7 things you need to prepare before coming to Australia

International student working on her laptop and wearing a white spotted t-shirt

Here are the most important things to prepare

02 May 2022 3 minute read

Congratulations on starting your international journey! We’ve put together a list of seven things to do before travelling to Australia.

1. Check your visa conditions

Depending on your purpose of travel, you’ll need to apply for the right visa. Use the Department of Home Affairs website to find out which student visas you're eligible for and what the processing times are. If you have questions about the application or you're unsure what documents you need to provide, contact a registered migration agent for help.

2. Keep up to date with the latest travel requirements

Before you make travel plans, you’ll need to meet the Australian Government’s requirements for entering Australia. This includes ensuring that you’ve received a COVID vaccine recognised by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), that you have the right number of doses and that you have a valid proof of vaccination. Be sure to keep up to date with the latest information for international travellers.

3. Seek the right OSHC provider

Before arriving in Australia, it's important to organise Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), which is a requirement for those with a student visa.

A good provider should:

be accessible
give you the ability to make claims quickly and easily and
innovate with the times

Evolving to the ‘new normal’ we live in, with nib, you can access a large network of doctors available for a video or telehealth consultation from your mobile using the nib mobile app. Best of all, the telehealth appointment is billed directly to nib so you won’t even need to submit a claim. Whether you need a medical certificate, a prescription, or even just a consult, you have everything you need to make an appointment with your GP in the palm of your hand.

Telehealth appointments are billed directly to nib so you won’t even need to submit a claim

4. Keep important documents printed and handy

Print all your important documents before you head to the airport. For example, visa, travel exemption, proof of vaccination, negative COVID-19 test results (if required), a permit to enter Australian states or territories, and proof of your address in Australia.

5. Familiarise yourself with important services and phone numbers

It’s good to know where you can seek support or help once you’re in Australia. Whether it’s your institution’s student help desk, nib mobile app, or a contact person at your residential address or workplace, keeping these details handy will be useful in case you need assistance. You can also check your education provider offers an airport pickup service for incoming students.

6. Set up a bank account

You don’t need to wait until you arrive in Australia to set up a bank account; most Australian banks allow clients to open an account online and transfer money into it beforehand. All you need to do is visit the nominated branch to provide documents for verification and a bank card. You’ll be able to make transactions almost immediately and may be eligible for a monthly account fee waiver.

7. Prepare a schedule for when you land

Making a list of things to do when you reach Australia will help you have a smooth transition upon arrival.

Some of the things to include in your list are:

buying a SIM card
finalising your banking
collecting your student card
updating your personal details, such as mobile phone number, residential address and bank account details, with nib

There’s a lot to do before travelling to a new country, but with a good plan, you can feel confident that you have everything covered.