Arrival Guide

Your Arrival Plan for Australia

A simple plan for your first day, your first few days and your first week as a student in Australia.

Australia Arrival Timeline

Get to your accommodation: Plan your trip from the airport before you fly, including a late-night arrival.
Get a SIM card: With an unlocked phone, buy a pre-paid SIM (you pay first) or a SIM-only plan (a monthly plan without a phone).

Priority
First 24 Hours: The Basics

Pass the airport checks, get to your accommodation and get connected.

Pass the airport checks: Hand in your Incoming Passenger Card and declare any food, medicines or cash of AUD 10,000 (Australian dollars) or more.
Get a SIM card: Pre-paid SIM cards are sold in many shops, supermarkets and phone stores.
Check in to your accommodation: Know how to check in outside business hours if you arrive late at night or early in the morning.

Emergency contacts to save

Police, fire or ambulance in a life-threatening emergency: 000 (Triple Zero), free even from a mobile
Police Assistance Line, for crimes that are not an emergency, such as theft: 131 444
Health Direct, health advice 24 hours a day: 1800 022 222

Arrival Day Tips

Keep your passport, visa papers and CoE in your hand luggage.
Carry your accommodation address and a pen for the Incoming Passenger Card.
Keep any prescription medicine in your hand luggage.
Have some Australian dollars when you land. Most airports have money exchange counters.

Learn how to get around and visit your campus.

Create your USI: You need a USI to get your degree or certificate. Create it after you pass the airport checks.
Check your visa in VEVO: Use Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO), where you check your visa rules, such as how many hours you may work.

Visit your campus: Go before classes start to learn your best route and find your way around.
Learn public transport: Each state has its own network, such as Transport NSW in Sydney or Public Transport Victoria in Melbourne. Ask your university about student fare discounts.

Finish the official steps and get to know your campus.

Report your address: Visa condition 8533, a rule of your visa: tell your university your home address within 7 days of arriving.
Apply for your TFN: Apply online with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), Australia's tax office. It is free. Your TFN comes by post within 28 days of your application.

Go to O-Week: O-Week has information sessions, campus tours and social events. Check your university's website.
Open a bank account: Visit a branch and say you are an international student. Bring your CoE, passport and proof of address.

Save these numbers in your phone.

Service	Number
Police, fire or ambulance	000
Police Assistance Line	131 444
State Emergency Service (SES), for floods, cyclones and storms	132 500
Poisons Line, for advice about poisons, bites and stings	13 11 26
Health Direct	1800 022 222

Call 000 only if someone is badly hurt, if life or property is in danger, or if you just saw a serious accident or crime.
If you do not speak English, tell the 000 operator your language and you will get a translator.
Your university has a campus security team. Find its number in your enrolment papers or on its website.
For a bad injury or illness, go to the nearest hospital emergency department.