Study Guide

Study in Australia Guide

Before arrival time in Australia

You will need to bring the following documents with you:

• Valid passport with student visa
• Your letter of offer
• Copy of your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment form
• Copy of your Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) form if under 18 yrs old
• At least 3 copies of your academic results that have been certified as true copies by the Principal of your school or by your agent.
• Certified true copy of your birth certificate, passport and visa.
• Your home address in English

What else to bring

Clothing

Summers (Dec-Feb) in Australia can get quite warm with temperatures reaching the high 30°C during the day.  Cool light clothes such as t-shirts, shirts, blouses and jeans, casual slacks or skirts are quite common among students. You should also wear a hat and long sleeved shirts for protection from sunburn. During winter (Jun-Aug), temperatures can drop to below 10°C so sweatshirts, jumpers, coat or other warm clothing is recommended. Australians generally have a casual and relaxed approach to dressing. On campus, most students will be found dressed informally.

Airport arrival

Arriving in Melbourne

When you arrive at Melbourne Airport, please clear Customs and Immigration. After Customs, please enter the Arrival Hall and turn left.
The Reception Officer will be there to meet you.  It is important that you carry your Taylors College Confirmation sign so that the driver knows who you are.

If you are unable to locate the Reception Officer, ask for assistance from the Travelers Information Desk or call 9935 7900.  DO NOT leave the airport.

Sometimes international flights arrive in other Australian cities at which point you may be given the opportunity to clear customs before taking your flight to Melbourne. In this case, you will most likely arrive at the domestic terminal.  The Reception Officer will still meet you there.  You will find them at the bottom of the escalator near the baggage carousal.

Arriving in Perth

When you arrive in Perth, go through Customs and Immigration. You will be greeted by Reception Officer in the Arrival Hall. The Reception Officer will have a sign with your name on it. Sometimes international flights arrive in other Australian cities at which point you may be given the opportunity to clear customs before taking your flight to Perth. In this case, you will most likely arrive at the domestic terminal.  The Reception Officer will still meet you there.  You will find them at the bottom of the escalator near the baggage carousal. If you are unable to find the Reception Officer, please call 0424 267 050. DO NOT leave the airport.

Arriving in Sydney

When you arrive at Sydney International Airport, please clear Customs and Immigration. After Customs, please enter the Arrival Hall and proceed to the “Information Desk”.  The person meeting you will be carrying a Taylors College sign with your name on it. If you are unable to find the Reception Office, DO NOT leave the airport.

Health and insurance

You'll have access to health facilities and regular checkups

Health facilities

In Melbourne and Sydney, we have registered nursing staff on duty in our fully equipped, on-campus health facilities. In Perth, we have a trained First Aid Officer and a well equipped sick bay. Your health is important to us and we will refer you to a nearby health professional if you need to see a doctor.

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

It is a requirement of your student visa to have ‘Overseas Student Health Cover’ (OSHC) for the entire period of the course. You will have paid for your OSHC when you accepted your offer to study at Taylors College.

You will also need to maintain OSHC throughout your stay in Australia. Taylors College will offer to arrange OSHC for the duration of your full program.

However if you elect for Taylors College to arrange your OSHC for the first 12 months only, and your program is longer than 12 months, you are responsible and obligated to renew your OSHC when it expires (that is, after 12 months) whilst in Australia.

OSHC Worldcare is the health insurance company that will provide you with your OSHC.

Customs and quarantine

If you are arriving, have the following documents ready for clearance:

• passport
• incoming passenger card

Your documents will be returned to you after processing. You may then collect your luggage from the baggage hall and proceed to the baggage examination area.

Sea travellers

For travellers arriving by sea, Immigration processing may be completed on board the vessel - a Customs officer will then direct you for further clearance.

Items you must declare on arrival (including cash/currency)

BE WARNED: DO NOT CARRY ILLICIT DRUGS

Penalties for drug offences in Australia are severe and could result in a jail term

Prohibited and restricted items

It is illegal to carry drugs including marijuana, cannabis, heroin, cocaine and amphetamines in and out of Australia. Counterfeit goods and offensive types of pornography are also banned. Other items may be restricted. You will need a permit to carry these items in and out of Australia.

See the following table for a summary on what you can and can't carry and what you need to declare on your Incoming and Outgoing Passenger Cards. There are penalties for not declaring illegal and restricted items and for making false declarations on your Incoming or Outgoing Passenger Card.

Contact Australian Customs or the consulate or embassy of the countries you're visiting before you travel, for more advice about importing or exporting illegal and restricted items.

What do I have to declare?

Firearms, weapons and ammunition
You must declare all firearms, weapons and ammunition including real and replica firearms and BB air guns that discharge a pellet by means of compressed gas, commonly purchased as "toy" guns. Other weapons such as paintball markers, blowpipes, all knives, nunchukas, slingshots, crossbows, electric shock devices and knuckle dusters must also be declared. Some of these items may require a permit, police authorisation and safety testing before importation.

Performance and image enhancing drugs
All performance and image enhancing drugs must be declared on arrival. These include human growth hormone, DHEA and all anabolic and androgenic steroids. These items cannot be imported into Australia without a permit.

Currency
There is no limit to the amount of currency you can bring in or out of Australia. However, you must declare amounts of A$10,000 or more in Australian currency or foreign equivalent. If asked by Customs you must also fill in a Bearer Negotiable Instruments (BNI) form if you're carrying promissory notes, travellers cheques, personal cheques, money orders or postal orders.

Food, plants, animals and biological goods
Declare all food, plant and animal goods, equipment used with animals, biological materials, soils and sand to Quarantine on arrival. If you don't, you could be given an on-the-spot fine or face prosecution.

Medicines
You need to declare all drugs and medicines including prescription medications,  alternative, herbal and traditional medicines, vitamin and mineral preparation formulas to Customs. Some products require a permit or quarantine clearance and/or a letter or prescription from your doctor describing your medication and medical condition.

Prescription medicines are financially subsidised by the Australian Government under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). You can only take out of Australia the amount of medication you need. Carry a medical or dental practitioner's letter or complete a PBS Medicine Export Declaration available from Medicare Australia.

Protected wildlife
Australia's strict laws control the import and export of protected wildlife and associated products. This includes traditional medicinal products and regulated products such as coral, orchids, caviar, ivory products and many hunting trophies.

Heritage-listed goods
You need to apply for a permit to import or export heritage-listed goods including works of art, stamps, coins, archaeological objects, minerals and specimens.

Veterinary products
Declare all veterinary drugs and medicines. This includes products that contain substances prohibited without a permit.

After arriving in Australia

Things to do First

1. Apply for a Tax File Number (TFN)

Do this first. To receive an income in Australia, you need a Tax File Number (TFN).

2. Register with Medicare

The Australian Government provides help with basic medical expenses through a scheme called Medicare.

3. Open a bank account

In Australia, most income including salary or wages and government benefits are paid directly into a bank account.

4. Register with Centrelink

Centrelink is a government agency which delivers a range of services to the community.

5. Register for English Classes

Communicating in English is very important and the key to your successful settlement.

6. Enrol Your Children in School

Under Australian law, children must attend school until they are 15 years old.

7. Apply for a Driver's Licence

Information on gaining a driver's licence.

                                             Print PDF