Are you ready?
As you begin your preparations, it’s common for students to have questions and concerns about what they should bring and how to prepare for their new student life. To help you out, we have put together a handy checklist specifically tailored for overseas students, ensuring a smooth transition into your student life at RGIT. From packing essentials to important preparations, this checklist will guide you through the necessary steps to ensure a seamless start to your educational journey.
1. Document preparation list:
When preparing for your journey to study in Australia at RGIT, there are several essential documents that you must have in order to ensure a smooth transition. Here’s a checklist of important documents to remember:
- Passport: Make sure your passport is valid and will remain valid throughout your stay in Australia.
- Receipt of Payment: Keep a copy of the receipt confirming your successful payment to the school as proof of payment.
- School Offer Letter and Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE): Carry the original copies of your school offer letter and CoE, as they are important documents for immigration and enrollment purposes.
- Valid Student Visa Documents: Ensure you have your student visa and all related documents, such as visa approval letters and health insurance documents, to comply with immigration requirements.
Tips:
- It is advisable to print all your important documents, as border officers may request to see them upon arrival.
- Keep your tickets and passport with you at all times, as they serve as your entry tickets to Australia.
2. Money
Here are some recommendations and tips to ensure a smooth financial experience:
- Cash: It is advised not to carry more than $7,000 Australian dollars as amounts exceeding that require declaration and may pose safety risks. Upon entering Australia, travelers must report any currency they are carrying amounting to $10,000 or more in Australian dollars or its foreign currency equivalent.
- Credit Card: It is beneficial to have at least one credit card that can be used for payments in Australia, ensuring convenience during your stay. Prior to your departure, inform your bank about your travel plans to facilitate smooth processing of your transactions.
Tips:
- After arriving in Australia, consider visiting a local bank to apply for an Australian bank card, which will offer greater convenience for your financial transactions. Generally, you will need to bring your passport, student card, and proof of address to open an account. Some recommended banks in Australia are Commonwealth Bank, ANZ Bank, NAB Bank, and Westpac Bank.
3. Electronic Devices
Electronic devices are an integral part of our lives, and when preparing for your journey to study in Australia at RGIT, there are a few essential items to remember:
- Power Adapter: Bring a universal power adapter to ensure compatibility with the electrical outlets in Australia. The plug types may differ from those in your country, so having your own adapter will ensure that you can charge your phone, laptop, and camera without any issues.
- Laptop: A reliable laptop is crucial for staying updated with school announcements and receiving important updates via email at RGIT. Additionally, a significant portion of assignments and study materials are distributed electronically. Having a capable and efficient laptop will contribute to a smooth and successful academic journey.
Remember, while you can purchase adapters and chargers in Australia, it’s always a good idea to come prepared with the right accessories for your electronic devices.
4. Daily Living Items
When it comes to daily living items, here are some essentials to consider for your journey to study in Australia:
- Suitable Clothing: Pack a variety of clothes, including warm garments as Melbourne and Hobart can be chilly during winters. Items like jeans, hoodies, jackets, sweaters, scarves, and hats are recommended. Don’t forget comfortable pajamas, underwear, and suitable shoes for everyday wear. You can also bring accessories like watches and other personal items to complete your style.
- Suitable Shoes: Australia’s beautiful mountains and stunning coastlines are best explored with comfortable walking shoes. Make sure to pack a pair that provides good support for your adventures.
Tips:
- For other daily living items, you can easily find them after you arrive in Australia. Stores like Kmart, Target, and Big W offer a wide range of household and personal items at affordable prices, making it convenient to purchase what you need.
Not recommended
When preparing for your journey to study in Australia, it’s important to be aware of the items you are not allowed to bring. Here are some key restrictions to keep in mind:
- Cigarettes: Please note that you are only allowed to bring in duty-free quantities of tobacco products. This includes one packet of up to 25 cigarettes or 25 grams of other tobacco products. Ensure you comply with these regulations when bringing cigarettes into Australia.
- Food: It is strictly prohibited to bring fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, poultry, pork, eggs, dairy products, live plants, or seeds into Australia. These items have the potential to introduce serious pests and diseases, which could have devastating effects on Australia’s valuable agriculture, tourism industries, and unique environment. It is essential to respect these restrictions to safeguard the country’s ecosystem.
- Medications: If you require medications for medical treatment, it is necessary to bring your doctor’s prescription in English and carry the medicines in their original packaging. It is also advisable to check the Australian regulations regarding medication imports. Please be aware that even with a prescription, there may be restrictions on the specific medicines you can bring into the country.
By adhering to these guidelines and respecting the restrictions on cigarettes, food items, and medications, you can ensure a smooth entry into Australia while safeguarding its environment and complying with customs regulations.
Final tip
Before entering Australia, it is important to complete the Incoming Passenger Card (IPC). These cards will be provided to travelers onboard their flight or ship before arrival or by the Australian Border Force in the arrival terminal. Please ensure that you fill out the IPC accurately and provide the required information as instructed.
Front side
Back side
What is a passenger card?
A passenger card is a document providing passenger identification and an effective record of a person’s entry to Australia.
An Incoming Passenger Card (IPC) is to be completed by passengers entering Australia. IPCs will be provided to travellers on board their flight or ship before arrival or by the Australian Border Force in the arrival terminal.
Passenger cards also serve as:
- a declaration in relation to health and character requirements for non-Australian citizens
- a visa application form for Special Category Visa applicants and for Norfolk Island Permanent Residents.
Who needs to complete a passenger card?
Most passengers are required to complete and present a passenger card when entering Australia. Australian citizens who refuse to complete an IPC may be penalised. Non-Australian citizens may be penalised and refused immigration clearance.
Completing a passenger card in English
An IPC must be completed in English. Passengers requiring assistance to complete a passenger card can download printable sample versions of the IPC, including translations visit the following website:
https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/crossing-the-border/at-the-border/incoming-passenger-card-%28ipc%29
Lastly, as you prepare to embark on this exciting journey, remember to bring your positive energy and happiness with you. We eagerly await your arrival at RGIT and can’t wait to meet you in person. If you have any further questions or need assistance, please feel free to reach out to us. We are here to help. We look forward to welcoming you to our campus very soon!
If you would like to learn more about getting to our campus once you arrive in Melbourne please see our link here: