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Moving to Australia / Study in Australia / Student checklist

Three months before you move

  • Immigration

    • Check/apply for any necessary visas and make note of any conditions – you may need to prove you have access to funds when you arrive or have health insurance cover in place
    • Check you have a valid passport and that it will still be valid for the length that your visa requires

  • Banking

    • Consider your Australian bank account options – to save time, you can open an account online up to 14 days before you arrive in Australia
    • Monitor exchange rates for the best time to send money

     

  • Employment

    • Looking to work while you are studying? Check your visa requirements – there can be restrictions about whether or how much you can work
    • Make sure your resume/curriculum vitae is up to date

  • Insurance

    • Organise cover for your trip including travel and health insurance

  • Travel

    • Book your flights and check luggage allowances. You may want to book extra baggage
    • Apply for an international driver permit if required

  • Accommodation

    • Research accommodation options in Australia. Many educational institutions will be able to provide you with advice on different accommodation options - it's worth visiting the website of the Institution you have enrolled in, or contacting them directly

  • Mail

    • Start to keep a list of the companies you get mail from so you can notify them when it comes to updating your address

One month before you move

  • Banking

    • Change some cash into Australian dollars for your arrival 

    Health

    • Check any prescription medication you need is up to date
    • If you’re bringing prescription medication with you, check it can be brought into Australia – you may need to obtain a letter from your doctor
    • Check whether you need any vaccinations to enter Australia

    Home matters

    • Make a list of all subscription services that you want to cancel before your move including internet, TV streaming and gym memberships. Many require notice to be given in advance
    • Notify contacts/companies of your new postal address

  • Documentation

    • Make copies of your important documents (certified copies are best for official documents) including:
      • Passport
      • Birth certificate
      • Visa
      • Vaccination records
      • Driver licence and international driver permit
      • Airline tickets and itinerary
      • Dentist, school and medical records
      • Get extra passport size photographs – these may come in handy
      • Tax information including any tax identification numbers

    Travel

    • Check luggage allowances with your airline
    • Confirm all airport transfer arrangements
    • Start thinking about what you'll need to pack

One week before you move

Travel

  • Finish packing and weigh your luggage to ensure that it meets the airline’s allowance 
  • Check what items can and cannot be brought into Australia as quarantine rules are stricter than most other countries for food, plants and animal products
  • Pack valuables in your carry-on luggage – including original documentation and any paperwork you may need to prove you meet the visa requirements, e.g. bank statements to prove your financial position
  • If your flight requires a stop in another country, ensure anything in your carry-on luggage is suitable to be taken through that country's airport immigration

Home matters

  • Pay any outstanding bills
  • Redirect your mail
  • Give your friends and family your flight details and your address in Australia
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Organise your banking 

  • Open your bank account before you leave

    Open a bank account up to 14 days before you arrive in Australia. You’ll need to visit a branch when you arrive to identify yourself and provide your tax residency details before your account can be used.

     

    Account options

Once you arrive in Australia

  • Staying in touch

    An Australian mobile SIM card can help you use your data more freely, instead of using international roaming from your home country.

    Many telecommunication companies in Australia offer prepaid mobile plans which include international calls and texts, without the need for a contract.

    If you’re a CommBank customer, you can access exclusive discounts on More mobile plans, helping you to stay connected – just be sure to unlock your phone from its current provider before you arrive.

  • Taxation

    Register to apply for a Tax File Number (TFN) – you’ll need this if you’re planning on working. It can also save you paying too much tax if you open a bank account..

    Driver licence

    Visit your nearest roads authority office to obtain a driver licence if required.

    Health

    Depending on your circumstances and visa, you may be eligible for free or subsidised healthcare
    through Medicare.

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Things you should know