Australia Immigration Regulations

When deciding what to pack, keep in mind that your airline will have baggage weight restrictions (typically 40kg with student fare). We know, it’s tough to fit your whole life into 40kg. However, our suggestions are to only bring the essentials as you can always make a return trip to your home country during the semester breaks and bring the remaining items over.

Remember to browse through the comprehensive list (click here or https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/can-you-bring-it-in/list-of-items) to check what you CANNOT bring into Australia. Items such as Medicine or Food products are not advised as you can find most of these products in Australia. However, if they are daily essentials, you can declare it in the passenger card shown below.

Passenger Card (to be filled in by all students and or parents):
This card will be distributed during your flight to Australia.

PREPARING for Australia’s climate

• Australia has four seasons, so it’s important to pack clothing that suits the weather in the state where you’ll be living. You can also buy winter clothes in Australia, as they are quite affordable. The weather can vary greatly depending on the location and time of year, and it can sometimes be unpredictable. To help you dress appropriately each day, it is highly recommended to download a weather forecast app as a guide.

BEFORE you depart

• Make a copy of your eCoE

• Receive VISA Grant letter

• Book airline tickets

• Arrange an airport pick-up service for yourself and/or your parent. If your college/university provides this service, it is usually free, but you need to confirm it with your counsellor)

• Prepare enough Australian currency (cash) for emergencies or expenses during your first week of arrival, and also bring a debit or credit card with a Visa or MasterCard logo. Once you arrive at the airport in Australia, you can withdraw AUD there, and the transaction or administration fees are usually cheaper than exchanging money at a money changer.

DO bring/prepare these essential items:

• Organize all your important documents, such as your Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE), Student Visa Grant Letter, University Letter of Offer, accommodation details, passport, national ID, all financial and supporting documents, medical check-up results, police clearance (no criminal record) certificate, biometric documents, and your OSHC insurance policy.

• Accommodation for at least your first month in Australia, if not longer.

• Travel and health insurance (including OSHC)

• Your laptop and other electronic devices

• Stationary – just the essentials (pen, calculator, 3-4 notebooks)

MAY need these Miscellaneous Items

• Adapters and Converters. The standard voltage for electrical items in Australia is 230 volts (50 Hz).

• If you’re bringing electronic products from home, be sure to check if you require an adapter or voltage converter. Electrical plugs in Australia have three flat pins.

DO NOT bring these non-essentials – on your first trip

• Household items (Rice cooker, Printer, Bread toaster etc)

• Sentimental items – you can bring them on the second/third trip

• Stationary – a whole suitcase full of stationary

Remember that you only have 40 kg (unless your parents are travelling with you) so you don’t want to bring 5 suitcases and end up paying more than $500 worth of fines.

With this checklist, we hope that you will have a smooth sailing journey to Australia and create memorable experiences throughout your time there!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at cc@aufin.org