TRAVELLING TO MELBOURNE

Check your baggage weight limits with your airlines.

• Clearly label all your luggage.
• Ensure you order special meals on your
• Flight if you are vegetarian or require special a diet.
• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

AUSTRALIAN CUSTOMS AND QUARANTINE

When you arrive in an Australian airport you will proceed to the Entry Control point, where you need to have the following documents ready:

• Passport
• Air tickets
• Completed Incoming Passenger Card

Australia has strict quarantine laws to protect our valuable agricultural industries and environment. Before you get off the plane, you will be required to complete the In-coming Passenger Card, which you will receive on the plane.  If you are carrying any items that are listed as quarantine, you must declare these. If you are in doubt, it is better to DECLARE than take risks. Answer “Yes” if you are carrying any food, wooden material, plant material or animal products.

If you do not obey the quarantine regulations, penalties can occur, such as on the spot fines, detention, or deportation. On the spot fines can be AUD$420,000 and imprisoned for up to 10 years and get a criminal record for serious breaches.

Australian customs use sniffer dogs to detect illegal drugs or food matter in people’s bags or in their clothing. Quarantine regulations also apply to parcels or mail sent to you by family or friends from your home country.  All parcels must have accurate descriptions and declaration about the contents of the package. Prohibited items may result in prosecution.

The Customs Services Department is responsible for ensuring that all passengers comply with Australian customs laws. All passengers are screened, and luggage is x-rayed. There are several matters to note as an international student:

Money: You can bring an unlimited amount of foreign currency. However, if the amount is over the equivalent of AUD$10,000, then you must declare this.

Medication: Contact your nearest Australian diplomatic mission to confirm that the medicine and quantities you will bring with you are permitted. A letter from your doctor is necessary. You can also check with the Therapeutic Goods Administration about which prescribed drugs you can bring and in what quantities. Please visit: www.tga.gov.au

Prohibited goods:  include steroids, firearms, weapons and any kind of illicit drugs.

Do not carry goods for other people: If these goods are prohibited, you will be responsible Declare items that need duty/sales tax

CARRY-ON BAGGAGE

Liquids, gels and aerosols: You are only permitted a small amount in your cabin or carry-on luggage. Small contain-ers of 100mls are permitted and must be sealed in a trans-parent plastic bag.

MONEY ON ARRIVAL

Australia’s currency is decimal, with the dollar as the basic unit. Notes come in $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. Coins come in 5 cents, 10cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, $1 and $2. All major credit cards and traveller’s cheques are widely accepted in Melbourne.

It is a good idea to have some Australian currency with you on ar-rival. You may need this for phone calls, to purchase necessities or for a taxi fare. AUD$300-AUD$500 is an estimate of cash that may help with necessities.

Furthermore, you will need sufficient funds to cover the initial costs of establishment, such as bond money for your accommodation and rent, as well as money for electricity, gas phone connections, food, stationery, and books. It can take 5 or more days for a bank draft to clear so it’s a good idea to make sure you have access to additional cash upon your arrival. We suggest that you check https://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/english/live-in-austra-lia/living-costs prior to traveling so that you are aware of the average living costs in Australia.

BANKING

It is recommended that you set up a bank account soon after you arrive. This will allow you access to additional funds from overseas bank accounts.   To open a bank account, you will need proof of identity. Your passport is the main form of identity. You may also need at least one other piece of identification, such as a Student ID.  Australian financial institutions use a points system. Applicants need to provide 100points of identity when they open an account. For example a Passport usually equates to 70 point and photo id (e.g. driving license) equates to 40.  Bank charges apply to all accounts, but make sure you have $0 fee Student account. However, most banks offer the option of a student account that usually involves fewer fees than regular accounts.

Check with all the banks to make sure you get the best deal.

Apply for an Access Debit card that will allow you 24 hour access from an Automatic Teller Machine(ATM). ANZ Bank, Commonwealth Bank, Westpac Bank, St George Bank, Bendigo Bank, National Australia Bank