Pre-Departure Online Session
for Australia
Get fully prepared before you fly to Australia. Expert-led sessions covering visa conditions, accommodation, banking, part-time jobs, and university life — specially crafted for Indian international students.
Pre-Departure Online Session by
Guide to Heights
Planning to study in Australia? Join our expert-led pre-departure online session hosted by Abin Mathew Varghese at Guide to Heights. This session is specially crafted for Indian international students preparing for their journey to Australia. Get comprehensive guidance on student accommodation in Australia, bank account setup, student visa requirements, part-time job opportunities, and how to adjust culturally and academically in Australian universities.
Whether you're heading for undergraduate or postgraduate studies, this guide ensures you feel confident, informed, and fully prepared before you board your flight to Australia.
📅 Session Schedule — All Australian Intakes
We run sessions aligned with all three major Australian university intakes. Join our WhatsApp group to get the exact date for your intake.
For students commencing in February/March. Covers summer arrival tips, orientation week, and settling into Australian life during summer.
Get Date on WhatsAppFor mid-year intake students starting in July/August. Covers winter arrival preparation, tax return timing, and mid-year university start tips.
Get Date on WhatsAppFor summer intake students starting in November/December. Covers Christmas holiday planning, beach safety tips, and navigating the Australian holiday period.
Get Date on WhatsAppWhat's Covered in the Session
Twelve comprehensive topics delivered by Abin Mathew Varghese — everything an Indian student needs before departing for Australia.
Key Visa Conditions — Know Before You Go
Understanding your visa conditions is the most important part of studying in Australia. Breaching any condition can lead to visa cancellation. Here's what every Indian student must know:
Work Limit — 48 Hours Per Fortnight
You may work a maximum of 48 hours per fortnight (2 weeks) while your course is in session. During official university vacation periods, you may work unlimited hours. This limit applies to all work — including casual, part-time, and self-employment.
Enrolment in CRICOS-Registered Courses
You must remain enrolled in your registered course throughout your visa. Any course change must be approved by your provider. Notify your university and education provider before switching courses or institutions.
Satisfactory Course Progress & Attendance
You must maintain satisfactory academic progress — typically 50% pass rate per study period. Most universities also require a minimum 80% attendance. Failing to meet these requirements may result in a notification to the Department of Home Affairs.
Valid OSHC — Overseas Student Health Cover
You must maintain valid OSHC for the duration of your student visa. OSHC covers hospital and medical expenses in Australia. Major providers: Medibank, Allianz, NIB, AHM, and BUPA. Keep your OSHC active — even during breaks.
Notify Education Provider of Your Address
You must notify your Australian education provider of your residential address within 7 days of arrival in Australia. When you change address, you must update your provider within 7 days. This is a visa condition — not just an administrative requirement.
Course Change — GS Statement Required
If you wish to change courses or transfer to another university in your first 6 months, you need your current provider's written agreement or a Genuine Student (GS) statement. Guide to Heights can help prepare this documentation.
Complete Pre-Departure Checklist
Tick off everything on this list before you fly. We cover all of these in detail during the session.
🎒 Documents to Carry
- ✓Valid passport with student visa (Subclass 500) grant letter
- ✓Printed Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from university
- ✓Travel insurance policy documents
- ✓OSHC membership card and policy number
- ✓Certified copies of academic certificates and transcripts
- ✓Bank statements showing proof of funds
- ✓Doctor's letter for any prescribed medicines
- ✓Emergency contact numbers saved and printed
- ✓Accommodation booking confirmation
- ✓Australian university offer letter
📱 Set Up Before You Leave India
- ✓Open an Australian bank account online (Commonwealth, NAB, ANZ)
- ✓Download university app, Google Maps, and Google Translate
- ✓Join your university's international student Facebook/WhatsApp group
- ✓Book airport transfer or arrange pickup
- ✓Register for university orientation week
- ✓Download VEVO app to check your visa conditions
- ✓Inform university of your arrival date
- ✓Exchange some AUD cash before departing India
- ✓Notify your OSHC provider of your arrival
- ✓Label all luggage clearly with name and Australian address
🛬 On Arrival in Australia
- ✓Declare all food, plant material, and restricted items at customs
- ✓Activate your Australian SIM card
- ✓Collect your luggage and check everything is intact
- ✓Contact university housing or accommodation provider
- ✓Notify your education provider of your address within 7 days
- ✓Apply for Tax File Number (TFN) online immediately
- ✓Locate the nearest medical centre to your accommodation
- ✓Attend university orientation — do not skip
- ✓Save emergency number 000 on your phone
- ✓Apply for a transport concession card from your state
🚫 Australian Biosecurity — Do NOT Bring
- ✗Fresh fruits, vegetables, or seeds
- ✗Meat, poultry, eggs, or dairy products (undeclared)
- ✗Live plants or cut flowers
- ✗Soil, sand, or rocks
- ✗Used sporting equipment with soil
- ✗Honey, bee products
- !Packaged commercial food — declare and may be allowed
- !Medicines — carry doctor's letter for prescription medication
Working in Australia on Your Student Visa
Australia offers excellent part-time job opportunities for international students. Understanding the rules and knowing where to look is covered in detail during our pre-departure session.
Tax File Number (TFN)
- Apply online at ato.gov.au immediately on arrival
- Required before you start any paid work in Australia
- Takes approximately 28 days to arrive by post
- Without TFN you pay the highest tax rate (47%)
- Free to apply — avoid TFN scams
Where to Find Jobs
- Seek.com.au — Australia's largest job board
- Indeed.com.au
- Your university's student job board
- Gumtree — local casual work
- LinkedIn — for professional roles
- University career centre — free help
Your Workplace Rights
- Minimum wage: ~AUD 24.10/hour (2025–26)
- Protected by the Fair Work Act
- Right to penalty rates on weekends/public holidays
- Superannuation entitlements after threshold
- Report exploitation: fairwork.gov.au
- Fair Work hotline: 13 13 94
Superannuation
- Employer contributes 11.5% of your wages to super fund
- You can claim your super when permanently leaving Australia
- Apply for Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP)
- Claim via ATO website or myGov
- Many students forget this — don't leave money behind
Managing the 48-Hour Limit
- A fortnight = 2 consecutive weeks
- Track your hours carefully across multiple jobs
- During official course breaks: unlimited work hours allowed
- Breaching the limit = visa condition breach
- Keep payslips for tax returns
Tax Returns & Finances
- Australian tax year: 1 July to 30 June
- Lodge tax return by 31 October each year
- Use myTax on myGov — free and simple
- Most students receive a tax refund
- Keep all payslips and bank statements
Meet the Host — Abin Mathew Varghese
"The pre-departure session is not just a checklist — it's about giving every student the confidence to walk off that plane in Australia knowing exactly what to do, who to call, and how to thrive. Having lived and studied in Melbourne myself, I understand firsthand what students face in those first weeks — and I built this session specifically to remove that uncertainty."
How to Register for the Pre-Departure Session
Registration is simple and takes less than a minute. All you need is WhatsApp.
Join the G2H WhatsApp Community Group
Click the WhatsApp button on this page to join our Pre-Departure community group at this link ↗. This is where all session dates, registration links, and preparation materials are shared for every intake.
Watch for the Session Date Announcement
Approximately 2–3 weeks before each intake starts (February, July, November), the session date, time, and Google Meet link will be posted in the WhatsApp group. Turn on notifications so you don't miss it.
Join the Google Meet at the Scheduled Time
Click the Google Meet link in the WhatsApp group at the scheduled time. No download or account required — just your browser. The session typically runs for 90–120 minutes with a live Q&A at the end. Have your questions ready.
In-Person Option — Kochi Office
Prefer face-to-face? We also run in-person pre-departure sessions at our Kochi office for students in Kerala. Dates are announced in the same WhatsApp group. Address: Level 2, Infopark Express Highway Junction, Kakkanad, Kochi 682037. Get directions →
Can't Make It? Contact Us Directly
If you miss the session or have urgent pre-departure questions, WhatsApp or call us directly at +91 73065 83820. For GCC students, use Botim/IMO on +91 89216 52087. We also respond to emails at info@guidetoheights.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Attend the Pre-Departure Session?
Join our WhatsApp community group to receive the next session date, registration link, and preparation materials directly on your phone. It's free, it takes 10 seconds, and it could save you months of confusion when you arrive in Australia.