INTERNATIONAL STUDENT INFO

USEFUL INTERNATIONAL STUDENT INFORMATION

Preparing

Preparing To Leave

packs for uni useful information for students

There are things you can do before you leave home to help make the move to Australia or the UK easier.

  • If you can, go to a pre-departure briefing in your home country . These briefings are a great opportunity to meet fellow students, and you’ll learn lots of useful information about travelling to Australia and living in any major cities.
  • When you book your flight, make sure you give yourself time to adjust to living in a new country, and to get used to the layout of your campus before classes start.
  • Obviously, you’ll need to sort out where you’re going to live. Whether you want to live on-campus or elsewhere outside campus.
  • You should also work out your budget before you arrive.
  • Also, be aware of important dates. You must arrive in time to attend enrollment and orientation, as both are compulsory. Check the semester dates .

Before you leave

Before you leave home checklist

Use this checklist before your departure to ensure you complete important steps.

  • Apply for a student visa
  • Get medical, optical and dental checkups and immunisations (if necessary)
  • Book your flight to arrive in time for enrolment and orientation (at least 2 weeks before classes start)
  • Organise airport pick-up and get confirmation of your booking
  • Organise short-term accommodation for when you first arrive
  • Lodge an application for on-campus accommodation or Homestay (if required)
  • Buy some local currency. Investigate the cost of living and work out a budget
  • Attend a pre-departure briefing (if one is available in your home country)
  • Organise childcare or school for your children
  • Put together an important documents file. Make photo copies to leave one copy with your family and one to take with you
  • Get an international driverʼs licence or a translation of your licence
  • Purchase your Starter Packs from Packs for Uni. Please visit www.packsforuni.com.au
  • Organise your belongings and start packing
  • Familiarise yourself with the local customs and quarantine information
  • Complete the pre-enrolment requirements
  • Postgraduate research students make an appointment with your supervisor

Costs

Cost of Living

Carefully consider the costs involved when you are applying to study at university.

  • Tuition fees are not your only expense – you may need to find accommodation, travel to and from university, buy books, pens and paper, and think about food, entertainment and socializing, such as joining clubs or societies.
  • The annual cost of living depends on your lifestyle and the type of accommodation you choose, but AUD$450 per week is generally sufficient for most students to live comfortably. This does not include tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks or any airfares.
  • Students with a family (spouse and one child) should budget a minimum of $1000 per week (AUD$52,000 per year) for living expenses.

Accomodation

University Accomodation

There are a variety of housing options for you to consider while you are living in Australia or abroad

Living on-campus

Residential colleges on campus provide a safe and secure home for more than thousands of students. They accommodate students of different ages and backgrounds who share academic and personal interests. The colleges are very popular and we recommend you apply at least four months before you begin at the University.

Other housing options 

You must arrive early if you are planning to live off campus in a shared house or rented property, or board with a family. You should aim to arrive two to three weeks before the International Welcome and Orientation Program in order to find suitable accommodation.

Finding a place  

The University Student Housing Office provides listings of vacant and shared accommodation in areas surrounding the campus.

However, it does not evaluate the accommodation or negotiate on your behalf with the owner or agent. You must judge for yourself the quality, suitability and safety of the accommodation. 

Online accommodation scams 

Do not become a victim of an online scam. If you find accommodation through the internet, do not sign a contract or pay a deposit until you have seen the place and met with the real estate agent or landlord. There have been instances of accommodation services with fake listings.

Extras

Extra things to look out for

  1. Apply for a student visa and ensure you have overseas student health cover
  2. Book your airport pick-up and/or temporary accommodation
  3. Pack your clothing, personal items and important documents
  4. Consider arrangements for bringing family to join you (for duration of your study)
  5. Currency Converter
  6. The International Student Guide to Australia (external publication) Driving
  7. Consumer Rights
  8. Watch out for Scams and Fraud