Welcome to Australia
When you arrive at an Australian airport, you will first need to go through immigration and customs clearance. If you need help finding your way around, just ask the airline staff or one of the border officials in the arrivals area. A clearance officer will check your travel document and visa, and once cleared you will be able to collect your luggage to go through customs and quarantine clearance processes.
Whether you are taking public transport, a taxi, or you are being picked up from the airport by your education provider, it is important that you have all the details including the time, the route and, if your travel has been arranged by your institution, their contact details.
College orientation
College orientation is a requirement for all colleges. It is compulsory to attend the school orientation. The school will generally email you the details on your orientation dates a couple of weeks before your class start date. Our student support team will also email you about your orientation four weeks before your course start date. At the orientation, you will:
- Be given an overview of the college and the course
- Receive your timetable and student ID
- Confirm your payment plan with the school
- Be advised of important information relative to your studies
First Days Checklist
We’ve put together a handy checklist of all the things you should do during your first few days in Australia.
Open a bank account
Buy an Australian SIM card
Arrange your accommodation
Obtain your OSHC card and activate your membership
Apply for your Unique Student Identifier (USI) if your school hasn’t done so
Get your student ID card from your school
Apply for a tax file number (TFN)
Attend Orientation
OSHC
Overseas student health cover (OSHC) is insurance that provides cover for the costs of medical and hospital care that international students may need while in Australia. This is mandatory for international student visa holders. At a minimum, OSHC policies must cover the following:
- the benefit amount listed in the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee for a General Practitioner (GP)
- ambulance services
- benefits for pharmaceuticals
- day surgery accommodation
- public and private hospital stays and any medical treatment
Please contact your individual provider when you arrive to ensure you are familiar with what is covered. Students may also take out additional cover in the form of Extra OSHC.
How to obtain your OSHC card
If you purchased OSHC through the school, the school will provide you with your OSHC card. However, if you purchased OSHC on your own or through PTA, then you will need to contact the provider when you arrive and your card will be posted out to you.
How to use your OSHC
If you need to visit a doctor or medical centre, make sure you go to a clinic that offers direct billing so you can make a claim with your insurance provider. Often, you’ll just need to show your OSHC card and the bill will be sent to your provider. Sometimes, you may need to pay the bill and make a claim to your provider afterwards. To do this, you must keep the receipt, log on to your provider’s website and follow the steps to submit a claim.
For hospital treatment, you’ll need to contact your health insurance company as soon as you can with details of your stay. They will then help to arrange the necessary payment to the hospital.
If you have any questions about where to find covered healthcare providers or how to claim, you can contact your OSHC provider directly. In a medical emergency, always seek treatment first.
Phone and Internet
Getting connected is the first thing you will need to do to stay in contact with friends and family in Australia and back at home.
The best mobile phone deal for you is the one that allows you to do the things you want to do at the lowest cost. Understanding all your choices means you will get the best deal.
If you are bringing your phone from overseas, make sure it is compatible with the local network.
Common Providers
There are many providers for mobile phone services, the most common ones being Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, Amaysim, Dodo, etc.
Getting a SIM card
One of the first things you will need when you land in Australia is an Australian sim card so you can communicate with your family and friends.
You can buy a SIM card at any provider’s store. There are two main types of phone plans:
Contract
Prepaid
Money in Australia
It is recommended that you bring a small amount of Australian dollars with you to ensure you have enough funds to support yourself when you first arrive. An international travel card or cash will be very useful.
Banking
Most banks have the option to open a bank account before you leave your country. However, you will not have full use of your account until you verify your identity at the bank’s branch.
Commonwealth Bank
Pathway to Aus is partnered with Commonwealth Bank and you can set up your bank account before you can arrive in Aus:
We want to introduce you to the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. They’re known to Aussies as CommBank*. As Australia’s largest bank, they support more people moving to Australia than any other bank. Find out how they can help you on their Moving to Australia website.
You will have to set up your account on your arrival. The following banks also offer accounts for international students:
*Things you should know: Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 is a company incorporated in Australia with limited liability and subject to Australian regulation.
Ways to send money
Once you have set up your Australian bank account, it is recommended that you transfer money into Australia.
Banks will charge a fee on all international transactions. Some banks, like the Commonwealth Bank, have waived the fees for transactions with banks within the South Pacific region. We recommend checking with the banks to see if they offer a suitable option for you.
Otherwise, we would strongly recommend using an online platform to transfer money. These platforms will give you the best exchange rate available – a lot better than if you just transfer the money using your bank. Some of the ones that we recommend are:
