Information for Accepted Students

What to bring

Apart from paying for temporary accommodation when you first arrive, you need to have sufficient money to cover the costs of establishing yourself. These expenses may include bond money for your accommodation and utilities (electricity, gas, telephone, etc.), furniture, food, transportation, stationery, books, etc.

You need to bring at least AUD$200 in cash and AUD$1500 in traveller's cheques or a bank draft. Remember that it can take up to 5 days to clear a foreign bank draft.

When you arrive, you will probably find it convenient to open an account with the Commonwealth Bank or, for Defence personnel, the Defence Credit Union, called DEFCredit, which has an on-campus branch. There are branches of the other major Australian banks near the University.

What to Wear

On campus, students usually dress informally. Jeans or trousers with casual shirts (often T-shirts) or blouses and sneakers or running shoes are commonly worn.

In the warmer months (November to April), Australian students often wear shorts and thongs (otherwise known as flip-flops) or sandals.

In the cooler months (April to November) warm jumpers, sweaters, pullovers or sweatshirts and a winter coat, and raincoat will be required. It is suggested that students from hot climates may like to buy their winter-style clothes in Canberra to ensure that they are suitable for the conditions. The snow fields are only 2 hours away, so it can become very chilly.

Defence students may wish to bring their uniform. You should check with your own attaches.

A sportscoat or suit and tie for men and appropriate dress or suit for women are necessary for some functions like formal dinners. For festive occasions you may want to bring traditional dress and accessories.

Other Things You Might Need

You should also bring:

• a spare pair of spectacles or contact lenses and a current optical prescription.
• prescriptions for any regular medication.
• vaccination certificates.

You may also consider bringing with you the following useful items, which are generally more expensive to buy in Australia: rice cooker, personal audio or communications accessories, camera, laptop/notebook computer.

Note: The standard voltage for electrical appliances in Australia is 240 volts. Electric plugs typically have 3 flat pins (one earth pin) - so you may need to get an adaptor, or change the plugs when you arrive.

Pre Departure Checklist

Essential documents to carry with you:

• Valid passport with Student Visa
• Letter of offer from ADFA
• Confirmation of Enrolment slip issued by ADFA
• Receipts of payments (tuition fees, health cover, etc)
• Letter of scholarship award (if applicable)
• Original/certified copies of your academic transcripts
• Other personal identification documents eg. Driver's license, I.D. card, Medical records or prescriptions.

If you hope to obtain credit in your program for courses you have completed elsewhere, you should check the requirements before your departure so as to ensure that you bring all relevant documents.

Ensure that you have notified the International Student Officer about your arrival date and time.

It is important to include the following to your hand luggage:

Contact and telephone numbers of International Student Officer (02) 6268 6006 (if ringing from Sydney you need to dial the prefix 02 first) and friends in case of emergency.

Some cash in AUD$ as a taxi from the airport will cost up to $50.

Warm clothing such as a sweater or jacket, Canberra weather can be unpredictable. Check the local weather on: http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/act/forecasts.shtml

Postgraduate students are encouraged to attend the Academic Preparation Program. The program is aimed at students who have not previously completed a program where English was the language of instruction.

Quarantine

Quarantine Regulations

You need to be careful about what you can bring into Australia with you. Due to strict quarantine regulations you must declare all foodstuffs (including fruit and nuts), animal or plant products you bring into Australia. Items you do not declare may be confiscated, your luggage may be quarantined for several weeks and, in some cases, may be destroyed. Other prohibited items include guns and other weapons, or drugs.

For further information about Australian quarantine, please refer to the AQIS 'What can't I take into Australia ' brochure or visit the AQIS website at: http://www.aqis.gov.au or http://www.customs.gov.au

Emotional Preparation

Living and studying in a foreign country means more than leaving your family and friends, familiar foods, climate, customs and languages of home environment.

It presents many new exciting and tough challenges as you experience a greater sense of independence and personal responsibility. You need to make adjustments and accomplishments in the following areas:

• personal lifestyle, making sense of different Australian attitudes, values, lifestyles and ways of thinking;
• understanding ADFA academic expectations and culture;
• mastery in the use of English, especially in academic work;
• developing and participating in new friendships and social networks.

New international students often experience an initial period of adjustment of emotional highs and lows. It is a perfectly natural experience for almost anyone when they try to adjust to a new country and a new culture.

If you find yourself confused and disoriented in the initial period, try to remember that it is a passing phase. As you become more familiar with the new surroundings you will feel more at ease with yourself and others, the excitement of making new friends and exploring the Australian way of life will start to grow. The key to managing new experiences is to be prepared as much as possible and expect the 'unfamiliar' .

Planning on bringing your family with you?

If you are planning to bring your dependants (wife/husband or children) with you to Australia, you will have to consider specific arrangements for their visas and living arrangements. You will also need to budget your living costs accordingly.

International students are eligible to apply for their family entry on a dependant's visa provided the study program lasts for at least one year. Dependents of international students are granted a Temporary Residents Visa for the purpose of accompanying their student partner.

Spouse Study and Work Entitlements

Spouses on a dependant's visas can apply for full-time study in Australia as a full fee paying students and must change to a student visa status in their own right.

Spouses of postgraduate international students are entitled to work full time, while those of undergraduates are able to work only 20 hours per week. Dependants can apply for the right to work, after their student partners have commenced studies. These regulations are set by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA).

Dependants of AusAID and Defence sponsored students are restricted to 20 hours work per week throughout the year for the duration of their visa.

Schooling for dependent children

The current policy of the ACT Department of School Education provides schooling in ACT schools for dependent children of international students.

Dependent children of international students, with the exception of those on full Australian Government funded scholarships, are required to pay the “Temporary Visa Holders Education Fee”. In 2002 these fees range from AUS$6,900 per year for kindergarten to AUS$10,000 per year in Year 12. An application fee also applies.

Such dependent children will require Confirmation of Enrolment forms to enter the Country and therefore their applications for schools and visas will need to be planned well in advance of leaving their home country. Further information is available from the web at: ACT: http://www.decs.act.gov.au/applic/applic.htm

Childcare

If you plan to come to Australia with babies or small children, it is important to consider the availability and cost of child care. Attitudes, facilities and costs of child minding are probably different compared to those at home. Full-time care is difficult to find, especially for children under three years of age, and costs approximately $25-$45 a day.

Student Sport and Recreation

A wide range of inexpensive sporting and recreation opportunities are available in Canberra and surrounding areas. Individual and team sports are played at the campus.

Arriving at Sydney Airport and Transferring to Canberra

On arrival in Sydney, the cabin of the plane may be sprayed with a harmless aerosol spray by the Department of Agriculture Inspectors. This is to ensure that unwanted bugs and pests are not introduced into Australia.

Before leaving the plane, make sure that you have all your papers ready - completed Australian Immigration and Customs Declaration forms and passport - and ensure that you have all your hand luggage with you.

If you bring any foodstuffs, spices, plant, animal or wood products into Australia, they must be declared on the Customs Declaration form given to you on the plane. If you do not declare them, they may be confiscated and you could be fined. It is then up to the Customs Officer to decide if you can keep them. Remember that unless you declare everything on the form, it is too late to tell the Customs Officer at the airport. If in doubt, write it down. Remember that only Customs Officers can give you accurate information about customs matters.

If you have unintentionally carried any fresh food or meat products in your hand luggage, deposit them in the specially marked bins located in the walkway before you reach the Immigration check point.

It is important that you also declare any funds which exceed the amount you are allowed to bring into the country. Complete the appropriate section on the Customs Declaration form.

Immigration

As you leave the plane follow the signs for Arriving Passengers. You will reach a number of Immigration Check Points. The Immigration Officer will examine your passport and documents and may ask you some simple questions before stamping your passport.

Baggage Collection

After completing immigration formalities, proceed to the baggage collection area of the terminal. You will need to clear customs in Sydney and re-check your bags for your flight to Canberra. Make sure you collect the right bags by comparing the luggage tags. Trolleys are available at the baggage collection area.

Customs and agricultural officers often use 'sniffer dogs' to detect drugs or food stuffs. The dog sniffs at the bags and around the people in the baggage area. If the dog comes near you just remain calm - the dogs are highly trained and will not hurt you.

Customs

The next stage is to clear Australian Customs. The Customs Officer will ask to see your Customs Declaration form. If you have stated that you have nothing to declare, the Customs Officer will tell you to follow the Green Route, which takes you immediately through Customs to the entrance hall outside.

If you indicated that you have goods to declare, you will be directed to the Red Route. There, you will be asked questions about what you have brought with you, and your bags may be opened and searched. If your bags are searched, remain calm and co-operate with the Officers.

After the examination re-pack your bags and leave the Customs Hall. Even if you have stated that you have nothing to declare, you may be selected for a random check. If this is the case, your bags will be searched in the same manner as if you had declared certain goods.

Money Changing

Money changing facilities for arriving passengers are located in the terminal immediately outside the main doors. If you did not bring any Australian currency with you, you should obtain at least AUD$200 to cover your immediate expenses.

Airport Reception Desk

The Universities operate reception desks to welcome new arrivals at Sydney International Airport Terminal. ADFA students may go to the UNSW Desk or can go directly to the Domestic Terminal to transfer to Canberra.

Sydney Reception Desk Hours

The Airport Reception Desk will operate 9 weeks prior to the commencement of Session 1 and 8 weeks prior to the commencement of session 2 of each year between 0600 - 1200 and 1700 - 2300 hours each day.

You will NOT be met personally at the Arrivals Gates.

After going through Customs, proceed to the Airport Reception Desk which is located in the centre of the Arrivals Hall between the North Exit Gates (A/B) and the South Exit Gates (C/D) (See Map). Should the desk be unattended, or if you have difficulty finding the desk report to the nearby Tourism Information Counter where Meet & Greet Service staff will attend to your needs. The booth is marked with a big " i " for Information near the Tourism New South Wales Centre. If you get lost, ask an airport officer.

Sydney Airport Map (location of Airport Reception Desk)

Canberra Universities Reception Desk

The Airport Student Reception Desk will operate prior to the commencement of Session 1 and 8 weeks prior to the commencement of session 2 of each year between 0600 - 1200 and 1700 - 2300 hours each day.

Canberra Airport is very small and the reception desk is clearly marked. When you arrive you should proceed to this desk if you have made arrangements to be met.

Welcome to Canberra

If you are not being met at the airport and wish to make private arrangements, a taxi from the airport to the ADFA will cost approximately $15 - $20. Depending upon the suburb of your destination the ride will cost approximately $50.

Work rights

Student Visas issued by the Australia Government carry visa condition 8101. This means that students are not permitted to work. If students wish to work they can apply for the right to work in Australia by lodging an application form and paying a fee (currently $50) after commencing their studies. Once a student obtains permission to work he or she can work up to 20 hours per week during session and full time during the university vacations.