Prior to arrival

What you need to bring with you:

Documents

• All personal identification documents: passport and student visa; driver’s licence; ID card/s
• Study documents; letter of admission offer; confirmation of enrolment (COE); receipts of relevant payments (tuition fees and overseas student health cover); scholarship letter (if applicable)
• Recognition of prior learning for credit evidence; including course outlines and/or original proof of completion
• Medical records and/or prescriptions.

Travel

• Time zones: both Melbourne and Sydney are on Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) which is Greenwich Mean time (GMT) + 10 hours. Daylight saving time is from the first Sunday October until the end of March, altering the time to (GMT + 11 hours).
• Luggage allowances vary by airline company so check with them as to exact allowances, but generally when flying economy within Australia, check in luggage allowance is 20kg with one carry on 7kg bag that fits the airline specific dimensions.
• Book to fly to either campus to Sydney International Airport (SYD) or Melbourne Airport (MELB).

Arrival

When you leave the plane at the airport, expect the following as you proceed through immigration, have the following documents ready to show:

• completed incoming Passenger Card (issued and filled out by you on the plane)
• passport
• student visa

Also keep the following handy:

• letter of offer
• electronic Confirmation of Enrolment
• evidence of having enough money to support yourself during you study in Australia – bank statements.

After immigration:

• collect luggage from the carousel
• continue to Australian customs which are very strict about what you can bring in to Australia
• plants and animals and related items need to be declared on your traveller statement – be honest
• you can’t bring prohibited items, including drugs, food and plants and there are limits on alcohol, tobacco and cash

Visit the Australian Border Force website for a list of items you can bring in and goods you must declare (and be aware that you can be fined on the spot for items you don’t declare.

Our weather

• Our seasons in Australia (Melbourne and Sydney):
• Summer (December – February) – hottest
• Autumn (March – May) – cooler
• Winter (June – August) – coldest
• Spring (September to November) – warms up again

The weather is Sydney is generally pleasant during all 4 seasons but can also be humid. January is the hottest month with an average temperature of 27’C with strong sun and high winds and the coldest winter days are in July of about 13’C. December brings the most daily sunshine hours and March usually has the most rain.

Melbourne offers warm summers, pleasant springs, mild autumns and cool winters. Maximum Melbourne daily temperatures are about 3’C cooler than Sydney.

What to wear

We generally dress casually in Australia, with jeans and sports shoes generally allowed. In summer you may wear shorts, skirts, T-shirts and sandals, but in winter warmer clothes and a jacket are recommended.

When we hold industry days or work integrated learning presentations or graduation ceremonies, you may need to dress more formally in suits with a tie or more formal or academic outfits to match sector standards. Some labs may require covered shoes. Stay informed of any specific requirements.

Observe and ask questions of staff and buddies as required.