1. Before you leave home

Sydney is a wonderful place to visit, and we invite you to learn all about the city and student life in the later chapters of this site. However, while you are still in your home country there are many important matters to consider, such as making travel arrangements, having health checks and gathering the necessary documents.
This chapter looks at:
Organise your travel arrangements
Have a health examination
Arrange accommodation
Collect important documents
Pack what you need
Prepare yourself mentally and emotionally
Complete your pre-departure checklist
Do I need an international drivers licence?

Organise your travel arrangements

Student Visa
If you are coming to Australia for a temporary period to study full-time, you must apply for a student (temporary) visa. Visas are issued by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), and you can print the forms you need from the DIAC website, www.immi.gov.au, or get them from the Australian Consulate or Embassy in your country.

This first thing to do is to read DIAC Information Form 1160i, which gives full details on how to apply for a visa.

Then, to be granted a student (temporary) visa you must:

• Complete Application Form 157A, providing general and educational information about yourself.
• Pay the correct processing fee.
• Satisfy entry requirements (including health requirements). The Application Form advises you which ‘education subclass’ you are in, and explains what conditions apply. DIAC has developed a range of assessment factors you must satisfy before a visa will be issued; these vary according to your country of nationality and your education subclass.

IMPORTANT: Once you arrive in Sydney you must ensure the University of Sydney has your current address at all times. If, for any reason, DIAC wishes to contact you they will rely on the address the University has for you. See here for information about computers on campus and logging into your student account.

Dependant’s visas for family members
Some students bring their family (spouse/partner and children) with them to Australia. You can apply to bring your family on a dependant’s visa if you are enrolled in a formal tertiary course which lasts for at least one year. If you are planning on bringing your family with you, you should seek information from the Australian Consul or Embassy in your country about visa requirements. Dependant’s visas are issued by DIAC.

Usually, your family members will need to have a health examination and you will need to provide supporting documents, such as marriage and birth certificates, passports and proof of sufficient income to support your family in Australia. You will also need to pay the family rate of health cover (see ‘Overseas Student Health Cover’ in Chapter 3) to ensure your family has health insurance while in Australia.

A dependant’s visa will allow your family members to stay with you in Australia for the duration of your course. If your course of study is shorter than one year, or if you want other family members (such as parents or siblings) to visit you, each of them will need a visitor’s visa (not a dependant’s visa). A visitor’s visa is usually issued for three months.

If you are an AusAID or ADB scholar wishing to bring your family to Australia, you should contact the AusAID Unit in the International Office by email or telephone 9036 6281.

Further information about immigration matters generally is available from the DIAC website at www.immi.gov.au

Should I bring my family to Australia
There are arguments for and against bringing your family while you are studying in Australia. On one hand, you will not be separated from them, you will not be anxious about their welfare in your absence, and you will have someone near and dear to share your experiences. On the other hand, families make demands on your time and energy and this can affect your study. Also, you may make less effort to meet new people if you have your family with you. Remember, finally, that you must pay fees for your children’s schooling (see the Family section in Chapter 4).

You need to discuss these advantages and disadvantages carefully with your spouse or partner and other family members and reach a decision which is best for all. Coming to a new and unfamiliar country as the spouse or partner of an international student is exciting but not always easy. The International Student Support Unit (ISSU) runs the Accompanied Partners Program to help partners adjust (see Accompanying Partners Program for details). You can also contact the ISSU counsellors for advice on any family related concerns.


Airport Arrival Booking Form
You must return your Airport Arrival Booking Form to the ISSU, informing us of the date and time of your arrival. This way, you can be sure there will be someone at the Airport Reception Desk

The address to send it to is given on the form, which is included in ‘Things To Do Before You Leave Home’ and at www.usyd.edu.au/stuserv/issu/predep.shtml.

Air tickets
You are responsible for arranging your own air tickets and choosing your time of arrival in Sydney. However, we strongly advise you to arrive at least two weeks before semester begins, so you can arrange permanent accommodation and settle into Sydney life before you begin study.

Sharp objects on flights
For security reasons, all knives, sharp objects or cutting implements of any kind and any length, whether or metal or other material, knitting needles, and sporting goods, must be packed in checked luggage. They cannot be carried in your hand luggage. If they are, the articles will be removed and not returned. If you are carrying hypodermic needles for medical reasons, you must declare them. Medication should have a professionally printed label identifying the medication, or a manufacturer’s name or a pharmaceutical label attached. When possible, carry documentation of identification to confirm you medical condition. You should check any other restrictions concerning hand luggage with your travel agent or the airline you are travelling with.

Have a health examination

It is a good idea to have a thorough medical check-up before you leave home. It may also be required for you (and your family, if they are coming with you) to satisfy visa requirements.

Visit your dentist and have any necessary dental work carried out before you leave for Australia. Also have your eyes checked and obtain contact lenses or glasses if you need them. Consider bringing a spare pair of glasses or contact lenses in case you need them. All these are advisable because dental and optical costs are expensive in Australia.

Overseas Student Health Cover covers eye examinations but does not cover the cost of buying spectacles. OSHC does not cover any dental costs, although students are able to receive a discount at the Dental Service in the Wentworth Union Building on the main campus.

If your course involves clinical placement (e.g. for nursing) you must undergo screening and vaccination in Australia, in line with New South Wales Department of Health policy. Please go to www.health.nsw.gov.au for further information. Your faculty should also provide you with full details about this requirement at enrolment.

Arrange accommodation

When you arrive in Sydney, where are you going to stay the night? It is much better to know the answer to this question before you leave home. There are two types of accommodation to consider: temporary and permanent.

Temporary accommodation
If you have not already arranged permanent accommodation, you will need temporary accommodation for a few days or weeks while you look for something more permanent. You can book temporary accommodation either on campus or off campus.

On campus
Many of the residential colleges at the University of Sydney have rooms available in the holidays before their students arrive as semester begins, and these rooms can be booked for temporary accommodation. Essentially, you need to contact the college, make a booking and provide payment in full. See your www.usyd.edu.au/stuserv/issu/predep.shtml for details of the colleges and how to book.

Off campus
You can book temporary accommodation at any local youth hostel, hotel or motel of your choice. There is an ‘Off-campus temporary accommodation list’ enclosed in your Pre departure kit. Staff at the Airport Reception Desk at Sydney Airport can also help you find temporary accommodation.

Permanent accommodation
It takes a student, on average, between two and four weeks to find suitable accommodation. As with temporary accommodation, there is permanent accommodation both on campus (colleges) and off campus (share housing, homestay, etc). To live on campus, it is advisable to apply for accommodation before you leave your home country. September of the year before you start your studies is best. If staying off campus, it is easiest to just make arrangements once you arrive in Sydney, though you will need temporary accommodation at first, as noted above. It is important to inspect rental accommodation before signing a rental agreement. We strongly recommend that you inspect any permanent accommodation before you sign a lease.

For full details on permanent accommodation see Chapter 4. You can also get information from the ISSU Housing Officer or from staff at the University of Sydney Accommodation Service

Collect important documents

You will need documents to enter Australia, enrol at the University, drive a car, get work and many other things. It therefore makes good sense to keep them safe and ready to use in a document folder.

Document folder

• Valid passport (including photocopies)
• Student visa (including photocopies)
• Letter of Offer of Admission and other material sent to you by the University
• Receipts of payment for all University fees
• Certified copies of personal papers, such as academic transcripts, educational or work qualifications, scholarship award letter (if applicable)
• Identification (ID) papers, such as birth certificate, proof of citizenship, driver’s licence from your own country, international driver’s permit (if needed – see below)
• Papers relating to any study that may earn you credits for the course you are enrolling in at the University. (If you want credit for study completed at a university other than Sydney you will need to bring detailed information – course outlines, syllabus outlines, texts used, course assessment information, number of teaching hours, etc.)
• Credit cards, bank keycards, traveller’s cheques, etc
• Medical records, immunisation records and school records for you and all accompanying family members
• Proof of marriage (if relevant)
• Receipts for goods you are bringing to Australia, to assist with assessing Customs duty and sales tax (e.g. computers, cameras)
• Reference letters (for finding accommodation or employment) including rental references
• This booklet – Your Road To Success

If your important documents are not in English, it is a good idea to bring official English translations with you.

Pack what you need

Most items you will need during your stay are available in Australia, though the cost may be higher than in your home country. So it pays to do some sensible packing, and in particular to have enough money when you arrive.

Clothing
You will find most people in Australia prefer to dress casually, even on campus. Suits and formal wear are usually worn only for work and formal functions such as graduations, formal dinners or ceremonies. While dress or smart clothing can be expensive in Australia, casual clothing – as well as bed linen, towels and the like – can be reasonably priced.

In summer, most people wear T-shirts, loose shirts or blouses, skirts, shorts or lightweight trousers with open shoes such as sandals. The weather can sometimes change suddenly and evenings are often cooler than daytime, so if you are out for the day bring a lightweight jumper. If you want to go to the beach or swimming pools, bring appropriate swimming items with you.

Sydney usually has mild winters. Often you will be quite comfortable in jeans, running shoes, a shirt or T-shirt and a warm jacket. There are some cold and wet days in winter when you may need woollen scarves, woollen gloves, jumpers, waterproof jackets, winter coats, warm socks and waterproof shoes. Also, most houses are not centrally heated.

Personal Items
You may find it useful to pack items such as:

• small sewing kit
• alarm clock
• umbrella
• raincoat
• dictionary
• personal diary
• vaccination certificates
• prescriptions for medication
• sports gear
• toiletries
• camera
• padlocks for luggage
• address book with contact details of family, friends (also write down the address of your home country’s embassy in Australia)
• other favourite personal items.

Note: that you must not pack any sharp objects (e.g. scissors, knives) or flammable items in your hand luggage on the plane.

Electronic goods
Some students bring electrical appliances, such as rice cookers, radios, hair dryers and computers. (Computers are essential for preparing assignments and essays but it is not essential that you bring one with you as computers are available for you to use on campus. These items may attract what is called ‘goods and services tax’, and should be packed separately so Customs can inspect them if needed. For more information see Chapter 2 as well as the booklet ‘Know Before You Go’ in your Pre-Departure Package.

Australia has 240 volt, AC 50Hz cycle electricity. Some appliances have a 110/240V switch. If they do not, you will need a voltage converter. Most motels and hotels have universal outlets for 110V and 240V. A three-pin plug is used in powerpoints. If you intend to bring appliances with you, buy adaptor plugs and check that your appliances can be used on Australian voltage.

Animal or plant items
If you want to take any animal or plant items (which could potentially carry disease) into Australia, you must complete a form and also declare the items to Quarantine at Sydney Airport. Some items are prohibited and you generally cannot take these into Australia; however, it may be possible to do so if you obtain approval before you leave home. Please read the brochure ‘What Can I Take into Australia?’ in your Pre-Departure Package, or go to www.aqis.gov.au. See here for more Quarantine details on arriving at the airport.

Money
Australia has decimal currency with 100 cents to the dollar. Australian bank note denominations are $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5, and coins are $2, $1, 50 cents, 20 cents, 10 cents and 5 cents. The exchange rate for the Australian dollar (AUD) is a floating rate based on the foreign exchange market.

How much should I carry?
You must have some money for immediate use when you arrive in Sydney. You will need to pay for transport from the airport, as well as accommodation, food, telephone calls, postage and other expenses. You should bring at least AUD $300 in cash and have easy access to at least $1,200 more (e.g. with a bank keycard or in traveller’s cheques).

Do not bring all your funds in one cheque that needs to be cashed at a bank. It can take several weeks for cheques from some countries to be cleared for cashing by the banks here. This could leave you in a difficult situation with no money for accommodation or other necessities. If you are a scholarship student, you should not rely on the first scholarship payment for immediate use as it may take some time before the money can be placed in your bank account.

Bank accounts
You will be able to open a bank account straight away. In the first six weeks after you arrive, you need only your passport as proof of identity when opening a bank account. Once you have opened an account, further funds can be transferred from your home country directly into your account here in Sydney. For information about banks on campus see Chapter 4.

Some banks in your country may be able to open an account for you in Sydney before you leave home – ask at your bank first. Credit cards accepted in Australia include American Express, Diners Card, Visa and MasterCard. Banks also issue bankcards for use in Australia.

Useful websites:
www.travelex.com.au
traveller's cheques and money transfers

www.xe.com
universal currency converter

www.google.com.au
type in related terms (eg 'Australian banks')

What if I am sending items to Australia?
If you send items to Australia by post or a freight service, they will need to be cleared by Australian Customs. You can clear the goods yourself or have a nominated person, such as a relative or Customs broker, do it for you. You will need to complete an ‘Unaccompanied Effects Statement’ (available from all Australian Customs offices and Customs brokers) and produce your passport and a detailed packing list. If you do not use the services of a broker, you should contact the Australian Customs office nearest to the location of the arriving goods to arrange your own clearance. Customs may inspect the goods on arrival in Australia. Duty free concessions will not apply to goods sent to Australia.

Please read the booklet ‘Know Before You Go’ in your Pre-Departure Package for further information or contact:

Customs Information Centre
Phone: 1300 363 263 (in Australia)
+61 2 6275 6666 (outside Australia)
Email:
Web: www.customs.gov.au

Prepare yourself mentally and emotionally

Prepare yourself mentally and emotionally In the rush of dealing with practical matters – visas,tickets, documents, money – do not forget to allow yourself time to prepare emotionally and mentally for the experience ahead of you.

For most students, even those who have lived and studied abroad before, a move to a new culture and education system will involve a period of transition and adjustment. Being away from home can result in feelings of sadness, loneliness and even depression. But if you know what to expect you will find it easier to cope. There are usually three stages of change:

• At first, there is often a period of excitement when preparing for your departure. Saying goodbye to family and friends is a little sad, but the sadness is masked by the anticipation of living abroad. The first few days in the new country are usually
  disorienting but still exciting.
• As the excitement wears off, you may begin to notice differences between Australia and home, may start missing the life you are used to, and may start to feel lonely and isolated. It is not uncommon for students to feel quite depressed and unhappy
  and to start wondering if they have made a terrible mistake.
• Then, as time passes, lectures begin, you meet people, make friends and become familiar with the way things work here, you will find yourself feeling more comfortable. The depression lifts and you begin to see differences in a more positive light. Before long you find yourself feeling more at home.

You can make this transition more easily if you remember that changes in your emotional state are a normal reaction to the major life changes. Adequate preparation will help you adjust. It can help if you bring some favourite familiar items with you from home – an ornament or something that has special importance. Keeping in touch with people back home on a regular basis also helps. Talking to a counsellor at the ISSU about things that concern you is also helpful. Making contact with local students by joining clubs and societies and taking part in the activities they organise is a great way to meet people and make friends.

Pre-departure checklist

I have:

• Organised travel arrangements (visa, air tickets, etc).
• Returned my Airport Arrival Booking Form to the ISSU informing them of the date and time of my arrival.
• Had medical/optical/dental check-ups (and packed spare pair of glasses/contact
  lenses, prescriptions for medicines, etc, in my luggage)
• Organised at least temporary accommodation, either on campus or off campus.
• Packed my document folder of important documents, as well as placing immediately
  needed items (passport, air ticket and other valuables) in my hand luggage.
• Checked Customs and Quarantine regulations and separately packed items I will need to declare (e.g. food, computer), as well as ensuring there are no sharp
  objects in my hand luggage.
• At least $1,500 available for use on arrival in Sydney (including approximately $300
  in cash).
• Packed some of my personal items such as photos, address book with contact
  details of family, friends, my country’s embassy in Australia.
• Packed this booklet – Your Road to Success – in my hand luggage for reading
  on the plane.
• Purchased padlocks for my luggage and applied them to my bags.

If any of these items is not ticked and you require further assistance, please contact ISSU.

Should I bring my family to Australia?

There are arguments for and against bringing your family while you are studying in Australia. On one hand, you will not be separated from them, you will not be anxious about their welfare in your absence, and you will have someone near and dear to share your experiences. On the other hand, families make demands on your time and energy and this can affect your study. Also, you may make less effort to meet new people if you have your family with you. Remember, finally, that you must pay fees for your children’s schooling (see the Family section in Chapter 4).

You need to discuss these advantages and disadvantages carefully with your spouse or partner and other family members and reach a decision which is best for all. Coming to a new and unfamiliar country as the spouse or partner of an international student is exciting but not always easy. The International Student Support Unit (ISSU) runs the Accompanied Partners Program to help partners adjust (see Accompanying Partners Program for details). You can also contact the ISSU counsellors for advice on any family related concerns.

Do I need an international driver’s licence?

If you are on a student (temporary) visa and have no intention of becoming a permanent resident, you can drive in New South Wales with your driver’s licence from your home country. You should have the original licence and a letter (in English) from the licensing authority in your country or the relevant consulate or diplomatic office confirming your licence details and status. Whenever you drive in New South Wales you should have documentation (e.g. licence, copies of passport and visa) with you. If you take out a NSW driver’s licence it will no longer be legal for you to use your home country licence in NSW.

If you intend to visit other countries when returning home, you may want to obtain an international driver’s licence. You will need to do this in your own country before you come to Australia.

Remember that your driver’s licence (and international driver’s licence) must be valid, so you may have to renew them in your own country when you return for holidays. Further details on driving in Australia are in Chapter 3:LINK. You can also obtain more information from the Road Traffic Authority (RTA) directly on 13 22 13 or visit the website www.rta.nsw.gov.au