goods to declare
Australian customs and quarantine regulations restrict you from bringing certain items into Australia and you must declare some items on your incoming passenger card.
If you are carrying any restricted or quarantine items, including food, medication, wooden material, plant material or animal products, you must declare them. Alternatively, you can place them in the quarantine bins when you arrive at the airport.
To declare an item, tick ‘yes’ on your incoming passenger card.
If you are unsure about an item you are carrying, declare it by ticking ‘yes’.
All luggage is screened using a combination of specially trained dogs, x-ray machines and bag inspections on arrival in Australia. If you do not declare any restricted or quarantine items, or if you make a false declaration, you risk severe penalties.
Airport pick-up and transport
Check with your Student Support Officer (usually the Registrar of the college) about travel to the college and if there is any pick-up available.