Preparing for your journey

Arrive in Adelaide at least two weeks prior to the course start date written on your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and offer letter.

To make your start in Adelaide as easy as possible, International Student Services offers a free Meet & Greet service for new international students. This service is only available if your booking is received at least five days before you arrive. 

You can find additional details here. 

If you are concerned that you will not arrive for the beginning of semester, and want to know your options, please contact your Client Services Officer (Conversion) and discuss the matter.

Their contact details are in your offer letter.

Bring enough money to cover your immediate needs on your arrival in Australia, including transport fares and any emergency expenses.  Approximately $500 in cash should be suitable.

To pay for your temporary accommodation and the cost of establishing yourself in permanent accommodation you will need approximately between $3,000 and $6,000.

You are able to pre-open a bank account before you arrive.

You will need an Australian address. If you do not have one, use your current overseas address.

The four major banks in Australia are:

• ANZ
• Commonwealth Bank
  
• National Australia Bank
• Westpac. 

Official documents you will need on arrival in Australia include:

• Valid passport and student visa documents
• Offer letter from Flinders University
• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) issued by Flinders University
• Receipts of payments (e.g. tuition fees, OSHC, bank statements etc.)
• Original or certified copies of your academic transcripts and qualifications
• Other personal identification documents, e.g. birth certificate, ID card, driver’s licence
• Medical records and/or prescriptions

If you are travelling with your family include their documents as well. Leave certified copies with family back home in case the originals are lost.

For a list of suggestions of what you should bring in your hand luggage read the Travel Secure information at the Department of Home Affairs.

Australian Customs Services have strict quarantine laws. If you are in doubt about whether your goods are prohibited or not, declare them on the incoming passenger card which you will receive on the plane. The Department of Agriculture lists what needs to be declared when entering Australia.

On most campuses, students usually dress informally. Jeans or pants with t-shirts or blouses, and sneakers are standard dress. Shorts are often worn during the summer months and sandals are the most common footwear. Men and women commonly wear shorts and sleeveless t-shirts in summer.

A nice jacket or suit and tie for men and appropriate dress for women is necessary for some functions such as formal dinners or a graduation ceremony.

Summer in Australia is from December to February, autumn from March to May, winter from June to August, and spring from September to November.

In Adelaide, the hottest months are January and February.

Once your preparations for arrival are complete, check you have organised the following;

• bought travel tickets and travel insurance
• made all the necessary arrangements for family members that are coming with you
• obtained a letter from your doctor for any prescribed drugs you may need to bring with you
• organised enough Australian currency and travellers’ cheques for your immediate arrival expenses
• taken out travel and medical insurance
• know what you must declare at customs and what you are not allowed to bring into Australia
• weighed your baggage to ensure that it is within your baggage allowance and is easily transportable for your onward journey
• organised temporary accommodation if not permanent accommodation for your initial days/weeks in the country

It is important to check Australia's biosecurity requirements when packing your personal items. Certain food, plant material and animal products from overseas could introduce serious pests and diseases to Australia.

Before landing in Australia, passengers are given an incoming passenger card to fill in. This is a legal document. You must tick YES if you are carrying any food, plant material, including wooden souvenirs or animal products.