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Settling In

After You Arrive in Australia

Your first weeks as an international student: report your address, get your student and tax numbers, open a bank account and learn your visa and work rules.

Welcome • Australia

After You Arrive in Australia

Arrival Plan

Your first week

University Enrolment

Enrolment and orientation

Your Student Visa

Visa rules

Your First Priorities

Do these first. They keep your visa safe and help you settle in.

Pass the airport checks

Hand in your Incoming Passenger Card. Declare any food or medicines. Also declare cash of AUD 10,000 (Australian dollars) or more.

Report your address

Tell your university your home address within 7 days of arriving.

Go to O-Week

Orientation Week (O-Week), a welcome week at your university, is usually the week before classes start.

Know your visa rules

Check your work limit and other conditions in VEVO.

Post-Arrival Resources

Comprehensive guides for each aspect of settling into your new life in Australia.

Arrival Plan
Your first week

Your first day, first few days and first week.

Learn More
University Enrolment
Enrolment and orientation

Finish enrolment, get your student card and go to O-Week.

Learn More
Your Student Visa
Visa rules

Your visa conditions and the visa after study.

Learn More
Bank and SIM
Money and phone

Open a bank account and get a phone plan.

Learn More
Address, TFN and USI
Address and numbers

You do not need to register with the city. But there are three things to do in your first week.

Learn More
Student Jobs
Working while you study

Work rules, pay and your rights.

Learn More

Adaptation Timeline

A structured approach to settling in Australia during your first few months.

First Days
First week
Arrive, get connected and tell your university your address.
Pass the airport checks.
Get to your accommodation.
Get a SIM card.
Create your Unique Student Identifier (USI).
First Weeks
Just before and after classes start
Set up your study and money.
Go to O-Week and finish enrolment.
Open a bank account.
Apply for your TFN if you plan to work.
While You Study
Your whole course
Keep your visa conditions.
Follow your work limit.
Keep your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), health insurance for international students.
Meet your course requirements.
Support Services

Support Resources

Essential support services and resources to help you during your stay in Australia.

Your university's international student support

Your first stop for study, visa and housing questions.

Contact

Student services at your university

Health Direct

Phone line for health questions.

Contact

1800 022 222

Hours

24 hours a day

Emergency services

Call for police, fire or an ambulance when someone is in danger. Free, even from a mobile.

Contact

000

Police Assistance Line

For crimes that are not an emergency, such as theft.

Contact

131 444

National Student Ombudsman

Helps university students with complaints their university has not fixed.

Contact

1300 395 775

Fair Work Ombudsman

The government office for work rights. Help with pay and work problems.

Contact

Fair Work Ombudsman website

Cultural Adjustment

Understanding and adapting to the cultural nuances of Australia.

A multicultural country
You will meet people from all over the world.
Almost one in three people in Australia were born in another country.
23% of people speak a language other than English at home.
More than half a million international students study here.
Faith and freedom
You can practise your religion freely.
Places of worship for many faiths, including Hinduism and Islam.
People are asked to respect other people and what they believe.
Everyday life
Life is relaxed and outdoors.
Many people eat a late breakfast at a cafe on weekends.
Cricket and Australian Rules football (AFL) are big sports.
Many people spend free time at the beach or in parks.
Your rights at work
Australian law protects student workers.
You must get a payslip within one working day of being paid.
Your employer must put some money into a savings account for when you are older (called superannuation, or super), if you qualify.
You have the right to a safe workplace, free from bullying and discrimination.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about post-arrival life in Australia.

Ready to Settle In?

Start with your arrival plan, or talk to us about your own case.

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Complete Guide to Australia

Explore all aspects of studying in Australia with our comprehensive guides

Post-Arrival - Detailed Guides

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Need Assistance?

Need Help Settling In Australia?

Qogent is with you even after you land in Australia, offering post-arrival assistance and guidance.

Contact Qogent Support