Palash Academy

🇦🇺 Pre-Departure Guide

Australia — Know before you fly

Everything Indian students need to prepare for Australia: arrival, first week, culture, emergency contacts, and packing.

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Departure Checklist

Print or save this before you pack

1Valid passport (6+ months validity)
2Subclass 500 student visa (check conditions in VEVO)
3Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
4OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) — activated and valid
5Proof of funds (bank statements or scholarship letter)
6Accommodation booking confirmation
7University offer letter
8Biosecurity declaration knowledge (what to declare)
9Prescription medicines (3–6 months supply)
10Digital copies of all documents on cloud

Arrival Essentials

At the Airport (ABF)

  • Use SmartGate if available for faster processing
  • Carry CoE (Confirmation of Enrolment), OSHC card, passport, and finances proof
  • OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) is mandatory — have it active before arrival
  • Declare food, plants, animals — Australia has strict biosecurity
  • AUD 10,000 cash declaration required

Biosecurity (Important!)

  • Declare ALL food items, including packaged snacks, spices, and pickles
  • Wooden items, plants, seeds — all must be declared
  • Violations can result in heavy fines (AUD 222–2,664)
  • Most commercially sealed foods pass — raw/unpackaged items are restricted

Visa Conditions (Subclass 500)

  • Must enroll full-time and maintain satisfactory attendance (typically 80%)
  • Can work 48 hours per fortnight during term
  • Notify DHA if you change address within 7 days
  • OSHC must remain active for the entire duration

First Week Checklist

HIGH

Enroll and get student ID

Visit campus admin with CoE, passport, OSHC card. Essential for everything else.

HIGH

Get a TFN (Tax File Number)

Apply at ato.gov.au — needed for any work and to avoid maximum tax deduction. Free and online.

HIGH

Open an Australian bank account

Commonwealth Bank, NAB, Westpac, ANZ — all offer student-friendly options. Can open online before arrival.

HIGH

Get an Australian SIM

Optus, Telstra, Woolworths Mobile — from AUD 10/month. Buy with passport at any supermarket or telco store.

MEDIUM

Register with your OSHC provider

Medibank, Bupa, nib, Allianz, CBHS — contact them for your membership card and claim details.

HIGH

Attend orientation (Mandatory)

Includes academic integrity, library access, student union, and counseling services.

LOW

Apply for Centrelink (if eligible)

International students generally not eligible except for specific circumstances. Check with university.

MEDIUM

Get an Opal / Myki / Go Card

State-based transit cards: Opal (NSW), Myki (VIC), Go Card (QLD). Concession available with student ID.

Cultural Briefing

Do's

  • • Embrace "no worries" and "mate" — laid-back culture is genuine
  • • Tip is NOT mandatory (unlike USA) but appreciated for exceptional service
  • • Respect the outdoors — Australians take their environment seriously
  • • Be friendly and direct — Australians appreciate straightforwardness
  • • Participate in outdoor activities — beach, hiking, BBQs are core culture
  • • Call people by first names — very informal culture

Don'ts

  • • Don't be arrogant or overly formal — "tall poppy syndrome" is real
  • • Don't dismiss Australian culture as less sophisticated
  • • Don't ignore sun safety — UV in Australia is extreme
  • • Don't litter in nature — heavy fines and strong social disapproval
  • • Don't stereotype or generalise about Aboriginal culture

Pro Tips

  • ★ Slip, Slop, Slap: slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat — every day
  • ★ Woolworths Everyday Rewards and Coles Flybuys save money on groceries
  • ★ Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace are great for cheap secondhand furniture
  • ★ Student discounts on buses/trains with a valid student concession card
  • ★ Free cultural events and festivals are frequent — check your city's events calendar

Weather & Packing Guide

Summer Arrival (Nov–Feb)

25–45°C (varies)

Nov–Feb

  • Light cotton clothes
  • High-SPF sunscreen (essential)
  • Sunglasses
  • Wide-brim hat
  • Swim gear
  • Insect repellent

Winter (Jun–Aug)

5–18°C (Melbourne colder)

Jun–Aug

  • Medium to heavy jacket
  • Layered clothing
  • Closed-toe shoes
  • Umbrella

Spring (Sep–Nov)

15–25°C

Sep–Nov

  • Light layers
  • Spring jacket
  • Allergy medication (spring blooms)

Autumn (Mar–May)

15–25°C

Mar–May

  • Light to medium jacket
  • Mix of summer and cooler weather clothes

Local Resources for Indian Students

Indian Grocery Stores

  • Harris Farm Markets
  • Spice World (Sydney/Melbourne)
  • Indian Grocery Stores near universities
  • Coles/Woolworths Indian sections

Places of Worship

  • BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir (Sydney, Melbourne)
  • Islamic Society mosques
  • Sikh Gurudwaras (all major cities)

Indian Restaurants

  • Chat Street (Melbourne)
  • Harris Park "Little India" (Sydney)
  • Indian precincts in every major city

Student Communities

  • ISA at each university
  • Hindustan Club Australia
  • Facebook: Indians in Australia / Indians in [City]